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Mytheon closing up shop
Faxion Online wasn't the only UTV True Games project to be axed following the company's acquisition by Disney. It turns out that Mytheon, too, is in the process of closing down for good. In the sole announcement on the Mytheon forums, the team posted a note that the game would be spinning down starting this past July 27th in preparation for a final shutdown at an undisclosed date in the near future. Players can no longer register for the game nor download it. Mytheon planned to launch in 2010 but was kept in beta testing far past the projected release date. This announcement ends on a bittersweet note: "Finally, we'd like to send out a huge thank you to all our players who've joined us on this journey. Keep challenging fate, The Mytheon Team." [Thanks to Paul for the tip!]
GDC 2011: Checking in with UTV True Games
Casual, colorful and comical: That's the effort that UTV True Games is putting into its growing portfolio of MMOs. From Faxion Online to Mytheon, UTV has quite a few things cooking on the stove, and we happily taste-tested new visuals and info from this year's Games Developer Conference. First up was the PvP-centric Faxion, pitting the good-smelling forces of Heaven against the sulfur-sprayed armies of Hell. Faxion is currently prepping for its second closed beta test, and we've been intrigued by what we've seen so far. The devs released 10 new images for the game, which you can see below: %Gallery-113832% For more previews of UTV's Mytheon, Sky Legends and Planet Crashers, hit the jump and pray you have a chute!
Mytheon closed beta starts today
Stonecasters of the world unite! UTV True Games is kicking off the start of Mytheon's closed beta by inviting back previous testers as well as new ones. If you're one of the former, you'll find that quite a few changes have come to the F2P fantasy game. If you're new and looking to get started with Mytheon's beta, UTV has the sign-up form front and center on its official website. Testers will be given the "VIP treatment," according to a UTV press release, and they will be able to take part in leaderboard-driven PvP matches, mythology-based trivia contests (with unique prizes), and hourly in-game giveaways. Mytheon is an action MMORPG that mixes strategy with elements of classical mythology. The game has undergone a lengthy development process and has even survived a source code-related legal spat between UTV and Petroglyph (the title's original developer). For more information, check out the impressions of Massively's own Beau Hindman, who profiled the title last summer.
Mytheon releases class trailer and internal Q&A
What's next for the makers of Mytheon now that its trans-continental relocation quest is complete? How about a new class trailer and a lengthy internal interview session detailing various behind-the-scenes development initiatives? The clip sports some pretty high production values as well as in-game footage related to the Warcaster, Eidolon, and Elementalist classes. While the video is fairly short, it does whet our appetites for more footage from the forthcoming free-to-play fantasy title. UTV True Games has also released a Q&A document outlining some of its aims for Mytheon's beta phase and beyond. Join us after the cut for discussion about high-level content, guild improvements, and more.
UTV moves Mytheon development to China, hints at upcoming closed beta
The latest chapter in the saga of the free-to-play action MMO called Mytheon features a lengthy quest across a vast ocean and two continents -- and that's before a player even logs into the game. In a press release dated earlier this morning, Texas-based UTV True Games announced the relocation of Mytheon development to its internal studio in Beijing. "Moving the development of Mytheon to our internal studio is a very positive move for the game because we have total creative control over the title and we can tailor Mytheon's content to the preferences and needs of the community that has already grown around it," said UTV CEO Jeff Lujan. Some of said content tailoring is taking the form of improved guild functionality, camera controls, and tweaks to the various stones and stone types. For the uninitiated, Mytheon players are referred to as Stonecasters after their ability to combine and cast magical stones in battle. In addition to the studio move, UTV has announced that a new closed beta phase will begin in late January. Previous testers will be contacted via email and will be able to use their existing accounts to access the new phase.
Warrior Epic closes its doors
After a year and a half in service, Warrior Epic looks to be destitute. The free-to-play MMO had its service shut off on Friday by ijji, which posted the following announcement in the company's forums: "As of November 12th, 2010, Warrior Epic will no longer be serviced through ijji.com. The ijji Warrior Epic team would like to thank you for your support during this journey. As a token of our gratitude for your loyalty, we would like to reward you an ijji loyalty package. If you had registered for an ijji Warrior Epic account, you will receive an email with full details on this loyalty package. Thank you again for your support, and we look forward to seeing you in our other exciting games!" Details of the loyalty package can be found on this thread, where ijji promises to hand out items for former Warrior Epic players if they register for GunZ or Lunia. Warrior Epic was developed by UTV True Games, the same studio behind Mytheon and Faxion Online.
