Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rumor: WAR40K canceled, THQ readying itself for sale [Updated; rumor debunked]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/rumor-war40k-canceled-thq-readying-itself-for-sale/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/rumor-war40k-canceled-thq-readying-itself-for-sale/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/15/rumor-war40k-canceled-thq-readying-itself-for-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Warhammer 40: Dark Millennium Online - giant robot thing
It's been a rough couple of years for Warhammer MMORPG fans, and if the rumors are true, it's about to get a bit bleaker.

Kotaku reports on a tweet by games industry insider Kevin Dent that indicates that THQ has "canceled its entire 2014 slate of releases to position the company for sale." This would include Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online, which Dent referred to as "the Games Workshop MMO" on his Twitter page.

We'll keep you posted as we learn more.

[Update: THQ's Australian PR department has issued a statement asserting that the company has not in fact canceled its 2014 lineup and "has not made any decisions" regarding WAR40K.]

MassivelyRumor: WAR40K canceled, THQ readying itself for sale [Updated; rumor debunked] originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcanceledcancellationdark-millennium-onlinemmo-industrynew-titlesrumorsci-fithqwar40k-dark-millenium-onlinewarhammerwarhammer-mmoSun, 15 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Soapbox: The best complaint is an empty seat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/the-soapbox-the-best-complaint-is-an-empty-seat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/the-soapbox-the-best-complaint-is-an-empty-seat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/22/the-soapbox-the-best-complaint-is-an-empty-seat/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Unless you're protesting a lack of seating options. But that's a different blog.
Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

This is a public service announcement for you. Yes, you, with the post open for the message board and your finger hovering over the "post" button. I can't see what you've got written there, but I'm willing to bet some form of "turning the game into World of Warcraft" is there if you're posting about another game. Or possibly FarmVille. Hopefully I'm getting warm.

Look, the point is that I now you're about to post this hateful diatribe about threatening to leave. But I've got a better suggestion for you. How about you delete that post, unsubscribe, and then head outside for a walk with some friends. Play a different game, maybe an offline one, for a couple of days. Don't whine and just leave.

Continue reading The Soapbox: The best complaint is an empty seat

MassivelyThe Soapbox: The best complaint is an empty seat originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancellationcomplainingculturedepartingfeaturedforumforumshumorleavingofficial-forumopinionpostssoapboxthe-soapboxunsubscribingwhiningTue, 22 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist answers Asheron's Call 2: The highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/the-game-archaeologist-answers-asherons-call-2-the-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/the-game-archaeologist-answers-asherons-call-2-the-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/04/the-game-archaeologist-answers-asherons-call-2-the-highlights/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Asheron's Call 2
MMO sequels are funny animals. Sequels (along with prequels and "reimaginings") are ingrained into the entertainment industry so deep that it makes sense that MMO studios would follow suit. And yet these types of games -- with their ever-growing nature and heavy involvement with loyal playerbases -- are not always conducive to such projects. More often than not, a sequel to an online game becomes its ancestor's main competition, which is not a desirable outcome for the studio.

Perhaps back in the early 2000s, studios simply didn't know better. There's good evidence that the typical "hit video games need a sequel" mindset ran rampant across the industry, from the multiple attempts at Ultima Online 2 to the release of the don't-call-it-a-sequel sequel of EverQuest II. Perhaps developers didn't realize that MMO players didn't necessarily want to be uprooted and moved to a new game every few years.

While sequels, spin-offs and remakes are still present, the genre learned a hard lesson with Asheron's Call 2 in the first half of the decade. Asheron's Call was a success on Microsoft and Turbine's behalf, and a sequel -- with vastly improved graphics and deeper gameplay -- seemed like a logical next step. Unfortunately, it was a Greek tragedy in the making, destined for a short but memorable life in our world.

