There's incredibly bad news today about Earth Eternal, the free-to-play browser-based MMO from Sparkplay Media. Or we should say formerly from Sparkplay Media, as it appears that hard times have hit the company with resounding force. In an extremely sad letter, CEO Matt Mihaly has informed players that Sparkplay Media has been all but shut down, with only two remaining employees (including himself) taking care of closing down the company and trying to sell the game to another service provider.
Although the game is not currently being shut down, Mihaly is frank about its prospects: it entirely depends on whether or not another company will pick up the hosting costs of running Earth Eternal. For the time being, the game has made all of its microtransaction items free for all players, in hopes that whatever the game's ultimate fate, players can enjoy it for a little while longer. Our consolations go out to the team behind the game, and we offer our sympathies for what has no doubt been a painful process for the entire staff.
Reader Comments (36)
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 9:07PM (Unverified) said
Sweet! Yet another F2P game goes down...so happy :) You guys should start a list of all the F2P games that are going to go off line.
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 11:19PM (Unverified) said
I can't say for the OP, but what bothers me about F2P is that a select few, are paying for the majority. IE working people with incomes holding up the game while all the clueless "Kiddiez" run around freeloading.
The bottom line is that SOMEBODY has to pay. Or the system does not work.
I don't like having to pay for things that should be a standard in-game item. BAGS BAGS BAGS!
I would be much happier paying a monthly fee, and having everyone pull their weight, than being forced into a scam system where kids who are clueless on how to play can freeload off me while I get decent inventory space.
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The bottom line is that SOMEBODY has to pay. Or the system does not work.
I don't like having to pay for things that should be a standard in-game item. BAGS BAGS BAGS!
I would be much happier paying a monthly fee, and having everyone pull their weight, than being forced into a scam system where kids who are clueless on how to play can freeload off me while I get decent inventory space.
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 11:31PM TheJackman said
"What could you possibly have against F2P games? Variety strengthens the entire genre."
They do not! Going from AAA to F2P is failure. Idea of micro transactions is terrible It changes game experience totally, being able to buy in game items for me is ruining game experience making it worthless to play. Being able to buy for real money weapons, armor ,buffs ,potions ,instant travel items/skills , faster mounts , xp boosts , skill points, etc etc is just against my imagination what MMORPG should be.
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They do not! Going from AAA to F2P is failure. Idea of micro transactions is terrible It changes game experience totally, being able to buy in game items for me is ruining game experience making it worthless to play. Being able to buy for real money weapons, armor ,buffs ,potions ,instant travel items/skills , faster mounts , xp boosts , skill points, etc etc is just against my imagination what MMORPG should be.
Posted: Aug 9th 2010 4:24AM Its Utakata stupid said
Actually Russ, for my two years or so of lurking Massively...I 've only ever seen 2 F2P's go down. I've seen more subs go down and a lot more that arn't doing well as intended. So this isn't any sign that the F2P bubble is bursting just yet. That may happen one day...but this isn't the evidence it's happening today.
And before you rip me a new one over this...as I stated many times before, I can't trust F2P's as far as I throw them. But for good or for ill, I think it's business model is a little more durable than subs. And can weather bad turns better. But like Earth Eternal has proven, it certainly doesn't give them immunity to such.
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And before you rip me a new one over this...as I stated many times before, I can't trust F2P's as far as I throw them. But for good or for ill, I think it's business model is a little more durable than subs. And can weather bad turns better. But like Earth Eternal has proven, it certainly doesn't give them immunity to such.
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 9:10PM Beau Hindman said
This really sucks. I have been with the game since beta, and it's a shame to see such a fun game go (possibly) kaput.
Such a nice community and staff.
Well, let's hope for the best! Otherwise, I'm glad to say that we've covered them more than a few times, even making my top 5 list! :)
http://www.massively.com/2010/06/01/free-for-all-my-top-five-f2p-games/
Beau
Such a nice community and staff.
Well, let's hope for the best! Otherwise, I'm glad to say that we've covered them more than a few times, even making my top 5 list! :)
http://www.massively.com/2010/06/01/free-for-all-my-top-five-f2p-games/
Beau
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 9:13PM Tipa said
Best Massively Earth Eternal article ever! --> http://www.massively.com/2008/07/25/furries-let-their-tails-down-in-earth-eternal/
Just saying!
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Just saying!
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 9:17PM Leala said
I'm very sorry to hear this news. Earth Eternal is a really cute and really fun game. I hope someone is able to pick it up and keep it running.
