Hmmm...where to begin. Firstly, I'm glad I didn't apply to that job posting at Flagship. Or I'd be out a job this week. I'm also glad I didn't get that lifetime subscription. Sadly, I had (still have) a lot of love for those Flagship blokes because what I recall hearing on podcasts and reading in interviews, they really wanted to pull together a good experience for the player.
So here's how it's all gone down. Beginning July,
a higher up at Flagship went on record saying they rushed Hellgate. It was obvious that not all was right on the ship. So it didn't help when a developer posted on his blog
staffers were being nixed left and right at Flagship.
Then, over the weekend
news hit the street that Flagship was closing it's doors and the Hellgate and Mythos IP would go under the control of Hanbitsoft. The site that dropped the news claimed this info came from Hanbitsoft itself. Apparently Hanbitsoft co-own the Hellgate IP with Flagship...but there was no official word from Flagship itself.
Needless to say, a shitstorm ensued.
The Hellgate forums went wild, over 11,000 responses over the course of four days! The
Mythos forums became a somber somber place, with many different threads reflecting the worry of a community that had started to feel as much a part of the games growth as the developers themselves.
Finally, yesterday, Flagship
released a statement with very mixed ramifications. They said that Flagship is still open. They're firing most of their staff. And that Hanbitsoft is full of shit, they own the Hellgate and Mythos IP.
Then, today, Hanbitsoft went on record claiming that Flagship is
full of a bunch of bitches that don't know a good offer when they see one. Hanbitsoft claims to have tried making a deal with Flagship to help them with their financial woes. And are now seeking legal action to aquire the Hellgate IP.
Mommy and Daddy are fighting. The community is torn, some people want to see Hellgate get continued support while others have sworn undying loyalty to Flagship and would rather see Hellgate die than in the hands of Hanbitsoft.
The future of Mythos is still in question, with most of the community accepting that their game will probably just be locked away in a code basement. Many are asking for the code to go open source so people can run the game in it's current state on their own machines and servers.
I haven't touched Hellgate for some time so it's easy for me to side with those loyal to Flagship as I hope the best for the Flagship heads and I just don't like how Hanbitsoft released info to the community early. It's almost like they sucker punched Flagship.
I'm very sad for Mythos. The real irony is that the demise of Mythos doesn't hit so hard because of the Diablo 3 announcement. I was amazed at just how much Diablo 3 looks like a well polished Mythos. Even in its early stage of development.
Anyways, there's the breakdown of events...the cup community has spent some time in the Hellgate universe so I'm curious to hear what you all think.
Ron, did I behave myself last night? I only remember sitting down (not sure if it was the couch or the floor) and I woke up sprawled on the couch with a blanket over me. My body kind of upset...but I had a good time.
