John Smedley announces his plans to dethrone WoW in Game Daily Conversation

"I absolutely do [think we'll see that], and in fact I think by having a stable platform where every customer has an online capable box is a huge, huge potential advantage in building an MMO because you've already got an online userbase. It's a massive advantage over the PC and we don't have to worry about graphics cards or things like that. It's going to be very big. Console online gaming in general I think is going to be one of the next huge phases of growth in the online gaming space."

Graphics cards did not sink Star Wars Galaxies, nor is it the reason Vanguard: Saga of Heroes failed.  Graphics cards had nothing to do with the mediocre bleh that is Pirates of the Burning Sea, nor did graphics play any part in the sinking of Gods and Heroes. 

The problem is, John Smedley seems to have the exact opposite effect of the Midas Touch.   While everything Midas touched turned to gold, everything John Smedley comes in contact with turns to shit.

There are several developers working on console MMORPG titles which have far more potential than SOE.  The main reason SOE will never topple WoW is because they have lost nearly all consumer confidence.   SOE is synonymous with clusterfuck.    SOE had a decent console MMORPG with Everquest Online Adventures, but they let the title wither away and die of neglect for PC projects.   Console MMORPG is the new industry buzz word.  If you don't mention console MMORPG at some point, you are not a player and Smed knows this.

Are we now expected to think that Smug Smed bought magic beans that will grow a console MMORPG beanstalk that leads SOE to the MMORPGoose that lays golden eggs?  Is The Agency the holy grail of MMORPG's post WoW?   

For now, we can continue chuckling at John Smedley as he and SOE reinvent themselves on what seems like a weekly basis while they desperately grasp for the slipping market share.

Quote Source: http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/features/interview-soe-president-discusses-sce-integration/?biz=