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 9:17PM thud said
This game just didn't deliver what it promised. It wasn't browser based, only the launcher was. It wasn't "light weight" and accessible due to a bunch of bugs. It wasn't any different than the same old kill-ten-rats garbage we're all so sick of and coming from the guys behind arguable the BEST text-based MMOs out there, we expected way more in terms of ingame story and quests. They wrote a freaking book's worth of game lore during development but it was all lacking in game! Top that with a repeatedly extended development time, and I completely lost interest in the game.
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 9:51PM Dumac said
What a shock. I was under the impression that it was doing well. Granted, i didn't follow the forums, or play all that much, but being updated frequently enough didn't hint at problems. I'm really shocked without exaggeration.
Its such a shame, of all the JUNK people play today, a few rare games with potential don't do so well. I don't get it. It was a sweet little game, not overly ambitious or complex, but charming and fun with a friend nonetheless. I hope it stays alive, despite Sparkplay going down, but i feel bad for them.
Its such a shame, of all the JUNK people play today, a few rare games with potential don't do so well. I don't get it. It was a sweet little game, not overly ambitious or complex, but charming and fun with a friend nonetheless. I hope it stays alive, despite Sparkplay going down, but i feel bad for them.
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 10:09PM Jade Effect said
While it's bad news for Sparkplay Media, it's simple capitalism at work. Games that make money survive and games that don't die off.
Perhaps some investor will see there's redeeming potential and rescue the game. More likely, it'll be a case of throwing good money after bad money.
Just like in American Idol, let's see what the next candidate can do, after the previous one is booted off the show.
Perhaps some investor will see there's redeeming potential and rescue the game. More likely, it'll be a case of throwing good money after bad money.
Just like in American Idol, let's see what the next candidate can do, after the previous one is booted off the show.
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 10:56PM Pingles said
I've Beta'd a lot of F2Ps and this one was one of the better ones. It really didn't care about being mainstream and just went with their own vision.
I'm sorry to hear that they couldn't pick up steam.
I'm sorry to hear that they couldn't pick up steam.
Posted: Aug 8th 2010 11:27PM TheJackman said
Wow did they not just open up there servers... So much for F2P is win for all! :P
Games like Earth Eternal are sadly just lame cash ins I am sure someone will buy the code like this pest never dies sadly :(
But no big lost here just a other piece of JUNK F2P title...
Games like Earth Eternal are sadly just lame cash ins I am sure someone will buy the code like this pest never dies sadly :(
But no big lost here just a other piece of JUNK F2P title...
Posted: Aug 9th 2010 8:52AM (Unverified) said
This game is not just some other F2P, it has an awesome community. The game itself is awesome, I love it and im very sad that its going through this and hope to god smeone buys it. It even has a radio staton created by the players.
Posted: Aug 9th 2010 12:16AM Audacious said
I just hope this doesn't send the message that experimenting, even a little, with all the clichés that make up the MMO genre will only lead to disaster. I didn't play the game either, but it's a crying shame that one that really went out of its way to make try and distinguish itself from others failed.
Posted: Aug 9th 2010 1:51AM Ripper McGee said
Sad day :( Regardless of why we liked or didn't like the game (and I like it very much, warts and all) or why Sparkplay is going under, the fact is they are. I hope the Sparkplay staff all land on their feet and wish them the best. They worked hard, were talented and loved what they did. That's a success in itself.
~Ripper
~Ripper
Posted: Aug 9th 2010 1:59AM MewmewGrrl said
First of all, giving away the micro-transaction items pretty much ruins the entire economy and game, just in case someone else does pick it up.
I spent a lot of money on those items, and now not only could my money go to waste (tho it can with any online game) - but in case someone else picks it up, why would they want to even if you flood the game full of free items that people normally pay for? What will be left for people to buy if you give it all away? Who wants to buy a game with no profit potential left in it? Really smart move... Hopefully you have a backup of just before you made this stupid move. And yes, you could wipe all of the pay items, which means people like me who actually did pay for them get wiped out too.
I spent a lot of money on those items, and now not only could my money go to waste (tho it can with any online game) - but in case someone else picks it up, why would they want to even if you flood the game full of free items that people normally pay for? What will be left for people to buy if you give it all away? Who wants to buy a game with no profit potential left in it? Really smart move... Hopefully you have a backup of just before you made this stupid move. And yes, you could wipe all of the pay items, which means people like me who actually did pay for them get wiped out too.
Posted: Aug 9th 2010 4:22AM Feydakin said
Actually Earth Eternal is a fun little game. I played EE through from early beta to past release and it's not your typical money grubbing, crappy F2P Asian grinder. It's actually something different and interesting instead of the typical regurgitated high fantasy tripe pooped out by every Asian game designer in mass quantities. Everyone should be sad about this news...






