Video summary

Game Dev Recap: Should You Make an MMO?

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Gaming

Game Dev Recap: Should You Make an MMO? - Summary

Storyline / Background

The video explores whether indie developers should make MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online games), concluding that it’s generally not advisable as a first game but possible with the right approach.

  • Features an interview with Benyamin Tukara from Zipoft, creators of the long-running MMO Tibia (since 1997) and the upcoming Persist Online.
  • Tibia started as a 4-person indie team and grew to over 100 employees, generating around $25 million in revenue and $10 million in profit annually, with revenue shared among employees.
  • The game’s longevity is partly due to its aging player base who now spend more money, though this model may not last forever.
  • Zipoft is developing Persist Online as a new MMO to innovate and secure future revenue.

Gameplay Highlights and MMO Characteristics

  • MMOs have persistent worlds that can scale up or down, allowing solo players to continue playing even when the player base shrinks. This contrasts with session-based multiplayer games that require a minimum number of players.
  • Persistent worlds reduce the risk of “death spirals,” where fewer players lead to worse matchmaking and less fun.
  • Making MMOs today is easier than 30 years ago due to technology but still requires heavy upfront investment in tech and infrastructure.
  • Prototyping MMOs is challenging, and operational demands are high since servers and services must run continuously.
  • Competition is fierce, with large studios having massive budgets; small teams like the 10-person Persist Online team face tough competition.
  • Security and exploits are major concerns; players often find ways to duplicate items or exploit game mechanics, which can be costly to fix.

Development Strategies and Tips

  • MMO development requires a “funnel” mindset: optimizing player acquisition and retention at every stage, from advertisement to tutorial completion to long-term engagement.
  • Testing funnel efficiency is ongoing, even before game launch, by running ads and analyzing player behavior.
  • This data-driven approach can feel corporate and “soulless” if overdone, risking loss of artistic vision.
  • Scope management is critical:
    • Choose art styles and technical solutions that fit team size and performance constraints.
    • For example, Persist Online uses a low-poly art style to handle many players on screen and ease development.
  • Benyamin’s key advice: set a clear deadline and revenue target to keep ambitions realistic and maintain motivation, serving as a “delusion checker” for large projects like MMOs.

Summary of Key Points

  • Making an MMO as an indie is possible but risky and requires careful planning.
  • MMOs provide steady, predictable revenue if managed well over time.
  • Persistent worlds offer scalability advantages over session-based multiplayer games.
  • Heavy upfront investment, operational burden, and security challenges exist.
  • Data-driven funnel optimization guides player acquisition and retention.
  • Proper scoping and art style choices are essential for small teams.
  • Setting revenue goals and deadlines helps maintain focus and realism.

Featured Gamer / Source

  • Benyamin Tukara (Management team at Zipoft, makers of Tibia and Persist Online)

Original video