Success of MMORPGS?

Ive read some interesting things lately. Most interesting is that while World of Warcraft, the self proclaimed #1 online roleplaying game in the world continues to add new servers/realms to play on to keep up with load issues and customer demand.....the Matrix Online is consolidating theirs. MxO will now only have 3 servers, while WoW will have close to 30.


What causes things like this? Why are there no average games? Why is Blizzard so successful?

3 things.
1. Content.
2. Stability.
3. Quality.


Bugs, lag, broken professions....nothing like that is in World of Warcraft. The grind can burn you out from time to time, and the game can be EXTREMELY solo based, but all in all, its fun, a quality product and keeps people entertained.

MxO was plagued from the beginning. A non-intuitive UI, lag, bug problems, professions that noone understood...it wasnt planned well from the beginning.

I also play Star Wars Galaxies, and while it is the MMO i play the most, it is the one that frustrates me the most. It is also plagued by bugs, lag, broken professions, bad content, etc. However, the it is still fun(most of the time) and the star wars universe is very inviting, rich and fun to play in.

I do know one thing...game designers better learn from blizzard, who hasnt put out a bad game...ever. They take their time, have EXCELLENT Quality Control, and have great game design from the beginning. SOE and the MxO devs have a few things to learn from them.