Turbine whipping up 360, PS3 MMOGs?

By Tom Magrino, GameSpotPosted Jun 10, 2008 4:43 pm PT

CEO Jim Crowley says console development is a possibility for both current and future titles; job req indicates Microsoft's and Sony's platforms.

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games are Turbine Inc.'s business, and the developer announced earlier this month that it had landed a massive infusion of cash to fund future projects. The funding, led by Time Warner and GGV Capital, would line Turbine's coffers with an extra $40 million, with which CEO Jim Crowley said would allow the company to "bring new titles to market, expand the platforms we support, and introduce new technologies to sustain self-evolving game worlds."

While Turbine didn't expressly say so, it was assumed that Crowley's comments indicated the gamemaker would be expanding its efforts into console development. As part of a recent interview with fan site MMORPG.com, Crowley further indicated that cross-platform console development is on Turbine's mind. "These worlds are so rich and robust, we do want them to be shared across platforms, both for existing and future worlds," said Crowley.

While the exec named no specific titles, he did say both current and future games developed by Turbine are being considered for console migration. Turbine's two most recent MMOGs are Lord of the Rings Online, launched in collaboration with Midway in 2007, and Dungeons & Dragons Online, published by D&D rights holder Atari in 2006.

Crowley also made no mention of which consoles, exactly, were being targeted. However, as revealed through a job request on the developer's Web site, Turbine is currently looking for a senior console engineer with experience developing on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.

92 Comments

  • shii666

    Posted Jun 9, 2009 4:18 pm PT

    Well, I am going to be playing Final Fantasy XIV on my PS3, but I still find this exciting. I enjoyed DDO.

  • denicola_a_god

    Posted Feb 10, 2009 5:34 pm PT

    sickk ps3 mmo game sounds good to me

  • ordion2323

    Posted Aug 8, 2008 9:24 pm PT

    I would play LOTRO on my 360

  • disco_dan

    Posted Jul 31, 2008 10:31 pm PT

    I'm thinking that it's good timing for Dead Rising 2:world gone to hell. It's no longer just a mall gone nuts, it's the whole of the United States of America (not much difference really) There'd be bunkered up players at refuges, and missions to go get supplies, partying up, warthog style vehicles and pleanty of improvisation. u know you want it.

  • Hello_Kitty_Man

    Posted Jun 29, 2008 1:09 pm PT

    I would LOVE to see LOTRO on my Xbox 360! I think that would just be beastly!

  • tarv4973

    Posted Jun 18, 2008 10:21 am PT

    If they brought back a new AC game to consoles, I would actually buy a 360 or PS3.

  • pudgeman007

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 1:00 pm PT

    Lol.. Sweet

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Jun 13, 2008 11:32 am PT

    that's some of the best news I ever heard, wish they'd go cross platfrom with other games now, call of duty 4 and sports games. all games that go online

  • chrisballer

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 8:23 am PT

    This is great news. Now only if they can deliver a great game. I would like to see a D&D game based in the forgotten realms. With some of the great authors to help write some of the story line. It would have to be better then D&D online now of course.

  • newb16

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 5:39 am PT

    Hey combatsoldier do you have all the consoles? If you do, count how many RPG's each one has. If you dont no how many each one has then I will tell you, the xbox360 has 23, PS3 has 16, and the wii has 10. The only two consoles you should be talking about is the wii and PS3. Of course there are more games comeing out but I dont no what Genre(s) they are because they are not labeld as any Genre(s) yet.

  • Elslav

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 3:45 am PT

    Eww.. Turbine making more MMOs!??! When the ones they have out currently are in dire need of content and tweaking! I think this company is on its last legs, they are the Walmart of the MMO World.

  • combatsoldier

    Posted Jun 12, 2008 3:21 am PT

    this is great and i hope that we get plenty of mmos for our consoles cause we need them.

  • newb16

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 6:38 pm PT

    WESTWOOD, MA -- June 4, 2008 -- Turbine, Inc. today announced that it has raised $40 million in equity financing. Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX) and GGV Capital, a leader in expansion-stage venture capital investments in the U.S. and China, led the investment along with existing investors, Highland Capital Partners, Polaris Venture Partners, Tudor Ventures and Columbia Capital. The investment will be used to further accelerate Turbine's growth as a global leader in online entertainment.

