Ulminati said:
I definately wouldn't mind seeing more RPGs using preexisting settings. If done right, it means the developer can concentrate on telling a good story and getting the balance right, with the worldbuilding and lore already being in-place from the start. On the flipside, it's always painful to watch a setting you like being horribly faceraped because a publisher doesnt think it'll fit their marketing campaigns without an AWESOME button.
If done well, I would love to see a proper Eberron non-MMO rpg. (Although I'm told the MMO is sort of decent). Ideally some sort of Noir-style detective story set in Sharn. Or better yet: Where's my good and proper modern Shadowrun crpg? The setting is oozing with interesting plothooks and it's close enough to modern-day reality for the casual crowds to follow what's going on without helpful tutorials.
The MMO tries really hard to provide a DM-like experience, even including voice over and traps/skill checks in the dungeons. I played the trial and found the atrocious combat unbearable. They also messed up by adding things that were essentially feats worth +10BAB.
However, they did limit the scope of the MMO to one "lost world" type continent where they can muck around all they want in the jungle without influencing the primary setting. I like your Sharn suggestion but I've always found shadowrun repulsive. I think something like Tron has more potential. (Granted both movies are straight-forward action flicks, they really hint at larger questions and a setting inside the machine that wasn't 100% combat would be quite interesting)