WRUP: Explaining Gangam Style to the next generation edition

I can't speak to the rest of the US, but I know that here in Connecticut, radio stations are playing Gangnam Style with regularity. This means that a Korean song parodying specific parts of South Korean culture is now a hit based solely on its own merits, even without the amazingly creative video and despite many of the listeners not understanding the first thing about the song's subject matter or lyrics.

Every time I try to figure out how to explain all of this to future generations, I come up blank mostly because I don't entirely believe it myself.

Fortunately for my attempts to explain pop culture to my eventual descendents, WRUP is not concerned with music. It's entirely concerned with what the Massively staff will be up to over the weekend, and this week we're also declaring whether or not we think there are too many MMOs on the market. So check on past the break to see what we'll be up to, and let us know your plans down in the comments!

@Beau_Hindman: This weekend I will be switching to Ultima Online for another look at it. I've talked about it in the past, but because of the anniversary, I think now is a great time to check back in. I will be streaming it live, hopefully with a member of the developer team! I'll also be rounding up some more pre-World of Warcraft era MMOs for coverage and will be exploring my mobile gaming list. I've also got to see whether I can survive the weekend in Die2Nite!

There can never be too many MMOs. After all, we said the same thing about bands when MySpace and the internet first started allowing bands to host their own music. Even if there were millions, quality will still be quality and bad design will simply not last. But there are too many television stations if you ask me!

@nbrianna: I hope to duck into Guild Wars 2 this weekend as I've been so busy that I'm falling behind! Also, Torchlight II is finally here, so I'll be busy wearing out my mouse with endless clicking.

I think there are too many MMOs in the world for all of them to succeed, but that's OK by me. Even the ones that don't succeed in an oversaturated market push the others toward excellence.

@Eliot_Lefebvre: The past few weekends have been dominated by roleplaying in Star Wars: The Old Republic, and I don't really expect that to change. I do want to sit down for more Guild Wars 2, however, and I may have a project to work on in Final Fantasy XIV in the near future. Time will tell.

Over the past decade alone, we've gone from having a handful of MMOs, almost all of which were clones of the same basic model, to having a plethora of different games in a multitude of different genres and playstyles. Not every game is to everyone's taste as a result, but the number of choices available means that there are more options for everyone. We've come a long way, and while there are games out there I don't like and don't wish to play, I'm very happy they exist.

@Jeremy_Stratton: I've still been busy, and to make things worse I've been burning the midnight oil one too many nights to play Guild Wars 2. Yes, it's that fun.

Are there too many MMOs? Are there too many chocolate bars in the world? Are there too many episodes of Doctor Who? The answer is no.

@Sypster: I continue to ping-pong between four MMOs at this time, and it's oh-so-hard to choose favorites. In Lord of the Rings Online, I'm trying my hardest to get a fancy new goat through the buried treasure event. In RIFT, I'm leveling up a brand-new mustachioed Mage. In The Secret World, I'm in the thick of update 2's new missions. And in Guild Wars 2, I'm continuing my march toward 100% world completion.

So yes, there are too many MMOs. There is a wealth of good gameplay, of highly affordable gameplay, of very accessible gameplay at our fingertips. And I'd rather have too many than not enough because choices are always good to have. I'm sure as heck not going to complain about it.

@JayeRnH: I'm playing Geocaching this weekend, with a little Free Realms thrown in with the kids. The new Sunstone Valley is a hit in the household, and it's a cross between Fallen Earth (post-apocalyptic choppers and crafting galore) plus Snake Plissken. In a kid-oriented MMO. And it works!

No, there are not too many MMOs. I never heard anyone say there were too many MUDs or MUSHs, and I don't begrudge anyone attempting to make a good multiplayer game. (Emphasis on good!)

@MJ_Guthrie: I will spend all day Saturday earning my "The Feet are Made for Walking" title by wandering NYC with my daughter. There is a really awesome little place called Rice to Riches that we have been looking forward to returning to for the last year! Unfortunately, that means much of Sunday will be devoted to actually getting the sleep that will be forfeited for the trip. However, I do plan on tearing through as much Kingsmouth content as I can in The Secret World to gain plenty of points to spend for this week's Choose My Adventure.

Too many games? For an industry, no -- more should (theoretically) mean better as developers push to improve in order to grab their share of the market. Personally, yes! Too many games and only so much time! I'd totally prefer to settle in just one or two games if they could provide all of the features I want in gaming. But the fact that there are so many interesting things spread around so many games... there is no possible way to play and experience them all! Sometimes I end up with gamer-in-the-headlights syndrome when trying to decide what to do.

@terilynns: As long as my modem continues to cause me grief, I may not be playing much of anything this weekend. I have an appointment to have it replaced, but not until Monday. When it does work, I'll be in Star Trek Online continuing to level up my new Andorian. I will also be riding around on my shiny new money-laden horse on Lord of the Rings Online if only to make Justin jealous. I may go back in to see if I can get his goat. (Double entendre intended.)

I don't think there are too many MMOs, but I'm just beginning to dip my toes into a few more. I like that there are so many that appeal to a wide range of player tastes.

At the start of every weekend, we catch up with the Massively staff members and ask them, "What are you playing this week?" (Otherwise known as: WRUP!) Join us to see what we're up to in and out of game -- and catch us in the comments to let us know what you're playing, too!