[MUD-Dev] [NEWS] Warhammer Online Cancelled -- Why?

[David Kennerly]

There's a lot of articles on the net.  None of them explain the
internal reasoning.  Their one-sided mention of projection of costs
leaves it up to the reader to assume a not so hot projection of
revenues.  Here's one that was above average:

  http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=55854

<QUOTE>
  21/06/2004 16:15

  News Games Workshop cans Warhammer Online by Tom Bramwell

  Games Workshop has terminated development of massively multiplayer
  online RPG Warhammer Online, which had been under construction at
  Britsoft development Climax.

  In an announcement to the City this afternoon, the tabletop
  specialist said the termination came at the behest of the board
  "following a full review of the progress, costs to date and future
  costs of the project".

  Warhammer Online has been in development for quite some
  time. Originally announced in 2000 as a joint Climax/Microsoft
  project developed with Games Workshop's blessing, Sega Europe
  picked up the rights to publish it in various regions including
  Europe and North America in May 2003.

  Having initially declined to comment on the situation, a Sega
  Europe representative has since been in touch with the following
  official statement confirming the game's cancellation:

  "Warhammer Online was due to be published by Sega Europe in early
  2005. We regret to confirm that development has now ceased on this
  project. Sega remains committed to expanding its portfolio by
  working with the best developers in the marketplace."
</QUOTE>

GameIndustry gives some interesting related articles at the bottom.

  http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=dev&aid=3646

Especially this year, and even this month:

    > Climax celebrates 15 years, plans major expansion
    > Climax Nottingham appoints new managing director

Damn!  I was looking forward to playing a Troll-Slayer with an
orange mohawk.  :)

Does this mean they will be salvaging the Reikland for middleware?

-- David Kennerly -- kennerly at finegamedesign.com
-- If you haven't, please note my change of e-mail.
-- Thank you.
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