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Mythos (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Mythos is a multiplayer computer role-playing game that was originally under development by Flagship Studios Seattle
, a subdivision of Flagship Studios, a video game company composed largely of ex-Blizzard North
employees who were lead producers of the Diablo series
. Due to financial issues at Flagship Studios, Flagship Seattle was subsequently dissolved, leaving the intellectual property
rights in the hands of the Korean game company HanbitSoft
. HanbitSoft's corporate partners will continue to develop Mythos for a planned release in South Korea and North America.
Mythos is similar in style to Diablo, utilizing a similar interface and perspective, extensive map and item randomization, and a high fantasy
setting. Its development was led by Travis Baldree, creator of the action RPG FATE, now a co-founder of Runic Games
.
. By late 2006, the test project had grown into an independent game scheduled for a separate release. Its development was led by Travis Baldree and a newly-formed Seattle offshoot of Flagship which remained largely separate from the development of Hellgate. Mythos was built upon the same core engine and technology that Hellgate: London used.
Starting in 2007, the game had been in an ongoing closed beta testing stage, with an open beta expected in mid-2008. However, on July 19, 2008 it was announced that due to continuing financial hardships at Flagship Studios, Mythos would be going on hiatus, and the beta closed shortly thereafter. The company laid off most of its employees, and the development of Mythos was suspended. Almost immediately after Flagship's closing, the entire Flagship Seattle team responsible for Mythos (consisting of 14 people including lead designer Travis Baldree and executive producer Max Schaefer) formed Runic Games
and began development of a new game named Torchlight
.
. In May 2009, Hanbitsoft released a statement on its Korean-language website revealing that parent company T3 Entertainment and T3's subsidiary Redbana are continuing development of Mythos. Included on the site is a message from a designer identified as "Alboos" who states that they are restructuring Mythos to make it "more suited as an online game." In August 2009, Redbana/T3 launched an English-language Mythos website with a closed beta registration form. On December 1, 2009, Redbana began occasional daily updates via the Mythos "teaser" website. On April 1, 2011, Mythos began sending out closed beta keys, on April 12, 2011, Mythos began the open beta. While the planned release date is April 28th 2011, those who purchased the box version will get a 2 day head-start which will start April 26, 2011.
On October 19, 2011, Frogster announced they would discontinue the game in Europe. Those servers officially closed October 27, 2011.
Flagship Studios
Flagship Studios was a computer game company founded by Bill Roper along with Max Schaefer, Erich Schaefer, and David Brevik, the original developers of Diablo and former high level Blizzard North executives...
, a subdivision of Flagship Studios, a video game company composed largely of ex-Blizzard North
Blizzard North
Blizzard North was the Bay Area division of Blizzard Entertainment, known for the Diablo series. The studio was originally based in Redwood City, and then moved a short distance away to San Mateo, with Blizzard proper being based in Irvine .-History:Blizzard North was originally an independent...
employees who were lead producers of the Diablo series
Diablo (series)
Diablo is an action role-playing game franchise owned and produced by Blizzard Entertainment. , the series has sold over 18.5 million copies worldwide.-Story:...
. Due to financial issues at Flagship Studios, Flagship Seattle was subsequently dissolved, leaving the intellectual property
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
rights in the hands of the Korean game company HanbitSoft
HanbitSoft
HanbitSoft is a Korean computer game publishing and development company. It is best known internationally as the Korean distributor for the successful computer game StarCraft....
. HanbitSoft's corporate partners will continue to develop Mythos for a planned release in South Korea and North America.
Mythos is similar in style to Diablo, utilizing a similar interface and perspective, extensive map and item randomization, and a high fantasy
High fantasy
High fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel worlds. High fantasy was brought to fruition through the work of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s...
setting. Its development was led by Travis Baldree, creator of the action RPG FATE, now a co-founder of Runic Games
Runic Games
Runic Games is a Seattle-based American computer game company formed by Travis Baldree , Max Schaefer and Erich Schaefer , Peter Hu, and the Flagship Studios Seattle team responsible for Mythos. It is a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd...
.
Flagship Studios (2006-mid 2008)
Originally codenamed "Project Tugboat," the game started as a networking technology test for Flagship Studios' multiplayer game Hellgate: LondonHellgate: London
Hellgate: London is a dark fantasy themed action role-playing game originally developed by Flagship Studios, released on October 31, 2007. It was developed by a team headed by former Blizzard Entertainment employees, some of whom had overseen the creation of the Diablo series...
. By late 2006, the test project had grown into an independent game scheduled for a separate release. Its development was led by Travis Baldree and a newly-formed Seattle offshoot of Flagship which remained largely separate from the development of Hellgate. Mythos was built upon the same core engine and technology that Hellgate: London used.
Starting in 2007, the game had been in an ongoing closed beta testing stage, with an open beta expected in mid-2008. However, on July 19, 2008 it was announced that due to continuing financial hardships at Flagship Studios, Mythos would be going on hiatus, and the beta closed shortly thereafter. The company laid off most of its employees, and the development of Mythos was suspended. Almost immediately after Flagship's closing, the entire Flagship Seattle team responsible for Mythos (consisting of 14 people including lead designer Travis Baldree and executive producer Max Schaefer) formed Runic Games
Runic Games
Runic Games is a Seattle-based American computer game company formed by Travis Baldree , Max Schaefer and Erich Schaefer , Peter Hu, and the Flagship Studios Seattle team responsible for Mythos. It is a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd...
and began development of a new game named Torchlight
Torchlight
Torchlight is an action role-playing game developed by Runic Games and published by Perfect World, released for Windows in October 2009. The fantasy-themed game is set in the fictional town of Torchlight and the expansive caverns and dungeons nearby, which adventurers explore to collect valuable...
.
Hanbitsoft (mid 2008-present)
The intellectual property and game assets of Mythos moved into the ownership of South Korean MMO publisher HanbitSoftHanbitSoft
HanbitSoft is a Korean computer game publishing and development company. It is best known internationally as the Korean distributor for the successful computer game StarCraft....
. In May 2009, Hanbitsoft released a statement on its Korean-language website revealing that parent company T3 Entertainment and T3's subsidiary Redbana are continuing development of Mythos. Included on the site is a message from a designer identified as "Alboos" who states that they are restructuring Mythos to make it "more suited as an online game." In August 2009, Redbana/T3 launched an English-language Mythos website with a closed beta registration form. On December 1, 2009, Redbana began occasional daily updates via the Mythos "teaser" website. On April 1, 2011, Mythos began sending out closed beta keys, on April 12, 2011, Mythos began the open beta. While the planned release date is April 28th 2011, those who purchased the box version will get a 2 day head-start which will start April 26, 2011.
On October 19, 2011, Frogster announced they would discontinue the game in Europe. Those servers officially closed October 27, 2011.
External links
- Frogster Online Gaming GmbH — Official Mythos Europe website
- Mythos US - Official American website
- Mythos South Korea — Official South Korean Mythos website