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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.
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 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 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.
Warrior Epic officially launches today
As was announced just recently, today is the day that Warrior Epic will officially launch -- by 5PM PDT if things go to schedule. The client can be obtained here ahead of time in preparation for the launch. Bob Drobish, CEO of the game's publisher True Games Interactive, made a statement to mark the occasion: "During the closed beta, we worked closely with the community to deliver an immersive and challenging game play experience. Now as we pull the trigger on the launch of the game, our development team is committed to continuing to deliver new and exciting content as our community continues to grow."The launch will feature a few things that weren't around during the betas. For one, the item shop will be ready for business, offering things like potions and vanity pieces. A guild system will be in place, and new introductory sequences will greet players. A new Random Map Generator also made it in for launch day, and will do exactly what it sounds like it should do and create differing dungeons for groups of players to explore. Warrior Epic is a free-to-play MMO, so giving it a try when it launches today won't cost you a dime. Let us know what you think if you do.
Warrior Epic goes into closed beta... again
The Possibility Space powered MMO Warrior Epic is about to open the doors to their closed beta later this month, offering players to visit their website and press the register button to apply for a chance to play the game.And if anyone's deja vu sensors are going off, you are indeed correct -- this is Warrior Epic's second closed beta. The change is the addition True Games Interactive, the brand new publisher backing Warrior Epic. The game has seen some changes since we last looked at it, like the removal of the Dreadnought and Vanisher classes, the addition of an Archer, and some name changing for the old Zambrano. Although, the Dreadnought's face is still lurking on the website (he's the background), so perhaps our tanky friend is just waiting in the wings for some action.The free-to-play title is also sporting a brand new eye-candy filled website, featuring new screenshots, concept art, and desktop backgrounds for the Warrior Epic faithful. We're interested to see how Warrior Epic has evolved from our first impressions on the game last year, and will be keeping up with any new developments with this title.
True Games Interactive interview discusses Mytheon MMO
The fantasy genre reigns supreme in the MMO industry, but even die-hard fantasy enthusiasts have to admit though... there's a lot of it out there in the MMO space. A new twist on fantasy, in the form of myth, could be a breath of fresh air for gamers looking for a different type of setting. At least, Petroglyph and True Games Interactive are banking on this with Mytheon, their in-development MMO title. Rather than conjuring up a brand new setting, Mytheon looks back to real world mythology and crafts a game around it. The game's introduction makes reference to the Greek Pantheon and Norse mythology, highlighting the core struggle in the game: the time of the Gods is ending, as decreed by the Fates, and it's time for humankind to live on its own terms. Mytheon will be be a game that will have solo, group, and PvP gameplay modes, with elements of 'real-time combat and extensive customization features', according to John Callaham at Massively's sister site, Big Download. The game will center around Power Stones which fuel or unlock powers and abilities in Mytheon; the title's three character classes will be attuned with certain types of Power Stones, allowing for abilities such as summoning and healing. Callaham recently had a chance to interview the Director of Product Development at True Games Interactive, Peter Cesario, about what we can expect from Mytheon. Cesario discusses the decision to go with the micro-transaction business model, and how combining the elements of action, strategy, and roleplaying in Mytheon creates "a whole new genre unto itself."
Petroglyph reveals 'online microtransaction game' Mytheon
Petroglyph, the warmongers behind both Star Wars: Empire at War and Universe at War, this morning revealed details behind the studio's next project, Mytheon, which publisher True Games Interactive describes as a "micro transaction game that...." Hey, where are you going? Using the myths of Ancient Greece as a foundation, the free-to-play game promises to blend the "best" elements of action, role-playing and strategy with a "heavy emphasis" on combat and collecting. Additionally, Peter Cesario, the director of product development at True Games, tells Big Download that future expansions will "eventually branch out to several unique and interesting mythologies from around the world." Until then, players can look forward to grinding towards the Golden Fleece in Fall 2009.
