FASA shuts down

FASA Corporation has announced that it will close its doors at the end of April. FASA is the company that created Battletech, Shadowrun, Earthdawn, Crimson Skies, and several other role-playing and board games. According to the company statement, the closure is due to major changes in the adventure gaming world over the 20 years that FASA has been in business, and the founders of the company feel that it is time to pursue other interests. The company will remain open until April 30, 2001, in order to sell off its current inventory, and it may release additional products next month. It is selling the rights to the Battletech and Shadowrun properties to WizKids, a company started by FASA co-founder Jordan Weisman, the creator of Mage Knight Rebellion.

Microsoft acquired the electronic games division of FASA, FASA Interactive, in early 1999. The acquisition gave Microsoft the rights to all electronic games based on FASA's games. Last year Microsoft published MechWarrior 4: Vengeance, a mech simulation based in the Battletech universe, and Crimson Skies, an air combat game based on the board game of the same name. According to Microsoft, the closure of FASA Corporation will not affect FASA Interactive, and the company still plans to release MechCommander 2 this summer. MechCommander 2 is a real-time strategy game based in the Battletech universe.

For more information about FASA and its line of games, visit the official Web site, which is linked below.