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THQ executive explains WAR40K's new non-MMO direction

Jef Reahard — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

For those curious about the fate of Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online, Ripten recently interviewed THQ executive Danny Bilson regarding the game's future.

You'll recall that late last month, THQ announced that DMO would shed its MMO skin and reinvent itself as a single-player title. Bilson says that much of what makes the game unique will remain intact, and most importantly, WAR40K "is still sitting with the people who invented it five years ago, and honestly, they are incredibly excited about the new direction."

While you wouldn't expect anything less than positive spin from a bigwig whose company has seen better days, the interview still manages to make the new title sound pretty intriguing. "If you liked Space Marine, you're gonna love this thing. It's much deeper. Space Marine was designed as a console experience. This one has tremendous multiplayer gameplay, and there is a lot going on in this game that's spectacular," Bilson says.

THQ executive explains WAR40K's new non-MMO direction originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition

Brianna Royce — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, MMO industry, Humor, The MMO Report, Miscellaneous

This week on The MMO Report, Casey tells everyone to stop whining about Mass Effect 3's ending, laments the loss of the "online" part of Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online, touches on the World of Darkness keynote, and outlines The Secret World's preorder plans. He also reveals the identity of one of TERA's key voice actors: Michael Hogan (of Battlestar Galactica fame), who will play Samael in the final game. Finally, he pulls one measly letter from the mailbag and debates which class he represents in TERA.

Enjoy the full MMO Report after the cut!

Continue reading The MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition

The MMO Report: Shut up about Mass Effect edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Massively Speaking Episode 195: Jokeception

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Anarchy Online, Guild Wars, MMO industry, News items, Guild Wars 2, Massively Meta, Everquest Online Adventures, Humor, Warhammer 40k, Massively Speaking, Miscellaneous

Massively Speaking Episode 195 wonders if you were actually fooled by any of the pranks that MMO studios put out there, or barring that, if some of the pranks sounded so cool that you wish they were real. For Massively's part, we brought back One Shots as a joke, and then we brought it back for real just because that was the best laugh of them all.

Have a comment for the podcasters? Shoot an email to podcast@massively.com. We may just read your email on the air!

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to Massively Speaking directly in iTunes.
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[MP3] Download the MP3 directly.
Listen here on the page:

Read below the cut for the full show notes.

Continue reading Massively Speaking Episode 195: Jokeception

Massively Speaking Episode 195: Jokeception originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WAR40K devs laid off, game will no longer be an MMO

Jef Reahard — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

The on-again off-again saga of Warhammer 40K is apparently off again, at least in regard to the title's future as an MMORPG. In early February we reported on some rumored THQ financial trouble, but the company later pooh-poohed the concerns and said that WAR40K was still on track.

Today, though, our sister site reports that Dark Millennium Online will axe the online portion of its lengthy moniker and the company will be producing the title as a single-player game going forward. A substantial number of jobs have also been cut, with 79 Vigil Games employees and 39 Relic Entertainment employees receiving pink slips.

WAR40K devs laid off, game will no longer be an MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The MMO Report: Shut up, that's why edition

Brianna Royce — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Video, MMO industry, Opinion, Humor, The MMO Report, Miscellaneous

Why does The MMO Report cover Minecraft? "Shut up, that's why," says Casey with a smile. In addition to chronicling Minecraft's newest FarmVille-esque update, the Beard meanders through the Dark Millennium Online cancellation rumors, The Secret World's Illuminati trailer, and TERA's upcoming May release date ("your cue to start claiming it's better than WoW, internet"). Finally, Casey touches on the patch delays suffered by Star Wars: The Old Republic, excusing the tardiness by suggesting the promised dates are more like guidelines, and besides, "Only a Sith deals in absolutes."

All this and a quick dip into Uncle Casey's Mailbag can be found in the full HD video behind the cut.

Continue reading The MMO Report: Shut up, that's why edition

The MMO Report: Shut up, that's why edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer 40K planning multiple payment options

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Business models, Warhammer 40k

Despite being one of THQ's biggest projects, the upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online won't be hemmed in with a single subscription option. Instead, the company said that it is investigating a wide range of possible payment options to be as flexible as possible for players all over the world.

Speaking at a recent earnings call, CEO Brian Farrell addressed what model WAR40K would adopt. "What we've done is make the business model within Dark Millennium Online flexible so we can use different business models in different territories and exploit the game on a worldwide basis," he said. "We will have not just one business model, like subscriptions. There will be other monetisation mechanisms in the game... The team there is being very thoughtful about how we maximise monetisation in this game."

