40k Online cross-platform?
 

So I was reading through Gamasutra job listings when I stumbled upon a listing for a "Lead Environment Artist - Warhammer 40K MMO" . I began reading through the responsibilities and requirements and notices it listed "A broad knowledge base of console and PC games." and under job details it shows PS3, XBox360, And Windows listed under platforms. Now this may have just been an oversight, but it got me thinking. Will 40k Online be a multi-platform game and would you play it on your PS3 or XBox360 if you had the choice?

Personally I dont think that I would. I have always played MMO's on PC's and like it that way. I just like the freedom of being able to modify the UI, easier updates, and running other programs (like streaming audio) while I am playing an mmo. I guess if my PS3 could do that I would definitely give it a try. So, what are your thoughts?

I guess it is possible that it would come out on both the PC and console but like Warp said it's unlikely. It would be a different experience if they did do something on a console but how fun would it be? Would they make it so there would be a solo / offline part of it for the people that don't have internets like me? :o

Since Vigils "Darksiders" console game is still in development. They may want to have someone to help with that game as well.

Me, I prefer the PC for mmo's. Easier with everything.

I just hope they release Darksiders soon so they can put the entire team on War 40k mmo.

I think the Darksiders team will be too busy working on Darksiders 2 since THQ all ready announced it is going to be made. Taking a look at job listings on Gamasutra and on here it appears they are looking for a dedicated staff for 40k Online. Of course, seeing what the Darksiders team is doing, I wouldnt complain if some of them went to work on 40k as well.

It is really hard to know how well a MMO may do on a console. Thus far FFXI is the only (released) MMO that has been on consoles (PS2 & 360). Champions Online & DC Universe Online are both coming to consoles as well. Naturally the spiritual successor to FFXI has also recently been announced (FFXIV), both for the PS3 & PC... but they already know how to make darn fine games for the console as well as have prior console MMO experience.

My only concern about MMOs on a console platform is one of sophistication. Certainly the hardware capabilities of the 360 and PS3 are more than satisfactory for the current and perhaps even a few next-gen MMOs, but the control schema is what I find troubling. If you design a MMO to be playable on a console it seems you need to make it simple enough to fully operate with only a controller.

Unless mechanisms exist to 'swap out' keybindings for the controller, you start to become really limited in terms of how you can activate abilities or interact in the gameworld. Sure a menu-driven MMO like FFXI (with its slow paced combat) is not at a disadvantage, but most modern MMOs are a bit more action-oriented it seems for their combat.

Thus far I just have the feeling that a MMO may have to be too simplified in some respects to be fully translated to a console. Sure I could be dead wrong with this kind of worry... and actually I am very curious to see how these upcoming MMOs fare with this kind of challenge.