This month we're going to look at the brief shining star of Asheron's Call 2 and get all sorts of misty-eyed romantic over it!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist answers Asheron's Call 2: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist answers Asheron's Call 2: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acac1ac2asherons-callasherons-call-2asherons-call-2-legionsawardcanceledcancellationclassclassesderetheqiieverquest-iiexpansionfallen-kingsfeaturedgeoff-scottguildshero-2.0hero-systemjonathan-hannakingdom-vs-kingdomkvklegionsmatthew-fordmicrosoftmicrosoft-game-studiosmmo-sequelsmusicmusic-systemplayer-musicpvpRandy-Spongsequelsequelsthe-game-archaeologistturbineturbine-entertainmentultima-online-2Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mytheon closing up shop]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/mytheon-closing-up-shop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/mytheon-closing-up-shop/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/21/mytheon-closing-up-shop/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Mytheon
Faxion Online wasn't the only UTV True Games project to be axed following the company's acquisition by Disney. It turns out that Mytheon, too, is in the process of closing down for good.

In the sole announcement on the Mytheon forums, the team posted a note that the game would be spinning down starting this past July 27th in preparation for a final shutdown at an undisclosed date in the near future. Players can no longer register for the game nor download it. Mytheon planned to launch in 2010 but was kept in beta testing far past the projected release date.

This announcement ends on a bittersweet note: "Finally, we'd like to send out a huge thank you to all our players who've joined us on this journey. Keep challenging fate, The Mytheon Team."

[Thanks to Paul for the tip!]

MassivelyMytheon closing up shop originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelationcancellationclosingclosuredisneyf2pfaxionfaxion-onlinefree-to-playmytheonutvutv-gamesutv-true-gamesWed, 21 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Star Wars Galaxies puts the end of the saga in the hands of the players]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/star-wars-galaxies-puts-the-end-of-the-saga-in-the-hands-of-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/star-wars-galaxies-puts-the-end-of-the-saga-in-the-hands-of-the/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/29/star-wars-galaxies-puts-the-end-of-the-saga-in-the-hands-of-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Star Wars Galaxies
This is how the galaxy ends: not with a wimper, but with a mighty bang.

At least, that's what SOE hopes as Star Wars Galaxies' devs map out the final few months for this sunsetting MMO. Instead of weeping into a glass of strange blue milk, the team is issuing a challenge to the Imperials or Rebels. The stakes? The fate of the galaxy, once and for all.

SOE is ramping up the Galactic Civil War in the game, by adding new events and opportunities to win points for your respective side. The Civil War got a little bigger with the recent GU20 update that put the war footing on an interplanetary scale.

At some point before the December 15th shutdown, the game will tally up the score and determine who won -- for all time. Depending on which side comes out victorious, the ending of the game itself will change. If you're a neutral party, don't worry; SOE is making sure that you can participate in shutdown events as well.

Take note, as only players that subscribe or have an account in good standing prior to September 15th can participate in this final battle, since registration -- and game charges -- will cease after that date.

MassivelyStar Wars Galaxies puts the end of the saga in the hands of the players originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancellationcivil-wardamn-neutralseventgalactic-civil-wargu20imperialsin-game-eventrebelsshutdownsoesony-online-entertainmentstar-wars-galaxiessunsetsunsettingswgMon, 29 Aug 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What tells you it's time to quit?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/the-daily-grind-what-tells-you-its-time-to-quit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/the-daily-grind-what-tells-you-its-time-to-quit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/11/the-daily-grind-what-tells-you-its-time-to-quit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sometimes it's an encounter that just rubs you the wrong way. Sometimes it's the breakup of a guild, and sometimes it's just one or two friends who leave. And sometimes it's just a matter of realizing after a week-long break that you no longer look forward to logging into the game. From Lord of the Rings Online to Champions Online to EVE Online, whatever your game of choice or playstyle, there comes a point when you know that it's time to stop playing. Maybe not forever, but at least for now.

