Filed under: Warhammer 40k

Warhammer 40k devs on unusual pricing structure and WoW-killing

by Rubi Bayer Mar 3rd 2010 at 4:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

"WoW-killer" is a cliched term these days, and many MMO fans continue to keep a weather eye out for the game that will take down the juggernaut of the gaming world.

No thanks, say the developers behind Warhammer 40k. Brian Farrell is the CEO and President of THQ, the company behind Warhammer 40k, and he has no desire to go after that title. "What we love about the Warhammer 40K MMO is that it's different in that it's a sci-fi, futuristic-based world. We're not competing directly in the orcs and elves fantasy environment that World of Warcraft is in. We can differentiate ourselves."

Farrell feels that there is plenty of room for more than one great title, particularly since the game is a completely different type of MMO. In addition to addressing the WoW question, Farrell also offered up some interesting information regarding the pricing structure for Warhammer 40k, indicating that it will vary depending on what part of the world you are playing in.

Warhammer40k will be revealed fully at E3 this June, but for now you can take a look at more of what Farrell had to say recently over at IGN.

Warhammer 40k MMO to be fully revealed this summer

by Rubi Bayer Feb 4th 2010 at 10:30AM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Events, real-world, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

Have you been looking forward to the Warhammer 40K MMO for what feels like forever? The people at THQ have been offering up small pieces of information since they announced the game a few years ago -- last April we finally got a release year of 2012, and just in December we were given some beautiful concept art.

Now we've been given even better news. THQ plans to "fully unveil" Warhammer 40K this summer at E3. The Electronic Entertainment Expo will be at the Los Angeles Convention Center this year, from June 15th-17th, and if you were thinking of attending, this is a very good reason to hop off the fence.

THQ has kept the game largely under wraps for now, but the developers are pretty excited. Team member Joe Madureira promises large scale combat, tons of customization, and great-looking characters.

June suddenly seems a lot farther away, but we'll keep a close eye out for more news on the game until then!

An early look at the Warhammer 40K MMO

by Rubi Bayer Dec 2nd 2009 at 11:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

We've been hearing about a Warhammer 40k MMO for a very long time, beginning back in March of 2007. We also received some tantalizing general details back in April of 2008 -- It will have an RPG feel, there will be extensive gunplay, and all races important to Warhammer 40k lore will be included. Spring of 2008 continued the information train with several interviews here and there in which Vigil Games offered a few more details and assured fans that development was continuing.

After that, all was quiet again until April of this year, when a familiar name popped up on a list of release dates from THQ. Warhammer 40k MMO was given a 2012 release date -- subject to change, of course. Again, all was quiet after that, until now.

Yesterday, Kotaku received new concept art for the Warhammer 40k MMO, and while it's not exactly a completed game, it's a step in the right direction. The images include a nice look at character models and weaponry, so follow along after the jump to see for yourself.

Warhammer 40K MMO gets a release date

by Brooke Pilley Apr 3rd 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Warhammer 40k

THQ just unveiled some release dates for their major game titles over the next few years and if you were getting excited for the Warhammer 40k MMO, you might feel a bit deflated after reading this. The above slide shows that WH40K is slated for a 2012 expected release date, which of course is subject to change.

We haven't heard much from Vigil Games since May 2008 about this title, but what we know sounds promising so far. The MMO's creative director is none other than comic book artist extraordinaire, Joe Madureira (side bar: my favorite artist of all time). Vigil hopes to stay as true to the tabletop experience as they can while still remaining an MMORPG. Finally, the world's primary weapons will be guns and vehicles may play a large part in combat.

While many fans of the Games Workshop miniatures game have found a familiar home in Warhammer Online, many others have complained that Mythic's incarnation of the Warhammer setting is not harsh, gritty, or dark enough. It will be interesting to see if WH40k can capture this or if Vigil will opt for a less mature environment (and rating).

Behind the Curtain: On burnout

by Craig Withers Feb 21st 2009 at 8:00PM

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Opinion, Behind the Curtain, Warhammer 40k

So, I'm afraid that I'm getting a little close to burnout.

Oh noes. zomg. qq. whine. complain. Etc, etc.

