Ever since Microsoft teased fans with True Fantasy Live Online for the original xbox which was later cancelled, fans of the MMORPG genre have been twiddling their thumbs awaiting an MMORPG release for the Xbox 360.
Those prayers may soon be answered with the announcement from Capcom that they will be releasing the first true Xbox 360 MMORPG entitled Monster Hunter Frontier Online. A game that has been highly successful in Asia through its PC release will be making its way to the Xbox 360 in hopes of drawing fans in with a Fantasy styled MMORPG offering.
The game is due to launch for Xbox 360 this summer in Japan, but there has not been a scheduled release date for its American counterpart.
What we do know is that the game will require a $15 monthly membership as with most pay-to-play MMORPGs, but only time will tell if this business model will translate well to a service like Xbox Live where players already pay an annual subscription of $50.
The game has a stylized look and with polished graphics, but with games like Blade and Soul in development one can’t help but wonder if Monster Hunter Frontier Online will look dated by the time its US release is confirmed.
Being the only serious MMORPG offering for Xbox Live thus far may work in the games favor but at this point in time the lack of information about the release leaves more questions than answers.
Hopefully this will lead to future MMORPG releases for the Xbox 360, as there is obviously a market there. But Microsoft and developers need to work together to implement these games in such a way that does not require additional investments from players who have already shelled out for the Xbox 360, the game media, and their Xbox Live subscription.
Bummer it’s only on xBox 360 !
They can’t charge $15 per month as that would violate their developer agreement in making the game for XBox 360. You are not allowed to develop any 3rd party game networking. You HAVE to use the XBox live network API’s when developing games for XBOX 360/and/or/live.
They can charge $15 and others have done so already. As monster hunter is a MMO the game is played mainly from an already established server. Other games have charged money along with requiring some sort of xbox live connection for a long time. For instance Phantasy Star Online for the original Xbox charged $12 a month to play online along with requiring an xbox live account (however you did not have to play online). Also FFXI for the 360 charges $12 a month and requires a minimum of a silver xbox live account. MMo’s are the exception to the developer agreement (because items/quests are constantly being added). The real question is will it be cross platform or will it keep all xbox live players together like PSO/PSU?
What about the PC version? ;_;) I just asked Santa for a VAIO by You gaming Laptop! Dx
Actually there have been a couple mmos for xbox live already like phantasy star, which also required xbox live sub, plus the sub for the game itself. and also final fantasy 11 i think.