In all likelihood, you're not playing the same game now that you started with. It's quite possible you've started and stopped many different games by this point. So what convinces you that it's time to stop with a game for at least the moment? Losing friends? Endgame structures? Or do you just plan to head off for another game when it launches, with the expectation that you'll return if your new haunts don't hold up?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What tells you it's time to quit? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancellationchampions-onlinecoculturedepartingeveeve-onlineleavinglord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionquttingsigning-offtdgthe-daily-grindunsubscribingMon, 11 Apr 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Faunasphere shutting down on March 15th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/faunasphere-shutting-down-on-march-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/faunasphere-shutting-down-on-march-15th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/20/faunasphere-shutting-down-on-march-15th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's a sad day when a game shuts down, especially one that caters to an unusual audience. Faunasphere, a game about cleaning up a pollution-riddled world while developing your personal animals, has announced its shutdown on March 15th. All subscription options have been removed, all subscriptions or microtransaction currency purchases after January 14th are being refunded, and the developers at Big Fish Games are working to make sure that the month until the closing is memorable and enjoyable for players.

In a brief FAQ regarding the closure, the development team addresses several potential player questions, including the game's integration with Facebook (which kept the servers running for longer than would have otherwise been possible) and the issue of any outstanding funds sunk into the game. There's also a thread set up for players to exchange contact information, in the hopes that some of the community might retain its cohesion. Our condolences go out to the Faunasphere players and development team affected by the shutdown.

MassivelyFaunasphere shutting down on March 15th originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big-fish-gamescancellationclosurecommunitycommunity-cohesionf2pfacebookfacebook-integrationfaunafaunasphereflash-based-gamesflash-gamesfree-to-playgame-shutdownshutdownSun, 20 Feb 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fantasy Earth Zero shutting down on March 24th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/fantasy-earth-zero-shutting-down-on-march-24th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/fantasy-earth-zero-shutting-down-on-march-24th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/03/fantasy-earth-zero-shutting-down-on-march-24th/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sad news today for fans of Fantasy Earth Zero -- after officially launching less than a year ago, the game will be shutting down in North America in just under two months. Gamepot USA has posted a full statement explaining the game's shutdown schedule as well as the policies on refunds for any game currency purchased within the last month. The game's cash shop has been closed, with all servers set to quadruple experience and money so that players can enjoy the time that's left.

Fantasy Earth Zero took the long way around to get released stateside in the first place, after being developed by Square-Enix and then nearly shut down in Japan due to poor sales. An emotional farewell letter has also been posted, something fans of the game will no doubt wish to read. There's still time left to enjoy the accelerated servers before the shutdown, but when the lights go out on March 24th, they won't be coming back on.

[Thanks to Jeffrey for the tip.]

MassivelyFantasy Earth Zero shutting down on March 24th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancellationf2pfantasy-earth-zerofarewellfezfree-to-playgame-cancellationgame-shutdowngamepotgamepot-usagoodbyenewsrefundserver-shutdownshutdownso-longsquaresquare-enixterminationThu, 03 Feb 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Should MMOs live forever?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/the-daily-grind-should-mmos-live-forever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/the-daily-grind-should-mmos-live-forever/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/27/the-daily-grind-should-mmos-live-forever/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As we learned in the 1990s, just as Full House had an unholy beginning, so too it had to have an unholy finish. Life begets death, launches beget cancellations, and official MMO forums beget the end of a civilized community. So while we play our MMOs under the illusion that these persistent worlds will, well, persist forever, the truth is that one day the curtain will come down and our characters' journeys will come to a screeching halt.

Generally, MMOs will continue as long as the companies running them find them profitable -- running online games isn't a charity, after all. Sometimes a flagging title will receive new life through a F2P transition, via a makeover, or by being lumped in with a group discount package.

