New World Aeternum Can’t Repeat the Same Mistakes as Overwatch 2

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New World Aeternum Can't Repeat the Same Mistakes as Overwatch 2

Highlights

  • New World: Aeternum aims to revitalize Amazon’s MMORPG with new features and a console debut in 2024.
  • Avoiding the missteps of Overwatch 2, the relaunch must offer substantial improvements to attract players.
  • Amazon’s commitment to supporting New World: Aeternum long-term is evident in its efforts to enhance the gaming experience.

As a seasoned gamer who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless MMORPGs, I can confidently say that the upcoming relaunch of New World: Aeternum has piqued my interest like no other. After Amazon’s initial foray into the AAA market with the release of New World in 2021, it’s heartening to see their commitment to supporting this game long-term.

Initially venturing into the AAA gaming industry with “New World,” Amazon had previously only been known for its short-lived “Crucible” hero shooter. Given that it was a buy-to-play MMORPG and a new intellectual property from an inexperienced publisher, “New World” faced intense competition from similar games before its 2021 release. Nevertheless, the game achieved incredible success upon launch, peaking at over 900,000 concurrent players on Steam in October 2021. However, the popularity of “New World” waned significantly over the following months due to several criticisms of the game that were not adequately addressed by the developers.

Regardless of waning enthusiasm for the game, Amazon has stayed dedicated to sustaining ‘New World’ in the long run. The corporation unveiled during Summer Game Fest 2024 that they would be bringing their inaugural MMORPG to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S under the name ‘New World: Aeternum’. Although this new title may initially appear puzzling, it has a purpose because ‘New World: Aeternum’ isn’t merely a console adaptation. Instead, it represents a comprehensive overhaul of the game, as it upgrades several aspects from the original version. The revamped version, ‘New World: Aeternum’, could rejuvenate the once-famous MMORPG. However, for this relaunch to be successful, Amazon must strive to sidestep the blunders that Blizzard experienced during the launch of ‘Overwatch 2’.

New World: Aeternum Needs to Avoid Making the Same Mistakes that Overwatch 2 Made

Blizzard Fumbled the Bag With Overwatch 2’s Launch

At BlizzCon 2019, when Overwatch 2 was initially unveiled, it garnered a mixed response from the gaming community due to speculation that it might signal the impending end of support for the original Overwatch. However, many Blizzard enthusiasts were thrilled at the idea of a sequel to the popular hero shooter game because it promised to introduce new story-driven PvE modes and other features.

Initially, Overwatch 2 debuted in early access on various contemporary platforms in October 2022. However, despite initial promises, the anticipated Player vs Environment (PvE) modes were conspicuously absent. At first, Blizzard assured players that these modes would be added later after the game’s release. Yet, as time progressed, the PvE aspect of Overwatch 2 encountered delay after delay until, ultimately, the developers announced they were abandoning the promised mode altogether.

It’s not surprising that the Overwatch 2 community reacted strongly when the cancellation was announced. After all, the reason for the existence of Overwatch 2 as a sequel was its unique feature, which Blizzard had now put on hold. Adding to this, Blizzard’s decision to reintroduce 6v6 in the game seems to make the “2” in Overwatch 2 redundant.

Amazon Should Use Overwatch 2 as an Example of What Not to Do with New World: Aeternum

Given the potential parallel between the two games being reintroduced as “New World: Aeternum” and “Overwatch 2,” it’s crucial for Amazon’s MMORPG to take note of Blizzard’s mishandling of the latter. Primarily, the key lesson is to differentiate this new version from its predecessor. If “New World: Aeternum” appears nearly identical to the 2021 original and only addresses a few complaints from the initial launch, it risks encountering the same problems that “Overwatch 2” faced upon release last year, and may struggle to attract players.

It appears that, based on information Amazon has disclosed about New World: Aeternum, it could potentially steer clear of the pitfalls experienced by Overwatch 2. The game is said to incorporate several enhancements to the base game of New World, such as upgraded leveling and dialogue systems, new character types, and solo trials for the end-game. Nevertheless, whether or not this MMORPG will thrive in the long run depends heavily on the effectiveness and magnitude of these changes. If these improvements don’t significantly enhance the core gaming experience, New World: Aeternum may struggle to draw a larger audience, even with its availability across multiple platforms.

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2024-08-09 14:04