In the past, I have suffered from serious burnout which resulted in me leaving World of Warcraft for six months or so. I'm still not sure how they survived without me. We've all been there, where the rewards for logging on just one more time aren't enough anymore. I say that we've all been there, of course that may not be true; but you're a rare specimen indeed if you've managed to play MMOs for any significant length of time without burning out for at least a little while.

I guess burnout doesn't have to be a bad thing. I only just got a Wii. Don't laugh, I know I'm a little behind the curve on that one. Spending less time on MMOs means that I'd have more time free to play through Resident Evil 4 on the Wii, which makes sense, given that I've already gone through it on the Gamecube and PS2. I could also go back and pick up Resident Evil 0, and the remake of the original. And the Gamecube versions of 2 and 3. And Umbrella Chronicles. Wait, they released Code Veronica for the Gamecube as well, didn't they?

Okay. I admit that I need help.

The Daily Grind: Has Warhammer Online dragged you away from the tabletop?

by Tateru Nino Oct 16th 2008 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, New titles, Warhammer Online, The Daily Grind, Warhammer 40k

This last week, I had occasion to wander past the local Games Workshop store, longtime home of Warhammer Fantasy Battle/Warhammer 40K merchandise and related goods. I can't be said to venture within with any great frequency, but something particular caught my eye, and I was intrigued enough to duck in and talk to the staff. You see, uncharacteristically, the store was devoid of customers for the first time I had seen since it had opened.

I spoke with Todd, the store manager, who told me that it had been like that for a couple of weeks. Customers and sales had suddenly dropped off, leaving the store empty for hours at a time. Previously there were customers passing the time, discussing products and their collective hobby for extended periods, as well as making purchases. Without warning it had all dried up. Todd and I toyed with the speculation that perhaps his regular customers for miniatures and related paraphernalia had simply chosen to join the epic battle between Order and Chaos online instead of offline, but came to no real conclusion.

So, what about it, enlightened readers -- has Warhammer Online curbed your time with the tabletop and face-to-face versions of this popular game, or are you still the loyal grognards and figure-fans you always were?

Behind the Curtain: Why bother?

by Craig Withers Jun 12th 2008 at 9:00PM

Filed under: World of Warcraft, Fantasy, Sci-fi, EVE Online, Myst Online: URU Live, Crafting, Opinion, Star Wars Galaxies, Exteel, Free-to-play, Behind the Curtain, Warhammer 40k

What is it that keeps us playing, months and years after our first trip through the character generation screen?

The obvious answer is that we're still having fun. Maybe you've been playing World of Warcraft since release or earlier, you've got an alt of every class, epics to make a GM weep with envy, but you still get that little tingle of excitement every time you log on, that keeps you coming back for more.

What kind of enjoyment do you get from your MMO? Hopefully you are actually having fun with it. If not, I suggest you seek help, or go play Vanguard. Just kidding, maybe.

That being said, how do you quantify 'fun'? Exactly what is it about WoW or EVE Online or any other MMO that keeps you coming back for more? The steep climb to yet another epic flying mount in WoW has pushed me perilously close to burn out over the past few weeks (the impending release of the new 40K rulebook may also be a factor) so I've been thinking, more than usual, about what keeps us going in situations like this.

Warhammer 40k MMO info update

by Michael Zenke May 12th 2008 at 1:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Warhammer 40k

The folks at PC Gamer (US) had the chance to sit down with Vigil Games' General Manager David Adams and Studio Creative Director Joe Madureira for a chat about their in-development MMO. The title is a little IP called Warhammer 40k, the gritty guns-and-gremlins sibling to Warhammer Online and the Warhammer fantasy RPG. The Vigil developers offer up a far-distant preview of what they're hoping to offer in 40k once the dust settles. From the sounds of things, the 40k approach to the Warhammer world will be a lot closer to the 'mass combat' style of gameplay we see in the miniatures game.

