Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning shuts down today (Archive link: http://archive.is/1pghI Original Notice of Shutdown: http://archive.is/iozxa). I cannot even begin to express how important Warhammer Online, and Mythic Entertainment, have been to me. This was my first job in The Industry, and my first credited title. A whole lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into this game – It was more than just a job, it was something I helped create; I put a lot of myself into this game, and it really hurts to see it close its doors for good.
Since it’s an MMO, there will be no finding of a copy of the game years down the road and playing it for old-times-sake; there will be no stumbling upon the game on Good Old Games, and buying it to play again. No – It’s an MMO, and once it’s gone, it’s gone for good.
Looking back, with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, there were things we could have done better, of course. I look back on arguments I never had, and points I was too timid to make, and wish now that I had been more forceful back then. Would we be in a different place today? Even if we had to close, could we have done it better?
I think of all those who worked on WAR, and the vast community of players, as extended family.We may have bickered and argued, but it was from a place of love. This game meant so much to me, just as it has meant a lot to so many others. I weep today for its closure.
Below is a 25 minute fan-made video, telling their own story through WAR. It is very well done, and brought me to tears more than once. I encourage any who share a personal connection with WAR to watch it.
[youtube]2Kr40Fck6_M[/youtube]