Mythica
Encyclopedia
Mythica was a never-released massively multiplayer online role-playing game
(or "MMORPG") based on Norse mythology
. It was under development by Microsoft Game Studios
(MGS) for Windows
-running PCs
until it was cancelled in early 2004. The game had been under development for over two years and had a development staff
of forty at the time of cancellation.
As with most MMORPGs, one would have needed to purchase the game software and then subscribe to the game service, paying a monthly fee. The combat design was centered around being a demi-god, including the ability to swat waves of enemies aside to focus on their boss.
was sued for trademark infringement
and unfair competition by Mythic Entertainment
, the developers of the competing MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot
. Mythic claimed in the lawsuit that the terms "Mythic" and "Mythica" were so close as to cause consumer confusion, thus infringing on Mythic's trademark.
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 name
s to Mythic.
for fans.
On February 12, 2004, MGS announced the cancellation of Mythica. Microsoft claimed the cancellation was not due to the lawsuit, and cited the competitive MMORPG market and a desire to not "spread ourselves out over multiple MMORPG projects."http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/mythica/
At the time, Microsoft operated Asheron's Call
and Asheron's Call 2
, and was planning to publish Brad McQuaid
's new MMORPG: Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
for PC and True Fantasy Live Online
, an anime-esque MMOG for the Xbox console.
As a result of the decision, around forty positions at MGS were cut, among those: executive producer Matt Wilson, senior designer Hal Milton and lead designer Joel Manners.
Some commentators said at the time that the cancellation was evidence that the (English language
) massively multiplayer market had become saturated, though World of Warcraft
, released in November 2004, subsequently became the most popular MMORPG to date with over 9 million users as of December 2007.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
(or "MMORPG") based on Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
. It was under development by Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Studios is the video game production wing for Microsoft, responsible for the development and publishing of games for the Xbox, Xbox 360, Games for Windows and Windows Phone platforms. They were established in 2002 as Microsoft Game Studios to coincide with the release of the Xbox, before...
(MGS) for Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
-running PCs
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
until it was cancelled in early 2004. The game had been under development for over two years and had a development staff
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
of forty at the time of cancellation.
As with most MMORPGs, one would have needed to purchase the game software and then subscribe to the game service, paying a monthly fee. The combat design was centered around being a demi-god, including the ability to swat waves of enemies aside to focus on their boss.
Lawsuit
In December 2003, MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
was sued for trademark infringement
Trademark infringement
Trademark infringement is a violation of the exclusive rights attaching to a trademark without the authorization of the trademark owner or any licensees...
and unfair competition by Mythic Entertainment
Mythic Entertainment
BioWare Mythic is a computer game developer in Fairfax, Virginia which is most widely recognized for developing the 2001 massively multiplayer online role-playing game Dark Age of Camelot...
, the developers of the competing MMORPG Dark Age of Camelot
Dark Age of Camelot
Dark Age of Camelot is a 3D medieval fantasy MMORPG, released on October 10 2001 in North America and in Europe shortly after through it's partner GOA. It is still running today recently celebrating its 10th anniversary....
. Mythic claimed in the lawsuit that the terms "Mythic" and "Mythica" were so close as to cause consumer confusion, thus infringing on Mythic's trademark.
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 name
Domain name
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System ....
s to Mythic.
Cancellation
Microsoft had begun promoting the game; the company had hosted a party at Gen ConGen Con
Gen Con is one of the largest and most prominent annual gaming conventions in North America. It features traditional pen-and-paper, board, and card-style games, including role-playing games, miniatures wargames, board games, live action role-playing games, collectible card games, non-collectible...
for fans.
On February 12, 2004, MGS announced the cancellation of Mythica. Microsoft claimed the cancellation was not due to the lawsuit, and cited the competitive MMORPG market and a desire to not "spread ourselves out over multiple MMORPG projects."http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/mythica/
At the time, Microsoft operated Asheron's Call
Asheron's Call
Asheron's Call is a fantasy MMORPG for Microsoft Windows-based PCs developed and published by Turbine Entertainment. It was published by Microsoft until 2004. Asheron's Call is set on the continent of Dereth and its surrounding islands on the fictional planet of Auberean...
and Asheron's Call 2
Asheron's Call 2
Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings was a fantasy MMORPG for Microsoft Windows-based PCs that was released on November 22, 2002 and shut down on December 30, 2005...
, and was planning to publish Brad McQuaid
Brad McQuaid
Brad McQuaid is an American computer game designer who was the key designer of EverQuest, a highly successful massively multiplayer online role-playing game released in 1999...
's new MMORPG: Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes is a high fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game created by Sigil Games Online, and now developed and run by Sony Online Entertainment. Originally, the game was co-published by Sony Online Entertainment , and the company producing it, Sigil Games...
for PC and True Fantasy Live Online
True Fantasy Live Online
True Fantasy Live Online was an MMORPG in development by Level-5 for Microsoft's Xbox video game console. After a long and troubled development cycle that lasted close to two years, the game was cancelled on June 2, 2004...
, an anime-esque MMOG for the Xbox console.
As a result of the decision, around forty positions at MGS were cut, among those: executive producer Matt Wilson, senior designer Hal Milton and lead designer Joel Manners.
Some commentators said at the time that the cancellation was evidence that the (English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
) massively multiplayer market had become saturated, though World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
, released in November 2004, subsequently became the most popular MMORPG to date with over 9 million users as of December 2007.