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The MMO Report: The sad, strange death of Company of Heroes Online
Bad puns, sexual innuendo and all the MMO news you can handle are crammed into yet another MMO Report, brought to us by our friends at G4TV. Casey Schreiner and his fabulous tie recall a few of the biggest stories from the previous week. First up on the docket is the cancellation of two THQ titles previously in development: Company of Heroes Online and WWE Smackdown vs. Raw Online. Both of these games were an attempt by the studio to bring its western-style MMOs to a Korean market, although THQ ultimately decided that this move wasn't at the top of its priority list. On a more upbeat note, Casey talks up LEGO Universe's Crux Prime update, which came complete with ninjas and multiplayer madness. And yes, Casey, we agree that LEGOs are "awesome." Other topics for the Report include Undead Labs' "Class 3" single-player XBLA title that's hopefully leading up to the studio's zombie MMO, robo-Batman in a new DCUO video, the announcement of BlizzCon's 2011 dates, and a Blizzard theme park called "Joy Land" in China. Face it: We have a weird hobby. Hit the jump to watch the full MMO Report!
Company of Heroes Online, WWE Online canceled
This morning, we reported that THQ would "evaluate the next steps for the Company of Heroes series" after the March 31 conclusion of the Company of Heroes Online beta. We now know that whatever those next steps are, they won't include Company of Heroes Online. The latest THQ earnings report notes that the company has "reevaluated its strategy of adapting certain Western content for free-to-play online games in Asian markets." And, as a result of that reevaluation, it has canceled Company of Heroes Online and WWE Online. COH Online was originally announced as a South Korean release in partnership with Windysoft, and WWE Online was only intended for release in Asia. In an investor phone call, THQ CEO Brian Farrell explained the decision, claiming that THQ's focus is on "developing great content, most of it IP owned by THQ. And the concept of converting some of these concepts for a market -- though Korea's still a great market -- it just wasn't the top of our list for focus." He noted that THQ's "small" Korean office has also been closed.
Company of Heroes Online open beta closes on March 31
War never changes, but that doesn't mean it can last forever. THQ has announced its MMO RTS, Company of Heroes Online, will conclude its open beta on March 31, effectively shutting down until THQ can "evaluate the next steps for the Company of Heroes series." The news comes via the game's official forums. As of today, players will find they're unable to purchase in-game currency from the website, though those who've stockpiled war funds can freely use them up until the March 31 end date. The missive also details an incentive for players who registered prior to February 1: a voucher for THQ's online store that lets users pick up Company of Heroes: Gold Edition for $4.99, $25 off its suggested retail price (according to Steam). All eligible users can hit up this link for their coupon code. [Thanks, David]
Relic establishes Brian Wood Memorial Game Design Internship
Relic Entertainment has set up the Brian Wood Memorial Game Design Internship for students at the Vancouver Film School's Game Design Program. The internship will give one student a four-month paid stint at the developer, with the company providing three graduating students the opportunity each year. The internship is named after Brian Wood, lead developer on Company of Heroes Online, who died last year after a tragic incident. The first internship will begin next month.
This week on The MMO Report
This week's MMO Report finds Casey Schreiner all comfy with his feet propped on the desk, accusing us of cannibalism and bringing you the latest MMO news. First up, of course, was the tale of Bad Bobby and his EVE Online hijinks, a story that caused a huge stir in the MMO world over the weekend. SWTOR's announcement regarding Corellia got some attention, and Casey echoed the hope of many fans: since Corellia is Han Solo's future home, BioWare had better pony up a nod to the Solo name. Up next was Need for Speed World and its sudden switch to free-to-play, along with the upcoming new content and cash shop items. Company of Heroes Online, Final Fantasy XIV's maps, and Uncle Casey's Mailbag wrapped up the show, so follow along after the jump to see this week's MMO Report!