Seeing as how WAR40K is costing the company over $50 million to create, it seems wise to offer multiple options in order to draw in the largest amount of players possible. The title is being developed by Vigil Games and is slated to release in 2013.

Warhammer 40K planning multiple payment options originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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THQ releases flood of new details for Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online

Rubi Bayer — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, Warhammer 40k

If you're a fan of Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online, you are likely pretty happy to have a launch date. You're also probably anxious for details about the game itself, which have been in short supply until now.

We've got good news for you though: THQ has released a huge list of data on design, gameplay, classes and races, and much more. The information ranges from all-encompassing, such as talk of art style and who is involved in development, to very specific, such as a party size of five, raid size of 50, and level cap of 60.

There's plenty more for eager fans: dual-wielding pistols and melee weapons (including chain swords), classes with three specialties, a crashed space hulk ripe for exploration, and much more. Strategy Informer has the complete summary, so head over there for your full Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online fix!

[Thanks to Merketh for the tip!]

THQ releases flood of new details for Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer 40K Dark Millennium Online launch date revealed

Matt Daniel — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Launches, News items, Warhammer 40k

Purge the heretics! Warhammer 40,000 Dark Millennium Online has received a launch date. The game's page on THQ's official site marks the game down for release on March 31st, 2013. That's all the news we've got for now, but keep your eye out for more information in the (grim darkness of the) future!

[Thanks to Andru for the tip!]

Warhammer 40K Dark Millennium Online launch date revealed originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dark Millennium Online to be playable at E3 2012

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, Interviews, MMOFPS, Warhammer 40k

While last week's E3 is still fresh in our minds and hearts, THQ is giving us a great reason to look forward to next year's expo: the chance to get our hands on Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online.

Eurogamer reports that THQ is committing to this time frame. Danny Bilson says that WAR40K will be the highlight of the company's display: "Next year, I promise you, next E3. I've already got plans for what the booth is like. The centrepiece of the booth will be that MMO."

We caught only a glimpse of a teaser trailer for the game at this year's E3. Vigil Games is hard at work on the $50+ million project, and Bilson says that it's looking good and on track for a launch between April 2012 and March 2013.

"It looks fabulous. I like it. I can't speak to it now, or people will kill me. But, I'll tell you what, it plays differently. A little bit... This thing is gonna be special," he said. "We're going to come out when we come out in a big way. I feel like we're fully competitive with the other guys. It'll be seven years in the making when it comes out. We're competing with the best games in the world. You can't mess around with this thing."

Dark Millennium Online to be playable at E3 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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THQ spending approximately $50 million on WAR40K MMO

Jef Reahard — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

If you're wondering how many users it's going to take for THQ's forthcoming Warhammer 40K-based sci-fi MMORPG to be successful, you can keep wondering. THQ executive vice president and chief financial officer Paul Pucino did speak briefly about the budget of Dark Millennium Online, however, while addressing a Wedbush Morgan conference on March 9th. Pucino said the title will cost "somewhere in the area of $50 million or so to get these games to market, certainly in that range for Dark Millennium."

Pucino was asked about desired subscriber numbers for WAR40K, which is being developed by Vigil Games, but declined to offer any details. "We haven't gotten specific yet, we're a couple of years away here from release and certainly as we get closer we'll give some specifics with regards to break-even or target users," he said.

THQ spending approximately $50 million on WAR40K MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WAR40K throws down the gauntlet

Justin Olivetti — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Interviews, MMO industry, Warhammer 40k

Other MMOs are predictable, lazy and lack the real "feel" of combat -- or so says Vigil Games' founder Dave Adams. In a recent PC Gamer article, Adams and Creative Director Mike Maza share their vision for Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online -- and it's all about bucking the industry standard.

Adams had a few strong words for Vigil's competition: "A lot of developers see that as an opportunity to cut that corner because there's so much to do on an MMO. They think people care about X, Y and Z. They don't really care about the feeling of the combat... Our goal is when some guy's walking past DMO they won't instantly know it's an MMO. That depends on a minimal interface: it's not a full FPS but it looks more 'actiony'."

The devs confirmed that there would be a wide range of combat features in this action-based title, including fierce melee brawls, intense ranged firefights -- and no action bar icons of which to speak. The team is working hard to recreate the tabletop's iconic world into a virtual one, designing guns (stubber and bolter firearms) and player-controlled vehicles (Titan mechs and Predator tanks) to look deadly, used and WAR40Kish.

The game will kick players into the fight almost immediately. "There's scenarios that introduce you to your character class. We'll throw you into your very first instance, to get a feel for a very player directed experience. Then you'll go to your trainers and merchants, then drop down onto the over-world from orbit," Maza said.

