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Massively Overthinking: So how panicked are we about the state of the games industry?
Industry veterans Brenda and John Romero expressed deep concern over the current state of the games industry, citing funding issues, AI concerns, and studio closures. The Massively OP staff discusses these worries, with some feeling resigned and others cautiously optimistic about a potential industry correction, particularly concerning the future of MMORPGs.
NCsoft America CEO on the MMORPG genre’s future: ‘Trends in any creative industry come back around’
NCsoft America CEO Jeonghee Jin believes the MMORPG genre is poised for a resurgence, stating that trends in creative industries tend to cycle back. She highlighted NCsoft's growth in the West and active pursuit of new projects and publishing deals, suggesting a genuine chance for new MMORPGs despite current industry challenges. Jin also touched upon the potential for younger players, accustomed to virtual worlds like Roblox and Minecraft, to embrace MMORPGs.
RAVEN2 EXPANDS ITS DARK FANTASY WORLD WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE “WALTHEN EMPIRE”
Netmarble has released a major update for its dark fantasy MMORPG RAVEN2, introducing the new "Walthen Empire" region. This update adds four new areas, a new field boss, and various in-game events offering players numerous summon chances and rewards. A new growth feature called "Weapon Resonance" has also been implemented.
Perfect Ten: MMOs whose sequels struggled to land
This article analyzes ten massively multiplayer online games whose sequels failed to achieve the same success as their predecessors. It explores reasons for these failures, including development issues, player migration, and market competition, highlighting titles like MapleStory 2, Overwatch 2, and EverQuest II.
Sony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, run by former Call of Duty director
Sony is reportedly shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio led by former Call of Duty director Jason Blundell. This closure is part of broader staff cuts at PlayStation focused on mobile development, signaling a retreat from live-service multiplayer games. Several other studios and projects have also been affected or canceled recently.
Sony closes Dark Outlaw Games, just a year after its founding
Sony is shutting down Dark Outlaw Games, a studio founded by Jason Blundell, just one year after its establishment. This marks the second time Sony has ended a partnership with a Blundell-formed company, following Deviation Games. The closure of Dark Outlaw Games is part of broader layoffs across PlayStation's US and UK businesses and a strategic shift away from the mobile gaming market.
NCsoft’s Lineage II unleashes a stack of events for its spring update
NCsoft's MMORPG Lineage II is launching a series of in-game events coinciding with its spring update and 22nd anniversary. These events include the Black Coupon event for item recovery, the Red Libra event for class changes, the Orc Tribe Legend Rune for item enhancement, and a virtual equipment season, alongside a general attendance event.
How A Failed Multiplayer Game Just Set The Standard For All Live-Service Games
Despite FBC: Firebreak underperforming commercially, Remedy is keeping the multiplayer game online indefinitely with a final update and a friend pass system. This approach sets a new standard for live-service games, contrasting with the common practice of delisting and shutting down servers for underperforming titles. The article highlights this as a positive development for game preservation and player access in the industry.
Ultima's Robert Garriott was worried about there being too many PC games on the market… 37 years ago
In 1989, Robert Garriott of Origin Systems expressed concern about market saturation in PC gaming, noting consumer confusion and the need for higher quality products. He emphasized developing games with depth and graphics that couldn't be replicated on consoles, a sentiment still relevant today.
SEVEN KNIGHTS RE:BIRTH TEAMS UP WITH SOLO LEVELING IN EPIC CROSSOVER UPDATE
Netmarble has announced a crossover update for its collectible RPG Seven Knights Re:BIRTH, featuring characters and content from the popular anime series Solo Leveling. The update introduces new heroes like Sung Jinwoo and Cha Hae-In, along with in-game events and a new challenge mode called Sudden Raid. This collaboration aims to enhance the gameplay experience by integrating elements from both franchises.