Massively.com and GameBreaker.TV: Coming to you live from GDC Online!
GDC Online (formerly GDC Austin) is rapidly approaching, and we here at Massively.com are making sure that we're on the front lines of coverage from the event. We have plenty of interviews lined up with a huge variety of companies, and we're teaming up with our friends at GameBreaker.TV to deliver live coverage of the event via GameBreaker's live show at the Vivox booth! To get you excited for the coming conference, we've provided the list of companies we're meeting with just after the break! The list isn't fully extensive, as we'll be covering a variety of panels as well, but it will give you an idea of whom we're meeting with. Plus, keep an eye out for a link to the live GameBreaker.TV broadcast on our right-hand sidebar! Their coverage of the event will be starting on Wednesday, October 6th at 12:00 p.m. EDT!
Rise and Shiny recap: Nanovor: Evolution
Nanovor: Evolution, by Smith and Tinker, has the ability to allow a player to experience in-depth combat and collecting or pick-em-up battles on the fly. It has also been created with the purpose of running in a browser window or (soon) on an iPhone or iPad. What you end up with is a perfect game for someone who spent a good deal of his week feeling ill, like I did. Playing the game was almost relaxing, rather than nail-biting or stressful. Were there intense moments? Yes, like the time I played someone several levels above me. Generally, however, the game provides an environment for fun on the go. The few criticisms I have heard about the game -- that it's grindy, "pay-to-win" or made only for children -- are completely valid but a little out of place. Nanovor: Evolution, like Vindictus or LOCO, isn't trying to be an open-world, non-instanced groupathon. What Smith and Tinker does is provide an easy opportunity for fun and action, while skirting the edge of the definition for "MMORPG."
Black Prophecy wins "Best of Free-to-Play" at Gamescom
Gaming publications Gamestar and GamePro were keeping an interested watch on the happenings at Gamescom last week, and earlier this week they handed out their own round of awards. Gamigo and Reakktor Media received top honors in the free-to-play category for Black Prophecy, beating out several other nominees including Battlestar Galactica Online and Mytheon, another Gamigo game. "We feel quite honored. This award is recognition for all the hard work our team has put in over the past few years," said Kirk Lenke, CEO of Reakktor Media. The full story can be read on Gamestar's site in the original German or an English translation.
Rise and Shiny recap: Mytheon
Each week Rise and Shiny asks you to download and try a different free-to-play, indie or unusual game, chosen by me, Beau Hindman. Some of the games will be far out of your gaming comfort zone, and some will pleasantly surprise you. We will meet each Tuesday and Friday night at 9 p.m. EDT (8 p.m. CDT time) followed by this column the Sunday after. I welcome any suggestions for games, either in the comments or at beau@massively.com. I'm a simple man. I need a strong cup of coffee in the morning, walks with my two dogs, a kiss from my wife -- and giants. Lots of giants. Mytheon is a perfect game for a simple man like me. It installs easily and the controls are basic. It is by no means perfect, but I am not sure that it is trying to be. Like me, it's simple. It wants you to control miniature armies of centaurs, cyclopses and skeletons, and it wants you to kill things while controlling that army. See? Simple.
Mytheon gets EU publisher, shows off new screens and video
With the US launch of Mytheon slated to hit its official launch date of July 13th, and the lawsuit seeming to be a thing of the past, the teams behind Mytheon have been working on trying to send this upcoming free-to-play fantasy MMO across the pond. Well, today we've gotten news that Gamigo will be picking up the overseas publishing while UTV True Games handles the North American servers. Yes indeed -- those across the pond who were waiting to see if they'd have an option to check out Petroglyph's MMO based on various bits of world mythology will get a chance to play as well. To add to this news, they've also released a video and a bundle of new screenshots for people who may not have seen the polish put on Mytheon as it nears launch. EU players can register for the closed beta on the Gamigo site, whereas US players should head over to the UTV True Games site to get in on the action. Meanwhile, as those clients are downloading, don't forget to check behind the break for the video, or click through the gallery below for all the new eye-candy. %Gallery-68215%
Mytheon introduces lifetime subscription package
After months of wrangling over development and source code followed by a lawsuit that was settled in record time, True Games and Petroglyph are moving quickly to meet Mytheon's planned launch date of July 13th. The latest announcement from Mytheon comes in the form of the "Champions of Mytheon" purchase option, a lifetime subscription offer with plenty of extras. There are 2,000 Champions packages available, and well worth it for those who pay the $129.99 price tag. Champions of Mytheon includes a long list of extras both in-game and out, from a t-shirt, hat, keychain, and poster, to early game access, exclusive weapons, and even a mention in the game credits. Check out the Mytheon site for the full list of items included with the lifetime package.
