On the day we signed the agreement to license Warhammer from Games Workshop, I promised them that we would create a great and glorious game, a truly next-generation MMORPG. Today, I have news to report; we are going to delay the release of WAR until Fall 2008. While we do not expect this announcement to be met with fanfare and cheering crowds; the additional time will be spent hammering WAR into an even better game that it is today.
During the most recent phase of beta testing, two things have become clear. One was that our key innovations - Public Quests, Tome of Knowledge and Realm vs. Realm combat - were all coming along extremely well, as was the first stage of our innovative crafting system. The second, that the game would benefit from additional iteration time as well as adding a layer of polish or two. Fortunately, as part of Electronic Arts, we are able to do just that.
While I have no doubt that the community will experience a wide range of emotions over this decision, I urge you to remember one thing (and to keep the tar cold and the feathers on the birds), that our goal has never been to release a game by a certain date but to release a great Warhammer MMORPG. We have not wavered from this goal and with the full support of Games Workshop, GOA and Electronic Arts we intend to release a glorious next-generation MMORPG.As always, I thank the community for its support, patronage and its patience.
Mark Jacobs
VP, GM EA Mythic
Friday, March 28, 2008
Warhammer Online Delayed
Thursday, March 13, 2008
An Exiting Year for MMOs
2008 is looking up to be an exciting year for MMOs. Ever since WoW opened the gates of MMO popularity there have been a number of new MMO projects announced in its wake. To name the major ones: Aion, Age of Conan, Warhammer Online and unannounced projects from Bioware and Blizzard.
This lineup right here already has most of the big names in the game industry developing new MMOs: NCSoft, EA, Bioware, Blizzard, Eidos....
WoW is nearing its 4th year of release and players like me have been itching for something new for quite awhile now. It will be an exciting year as we get to see if the developers of Aion, Conan or Warhammer can offer us something new.
Of the 3 announced games, Conan is looking to be the first one to be released. It's release date is currently set for May 20th 2008. Developed by the same studio that brought you Anarchy Online.
The game promises high paced action and PvP in the Conan universe with gore galore. The developers are also promising a robust housing system where guilds can build their own cities.
As for PvP the game will be offering a keep system, where guild build their own "battlekeep" and protect it from other guilds assault.
Conan looks very promising and the graphics are not dissapointing. I am especially interested in their combat system, which seems to be taking a more "action" approach to it instead of the old "one click combat" system that most MMOs utilize. Hopefully the game is not rushed and the developers have ample time to make sure everything works. I don't think anyobody wants an Anarchy Online type lauch.
Ah.... Warhammer, many people hail this game as the game to go to if you liked WoW but found the PvP lacking. Warhammer is being developed by Mythic, the same studio who brought you Dark Age of Camelot, a pioneer in PvP combat.
Warhammer is looking to be PvP centered aswell as Mythic are planning to bring back Dark Age of Camelot's keep warfare.
The game will feature instance and open world combat between two opposing factions. While I am not a fan of either faction or instanced PvP, Mythic is promising that open world PvP and guilds will not be forgotten.
The third game of this list is from Korean developer NCSoft. Powered by the Crytek Engine it is the most eye popping of the three.
The game has finished Closed Beta in Korea and a Korean open beta is currently in the works. After that there are plans to begin the US Betas.
Now NCSoft has had quite a track record of grind fest games, but they hope to move away from this with Aion.
Even though it is being developed in Korea, NCSoft plans to make this game appeal to the Western and European audience. There is not as much information on this game as Conan or WAR, but it is definately a game to follow in 2008.
All three of these games are slated for a 2008 release. In addition we also have the possibility of receiving further information on Blizzard and Bioware's new MMO prospects. I am excited, this genre has experienced a huge growth of popularity and I want to see how it will evolve.
This lineup right here already has most of the big names in the game industry developing new MMOs: NCSoft, EA, Bioware, Blizzard, Eidos....
WoW is nearing its 4th year of release and players like me have been itching for something new for quite awhile now. It will be an exciting year as we get to see if the developers of Aion, Conan or Warhammer can offer us something new.
Of the 3 announced games, Conan is looking to be the first one to be released. It's release date is currently set for May 20th 2008. Developed by the same studio that brought you Anarchy Online.
The game promises high paced action and PvP in the Conan universe with gore galore. The developers are also promising a robust housing system where guilds can build their own cities.
As for PvP the game will be offering a keep system, where guild build their own "battlekeep" and protect it from other guilds assault.
Conan looks very promising and the graphics are not dissapointing. I am especially interested in their combat system, which seems to be taking a more "action" approach to it instead of the old "one click combat" system that most MMOs utilize. Hopefully the game is not rushed and the developers have ample time to make sure everything works. I don't think anyobody wants an Anarchy Online type lauch.
Ah.... Warhammer, many people hail this game as the game to go to if you liked WoW but found the PvP lacking. Warhammer is being developed by Mythic, the same studio who brought you Dark Age of Camelot, a pioneer in PvP combat.
Warhammer is looking to be PvP centered aswell as Mythic are planning to bring back Dark Age of Camelot's keep warfare.
The game will feature instance and open world combat between two opposing factions. While I am not a fan of either faction or instanced PvP, Mythic is promising that open world PvP and guilds will not be forgotten.
The third game of this list is from Korean developer NCSoft. Powered by the Crytek Engine it is the most eye popping of the three.
The game has finished Closed Beta in Korea and a Korean open beta is currently in the works. After that there are plans to begin the US Betas.
Now NCSoft has had quite a track record of grind fest games, but they hope to move away from this with Aion.
Even though it is being developed in Korea, NCSoft plans to make this game appeal to the Western and European audience. There is not as much information on this game as Conan or WAR, but it is definately a game to follow in 2008.
All three of these games are slated for a 2008 release. In addition we also have the possibility of receiving further information on Blizzard and Bioware's new MMO prospects. I am excited, this genre has experienced a huge growth of popularity and I want to see how it will evolve.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
