I think that "research" made by EA is a crock.
They are probably basing it on their own prejudice.
Something like "middle-aged housewives are playing The Sims, and they probably don't want to play online" or something...
The thing is, "middle-aged housewives" are now raised with computers.
Those who are middle-aged today started their lives playing Amiga and Commodore. Those who are middle-aged in a couple of years will have even more computer experience. We'll have computer networks in the old folks home. Damn right they wanna play online!
EA are making a big mistake.
I doubt EA is abandoning the idea of virtual worlds, especially with the social networking aspect. In my opinion (and this is completely my opinion and my speculation), I think that they were on the right track with the customizable virtual world targeted more to our *ahem* demographic. Let's face it -- everyone can create something here regardless of technical know-how, and I think that's an attractive feature. I also think they were on to an idea with the social networking aspect.
But, I'm not sure that TSO was the right springboard for that effort. I think TSO started out as an MMORPG of sorts, and a customizable virtual world of sorts, but I think it always uncomfortably straddled the line between virtual world and game, and as a result wasn't terribly successful as either. Viewed through the eyes of a classic Sims player, I can agree with that assessment that Sims players like sharing what they create but not necessarily playing together. However, I also think the flaw in that line of thinking was marketing and treating TSO like the god game that inspired it. It's a whole different thing, and appeals to a different player, IMHO.
Coulda woulda shoulda aside, the other problem was that it's difficult to turn around a game in less than a year that had languished for so very long. Luc and team were given a very short time and very limited resources to effect a turnaround. They had to deal with the existing problems, outdated code, and all kinds of other things -- remember, no one had touched this game in any significant way since something like 2003. So, in addition to fixing everything after all that time languishing, they were to update it and put it on a path that was profitable. Herculean task at best, Sisyphean one at worst. I believe with some time and support they would have created something interesting. I don't think it would have resembled TSO much, but I think that would have been a GOOD thing. I think given the time and resources allotted, they did a heck of a job.
I also think that I am not so sure I disagree with the decision to close TSO/EAL on a corporate level. (Don't hurt me!) I think the real shame is the lack of support from EA to the remaining player base -- that whole $15 or Pogo thing is just insulting, IMHO. Not that I won't use it, most likely, but it's still awful. If they'd moved us all to UO, it would have demonstrated an attempt to provide as close to a replacement to the player base as they could have. They also could have been more generous than providing the same discount I can get from a coupon clipped out of the Toys R Us flyer. I feel we are being treated shabbily.
I like to think that they will let this talented group continue to develop this virtual world/social networking idea. I hope that they are allowed to pursue this idea unencumbered by having to fix something that's broken, and that they will be allowed to devote their energies to creating. I have no idea if they will or won't, of course...but I like to think maybe that's where our team is off to.
(Edited for typos. Twice!)
Hahahaha!!!