    "This is truly an exciting time for Turbine. The addition of Time Warner, one of the world's largest media companies, and GGV Capital, one of the financial community's most sophisticated investors, adds a level of access, perspective and experience to Turbine that is singularly unique in the global online entertainment space," said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. "Turbine has an extraordinary team, incredible technology and a growing portfolio of games based on some of the most popular brands ever created. With this funding we are uniquely positioned to change the future of online entertainment as we bring new titles to market, expand the platforms we support and introduce new technologies to sustain self-evolving game worlds."

    An online entertainment veteran, Turbine is recognized globally for its industry-leading technology platform, groundbreaking game graphics and its exceptional ability to create and operate multiple massive, persistent online worlds that power hundreds of thousands of interactive social gaming experiences. The company currently operates three award-winning franchises around the globe and is one of the largest privately-held online gaming studios in North America.

    "Our investment in Turbine is an important addition to Time Warner's entertainment initiatives," said Rachel Lam, Senior Vice President and Group Managing Director of Time Warner Investments. "Online interactive entertainment is a huge growth market and we are very excited about Turbine, its unique capabilities and the obvious opportunities that exist with our own broad portfolio of IP."

    "The demand for massively multiplayer online worlds is exploding both geographically and in terms of platforms served," said Hany Nada, managing partner, GGV Capital. "Turbine is a proven leader in massively interactive online entertainment and the incredible technology that supports it. We look forward to marrying our strengths both here and in Asia with Turbine's unique capabilities."

    In April 2007, Turbine launched The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™, the first and only MMORPG based on the books of J.R.R. Tolkien, and has quickly established itself as an emerging leader. The Lord of the Rings Online was named PC Game of the Year 2007 at the 25th Annual Golden Joystick awards and The New York Times proclaimed it "a major achievement of interactive storytelling, the first game truly worthy of the 'Lord of the Rings' franchise and a must-play for just about anyone with an interest in Tolkien or the future of online entertainment." Turbine also created and operates Dungeons & Dragons Online™, which was named Best Multiplayer Game of 2006 by the British Academy of Television & Arts, and Asheron's Call®, which was named one of the Top 50 Games of All Time by GameSpy and is one of the longest running massively multiplayer online games in the industry.

  • fps92

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 5:41 pm PT

    is that shooting game only or wat

  • Nerkcon

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 2:54 pm PT

    --svitas --

    "This is why you pay xbox gold account. If a mmo come to xbox360 with current agreement you don't have to pay any more. But in the ps3 you have to pay monthly fee if a devolpers chose it."

    Not only is that not true(you only need a silver membership for MMOs since it's not really using Xbox Live, you still would need to pay monthly if you have gold regardless), but it doesn't make sense. MMOs get people additive to their character/s progression and attached by the friends they make. The standard $15 a month = $180 a year. Xbox Live $50 = only $4.16 a month (I think...). That would be a $120 loss in your standard profit.

  • Icehearted

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 1:56 pm PT

    @svitas

    Phantasy Star Universe charged a monthly fee on top of XBL Gold. Any new MMO for XBL will probably follow suit and it's a real shame. XBL should be a free service, nothing they've done so far justifies otherwise.

  • jknight5422

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 1:47 pm PT

    It's baffling that these MMO corporations are just now becoming aware of MMOs on consoles when they should've been planning this 1.5-2 years ago. Talk about your johnny-come-latelys. Sheesh. I wonder which MMO will be the first to make its mark on the 360..

  • BewilderedRonin

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 1:18 pm PT

    Just as long as they don't make anything that sucks as hard as D&D Online. I had such high hopes for that game and it turned out to be utter crap.

  • killzone_gamer

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 1:16 pm PT

    TO SONY!
    Please

  • cupcake_JR

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 12:40 pm PT

    could be cool if we see LotRO on the 360. but i still wouldnt pay for monthly fees..... screw p2p mmos >_>

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