Hellgate: London saved by Namco-Bandai

by Michael Zenke Jul 23rd 2008 at 8:45AM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Hellgate: London, MMOFPS

Didn't really think we'd be talking about this game ever again, but it's nice to be wrong. Tipster Matt let us know that a Senior Director for Business development has posted to the official Hellgate:London forums letting everyone know that 'word' is coming soon. On Monday Ping0 employee Tiggs posted to the same thread, telling folks not to worry. Now it appears that, via this post by Namco's Zack "Ozuri" Karlsson, there really is nothing to worry about.

Says Karlsson, "The game is up, the servers are not going away in the short term and any major changes to status will be communicated in advance. I'd like to ask for your patience as we try to figure it all out and chart a new course. We value your community, your commitment, and your passion for Hellgate and we will make sure that any solution that we architect will support all of you as best as we are able. Thanks again. We hope to have a real announcement shortly." Vague, yes, but one thing isn't vague at all: Hellgate: London now has an official game page on the Namco-Bandai site. Looks like the legacy of Flagship will live on!
Thanks for the tip, Matt!

Tags: breaking, flagship-studios, hellgate, hellgate-london, namco-bandai

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ScytheNoire said on 8:55AM 7-23-2008

They need to make up their mind, either go out of business, or stay in business, but quit with this see-sawing crap. Damn, going to make me re-install the game again? I guess I'll wait for 2.0 to be released... in six months.

Skypp said on 9:37AM 7-23-2008

Hellgate is my pick for best original game world at the moment. I almost wish they had made it a traditional MMO instead of a Diablo-esque hybrid. Actually i'd settle for just a really good single player game with tons of story as well...

Good to see it will possibly live on, so that maybe someone else can do something with the franchise.

James Egan said on 9:54AM 7-23-2008

I never wanted it to die.

Glad to see there's still life in HG:L ... but please Namco-Bandai, no more cheesy dialogue. It's a gritty, hellish setting. Levity not needed, imho.

GRT said on 10:04AM 7-23-2008

Does this impact Mythos at all? Is it saved too?

Mishi said on 10:13AM 7-23-2008

Tiggs is the worst, piece of shite, condescending forum moderator in the history of piece of shite, condescending forum moderators. Seriously - the world as they knew it was collapsing around many of the hardcore HGL players and all she could do is post smarmy comments with pictures of locks.

Pirate Penguin said on 10:31AM 7-23-2008

Perhaps they will abolish the awful monthly payment plan and start patching the game so that it is fun for everybody.

I enjoyed the game for a short time, but the bugginess of the release plus the required monthly fee for all of the new goodies turned me away. I just couldn't stomach paying a monthly fee for bug fixes and content that should have been included to begin with.

derella said on 10:59AM 7-23-2008

What about their fun game? Mythos?

Neko Ali said on 6:47PM 7-23-2008

Actually, if you look at the announcement, they just say that Namco-Bandai is holding the servers open. There just isn't a worry that they could suddenly be pulled offline without notice now. They still don't know what the future of the game is. And it isn't listed on Namco-Bandi's page yet, despite what it says above.

So, in short, the same things we already knew. The future of the game is up in the air, but until something is decided, the servers will stay online. When more is known, more will be told.