As reported on games.slashdot, Turbine announced that they are buying Microsoft the Asheron's Call franchise from Microsoft [AC press release].
Turbine also released a Letter to the Players, with the news everyone wants to hear:
I’m sure that as soon as you read this announcement, your first question was, “Will Turbine develop an expansion pack for AC1?”Does Bobo like nanners?
I've always felt that AC1 (and the expansion Dark Majesty) was a fabulous, unique, and inventive game in a genre all-too-often cluttered with cliches. No time to elaborate now, but what a fabulous coup for Turbine, who is also developing Middle Earth Online and D+D Online.
If they can manage to meld the graphics of AC2 with the addictive gameplay and storyline of AC1, Turbine should continue to do quite well.
So this is what you do all of the time on the sixth floor!
Posted by: Geoffrey at December 17, 2003 6:08 PM | Permalink to CommentHey man, everyone takes a lunch break. :-p
Posted by: Jason at December 17, 2003 6:29 PM | Permalink to Comment“Will Turbine develop an expansion pack for AC1?”
Huh?
"May I mambo dogface to the banana patch?"
Posted by: George at December 17, 2003 6:54 PM | Permalink to CommentSorry, AC fanboy talk.
The correct answer would be:
"Yes, Bobo the Tusker King sure likes his bananas."
Which means, the game Asheron's Call (the first version) will get an expansion pack, which generally includes an updated software engine as well as added content.
Asheron's Call 2, which is similar to the first game mostly because they both happen to have "Asheron's Call" in the title, is not terribly successful, although the game engine graphics are *beautiful* - grass waving in the breeze, water lapping at the shore, etc... Granted, my computer frequently came to a screeching halt when running such beautiful graphics, so hopefully they'll achieve a little balance there.
That help?
Posted by: Jason at December 18, 2003 10:03 AM | Permalink to CommentGot it. Thanks for the gloss.
Posted by: George at December 18, 2003 12:34 PM | Permalink to Comment