Microsoft Scraps Eagerly Awaited Online Game

Dom · Jun 4, 2004, 11:57 AM

TOKYO (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. said on Thursday it has scrapped plans to roll out an online game that was supposed to help it revive the fortunes of its Xbox game console in Japan.

"True Fantasy Live Online," a multi-player online role-playing game, was expected to be the Xbox's answer to Square Enix Co Ltd's immensely popular online version of Final Fantasy, only available for consoles on Sony Corp's PlayStation 2 (PS2).

Microsoft officials prominently displayed the game at last year's Tokyo Game Show, saying it would be a way for the Xbox to win over Japanese gamers, known for their love of role-playing games. After three years of development that saw the game's launch target pushed back three times, Microsoft said it decided not to publish the game because it failed to live up to expectations.

Japanese video game developer Level 5 created the game for Microsoft, which in March pushed back the title's launch date until winter from an earlier spring target.

"This is very disappointing, but we couldn't go through with another delay in the launch date," said a Microsoft spokeswoman.

According to game magazine publisher Enterbrain Inc, Microsoft had sold less than 500,000 Xbox consoles in Japan as of March 28 since its launch in February 2002.

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Source: Y! News

No_Style · Jun 4, 2004, 03:42 PM

Better not risk something like an MMORPG

Jun 4, 2004, 11:57 AM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	Microsoft Scraps Eagerly Awaited Online Game TOKYO (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. said on Thursday it has scrapped plans to roll out an online game that was supposed to help it revive the fortunes of its Xbox game console in Japan. "True Fantasy Live Online," a multi-player online role-playing game, was expected to be the Xbox's answer to Square Enix Co Ltd's immensely popular online version of Final Fantasy, only available for consoles on Sony Corp's PlayStation 2 (PS2). Microsoft officials prominently displayed the game at last year's Tokyo Game Show, saying it would be a way for the Xbox to win over Japanese gamers, known for their love of role-playing games. After three years of development that saw the game's launch target pushed back three times, Microsoft said it decided not to publish the game because it failed to live up to expectations. Japanese video game developer Level 5 created the game for Microsoft, which in March pushed back the title's launch date until winter from an earlier spring target. "This is very disappointing, but we couldn't go through with another delay in the launch date," said a Microsoft spokeswoman. According to game magazine publisher Enterbrain Inc, Microsoft had sold less than 500,000 Xbox consoles in Japan as of March 28 since its launch in February 2002. Read More... _____________________ Source: Y! News

Jun 4, 2004, 03:42 PM	#2
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	It was a smart move. Better not risk something like an MMORPG __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here