Company of Heroes Online trailer shows how to serve the Fatherland
Sure, playing as the Taliban might be taboo now, but give it about 60 years. The latest trailer for the free-to-play Company of Heroes Online (currently in open beta) slyly promotes the Nazis' Terror Division, showing that time heals all wounds when it comes to video game enemies.
Brian Wood Memorial Trust accepting donations
A memorial trust has been set up to assist the family of Brian Wood, a developer who died under tragic circumstances last weekend. Wood had been the lead developer on Company of Heroes Online. The trust has been set up to help his pregnant wife and family during this time. For more details on how to donate, please follow this link: The Brian Wood Memorial Trust.
Company of Heroes Online gets new trailer, open beta starts next week
If you didn't get in on the first wave of closed beta invites for THQ and Relic's Company of Heroes Online, you're guaranteed to get your chance in the coming days. A new trailer for the online strategy title sent to us by THQ included the announcement that the game's open beta testing will kick off some time this week. An exact time and date for the relaunch wasn't announced, but an update on the title's official site promises more details are coming soon. In the mean time, check out the new trailer after the jump, and think about which of the three Doctrines your strategy will be built around. Wait, you're adopting a policy of pacifism? Yeah, that's going to work out really well for you, we think.
Company of Heroes CD keys to unlock unspecified bonuses in Company of Heroes Online
The free-to-play Company of Heroes Online won't fully replace that disc copy of Company of Heroes you have, as there's still at least one important piece of content for which you'll need the disc -- even if that piece of content is a Company of Heroes Online extra. "We are urging people to hang onto their CD keys," producer Greg Wilson told PC Gamer. "We don't have the details yet, but we really appreciate our current retail CoH fanbase, we love them and we recognise that they helped us get where we are today with this franchise. We want to make sure they feel appreciated, so there will be something special for people who are retail owners. News of that will come." So if you were going to shatter your disc in rage about the freemium followup, keep the CD key. Just in case. As for people who haven't yet discovered Company of Heroes, and who play other free-to-play stuff on Facebook, Wilson hopes that some of the millions of players participating in social games will "get tired of that fast food style of gameplay, and they'll want to graduate to something a bit more – whether that's a triple-A PC title or something in between."%Gallery-94329%
Company of Heroes Online seeking beta recruits
Company of Heroes Online, Relic's freemium real-time strategy title, has opened up registration for its upcoming closed beta. To receive a code, applicants will have to make sure to check both "Receive News" and "Receive Offers" when making their account, as beta keys will be sent out using the opt-in mailing list. A post on the CoHO site states that a limited number of keys will go out in the first phase but that they'll "soon be announcing a partnership" to expand the beta. For those uninterested in helping with the process of finding entrenched bugs, the full free-to-play title should be released this autumn.
Company of Heroes Online reports to North America for duty this fall
click to drop into our gallery Relic's freemium real-time strategy game, Company of Heroes Online, will launch in North America this Fall, THQ has announced. The adaptation of PC exclusive Company of Heroes was previously announced for South Korea and is currently in beta in the Chinese market. Company of Heroes Online features a persistent online world and, while being free to play, offers player customization through micro transactions. If you're unfamiliar with the franchise, you might want to check out an earlier version of the acclaimed WWII strategy title on Steam. Find the trailer after the break. %Gallery-94329%
THQ and WindySoft sending Company of Heroes Online to South Korea
Yesterday, THQ and Shanda announced their intentions to bring upcoming free-to-play Company of Heroes Online to South Korea via publishing partner WindySoft. Like Relic's PC-only classic Company of Heroes, COHO is an RTS game set during the Second World War, but the additions of a persistent world and expanded player customization (read: microtransactions) aim to set the online iteration apart. Currently, no release date is set nor have plans been announced to bring the game to the West. Between Shanda's other free-to-play MMO, King of Fighters World, Namco's Katamari Online, and now this, we're starting to feel like Asia's the rich kid down the block getting all the games we could never afford. Can we come over and play, Asia? Please?
