Stellar Dawn Hits the Ice, Jagex Refocusing Elsewhere
By: Jeff Davis | Mar 3rd 2012
Bad news for sci-fi MMO fans out there, as Jagex has apparently iced all work on Stellar Dawn going forward.
Or at least, that's what is on the agenda for the here and now.
Although the MMO developer is at least holding out for a potential return to the project (which is typically a 50/50 shot under such conditions) it appears for now that its popular RuneScape MMO (and its other sci-fi look-alike based on the Transformers universe) are going to be the upper tiers of priority until further notice. Jagex notes that the majority of the team has been reassigned to assist with other jobs for the duration of the project freeze, although the suspension of Stellar Dawn work still managed to cost the developer a full dozen's worth of employment as a result of the move.
"This year is set to be our biggest year to date and it's vital that we ensure that we're in the best possible position to deliver on our ambitious plans," Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard explained in announcing the move. "Jagex has always been committed to developing the highest quality games and services.
"This is not a decision we have taken lightly; the Stellar Dawn team has achieved a great deal developing the game and should rightly be proud of their achievements so far," continued Mr. Gerhard. "Having paused all Stellar Dawn development, we have been able to reallocate all but 12 members of the team to our other development studios.
"It is very sad to lose any members of the team," Mr. Gerhard notes. "We will naturally continue to support and help them during this difficult time and wish them every success in the future. The remaining team members have now all moved into their new roles."
Despite the move away from the Stellar Dawn project, Mr. Gerhard notes that Jagex as a whole is committed to building on its past success.
"I believe that with their added expertise fortifying the other development teams, and a sharp focus on just a handful of opportunities this year, Jagex is in the strongest possible position ever to achieve our plans for the year ahead and to ensure that 2012 will be Jagexs most successful year to date."
Via Develop
Or at least, that's what is on the agenda for the here and now.
Although the MMO developer is at least holding out for a potential return to the project (which is typically a 50/50 shot under such conditions) it appears for now that its popular RuneScape MMO (and its other sci-fi look-alike based on the Transformers universe) are going to be the upper tiers of priority until further notice. Jagex notes that the majority of the team has been reassigned to assist with other jobs for the duration of the project freeze, although the suspension of Stellar Dawn work still managed to cost the developer a full dozen's worth of employment as a result of the move.
"This year is set to be our biggest year to date and it's vital that we ensure that we're in the best possible position to deliver on our ambitious plans," Jagex CEO Mark Gerhard explained in announcing the move. "Jagex has always been committed to developing the highest quality games and services.
"This is not a decision we have taken lightly; the Stellar Dawn team has achieved a great deal developing the game and should rightly be proud of their achievements so far," continued Mr. Gerhard. "Having paused all Stellar Dawn development, we have been able to reallocate all but 12 members of the team to our other development studios.
"It is very sad to lose any members of the team," Mr. Gerhard notes. "We will naturally continue to support and help them during this difficult time and wish them every success in the future. The remaining team members have now all moved into their new roles."
Despite the move away from the Stellar Dawn project, Mr. Gerhard notes that Jagex as a whole is committed to building on its past success.
"I believe that with their added expertise fortifying the other development teams, and a sharp focus on just a handful of opportunities this year, Jagex is in the strongest possible position ever to achieve our plans for the year ahead and to ensure that 2012 will be Jagexs most successful year to date."
Via Develop
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