According to Wccftech, NetEase has shut down Jackalyptic Games after nearly three and a half years, canceling the Warhammer MMO that had been in development since May 2023. The studio was founded by veteran MMO developer Jack Emmert, who previously worked on City of Heroes, Champions Online, Star Trek Online, and DC Universe Online. Emmert announced the closure on LinkedIn, noting that the talented team members will be exploring new opportunities. This cancellation follows Amazon’s New World closure and the shutdown of the in-development Lord of the Rings MMO project. The Warhammer fantasy universe has only had one previous MMO, 2008’s Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, which shut down in 2013.
The MMO Graveyard Grows
Here’s the thing – we’re seeing a pattern emerge that should worry any MMO fan. This isn’t just about one game getting canceled. We’ve got Amazon’s New World, the Lord of the Rings project, Fantastic Pixel Castle’s Ghost MMO, and now Warhammer. That’s four major MMO casualties in what feels like no time at all.
And it’s not like these were small, indie projects either. Jackalyptic had Jack Emmert at the helm – a guy who basically helped define the modern MMO genre. When someone with his track record can’t get a game across the finish line, what does that say about the state of the industry? The development costs for these massive online worlds are astronomical, and publishers seem increasingly unwilling to take the risk.
Warhammer’s MMO Curse Continues
Basically, Warhammer just can’t catch a break in the MMO space. The 2008 attempt, Warhammer Online, actually had some decent ideas but couldn’t compete with World of Warcraft at its peak. Now this new project gets axed before we even saw gameplay.
Which is a shame because the Warhammer universe is perfect for an MMO. You’ve got rich lore, distinct factions, and built-in conflict systems. Jack Emmert being a lifelong fan seemed like the perfect match too. He understood what makes the IP special and wanted to create something accessible that still respected the source material.
netease-s-changing-strategy”>NetEase’s Changing Strategy
NetEase shutting down studios “left and right” tells you everything you need to know about their current priorities. They’re clearly reevaluating their Western development partnerships and focusing resources elsewhere. When a company starts cutting projects that have been in development for years, it usually means they’re seeing something in the numbers that we’re not.
Maybe they’re looking at the success of games like Genshin Impact and realizing that the traditional subscription-based or buy-to-play MMO model just doesn’t work like it used to. Or perhaps they’re shifting resources toward mobile and live service games with quicker returns. Either way, the result is the same – another promising project gets shelved.
What’s Next for MMOs?
So where does this leave the MMO genre? Honestly, it feels like we’re in a transitional period. The old guard is aging out, and the new generation hasn’t quite figured out the formula yet. Companies are still trying to chase that World of Warcraft magic from 20 years ago, but the gaming landscape has completely changed.
Maybe the future isn’t in these massive, expensive traditional MMOs but in smaller-scale online experiences. Or maybe we’ll see more hybrid approaches that blend MMO elements with other genres. One thing’s for sure – the current approach clearly isn’t working for most developers. And that’s bad news for fans who love these massive, persistent worlds.