You can read the full article at PC Gamer.

WAR40K throws down the gauntlet originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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THQ reveals the dark engine powering Warhammer 40K

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Video, Interviews, Warhammer 40k

Hungry for information -- any information at all -- on Vigil Games' upcoming Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online? Did you watch the Imperium of Man trailer and gibber, "More! MORE!" So did we. Unfortunately, it was looking like we'd have to be content with hints...

...but fortunately, Games On Net cornered David Adams, Vigil Games' GM, and pumped him for further details. While Adams was reluctant to go into the specifics of gameplay, he did open up about WAR40K's engine, which is the same one the company used for Darksiders. The engine is being tweaked for the MMO, although Adams testified that it was already great with portraying a seamless world, which should be perfect for WAR40K's needs. DirectX 11 is also slated for inclusion.

So will the graphic requirements be low enough that the game could run on a toaster, or will it be a high-performance-only excursion? While Adams admits that the necessary graphic options will take a decent machine to run well, he's hoping to have as many visual toggles as possible so that WAR40K can reach a wider audience. He wouldn't say how many characters he expects the engine to handle in a certain area, other than to claim: "Big, it's 40K, it's all about big giant battlefields."

You can watch the full video over at Games On Net.

THQ reveals the dark engine powering Warhammer 40K originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New WAR40K trailer introduces first playable race

Rubi Bayer — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Screenshots, Trailers, Video, War, Races, Warhammer 40k

The Warhammer 40K crew has released a new trailer introducing the game's first playable race: The Imperium of Man.

"After centuries of exile, the Imperium of Man has returned to the Sargos sector," begins the trailer video. The planet Sanctum is the stronghold for man, and the humans are holding it against a host of enemies eager to take it back.

As always, while it's fun to hear all about a new playable race, it's even better to see it. With that in mind, the developers have put together a lineup of detailed new screenshots and a trailer video to introduce the race to players. Follow along after the jump to check them out!

Gallery: Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online

Continue reading New WAR40K trailer introduces first playable race

New WAR40K trailer introduces first playable race originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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WAR40K courts 1 million users, WoW players

Jef Reahard — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

Danny Bilson, core games vice president at THQ, is rather excited by the prospects of Warhammer 40k: Dark Millennium Online. In an interview at CVG, the executive talks about both the potential of the underlying intellectual property as well as the game itself. The title, currently in development at Vigil Games and fresh off a crowd-pleasing E3 trailer reveal, looks to appeal to a broad base of MMORPG games, starting with Blizzard fans.

"I've spent lots of time in WoW. As a WoW fanatic, I'm going to go right to 40K as soon as it comes out. It's very friendly to the WoW player," Bilson says.

In addition to aiming for the current market-share top dog, Bilson lets on that WAR40K is looking for approximately a million players in order to be successful. "They've got 14 million players! Gimme a million and I'm good! We're real good at a million, right?" We don't need everybody to migrate. We just need some of them -- and I'm full confident we're going to get them," he said.

WAR40K courts 1 million users, WoW players originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trailer revealed for Warhammer 40k: Dark Millennium Online

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:37:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Events, real-world, News items, Warhammer 40k

THQ and Vigil Games promised to "fully reveal" the Warhammer 40k MMO at E3, and they're standing by that promise. Our first peek at this revelation comes in the form of a brand new trailer, as well as the game's title.

The trailer for Warhammer 40k: Dark Millennium Online gives us the backstory: demons, aliens and heretics versus man. We get our first look at gameplay as well as the trailer pans through several different battlegrounds.

The trailer comes at the same time as a site redesign for Vigil Games, which brings a heavy focus on this highly anticipated game. Follow along after the jump to see the trailer, and keep an eye out for Massively's exclusive interview with THQ and hands-on demo of Warhammer 40k: Dark Millennium Online.

Continue reading Trailer revealed for Warhammer 40k: Dark Millennium Online

Trailer revealed for Warhammer 40k: Dark Millennium Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An early look at the Warhammer 40K MMO

Rubi Bayer — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

We've been hearing about a Warhammer 40k MMO for a very long time, beginning back in March of 2007. We also received some tantalizing general details back in April of 2008 -- It will have an RPG feel, there will be extensive gunplay, and all races important to Warhammer 40k lore will be included. Spring of 2008 continued the information train with several interviews here and there in which Vigil Games offered a few more details and assured fans that development was continuing.

After that, all was quiet again until April of this year, when a familiar name popped up on a list of release dates from THQ. Warhammer 40k MMO was given a 2012 release date -- subject to change, of course. Again, all was quiet after that, until now.