Our question today is a rather broad one: Should MMOs live forever, and if so, how do you propose they keep on running when the subscriber base no longer generates enough income to cover the costs? Are you OK with MMOs bowing out of the market once their numbers dip below a certain point, or should companies do everything they can to keep them afloat, including handing the title off to private server operators?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Should MMOs live forever? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancellationcancelledf2pfree-to-playfull-houseopinionprivate-serverprivate-serverstdgthe-daily-grindThu, 27 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Warrior Epic closes its doors]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/warrior-epic-closes-its-doors/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/warrior-epic-closes-its-doors/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/14/warrior-epic-closes-its-doors/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After a year and a half in service, Warrior Epic looks to be destitute. The free-to-play MMO had its service shut off on Friday by ijji, which posted the following announcement in the company's forums:

"As of November 12th, 2010, Warrior Epic will no longer be serviced through ijji.com. The ijji Warrior Epic team would like to thank you for your support during this journey. As a token of our gratitude for your loyalty, we would like to reward you an ijji loyalty package. If you had registered for an ijji Warrior Epic account, you will receive an email with full details on this loyalty package. Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to seeing you in our other exciting games!"

Details of the loyalty package can be found on this thread, where ijji promises to hand out items for former Warrior Epic players if they register for GunZ or Lunia.

Warrior Epic was developed by UTV True Games, the same studio behind Mytheon and Faxion Online.

MassivelyWarrior Epic closes its doors originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 14 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelationcancellationcancelledclosingfaxion-onlinegunzijjiluniamytheonutv-true-gameswarrior-epicSun, 14 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Epic Games in talks to buy APB]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/rumor-epic-games-in-talks-to-buy-apb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/rumor-epic-games-in-talks-to-buy-apb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/17/rumor-epic-games-in-talks-to-buy-apb/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Could the Gears of War folks be the knight in shining armor that doomed APB desperately needs? According to BBC, Epic Games is possibly interested in scooping up Realtime Worlds' MMO, although nothing is confirmed at this point. Realtime Worlds abruptly announced yesterday that APB was to be shut down today, sending shockwaves through the community.

While Epic Games is not commenting on any possible negotiations, a spokesperson confirmed that Epic's CEO, Mark Rein, is a fan of the game. "Mark absolutely loves APB, and everyone here loved what they saw. We've got our hands full of Gears of War 3, Bullet Storm and the recently announced Project Sword. If any talks like that are going on, then they would be confidential," Dana Cowley, Epic's spokesperson, said. Rein was outspoken about his enjoyment of the game at PAX last year.

Epic Games may also have a vested interest in the technology powering APB. We'll be keeping our ears to the ground on this one if anything further develops.

MassivelyRumor: Epic Games in talks to buy APB originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinapbbbccancellationdana-cowleyepic-gamesgears-of-warmark-reinpaxpax-2009project-swordRealtime-WorldsrumorFri, 17 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The end of Exteel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/the-end-of-exteel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/the-end-of-exteel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/29/the-end-of-exteel/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Set the flags to half-mast, put on your blackest mech armor, and raise a glass with us: As of September 1st, Exteel is shutting its doors and powering down its giant fighting 'bots. NCsoft announced the game's cancellation with a bittersweet consolation prize in the form of a late August event where all parts and mechs will be sold for one NCcoin apiece.

Exteel has been around since December 2007, a mere month after Massively itself opened its doors. While it was never a title to garner a huge amount of attention, Exteel's combination of a mech-based setting, PvP-centric play and microtransaction funding made it unique to the MMO genre.

NCsoft said that the game was no longer "financially viable," adding, "We know that we have many loyal players who love Exteel. Although this decision was a painful one, in the end it was a business decision that had to be made. We encourage everyone to play and have fun with the game that you love in the time you have left."

MassivelyThe end of Exteel originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancelcancellationcancelledexteelf2pfree-to-playftpmechmechanaughtmicrotransactionsncsoftpvpshutting-downThu, 29 Jul 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: The ones you can't forget]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/the-daily-grind-the-ones-you-cant-forget/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/the-daily-grind-the-ones-you-cant-forget/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/the-daily-grind-the-ones-you-cant-forget/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Sometimes, you quit a game without really quitting. You cancel your subscription and stop logging in... but you're still checking the official site for news, still talking to friends from the game, still posting on forums. Maybe you're managing to stay totally quiet about it, but you still keep your eyes peeled for news about it, sometimes even saying you're waiting for a specific upgrade or you're just taking a break. But really, you know that you haven't stopped playing for good. You know that it's just a matter of time before you get back into the game all over again, and more than anything you're trying to possibly forestall the inevitable.

