Warhammer 40k MMO No Longer An MMO

[Widgetcraft]

It seems that THQ has taken a look at the increasingly large number of failed MMOs and decided that it may be best to play it safe with the Warhammer 40k license by repurposing the Vigil-developed MMO Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium into a single/non-massive multiplayer experience. Eurogamer reports that, as a result of the change in format, 79 Vigil Games employees and 39 Relic Entertainment employees have been laid off. THQ CEO Brian Farrell had this to say on the change:

Originally Posted by Brian Farrell via Eurogamer

As previously announced, we have been actively looking for a business partner for the game as an MMO. However, based on changing market dynamics and the additional investment required to complete the game as an MMO, we believe the right direction for us is to shift the title from an MMO to a premium experience with single and multiplayer gameplay, robust digital content and community features.

For some time now it was rumored that the game had been canceled outright in light of the ongoing financial difficulties THQ has been experiencing.

Source: Eurogamer

[ClannerDelta]

"premium experience" sounds like a shady code phrase to get a stripper to blow you.

I'm indifferent at this point. I hope it's good, but I doubt it.

[Widgetcraft]

My opinion: We're looking at a Diablo style game with a cash-shop.

[Narradisall]

Interest rising. At least they are willing to look at the realism of the Market rather than go "omg mmo's will make is the money's" and march forward regardless.

Still reluctant till I hear details though.

[shunoshi]

Am I the only one waiting for the day that they decide to just make a digital boardgame version of 40K? Sorta like they did with Bloodbowl (except hopefully better).

[Widgetcraft]

I dunno, myself I would enjoy a sequel to Space Marine. That game was ten kinds of bad-ass once I understood it.

[Tayaya]

Premium Experience? This sounds like "you're gonna be paying more than you expected for what we're actually going to be servin' up."

[Codicier]

Sucks that devs at Relic and Vigil got axed because of THQ's financials.

Still, DMO being singleplayer now makes me much more interested in it. So this is a really mixed feelings development for me.

[Squidbot]

A shame about the staff, but potentially good news for I too am kind of pleased to hear that the game will not be an MMO. Co-Op would be nice (Someone else said Diablo, that would be awesome).

[Cit Phil Cit]

premium experience ... robust digital content and community features.

First against the wall - what human being actually talks like this?

That said: Probably for the best, there is no way GWS would allow an MMO, even one they would authorize, to compete with its material products - they aren't capable of that risk.

[Lint of Death]

Originally Posted by Cit Phil Cit

That said: Probably for the best, there is no way GWS would allow an MMO, even one they would authorize, to compete with its material products - they aren't capable of that risk.

Which is why they canned the Warhammer fantasy MMO?

[Primus]

I was really looking forward to this, it seemed like it had potential and was trying to be more action based. I am just incredibly bored of the current MMO standard.

Like a few of you had mentioned, if this becomes a class-based co-op game, I am still very interested.

[Deadend]

Originally Posted by Primus

I was really looking forward to this, it seemed like it had potential and was trying to be more action based. I am just incredibly bored of the current MMO standard.

Like a few of you had mentioned, if this becomes a class-based co-op game, I am still very interested.

Fer reals, I'd rather have a game made to be fun.. not an MMO, give me a nice long campaign with co-op and repeat it on HARD/Fuck you/No really, fucking die difficulty stuff.

Instead of having a whole lot of shitty content.

[CES]

Originally Posted by Lint of Death

Which is why they canned the Warhammer fantasy MMO?

40K is their cash cow supreme and for the last 20 years, the setting has had a sum total of zero forward progress. Really, you could use the entire setting as a textbook lesson of a zero-sum game.

[bean]

Story is written weird.

Should be: some rich decision maker/publisher cut funding, game developer had to scramble so they have something to send out the door to not completley go under, and many people lost their jobs as a result.

[Wasson_]

Turn it into 40K: Borderlands.

[evilgoodwin]

Hope my friends didn't get fired. I'll find out soon.

[Pale Ale]

Originally Posted by bean

Story is written weird.

Should be: some rich decision maker/publisher cut funding, game developer had to scramble so they have something to send out the door to not completley go under, and many people lost their jobs as a result.

You forgot golden parachute for decision maker when weakened company has thrown all this money in expensive MMO.

[evilgoodwin]

Also, assume the CEO is a complete ass-hat who waste money on stupid things while decent developers suffer for his mistakes.

[Xerxes]

Originally Posted by Wasson_

Turn it into 40K: Borderlands.

That would work. Hell, if all the assets are there for a MMO, you could milk a MMO world for few single games with some directed sequences.

Originally Posted by evilgoodwin

Also, assume the CEO is a complete ass-hat who waste money on stupid things while decent developers suffer for his mistakes.

That drawing board (U-Draw) was the worse thing happening for them. Which was sorts of stupid. You have some good games coming out, you're in the green, things are plush and make casual hardware cause it worked for Nintendo? O_o

This was all apart of them trying to get back to a $1 on the Stock Exchange. They've been warned already and I believe they have about 2-3 more months to get there. They've already halved the boards salary. Darksiders 2 due date is after the deadline I believe but from what I've been monitoring prices dip after hyped games drops. Cutting jobs and changing directions is about the only thing they can do.