With 2012 looming on the horizon, the team at ZAM is thinking about the past, present, and future of MMORPGs. Up today is ZAM Network Editor-in-Chief Chris "Pwyff" Tom!

Looking Forward

The other reason why I think anticipation sums up 2011 well is because it also refers to an anticipated evolution in the MMORPG genre itself. Star Wars: The Old Republic, while it can be criticized for being similar to World of Warcraft, did manage to bring a real story to MMORPGs, a feat that very few have managed to accomplish. Next year, however, is when things really start moving, with titles like Guild Wars 2 and The Secret World attempting to bring some unprecedented change to - let's admit it here - a stale business.

All of the team at ZAM is very excited about Guild Wars 2, so I've left that discussion to Mike and Paul, but what has me equally keyed up (if not more, for reasons I'll explain) is The Secret World. Say whatever you want about Funcom and how Age of Conan performed in its first year, but I dare you to look at the details of this game and not be excited. A dark urban fantasy set in the modern world? Ancient myths and legends coming to life? 588 unique skills to mix-and-match? You have no idea how excited I am to hear these words after being fed a steady diet of industry-safe high-fantasy.

Perhaps the other big title to have piqued my interested is Red5 Studios' Firefall, if just for the fact that I hold a special place in my heart for FPSMMOs. Don't get me wrong: PlanetSide 2 and DUST 514 are very interesting projects, but both have me slightly tentative; the former because of how the original PlanetSide was abandoned almost half a dozen years back, and the latter because it's PS3 exclusive, a choice that has me wary of the infamous FPS console community. On the other hand, I have no such trepidations about Firefall, and it really does have all the ingredients of a quality game. With some very tight looking gameplay, a great art aesthetic, and what appears to be a perfect amount of class depth and character customization (which I feel is lacking in many modern first-person shooters), I'm genuinely excited for the day when we get some closed beta invites to give away. If you're still not convinced, well, just watch this trailer and thank me later.

Parting Words and Resolutions for the New Year

Next year is going to be the biggest year yet for MMORPG players, and I'm humbled to be sharing this journey with all of you. ZAM Network has some big plans coming up, so I hope you'll keep up with us as we get to exploring next year's brave new world.

New Year's Resolution: To participate in endgame PvP in every major MMORPG for 2012! Also to troll less often in League of Legends (note: except on days ending in Y).

Christopher "Pwyff" Tom, Editor-in-Chief.