Mythica
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Mythica was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that was based on Norse mythology. It was under development by Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) for Windows-running PCs until it was cancelled in early 2004 before it could be released to the public.
A few basic things were known about Mythica. To play, one would have needed to pay for the game software and a monthly fee. Development screenshots showed a rich 3D environment.
In December 2003, Microsoft was sued for trademark infringement and unfair competition by Mythic Entertainment, the developers of a competing MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot. On May 25, 2004, three months after the game was cancelled, Mythic Entertainment announced that the case was settled and that Microsoft agreed to not use the Mythica name on new online computer games and to not register it as a trademark. Also as part of the deal, Microsoft gave Mythica-related trademarks and domain names to Mythic.
On February 12, 2004, MGS announced the cancellation of Mythica. MGS cited the competitive MMORPG market and the development of a secret project for their decision. At the time, Microsoft operated Asheron's Call and Asheron's Call 2 and plans to publish Brad McQuaid's new MMORPG. Some believe that the cancellation proved the saturation of the (English language) massively multiplayer market.
External links
- 1UP: "Microsoft Cancels Mythica Project" (http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1526467,00.asp)
- Mythica.com - Official Website (http://www.mythica.com)
- Mythica Realms (http://www.mythicarealms.com/)