People keep using the Runescape example. It wasn’t their 1st or 2nd commercial game… or even their 20th! 
It wasn’t even their 1st attempt at an MMO, the precursor version DeviousMUD was scrapped.
A small team could make an MMO, but wouldn’t be able to compete against the big ones unless it offers something very unique that they don’t. Current MMO players are like a swarm of locusts consuming everything put in front of them (content wise), and very fickle.
I wasnt saying that it is really easy or probable or anything. But the fact is that it is possible. Just start small, for example if your game has few rooms/places and a server that can handle a few players (you can host one yourself) then it is a start that you can at least play with your friends…
In my opinion though, if you can’t spare ‘hours’ for research, then an MMO is too big for you. I’ve spent hours researching mythological creatures for MMOs, and much, much more on the feasibility of actually creating/running my own MMO.
I don’t think the answers people are seeking can truly come ‘in mere minutes’. The tech required depends on the features you require. The hosting/networking depends on your scale. There are a lot of project requirements that the developer needs to figure out before you bring it to others to get some questions answered.
Also, it’s not that people can’t spare a few minutes. Most every MMO question HAS been answered on this forum. The minutes have been taken by others in the past to answer your MMO questions. If you can’t take the minutes to search them out, you may need to reconsider what you’re about to embark on.
I personally think it’s a good thing they’re posting here. That’s why I came here in the first place - if you want to get into the heart of things, go where people are actually doing the thing you want to do and like doing it, and talk to them about it. And even if it turns out they change their mind, at least they got what they wanted - they learned about the programming industry, more than they could if they took a dinky little class in junior high from a guy who hasn’t actually done it, or if they had done a ton of research that probably would have confused them.
Another point, ignorance is not a bad thing. It’s the state you start out in; asking questions is the best way to learn, in any case. At least from my perspective, I think it’s awesome they are asking here - because it helps them figure out what they want to do, why they want to do it, and if they really want to do it. As for me… Yes, I came here wanting to make an MMO, among other things. I’m a big dreamer. And by asking questions, and doing a little of my own research, I found out a lot; I found out it’s a HUGE ordeal, but mainly, I found out I actually do want to make the game, even tho I know how much work it’s going to be. The concept actually kind of excites me, because then I know it’s worth it. (Nothing’s worth the effort if it’s not worth trying hard for.)
So, yes, they probably could have gotten their answers a little easier/without stepping on toes or annoying everyone, but a lot of people just plain don’t have that skill or understand the need for it. Personally, I’m excited to help somebody out in their first steps.
That’s just my opinion tho.
Also,a MMO can’t be done by just one guy with no programming or modeling experience
You need a team of dedicated people,cooperation and enough knowledge.
MMOs give you that social interaction that everyone needs.
By playing an online fantasy world,you let the real life apart,you forget about your annoying boss,about your failed test or your loneliness…It gives you freedom(kind of 
)
Maybe it’s just me, but I think we (Not just thunder, I just wanted to point out that one phrase) are getting into why anybody plays games at all… and regardless of whether the statements attached are true. This is a psychological discussion, of which there is a ton of research and papers and discussion out there; and I’d love to get into it personally in another context…
However, I don’t think slapping the label of “Nonsensical Motivation!!” onto anybody, especially because of age or experience or whatever has much credence here at all. Especially since we all very definitely have the same motivations for what we do. And few of our motives actually make sense.
Does that make sense? Just saying, I think that’s a whole other discussion, and it’s pretty ignorant to blame somebody’s behavior on their “Motives” as if your motives are the only “Correct” ones. At least as ignorant as thinking making an MMO by yourself is going to be a weekend project.
Again, I’m speaking to ‘us’ here, 'cause I’m guilty of the same I think. Also - see my comment above on how ignorance can be a good thing, because it means you have room to learn. And I quote, “It is hard to fill a cup that is already full.” -The weird lady on Avatar
Some may find humor in this statement but in a way it is very true. At one time dreamers who dreamt of flight just didn’t have the tools yet. So in due time, software and hardware will be at a point where creativity is almost all you will need to make it a reality. Also, looking at a free market system and the demand for such a system would enable great profit, I wouldn’t doubt that anyone wouldn’t pass up that money maker.
BTW: Did anyone every here of this before?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RPG_Maker_3_(PlayStation)
http://ps2.ign.com/objects/706/706927.html
PC versions:
http://www.rpgmakerweb.com/
So, really the tools are here, just not completely there yet. No MMO-RPG Maker just yet.
I’ve also spent months (so many hours I cannot count) researching different aspects of video games or MMO’s. It would have taken years if I didn’t ask simple questions in forums like this.
It’s not efficient to do everything yourself, when it can be done SOOOOOOO much faster by others. And it’s not like you’re asking for any real help-- mostly just a few sentences or a “Yes/No” answer.
I pity the people who say “Use the search function!” because they could have said “Yes.” or “No.” or “It depends.” with far less effort, and far more positive humanity.
I think most people yell at others because they themselves don’t know. Else they would share…
It also doesn’t take minutes to search forums. I have used the internet every day, all day, for over a decade. Research in forums can take hours just to find the correct answer. If anything, it takes at least 10 minutes, which is far more than the 2 minutes it takes to post and read a reply.
I haven’t gotten ahead in life by relying on others, but I also haven’t fallen behind in life by not being efficient and thinking simply, “It takes them a few minutes, but me a lot longer, so I’ll ask them. Someone will answer amongst the trolls.” And of course, someone always does unless it’s too complex of a question.
Anyone who cannot answer the same simple question over and over isn’t really worth getting an answer from anyway.
I don’t care how many times I’m asked “What do I need to make a MMO?” I will always answer, and never find it annoying.
