Warhammer Online Delayed Until Fall 2008; Colllector's Edition Announced

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Developer EA Mythic has revealed that the release of its oft-delayed PC MMO Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, which was previously slated for Q2 2008, has been pushed back until this fall.

Alongside the delay, the studio announced plans for a bonus-filled Collector's Edition of the game. Limited to 60,000 units in North America, the $79.99 Collector's Edition will pack an exclusive miniature, a 128-page graphic novel prequel, a 224-page art book, 12 bonus quests, 12 additional in-game character heads, and an experience-boosting item, which is restricted to three uses of 60 minutes each.

Furthermore, EA Mythic noted that those who pre-order the Collector's Edition from a participating retailer--a list that includes Best Buy, GameStop, GameCrazy Amazon.com, GoGamer.com and EAStore.com--will receive guaranteed access to the open beta, early access to the live game, and two more exclusive in-game items.

Speaking of the delay in the Warhammer Online Forums, studio manager Mark Jacobs declined to provide an exact launch date, but noted that the company is still planning to release the title simultaneously in North America and Europe.

"Given the highly competitive nature of the MMO industry right now, we feel it is best not to establish a set launch date at the present time," Jacobs wrote.

"We've always told the community that when a delay was necessary we would tell them right away, and weÂ’re doing just that," he continued. "I wish I could say all other developers do this but the fact is that they don't."

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    March 26, 2008 8:11 AM

    Good choice Mythic.

    • reply
      March 26, 2008 8:14 AM

      [deleted]

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        March 26, 2008 8:29 AM

        its a bad decision, when they release this game Wrath of Lich King will be nearing or even be releasing.

        "Given the highly competitive nature of the MMO industry right now, we feel it is best not to establish a set launch date at the present time," Jacobs wrote.

        No MMO's being released right now and if they want to take people away from wow as many people say they are waiting but if they had to choose between wow or this wow will win, considering they already play it.

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          March 26, 2008 9:04 AM

          Yeah, I don't get their logic here. Even if they were to release a rushed WAR, Mythic would stand to have more popular and profitable game, as opposed to putting out a more complete game months from now.

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            March 26, 2008 9:32 AM

            This game is pretty much a big piece of crap right now. It needs A LOT of work still :( The most recent beta phase is brutal.

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              March 26, 2008 9:42 AM

              I've heard it both ways, but dont have a beta account.

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          March 26, 2008 9:04 AM

          But if they release this game in a Hellgate or Vanguard like state, they'll be in trouble.

          People aren't going to leave WoW for a broken, half-finished mess. They might leave for a well done, polished game.

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          March 26, 2008 9:05 AM

          As a beta player since last year I can safely so no it's not a bad decision , it's a very good one

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          March 26, 2008 9:06 AM

          I think the original intention was to have WotLK to go up against Conan or Warhammer.

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          March 26, 2008 11:49 AM

          [deleted]

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          March 26, 2008 12:00 PM

          No game is going to stop people from buying Wrath of the Lich King. No game. People especially aren't going to buy a game that needs 7 more months worth of testing, even if there's nothing else "new" on the market.

          Releasing a horribly unfinished game definitely won't bring in subscribers. It will, however, give the game tons of bad press that'll keep people away that might've tried the game later.

      • reply
        March 26, 2008 9:59 AM

        And you know the truth to any of this how?

        EA is forcing this out the door, take a look at their development time compared to other MMOs.

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      March 26, 2008 8:30 AM

      Yes, Kudos to Marc Jakobs there. Still have doubts about WAR though, EA just gives it such a bad taste.

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