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Writing on the wall

D0ZeRD0ZeR Member Posts: 489
in Istaria: Chronicles of the Gifted

David Bowman posted this on Vault today. The writing is on the wall folks, game over.

http://vnboards.ign.com/Horizons_General_Board/b5252/72321545/?14

ARTIFACT ENTERTAINMENT FILES FOR VOLUNTARY REORGANIZATION UNDER CHAPTER 11 TO RESTRUCTURE DEBT

Horizons: Empire of Istaria Game Fans Will Experience No Interruption in Play; Within Horizons, It’s Business As Usual


July 16, 2004, Mesa, Ariz. – Artifact Entertainment, developers of the award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Horizons: Empire of Istaria, announced today that to restructure its debt and strengthen its competitive position, the Company has filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. This action was primarily due to an inability to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement with a key vendor.

The company is also in active discussions with other gaming industry players, with due diligence underway by a seriously interested company that may make an offer to acquire the assets of the company, and retain key staff to maintain operations of its Horizons game. Horizons has a worldwide following and is played by tens-of-thousands of fans in nearly 40 countries spanning territories in Asia, Europe and North America. Players are able to download Horizons for a free seven-day trial and subsequently subscribe to the game for a one-, three-, six or twelve-month commitment period.
Artifact Entertainment President and Creative Director, David Bowman, said, “Artifact Entertainment is a wonderfully creative company. We have an excellent game subscriber base through our Horizons property. We have been taking prudent steps to improve cash flow during the past 7 months. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to reach a satisfactory agreement with a key vendor. We strongly reiterate that Horizons fans and their game play will not be affected by the Chapter 11 filing.”

About Artifact Entertainment
Artifact Entertainment, founded in November 1999, is a privately held software development company currently focused on the subscription-based massively multiplayer online game, “Horizons: Empire of Istaria”. Its mission is to provide subscription-based quality online entertainment experiences using superior technology, proven design methods, broad market appeal, customer satisfaction and the highest quality staff. To find out more about Artifact Entertainment, visit www.artifact-entertainment.com.

About “Horizons”
Developed by Artifact Entertainment and published by Atari, the MMPORPG Horizons: Empire of Istaria launched in December 2003 and currently boasts an avid following of tens-of-thousands of players worldwide. The ability to dynamically add content coupled with a first-rate crafting system has provided Horizons fans with uniquely changing game experiences. Players are also able to take on 11 fantasy roles ranging from dragon and elf to fiend and half-giant while meeting friends that circle the globe. For more information on Horizons visit www.istaria.com.


###

I just wanted everyone to hear this from me. This is a business issue only, and does not impact the game. We have been working long and hard on the new changes to Horizons, and will see the first sets of changes on Blight within 30 days. We will be providing an update tomorrow, as we're ready to move the material from Blight to the other Live shards.

David Bowman
President/CEO Artifact Entertainment.com

There is an art of which every man should be a master the art of reflection. If you are not a thinking man, to what purpose are you a man at all?
William Hart Coleridge

Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not for or against.
Bruce Lee

Comments

  • Red_RiderRed_Rider Member Posts: 261

      Unfortunately this continues a downward spiral.  Playing a MMORPG is a long term investement for the client.  I played UO for 2.5 years, EQ for 4 years, and have been about a year in Anarchy Online.  Like it or not, being in chapter 11 makes the future uncertain,  players not sure of the future will quit, players who love the game will not dare suscribe for more than a month at a time, and no new users will dare join.

      Unless someone big buys them out, the futes is very bleak indeed.

  • Billius8Billius8 Member Posts: 574
    Sorry, but I continue to believe in this game.  Someday folks will turn back and give it another look.

  • HadesprimeHadesprime Member Posts: 303

    the blame for this lays squarely on the management of AE

    Poor management and even worse project and task planning has led HZ down the road it now travels. A continuing to shrink playerbase and spotty patches at best.

    The ONLY way HZ is going to survive another 6 months is if AE is bought out and they fire the management at AE. Might want to get some experienced project leads as well, The people there can do their job no doubt but they obviously need to be led by a very competant and experienced hand cause they havent done so good so far.

    It isnt over yet. Remember funcom filed for chapter 11 as well with AO. They turned that game around into the astounding success it is today. However back in the day when AO was broken you knew that funcom was working hard behind the scenes to fix the problems. AE hasent shown that level of dedication at all whatsoever. To the die hard fans of the game that should concern them greatly. Since June activity from AE on the development side has been on the low side none the less.

     

     

  • Red_RiderRed_Rider Member Posts: 261
      Hmm, I really don`t remember and can`t find any mention of Funcom filing for Chapter 11.   I think they were very close to disappearing in early 2003, but made it through on their own.   When the boxes were pulled out of stores and they started offering the game as a download, people were scremaing that they were dead, but I don`t think it actually happened....

  • BeldaroBeldaro Member Posts: 119

    AHA! i knew it!

    Funcom IS dead and the ppl working there are the undead hoard coming to suck your brains out!

    DONT TURN AROUND! HES RIGHT BEHIND YOU! image

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  • D0ZeRD0ZeR Member Posts: 489

    ROFL

     

    /e checks behind him for any undead!

    There is an art of which every man should be a master the art of reflection. If you are not a thinking man, to what purpose are you a man at all?
    William Hart Coleridge

    Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not for or against.
    Bruce Lee

  • Red_RiderRed_Rider Member Posts: 261

      I am pretty offended at this racism against the dead,  some of my best friends are dead.  My girl friend is dead, its great, a cheap date !!!

      An please, they like to be called Living challenged.  Dead is an old negative term.

    Good day !

  • herculeshercules Member UncommonPosts: 4,925

    Funcom never filed for bankrupcy.

    It was working on another mmorpg which was similar to mythica back in 2000.However,when AO was looking as if it was in bad trouble they canned the project.

    Also they let some staff go.

    But it never got into the stage it was bankrupted.

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