Virtual worlds: Warcraft graphics improve, for a price

Cyndy Aleo-Carreira — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:10:58 -0400

Virtual worlds Second Life and World of Warcraft (WoW) seem to be compared against each other on a regular basis, and have some crossover when it comes to userbase. However, in light of recent discussions of future improvements to WoWs game graphics, it's clear that the overall direction and operation of the sites couldn't be more dissimilar; the only thing they have in common is the concept of a "virtual world."

Sarcastic Gamer notes that Blizzard's Tom Chilton talks about a gradual implementation of graphics improvements in yearly iterations released as expansion packs. What's that, you say? In addition to the subscription fee for online access, the only way to improve the graphics as they are rolled out is by purchasing additional software. Where Second Life rolls out graphic changes grid-wide to even the non-subscribers, WoW is not only taking user hardware into consideration, but also the money train. If anything, WoW should be compared to The Sims rather than Second Life.

There is an obvious difference in culture between Blizzard and Linden Lab, and while both are certainly interested in improving the user experience, it seems greedy to promise graphic upgrades only to those willing to spend even more money for expansion packs they may not otherwise be interested in.

Both Linden Lab and Blizzard have mentioned average hardware configurations as the driving force behind graphics improvements, but both Second Life residents and WoW players have pointed out that the online experience overall is far more important than a few pixels here and there. Of course, it's also possible for users to tailor the graphics draw on a CPU by adjusting system settings, but Linden Lab is planning to take it a step farther, with the graphics improvements designed just for high-end hardware.

WoW players are a dedicated group, as a rule, and may not mind the yearly charges for upgrades via expansion packs. When it comes to a more customer-driven focus on system upgrades, however, it looks like Linden Lab wins.

More news, commentary, and predictions from The Industry Standard:

Prediction: Second Life usage will not break 40 million user hours per month by the end of 2008
Analysis: Not everyone enamored of Second Life's Open Grid and data portability plans
News: Virtual world economy drives developing world economy
News: By 2020, you'll be able to score with "Emily"

Virtual worlds: Warcraft graphics improve, for a price

Cyndy Aleo-Carreira — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:10:58 -0400

More news, commentary, and predictions from The Industry Standard:

Prediction: Second Life usage will not break 40 million user hours per month by the end of 2008
Analysis: Not everyone enamored of Second Life's Open Grid and data portability plans
News: Virtual world economy drives developing world economy
News: By 2020, you'll be able to score with "Emily"

Virtual worlds: Warcraft graphics improve, for a price

Cyndy Aleo-Carreira — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:10:58 -0400

More news, commentary, and predictions from The Industry Standard:

Prediction: Second Life usage will not break 40 million user hours per month by the end of 2008
Analysis: Not everyone enamored of Second Life's Open Grid and data portability plans
News: Virtual world economy drives developing world economy
News: By 2020, you'll be able to score with "Emily"