What games draw you back over and over? Even if you can resist the siren's call of resubscribing, there are probably games where you still find yourself following the news about -- perhaps looking for a reason to go back, or in some cases because you're so annoyed at the game's ultimate direction that you want to see it crash and burn. So what does it for you? (And if you can resist the call altogether, can you let those of us who can't know the secret?)

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: The ones you can't forget originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancellationcultureopiniontdgthe-daily-grindMon, 19 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Square-Enix sued over "hidden fees" in Final Fantasy XI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/square-enix-sued-over-hidden-fees-in-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/square-enix-sued-over-hidden-fees-in-final-fantasy-xi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/25/square-enix-sued-over-hidden-fees-in-final-fantasy-xi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

A class action lawsuit has been filed earlier this week against Square-Enix North America for intentionally deceiving customers regarding hidden penalties and fees associated with the PlayOnline and Final Fantasy XI service.

The suit, filed on behalf of Esther Leong of San Francisco, is seeking over 5 million in damages. The suit also goes on to specifically list the penalties for the late payment of fees, the interest charges for unpaid fees, charges that occur while the game account is suspended, termination of game service for unpaid fees, and the termination of game data due to the late payment of fees as the specific causes of this lawsuit.

In Square-Enix's defense, however, the suit also lists the standard monthly subscription as being intentionally decieving. Final Fantasy XI's case does, in fact, say that additional online fees would be required and it also has a large sticker announcing "Free subscription for 30 days!" on the front of the box -- something more than most online games provide regarding their subscriptions.

We have contacted Square-Enix, and are currently waiting for their response to this matter.

[Via IGN.com]

MassivelySquare-Enix sued over "hidden fees" in Final Fantasy XI originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewscancellationcancellation-feesclass-action-lawsuitdeceptionfeesffxifinal-fantasy-xilawsuitlegalmonthly-feessquare-enixThu, 25 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[David Perry on MUO cancellation: "huh?"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/david-perry-on-muo-cancellation-huh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/david-perry-on-muo-cancellation-huh/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/14/david-perry-on-muo-cancellation-huh/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Eurogamer caught up with David Perry, former Shiny Entertainment big-wig and now localizer of many free MMOs for Acclaim to ask him, among other things, for his reaction to the recent news that Marvel Universe Online has been officially canned. Perry reacted with some surprise, pointing out Marvel is one of the biggest and most prolific mainstream intellectual properties on the market today, with all the money swirling around the box-office success of Spiderman, X-men, The Hulk, etc. He reasoned that if you take a team just as good as Blizzard and set them to work on a Marvel MMO, it'd be even bigger than WoW.

We take Perry's point, but there are a number of factors to consider with this story. First of all, there's a certain danger in developing an MMO for a console environment, especially at this stage in the system's life. The Xbox 360 launched in Fall of 2005, meaning it's probably closing in on the midway point in its life-cycle. In a genre where games like Ultima Online and Dark Age of Camelot are still making money, being halfway through a five year life cycle doesn't bode well for long-term profitability. And second, whose to say Shane Kim even related the full story? This whole affair could be far messier than we can tell at this juncture -- we may only find out what really happened with time.

MassivelyDavid Perry on MUO cancellation: "huh?" originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cancellationdark-age-of-camelotdavid-perryeurogamermarvel-universe-onlinemicrosoftmuoshane-kimshinyultima-onlinexbox-360Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Marvel MMO officially put to rest]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/marvel-mmo-officially-put-to-rest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/marvel-mmo-officially-put-to-rest/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/11/marvel-mmo-officially-put-to-rest/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


I have to confess, I had been holding out hope over the last couple months that the rumors circulating of Marvel Universe Online's imminent cancellation would prove to be unfounded. The very idea of a Marvel-endorsed super-hero game being developed by the guys at Cryptic to be released on the Xbox 360 platform was almost too much for my fanboy heart to handle. Alas, it was not to be. Steven Totilo of MTV's multiplayer blog sat down with Microsoft's Shane Kim to talk, among other things, about the cancellation.