That said, the developers also made it clear that this is going to be a roleplaying game. As they put it, "Relic has the RTS angle covered with the awesome Dawn of War series - we are making an RPG." An RPG, but with a number of twists: guns will be the primary form of combat, incredibly customizable characters, no forced grouping, and the possibility of vehicles playing an important role in the gameworld. So far Vigil is saying all the right things, offering up hope that they're going to polish until they get it right: "We want each and every race to have weight in the game world, and feel distinct. We won't include a race if we can't do them justice." Let's hope that attitude sees them through the long process of bringing an MMO to market.

PC Gamer's Warhammer 40k interview

by Akela Talamasca May 4th 2008 at 11:00AM

Filed under: At a glance, Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Interviews, Lore, New titles, PvP, News items, Races, Warhammer 40k

While many people are eagerly awaiting the release of Warhammer Online, there's another MMO in development with same initial name: Warhammer 40,000 Online. Although the initial difference between the two is obvious -- one's a fantasy RTS, the other is a science fiction RPG -- a recent interview with Vigil Games' General Manager David Adams and Studio Creative Director Joe Madureira offers up more juicy details.

Topics covered in the interview include customization options, available classes and NPCs, and how the existing Warhammer 40k universe will be introduced to gamers who may not have ever played the tabletop version. While there are still no beta or release dates on offer, development continues apace. We'll have more on this title as news emerges.

Warhammer 40k MMO details emerge from cover

by Akela Talamasca Apr 9th 2008 at 1:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Lore, New titles, PvP, News items, Races, Warhammer 40k

PC Gamer drops a few new details on the in-development Warhammer 40,000 MMO that was announced in March 2007. This MMO will play more like an RPG than an FPS, even though there will be extensive gunplay elements, such as flanking, suppressive fire, and cover.

Additionally, fans of the franchise will be happy to know that their favorite race, no matter what that might be, will find a home in-game. "All of the races important to Warhammer 40,000 lore (not to mention the fans) will be represented", says creative director Joe Madureira, formerly of Marvel Comics. He adds that there will be "Tons of stuff hanging off your character, weapons, scrolls ... we are going to have the coolest looking characters of any MMO, ever. Once we begin releasing images, feel free to call me on that." That's tempting fate, like saying 'At least it's not raining'. But given that it sounds as though THQ's taking their time in developing this game, it could very well be true. We'll keep up to date with further news as it arises.

[Via computerandvideogames]

Update on the Warhammer 40k MMO

by Michael Zenke Feb 6th 2008 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Sci-fi, New titles, Warhammer 40k

Buried way at the bottom of an article on the Gamasutra site about an investor call with THQ was a small update on the progress of the in-development Warhammer 40k MMOG. You may recall the game as one of our Top Ten MIA MMOs from 2007. So where is this THQ-licensed, Dawn of War-inspired title nowadays?

THQ president Brian Farrell notes that he just recently saw the game at the Austin studio in November. He was "pleasantly surprised" by its progress, but also noted that the game was "still very early". Despite that, it sounds as though the folks at THQ are ready to take the time to do this right. So, while we shouldn't expect the game out any time soon, the developers are definitely being given the time they need to do right by this license.

Top 10 MIA MMOs of 2007 - part 1

by Chris Chester Dec 8th 2007 at 4:59PM

Filed under: MMO industry, New titles, Opinion, Marvel Universe Online, All Points Bulletin, Crime, Warhammer 40k

In the waning weeks of December, we've already started turning our eyes towards the new year. 2008 is already showing a great deal of promise for the MMO community, with the impending release of Pirates of the Burning Sea, Wrath of the Lich King, Age of Conan, and Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. Though most of these titles are still a good ways away from hitting retailer shelves, we've already got a pretty good idea of what's in store, not just in terms of assets and information that's already been released, but also from hands-on impressions and beta testing. In other words, as excited as we are, there probably won't be terribly many surprises as it concerns these titles. They're practically a given.

As luck would have it, those aren't the only titles we'll be drooling over next year – this much we know. There are a number of games in development out there that have shown up on our collective radar screens over the past few months, but only as tiny blips. For the most part, they still represent riddles wrapped up in mysteries with a side of question mark. We've assembled a list of the top 10 MIA MMOs - those mysterious games that represent the future of the MMO... if only we knew what they were.

In the first part of this feature, we'll take a look at the first half of the list.