Yesterday, Kotaku received new concept art for the Warhammer 40k MMO, and while it's not exactly a completed game, it's a step in the right direction. The images include a nice look at character models and weaponry, so follow along after the jump to see for yourself.

Continue reading An early look at the Warhammer 40K MMO

An early look at the Warhammer 40K MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer 40K MMO gets a release date

Brooke Pilley — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

THQ just unveiled some release dates for their major game titles over the next few years and if you were getting excited for the Warhammer 40k MMO, you might feel a bit deflated after reading this. The above slide shows that WH40K is slated for a 2012 expected release date, which of course is subject to change.

We haven't heard much from Vigil Games since May 2008 about this title, but what we know sounds promising so far. The MMO's creative director is none other than comic book artist extraordinaire, Joe Madureira (side bar: my favorite artist of all time). Vigil hopes to stay as true to the tabletop experience as they can while still remaining an MMORPG. Finally, the world's primary weapons will be guns and vehicles may play a large part in combat.

While many fans of the Games Workshop miniatures game have found a familiar home in Warhammer Online, many others have complained that Mythic's incarnation of the Warhammer setting is not harsh, gritty, or dark enough. It will be interesting to see if WH40k can capture this or if Vigil will opt for a less mature environment (and rating).

Warhammer 40K MMO gets a release date originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Warhammer 40k MMO info update

Michael Zenke — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Warhammer 40k

The folks at PC Gamer (US) had the chance to sit down with Vigil Games' General Manager David Adams and Studio Creative Director Joe Madureira for a chat about their in-development MMO. The title is a little IP called Warhammer 40k, the gritty guns-and-gremlins sibling to Warhammer Online and the Warhammer fantasy RPG. The Vigil developers offer up a far-distant preview of what they're hoping to offer in 40k once the dust settles. From the sounds of things, the 40k approach to the Warhammer world will be a lot closer to the 'mass combat' style of gameplay we see in the miniatures game.

That said, the developers also made it clear that this is going to be a roleplaying game. As they put it, "Relic has the RTS angle covered with the awesome Dawn of War series - we are making an RPG." An RPG, but with a number of twists: guns will be the primary form of combat, incredibly customizable characters, no forced grouping, and the possibility of vehicles playing an important role in the gameworld. So far Vigil is saying all the right things, offering up hope that they're going to polish until they get it right: "We want each and every race to have weight in the game world, and feel distinct. We won't include a race if we can't do them justice." Let's hope that attitude sees them through the long process of bringing an MMO to market.

Warhammer 40k MMO info update originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 May 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PC Gamer's Warhammer 40k interview

Akela Talamasca — Sun, 04 May 2008 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: At a glance, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Interviews, Lore, New titles, PvP, News items, Races, Warhammer 40k

While many people are eagerly awaiting the release of Warhammer Online, there's another MMO in development with same initial name: Warhammer 40,000 Online. Although the initial difference between the two is obvious -- one's a fantasy RTS, the other is a science fiction RPG -- a recent interview with Vigil Games' General Manager David Adams and Studio Creative Director Joe Madureira offers up more juicy details.

Topics covered in the interview include customization options, available classes and NPCs, and how the existing Warhammer 40k universe will be introduced to gamers who may not have ever played the tabletop version. While there are still no beta or release dates on offer, development continues apace. We'll have more on this title as news emerges.

PC Gamer's Warhammer 40k interview originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 04 May 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 10 MIA MMOs of 2007 - part 1

Chris Chester — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Marvel Heroes, All Points Bulletin, Crime, Warhammer 40k

In the waning weeks of December, we've already started turning our eyes towards the new year. 2008 is already showing a great deal of promise for the MMO community, with the impending release of Pirates of the Burning Sea, Wrath of the Lich King, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Though most of these titles are still a good ways away from hitting retailer shelves, we've already got a pretty good idea of what's in store, not just in terms of assets and information that's already been released, but also from hands-on impressions and beta testing. In other words, as excited as we are, there probably won't be terribly many surprises as it concerns these titles. They're practically a given.

As luck would have it, those aren't the only titles we'll be drooling over next year - this much we know. There are a number of games in development out there that have shown up on our collective radar screens over the past few months, but only as tiny blips. For the most part, they still represent riddles wrapped up in mysteries with a side of question mark. We've assembled a list of the top 10 MIA MMOs - those mysterious games that represent the future of the MMO... if only we knew what they were.

In the first part of this feature, we'll take a look at the first half of the list.

Continue reading Top 10 MIA MMOs of 2007 - part 1

Top 10 MIA MMOs of 2007 - part 1 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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