Defiance: 5 Reasons It Will Fail As A Video Game & TV Show Crossover

2 min


Much hype has been poured into the new MMO on the block, Defiance. Defiance the video game is an open world shooter MMO developed by Trion Worlds that will feature crossover elements with the TV show of the same name. Both forms of Defiance have already released, with the video game out for purchase and the TV show just starting. A lot of hope is being pinned on the possibilities of the crossover project by the people behind it. This article is looking to see how this will ultimately be a failed experiment.

5) No Subscription Fee

Without a subscription fee, the Defiance MMO won’t garner enough money to convince developers to stick with the game. The whole subscription mechanic, while a total hindrance to some gamers, is what makes World Of Warcraft so financially sound and why Square-Enix still want to put effort into FFXIV. The continuous stream of money not only makes the developers happy, but it will also inevitably go back into the game, allowing for more updates and patches to make the game better. Without this, the game doesn’t hold much hope of lasting.

4) Unknown Game Developer

Let’s face it, if Blizzard had been behind this Defiance MMO, it would have most likely been a massive success. Not just in terms of getting the MMO aspect right, but also in terms of pedigree. Blizzard has a ton of fans that will flock to its newest game, whatever it may be. Such a big name to back an ambitious title like Defiance would have probably worked wonders. Trion Worlds on the other hand, have only one real noteworthy game to their name, Rift. While that game was met with generally positive reviews, it is no where near the level of Blizzard games. For me, this has all the signs that Defiance the video game won’t last long.

3) Minimal Crossover

While much has been said of the potential of crossover between the video game and the TV show, where events in the video game will affect things in the TV show and vice-versa, it has been made clearer that such crossovers would be minimal in season 1 of Defiance. This seems like a pointless venture then. Sure, by season 2 there may be some huge crossover events, but this game needs to get off the ground with a bang. So does the TV show for that matter. It’s essentially a gamble now on the gamers part whether what happens in the Defiance video game world will ever have an impact in the TV show.

2) Defiance The Video Game Is Bad

Most damaging to the potential crossover is the fact that Defiance the MMO video game is just not that good a game. The quest structure and story in the game are bad by many accounts. For a game that wants to tie its story in with a TV show, that is a very big misstep. There’s not much of an MMO feel to it too. There isn’t a great social aspect to the game, making it almost pointless as a MMO. MMO’s thrive on that social connection, to push that to the side just diminishes the value of the game.

1) Too Expensive

Creating a proper crossover project between video games and TV shows is an expensive endeavor. Think about it, both sides would need to be on their toes and prepare for a number of variable outcomes instead of striving forward knowing full well what it is trying to set out and achieve. Plans can’t be finalized until an outcome is assured, and rushing to then finish those plans will undoubtedly cost more. Such a cost burden will ultimately lead to less support for a crossover.

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14 Comments

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  1. Moron, 1st paragraph shows your ignorance in the MMO world. Please remove yourself from writing about video games or at least MMO’s for ever.

  2. Unknown dev…. the people made Rift. not as popular as WoW but not game ever will be again. Personally I think Rift is better than WoW.

    Guessing this review is just bating.

  3. This is the worst and most uncredited review I have ever seen. Trion’s Rift is better known that you credit it for in fact I think the game play is pretty damn good. As for Blizzard yes Wow will always be THE MMORPG but they also released a poor diablo 3 dont forget. Thumbs down for this fanboi troll review.

  4. Wow.. those are strong words.. you basically concluded that by watching the first episode. Good thing your mom didnt judge you the same way the first time she saw you, You might have been eating garbage from a bin rather than pretending to review a TV / Game crossover.

  5. Wow, PITIFUL review… this numbnut needs to be permbanned for posting this clearly uneducated crapola! After the first week playing this “Fail” game as you call it I’ve cancelled 3 “subscription” based games to focus on this one free game and in doing so have freed up $40/month that I have gladly invested in this game on top of the purchase price and season pass! Pull your head of the sand & next time…. if there is a next time, you might just want to use some intelligence & get some public opinion before spouting off at the mouth… err keys!

  6. you said it was not like a MMO and then you say its to much like a MMO? wait what im sorry did you read what you said?

  7. Dang assholes defiance the the show is amaziing among the the best shows like game of thrones dexter and true blood. And world of warcraft sucks defiance is a much better mmo and will get better over time and I have seen no shortage of people playing. Trion worlds will make good money buy releasing 5 dlc packs every season and selling items in the defiance store witch millions of people buy lol.

  8. Wow bad review and I am not even that big into Defiance. Most of your points were sketchy at best. Every major developer was new at one point. Even the great ones. STO is free to play ad look at it. Thriving far better than when it was paid subscription. Cryptic is still sticking with it. The crossover will be a work in progress. It will not be seen all that much in the first season, but by the second and third it should have a proper footing. Interactivity is becoming a big thing shows like Defiance and Continuum.. Please do bad mouth something you know little about on an idea that is new and innovative. MMOs expand. They add content every month of every year. Will it fail… probably. Will it fail for your reasons.. no. The funniest thing is I am not really even defending Defiance. I just wanted you to know you do not have a clue what you are talking about in general.

  9. The reviewer may be full of it, but he’s not wrong that the game is terrible. The series just isn’t going to last either. I was pretty excited about the idea of a crossover but after playing the game and watching the show… Wow, no. Just no. Both the game and show will be over within a year. Too bad they poured so much money into this trying to make another BSG level success.

  10. so i was taking this article seriously until I reread you mentioning Trion games were unreputable. Are you insane? Look them up idiot. Rift is a huge MMO.

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