I find it strange that people even find it annoying that others dream or desire to do these things-- even if it’ll probably never happen because the potential developer won’t commit to it.
Things in life aren’t about how hard they are to do, because it’s not hard for everyone. Creating an MMO might be hard for one person, easy for the next, and impossible for the last. Ability and Skill, Knowledge and Experience, Speed and Processing… all of these things are different for each person.
It’s not about whether or not it’s hard or easy. If it was easy, we would still have the same problem. Because it takes time and dedication. Commitment to the dream. Just because something is hard, doesn’t mean it takes a long time to do it. Just because something is easy, doesn’t mean it won’t take years of hardwork and dedication to accomplish.
If someone is willing to stick to it and learn, everything else is irrelevant, even if it is hard. If someone is not willing to commit seriously, stay with the idea, and learn what they need to-- everything else is irrelevant, even if it is easy. I don’t find working on an MMO hard at all. I would say some parts are easy, some are hard, but overall it’s pretty easy. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working at it for a year non-stop as my full time job, nor does it mean I won’t still be working at it 2 years later. It’s a lot of work, but “hard” or “easy” is an opinion.
Exactly.
Most people don’t really know what they are talking about. I have never taken the advice of people on the internet-- since the majority of the time they assume the poster asking questions is a 6 year old mentally handicapped monkey fresh out of monkey school (the amazon jungle).
I have seen other people, all by themselves, or with a small team-- accomplish amazing things (even successful things) out of their garage. “If they can do it…why not me?”
Here is the quote from Wikipedia, which shows that two people (or less) CAN make an MMORPG. I don’t know why people don’t know about this… it just proves the obvious.
Well, not much I can say after that.
Agreed on all sentiments, Emergence.
you had to be at the event.
it was a mad social chat thing- other players became islands you lived on, players could live on you- was fun to do, complex zoning and player movements.
it was for javaone (back in 2009)- we made it to show off ‘project darkstar’, i felt we needed to make something real and very graphic so gave every attendee a copy (8,000 people plus 10,000 over the internet, 12,000 used the application), was fun to make and took around two months to make, most time was spent redesigning interactions, the server bit was super fast (we had a darkstar engineer working with us, lol i know cheats!).
as siimvuss says; just start simple, draw a cube for each player, get two players in the scene, see whats needed to have them interact with the scene, then add a third, forth; that alone will expose so much fun stuff. i recommend putting stuff on screen, terminal output can mean little when your embarking on mmo prototyping.
once you get your head around multiplayer concepts, try adding 10,000 interacting squares- boom, welcome to “OMG, umm that design we made needs a rethink!”. next add ‘real people’ into the mix- don’t give up at that point!, keep bashing its worth it.
“Every starter wants to make a MMO” because that is what inspired them!
I know that’s what happened for me. I logged into Second Life and had a wonderful time. Learned some LSL (Linden Scripting Language). Then I heard about World of Warcraft somewhere and bought some time in there and was completely blown away!!! I was (and am) astounded by the medium. I will never forget the experiences I had. I was so inspired. I was hooked.
Being a creative type, I didn’t want to just PLAY, I wanted to CREATE these worlds. Being from an art background, I went into 3d art, learned 3ds Max, and looked to Unity as a way to showcase my art. Soon enough, I became interested in the functions of Unity, the way one could program Unity to take these art assets and create situations, scenes, worlds. I experimented. For months. For more than a year. My projects became larger. I saw other applications than games. In Education. For Business. Now I am creating Unity based web apps for business where I do NO art and they are NOT games, and least of all MMO.
The point is that MMO experience got me started. It was the inspiration. It moved me. I was “inspired”, filled with Spirit. I was “Enthused”, filled with God. My journey has taken me from Gamer to Facilitator.
You just never know where your steps will take you. The point is to walk your own path, and honor others who are finding their way. To those with a little too much enthusiasm, say “Okay, build an MMO. Start Here.” We all started somewhere.
Look at it this way: If those kids with dreams of being the next Blizzard are here… isn’t that better than them leveling their new Druid and thinking something good will come? Or how about this… What gave YOU your inspiration that started you on your path to scripting wizard-dom. We all started somewhere. Well… those of us who STARTED. So let’s honor that 10% who actually started and realize they are a special lot. They’re on our forums, not at Battle.net, so cut them some slack.
drn u all, now i’m looking at reddwarfserver, lol. come take a ride!
oh and some people my find this handy, heres the server code we made public from keith.
https://project-darkchat.dev.java.net/
sun wouldn’t let me open-source the client, but then we’re all Unity here 
There is nothing impossible to do by one’s self now a days. Have you heard about Quel Solaar aka Eskil Steenberg. The single man created MMO called LOVE. I remember participating for a few days in the beta. It was a marvelous game both visually and mechanically. The secret key to the development process is accepting your limitations and working the the tools you have. If you play LOVE you will find out that its deeper than nearly any MMO. It definately prooves that MMO are not restricted to large teams and vast amount of tools.
I’m slightly getting off topic here but if anyone is familiar with Mount And Blade. You will know that a husband and wife i believe, took simple mechanics and graphics and created the most richest war/sim experience you could imagine.
Games that took teams of people to do back in the 90’s can now be done by a single young up coming teenager. So as someone( sorry cant remember who)(EDIT: jc_lvngstn) said here that sometimes the development is limited by todays tools. However, I think we are already at that point where your imagination is the limit.
LOVE link:
http://www.quelsolaar.com/love/index.html
Imagination and Dedication Commitment to Hard Work Learning.
To do everything by one’s self, one must learn many different talents.
To create a video game, one must be dedicated to it for a long time.
To finish something, one must commit to fulfill any hard work or long work required.
All of the above require learning of each task required. Although some can be outsourced (Graphics, Music, Sound, Story).