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Matrix Online Sold To SOE?
SirBruce writes "Corpnews is reporting that two separate sources have told them The Matrix Online has been sold to Sony Online Entertainment. Monolith is getting out of the MMO business altogether. SOE has also acquired the rights from Monolith for another MMO that was in development but recently cancelled a DC Comics MMOG. (ed: Remember the DC vs. NCSoft squabble?) Most of Monlith's MMO employees are being laid off with SOE taking over." Commentary at Plaguelands. Obviously at this point still just a rumour, so have some salt with this news.
It is Marvel vs. NCSOFT.
And it's still ongoing.
Div Devlin at http://www.gamerifts.com/ also has the story confirmed. Unless the same source leaked it to him, Corpnews, and me, I'm pretty sure this isn't just a rumor. As I was the only one who got the DC Comics tip, that would seem to indicate there are different sources involved here. All the job openings previously listed on Monolith's web page have also disappeared.
Bruce
Sony also have Planetside in their lineup, which I believe that they bought the parent developers of during development, however I'm not certain on this.
The official word people:
6 17/en_nm/media_superheroes_dc
The companies also disclosed that Sony Online had acquired Warner's "The Matrix Online" game. All 25 staff members currently operating the subscription-based massively multiplayer online game have been offered their existing position under the new ownership.
Sega of America will continue to manage distribution of "The Matrix Online," while Warner will oversee content development and relinquish operational involvement. Ubisoft withdrew from its involvement with the property in early 2004.
What exactly this means for Live Events, I don't know. I would imagine they'll still exist, but with SOE's attitude, I dunno how good they'll be.
Full article found Here: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050
5:30am, Friday the 17th, a sad, sad day for MxO players everywhere.