THQ announced today that Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millenimum Online will no longer be an MMO, but a single-player game with multiplayer online features. You know…kind of like the last Warhammer game.
Since I personally adored Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine with every fiber of my being and I dislike MMOs, this announcement pleased me. But then I read what has happened as a result of this new direction, and all pleasure swiftly left.
The sad fact of the matter is that due to this shift, Vigil Games in Austin, Texas will lose 79 employees and Relic Entertainment in Vancouver, BC will lose 39.
Brian Farrell, President and CEO of THQ, explained this heavy decision with the following:
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.
Because we believe strongly in the high-quality and vast creative work that is in production, this is the right decision for both our portfolio and for gamers devoted to this powerful property.
Those left at Vigil will continue to focus on Darksiders II, while Relic will focus on Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War.
[Source]
Our hearts and thoughts go out to these recently unemployed, and we hope that all of you find new employment very, very soon.