Petroglyph and True Games resolve lawsuit, announce launch date for Mytheon
The last major news we heard about fantasy MMO Mytheon was regarding a legal skirmish. Publisher True Games was suing developer Petroglyph for the Mytheon source code, citing a long list of actions on Petroglyph's part which prevented the game from seeing release. In a surprise announcement, the two companies announced today that they have resolved their differences and are set for a July 13th launch. While it seems like a dangerously short leap from lawsuit to launch, keep in mind that Mytheon was originally scheduled to be ready for release last November. Chuck Kroegel, CEO of Petroglyph, sums up the decision: "From the beginning, we have been committed to creating a critically and commercially successful online game that brings something fresh to this space. Despite the fact that neither company acknowledged or admitted any wrongdoing, both companies recognized this mutual agreement as the right step, especially for the players with the official release of Mytheon to the world this summer. We've received a great deal of positive feedback on the game, from both the media and the community, and we encourage online gaming fans to jump into the ongoing open beta test and experience Mytheon's unique gameplay and amazing mythological world." Beta signups are available on the game's site.
Massively Mobile: iPhone apps for your favorite MMOs part 2
Every two weeks, Massively Mobile brings you the latest news, guides and analysis about MMOs on mobile devices. Covering iPhone, iPad and Android platforms, we're on the lookout for the next generation of MMOs. In the last column, I covered a number of iPhone apps for MMOs. Some kept you connected to the game world, others offered you information at your fingertips, while still others were entire games unto themselves. Today I continue with the second half of the list starting with Final Fantasy XI all the way through Wizard101. In the next Massively Mobile column, I will focus specifically on World of Warcraft mobile apps for both the iPhone and the Android. I have to admit that in the process of researching this column, I became obsessed with one particular app, Warrior Epic: Sagas. I don't even play the MMO, but I found the app to be one I returned to again and again throughout the week. It's very addictive, has an engaging storyline and is a dream come true for equipment micromanagers like myself. Check it out along with the rest of the apps after the jump.
True Games Interactive sues Petroglyph for Mytheon source code
MMORTS Mytheon has hit a development snag: True Games is suing developer Petroglyph, claiming that the company has failed to deliver what was promised -- a working game -- and is preventing True Games from doing so as well by refusing to release the source code. According to the court documents, the original agreement required Petroglyph to deliver a "Gold Master" (ready for distribution) copy of the game by November 15th, 2009 -- a delivery date later amended to February 1st, 2010. In mid-March, Petroglyph stated that a Gold Master version of Mytheon should be ready by the end of March, but additional funding was needed. The publishable copy was not received by the end of March. True Games' complaints can be summed up in a short paragraph from the official document: "The repeated, unreasonable demands by Petroglyph for additional funds and concessions, combined with Petroglyph's apparent unwillingness or inability to deliver the final product, poisoned the working relationship between TGI and Petroglyph, such that the entire multi-million dollar venture is in danger of collapsing." For Petroglyph's part, CEO Chuck Kroegel claims: "It was NEVER conceived to be a full-blown MMO, which costs upwards of $15 million and three to five years to complete. The trend, however, over the last months has been to move this game to the scope of a full-blown MMO." The full court document has all the details.
