WoW Insider

Sounds about right; however, made-for-pc games have been very playable on consoles in the past. I do have to admit that FFXI is quite playable on the XBOX 360/Playstation 2 with a keyboard set-up. I know a couple people that have played that game (which definitely has a complex way of being controlled) on their consoles with no problems.

With that in mind, It wouldn't be unreasonable to suggest that if WoW were coming to a console that they would just implement the same keyboard/mouse control-scheme used for a regular PC/Mac. Just food for thought.

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Pity FFXI did it about 8 years ago, on a PS2 no less...

But yes, you'd lose a massive number of UI addons by porting the game to a console. It's all going to come down to what market share Blizz could capture by porting the game over to a console. Obviously they don't think they'd capture enough additional players to justify the development.

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An area that's not been properly explored yet (unless you count Phantasy Star Online) are console-specific MMOs. Console game development requires a different design methodology and an understanding of the kind of demographic who are likely to play your game. A heavier emphasis on action and skill and less on micro-managing 20+ keys and mucking about with add-ons is required. I think it's something that Blizzard should seriously look into. Consoles provide the opportunity to do things that don't necessarily work so well in a PC environment, it would be interesting to see what they could come up with.

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Everquest Online Adventures was a pretty good console only MMO. Granted now adays after playing EQII and WoW it looks a little silly, but when it came out 7 years ago it was a damn decent game. A revamp of something like that on the insanley powerful new consoles could work very well.

~SoW and Invis. please~

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doesnt need it. doesnt want it.

now If WoW was in the market position of say star wars galaxies.. then yes i would agree porting the game to a console to temporarily increase subscriber numbers would be a valid idea.

but seeing as WoW's subscriber numbers have only gone up since it's release. it's not needed, and talk any such porting to consoles should be punishable with life in rape you in the *** prison.

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Good God, we wouldn't want the XBox-live crowd in WoW anyway.

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Console manufacturers could just create keyboard/mouse accessories. Then people could play MMOs on their consoles the same way they play on their pc.

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Let's consider: Console MMO: Action-based, less subtle.

Non-subtle RPG... Lemme see... Diablo I & II?

Ok if the guys @ Blizz are planning exactly that (Diablo III released for console)... Welll that could be bloody damned smart...

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I'd preffer to play on my PS3, you could use the controller for long distance travelling or simple grinding for gold or whatever but when you need more control for PVP or end game stuff, I'd use a keyboard and I would be able to max my draw distance again since entering the Dark Portal.

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They wouldn't even need to develop keyboard or mice specifically for consoles, I can't speak for the 360 (though I am sure it's the same case) but the PS3 can use any bluetooth or USB keyboard/mouse just fine, just like any computer would.

There's really nothing you can't do on the consoles today that you can do on the PC. If anything, it's easier to develop for because you don't have to worry about assorted hardware to support.

If you want to say that they don't think the market would be good enough, that's fine, but they should say that. Saying something like the input mechanisms on the consoles won't work, because (unless they are talking about the Wii) they can use keyboards and mice just as well as computers. Some games already do, like Unreal Tournament. Heck, FFXI did just that years ago, of course everyone used a keyboard when they played.

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Actually, there is a Microsoft approved keyboard add-on for XBox 360 controllers (It plugs in in the same hole where you would plug in a wired mic) that has a full QWERTY lay-out. The keys are pretty small, granted, but are about thumb sized. It might take some tweaking but with the controller to move and select spells with and the keyboard in your hands along with the controller, it is a bigger possibility than I think some people give it credit for.

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Um... USB keyboards and mice have been supported by all consoles since PS2...

Way to be ignorant Bliz.

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I've had no problem playing WoW with my old PS1-controller using Xpadder. Mostly banking and leveling alts through their early levels though. Balancing several mobs was a bit of a challenge with my Hunter/Warlock.

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