SEVEN KNIGHTS IDLE ADVENTURE CELEBRATES ITS 2.5TH ANNIVERSARY WITH NEW HERO AND MAJOR IN-GAME UPDATE
Netmarble has launched a major update for SEVEN KNIGHTS IDLE ADVENTURE to celebrate its 2.5th anniversary, introducing a new Legendary hero, "On Stage Dellons," and various limited-time in-game events. The update includes special check-in rewards, a chance to win in-game currency, and new challenge passes and dungeons.
Amazon hit MMORPG Lost Ark with layoffs, including key members of the community team
Amazon has reportedly laid off more staff from its publishing team for the MMORPG Lost Ark, including key community and marketing lead Roxx and producer Henry Stelter. This follows earlier layoffs and the shutdown of New World's development. Despite a significant decline in concurrent players since its launch, Lost Ark still maintains a player base that many MMORPGs would envy.
"You cannot think of game development without thinking about AI" – Ex-NCSoft president Songyee Yoon on investing in the AI future
Former NCSoft president Songyee Yoon, now founder of Principal Venture Partners, discusses the essential role of AI in modern game development, from predicting player churn to generating NPC dialogue. She emphasizes the need for AI-native companies and addresses concerns about an AI bubble, advocating for transparency and respect for human creativity and intellectual property rights in AI's evolution.
Nvidia CEO says critics are "completely wrong" about DLSS 5 technology
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has dismissed criticism of the company's new DLSS 5 AI upscaling technology, stating that critics are "completely wrong" and that the feature does not diminish artistic control. Huang explained that DLSS 5 uses generative AI at the geometry level, which is directly controlled by game developers. The article also touches on IO Interactive's publishing division ending its agreement with Build a Rocket Boy for the game MindsEye.
Crown prince of Saudi Arabia's Electronic Gaming Development Company acquires 5% stake in Capcom
Saudi Arabia's Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC), a subsidiary of the Misk Foundation, has acquired a 5% stake in Capcom, reportedly as a pure investment. This follows a similar acquisition of Capcom shares by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2022. The article also includes commentary from Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks on the challenges and future of the video game industry, including cost inflation, talent acquisition, and the potential of AI.
Highguard just died and we are already being bombarded with another hero shooter being compared to Concord
The hero shooter genre is facing intense player scrutiny, with games like Highguard shutting down shortly after release due to negative reception and comparisons to Concord. New titles like Time Takers are also facing early criticism, with players quickly forming opinions based on trailers and early gameplay, impacting their potential success.
Blade & Soul Heroes Global Version Announces Service Termination - GameHaunt
NCSoft has announced that Blade & Soul Heroes will terminate its global service on June 16, 2026, approximately six months after its international launch. The mobile action RPG's Korean servers previously closed in February 2025. NCSoft has stopped in-game purchases but will release one final content update on March 17, 2025, and is offering refunds for purchases made within three months of the announcement.
The MOP Up: Stars Reach teaches you how to roleplay alien species
Stars Reach is providing lore and roleplay guides for its alien species, the Elioni and Gertans, ahead of its sandbox MMO's launch. This week's MMO news roundup also includes updates for War Thunder, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Sea of Thieves, and Farm Together 2, a crossover between Palworld and Legend of Mushroom, and NCsoft's acquisition of JustPlay.
Time Takers Closed Beta Now Live: Master Time, the Ultimate Resource, Today
NCSOFT and Mistil Games have launched the Closed Beta Test for their survival shooter, Time Takers, which is available on PC via Steam in North and South America until March 21st. The game features unique time-bending combat mechanics where time is a resource for upgrades and survival, with 12 playable characters and three distinct battle zones.
NCsoft’s brand-new survival shooter Time Takers officially begins rolling closed beta… now
NCsoft and Mistil Games have launched the closed beta for their new survival shooter, Time Takers. The playtests will run through March 21st, initially targeting PC players in North and South America, with global and console access planned for later this year. Time Takers is a fast-paced, team-based shooter where players manage 'Time Energy' as their lifespan, making strategic decisions about upgrading abilities or supporting teammates.