Mytheon has both PvP and Co-Op on the menu
Mytheon wants to know: what's your poison? Do you want a tall glass of beatdown with live players, or a cooperative shot of teamwork in a PvE environment? We haven't heard a lot about this title over the past year, but Petroglyph is increasing the game's profile as launch looms for this "online multiplayer action RPG." As the beta period winds to a close, the devs are excited to reveal the game's two primary modes: PvP and Co-Op play. Mytheon appears to lean toward PvP, as Petroglyph emphasizes both the PvP arenas and PvP scenarios. The arenas -- such as the Ring of Destiny and Olympus -- are ranked, and come in either 1v1 or 2v2 varieties. If 4v4 is more your style, then head on over to one of their three PvP scenarios, such as the Forest of Despair. However, Co-Op mode is available for a different flavor of gameplay, challenging two teams of players to compete against each other in a PvE setting until there's only one victor, who then fights a unique scenario boss. All of these modes offer experience and loot as a matter of course. Producer Randy King encourages players to find their own style: "Giving players the ability to group together, or play against each other was only the start. It was important to us to use the rich setting of Greek mythology to provide these incredible scenarios that they can experience with others."
Mytheon going dark for Earth Hour 2010
Fighting against the mighty power of the gods is no easy task, as Mytheon closed beta testers are discovering. But now Mytheon is asking players to help out in a different battle, by observing Earth Hour 2010 on Saturday. For one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 PST, the closed beta will go dark in honor of the global initiative to fight climate change. "As a company based in Austin, a city that has active policy that protects the environment, we feel a duty to proactively participate in saving the planet," said Jeff Lujan, CEO of True Games Interactive. "All of our titles, including Mytheon, are based on a strong belief in digital distribution of games-which means we do not have excess waste like retail packaging, transportation, etc., but we are willing to go one step further on Saturday and we call on others to do the same. Working together we can make a difference." You can read more about Earth Hour 2010 here, and sign up for this MMORTS closed beta over at Mytheon's website.
Mytheon screens an early look at the title
One of the upcoming MMORTS games on the horizon is Mytheon, in development at Petroglyph Games. The new title will offer a twist on the standard fantasy setting. Rather than basing the game on a purely fictional world, they're basing Mytheon off of real world myths, beginning with Greece and Egypt. Mytheon will be a free-to-play title, with game mechanics that center around power stones which will fuel the various in-game effects players can employ against each other. We don't have any further info about Mytheon's lore or its game mechanics quite yet, but Petroglyph has released some new screenshots for the title. If you're an MMORTS fan and want to see more of this game, have a look through our Mytheon gallery and let us know if it's caught your interest.%Gallery-68215%
Mytheon site launches with trailer, game to release in Q1 2010
Mytheon from Petroglyph Games is a title we've mentioned in the past, as it's a different take on the type of games we cover at Massively. Essentially it's an MMORTS, and as such may be comparable to titles like Dreamlords the Reawakening or even Atlantica Online. As its name implies, Mytheon is rooted in ancient world myths, which could be a nice departure from the numerous pure fantasy games on the market. At launch Mytheon will have content based in ancient world Greece and Egypt. The game mechanics seem to be heavily tied in to power stones, which provide different benefits to the game's three classes. According to Petroglyph: "The collection and casting of Power Stones is the backbone of Mytheon. Power Stones initiate every in-game effect possible, from summoning minions and structures that fight for the player, to conjuring fireballs and lightning bolts and healing a party." Mytheon can be played solo, but will also have group and PvP gameplay options. The game's first trailer might give you a better idea of what to expect. It's embedded on the new game site, and offers some of the first glimpses at Mytheon's gameplay as well as the setting of Hades.
Petroglyph general manager Chuck Kroegel on Mytheon's union of MMO and RTS
We've been seeing a number of new options in online gaming, some clearly definable as being 'massively multiplayer', others less so. One of those game categories that blurs the line a bit is the MMORTS (massively multiplayer online real-time strategy) game... we'll probably just stick with the acronym from now on. But we've wondered, what exactly can we expect from RTS titles as they adopt more features traditionally associated with MMOs? Steven Crews from The MMO Gamer spoke with Petroglyph Games general manager and executive producer Chuck Kroegel about their upcoming title Mytheon. The game is a free-to-play, downloadable title that will be supported by microtransactions and focuses on the myths, heroes, and monsters of the world's ancient cultures. Crews asks the questions we think are on a lot of people's minds when they hear "MMORTS" -- "Why bring strategy games into the MMO space? What do you get from a persistent universe that you couldn't get out of something like Battle.net?"