Kim first confirmed that the cancellation rumor was true, and stressed that the decision to cease development was amicable on all sides. He cited the competitiveness of the MMO market as the primary reason for cancellation. Evidently, Microsoft felt that they couldn't make a sufficient profit to justify the costs of development using a traditional subscription-based model. He also said the game was too far along in development to switch to another business model, like an ad-supported or RMT model. Perhaps the only silver lining in this story is that Cryptic is now free to develop new IPs. Those, of course, will have to wait until Cryptic's media blackout ends.

MassivelyMarvel MMO officially put to rest originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcancellationcrypticcryptic-studiosmarvel-universe-onlinemtvmultiplayer-blogmuoshane-kimxbox-360Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perpetual disbanding, STO in jeopardy [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/perpetual-disbanding-sto-in-jeopardy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/perpetual-disbanding-sto-in-jeopardy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/26/perpetual-disbanding-sto-in-jeopardy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

South Korean company Gravity was forced in a mandatory SEC report to spill the beans that Perpetual Entertainment is seeking liquidation of all its assets and will soon cease to exist as a company. Gravity had to disclose this information in compliance with US law to inform its shareholders that it stands to lose $9 million in investments in Perpetual Entertainment due to the company's failure.

Perpetual Entertainment filed for liquidation on the 10th of October, just a day after it announced the cancellation of its Gods & Heroes project. While appearances are that Star Trek Online has remained in some kind of development (however limited) in the short term, Perpetual will soon be forced to sell all its assets to pay off its debts.

That means that either Star Trek Online is due for cancellation, or the project will be sold to a new development studio. Perpetual's continued work on STO is evidence that it at least hopes to keep the project alive by handing it off to another company. We don't know if Perpetual already has a buyer lined up or which company that buyer would be.

[EDIT: WarCry's Razor has suggested that the SEC report is misleading and that this was just a part of the process of ending development of Gods & Heroes. His suggestion might be worthy of consideration, but there is not yet enough evidence behind it for us to call this a false alarm. We've sent an e-mail to our press contacts at Perpetual Entertainment for clarification and when/if we get a statement, we'll let you know.]

MassivelyPerpetual disbanding, STO in jeopardy [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankruptcybreakingbusinesscancellationchapter-11gods-and-heroesgravityindustryliquidationperpetualperpetual-entertainmentsecstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestoMon, 26 Nov 2007 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Marvel Universe Online canceled?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/rumormill-marvel-universe-online-canceled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/rumormill-marvel-universe-online-canceled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/11/14/rumormill-marvel-universe-online-canceled/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

If you've been following non-MMOG news of late, you've probably heard all the speculation about possible canceled Xbox 360 titles. The whole thing was spurred by Shane Bettenhausen in a recent 1up Yours podcast, where he said, 'a big Microsoft first-party title that has been in the works for a very long time, that people are very excited for, sounds like it's being canceled.' Massively's sister site Joystiq has reported that the canceled game isn't Fable 2, or Alan Wake, or Too Human, or ... Banjo-Kazooie.

1up's news editor Patrick Klepek has since stepped back up to the mic to specify that an anonymous source tipped them to the possible cancellation of Cryptic's Marvel Universe Online. Not just relying on the un-verifyable source information, Klepek goes on to note the numerous opportunities Cryptic has had to crow about the game, and didn't.

Continue reading Rumormill: Marvel Universe Online canceled?

MassivelyRumormill: Marvel Universe Online canceled? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Nov 2007 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcancellationcrypticmarvel-universe-onlinemicrosoftrumorWed, 14 Nov 2007 06:30:00 EST