Middle-Earth Online delayed until 2005
Calling it a "tough but correct" decision, VU keeps the Turbine-developed, J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired MMORPG in the shop for additional fine-tuning.
After two years in the shop, Middle-Earth Online apparently still needs more work. The game's publisher, VU Games, today informed select media outlets that the upcoming massively multiplayer game needed more time in development and would not make its previously scheduled October 2004 ship date. The new timetable sees MEO arriving at retail sometime next year.
The game's producer, Chris Taylor, said that the decision was made jointly by both the developer and publisher and that the parties had been thinking about tweaking the release date for some time.
VU said in a statement that "the extra time in development will be used to add more content, more lore, and more nuanced touches to the world, as well as enable us to extend the beta-testing period."
Asked if the upcoming World of Warcraft release may have spooked the MEO team and prompted the delay, Taylor indicated that it was not a factor. "They're their own studio; they do their own thing," he said of the game's developer, Blizzard Entertainment.
Taylor said Middle-Earth Online's development was progressing well and that from this point out, the development team would "focus on getting content into the game rather than spend time creating a specialized version for this year’s E3." The game will not be shown on the E3 show floor in any form.
Hot Stories
Newsmakers
-
Dragon Age: Origins Interview with Ray Muzyka
We chat with Ray Muzyka about some of the features in Dragon Age: Origins. Full Story
- Posted Jul 8, 2009 4:06 pm PT
-
Left 4 Dead 2 Doug Lombardi Interview
We talk to Doug Lombardi about Left 4 Dead 2 at a recent preview event in London. Full Story
- Posted Jul 3, 2009 4:42 pm PT
Featured Stories
-
Sony dismisses Activision threats, PS3 price cut rumors
Sony Corp. CEO Sir Howard Stringer brands third-party publisher's comments as "noise," SCEA CEO Jack Tretton says other consoles don't deliver the same value. Full Story
- Posted Jul 8, 2009 1:15 pm PT
- 977 Comments
-
PS3 MGS4/Killzone 2 bundle now available
Best Buy begins offering rumored $400 retail configuration, which packs in 80GB console with nearly $90 of top-rated games. Full Story
- Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:19 am PT
- 485 Comments
-
Battlefield 1943 suffers server snafu
EA Dice's multiplayer-only downloadable shooter experiencing matchmaking technical difficulties after Xbox 360 launch this morning. Full Story
- Posted Jul 8, 2009 12:48 pm PT
- 148 Comments
-
Blizzard: Free-to-play WOW 'possible'
Lead designer Tom Chilton says the multiplatinum MMORPG champion could abolish monthly subscription plan by adopting microtransaction system. Full Story
- Posted Jul 7, 2009 12:43 pm PT
- 347 Comments
-
Square Enix retires Eidos publishing label
Japanese pub consolidates operations in Europe and NA, confirming some headcount reduction; British company's name will live on through dev studios. Full Story
- Posted Jul 7, 2009 11:15 am PT
- 143 Comments
Submit News
Related Game
- Turbine Inc.
- Fantasy Online...
- Release: Apr 24, 2007 »
- ESRB: Teen
Related Games
Recent News
-
Analyst expects 20% game sales slide in June
Pacific Crest Securities' Evan Wilson expects Fight Night Round 4 to break 1 million in disappointing month, says recession may be hitting games harder...
Site Blogs
-
Send Your Questions for EA Sports
On Monday, I'll be heading to EA Canada for the latest EA Sports press event. While there, I'll be checking out a bunch of the company's...
0 Comments