The many problems surrounding 38 Studios and their development hasn’t stopped the optimistic from being optimistic – R.A. Salvatore, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning writer has let us in on a little tidbit concerning the upcoming MMO, codenamed “Copernicus.”
Speaking in a response to Daily Kos, Salvatore talked about how we – the press – are really not aware of how far along in development the MMO is.
"This game is much further along than is being reported – I wish I could show you some if it – and the environments, the animations and the game-play would blow you away," he said.
"Truth is, most of what you've seen is rough compared to what we have. We had zones in WHITE BOX that were prettier than many you'll find in running, completed, published games. And the combat and animation… super… top-notch all the way around.
Regardless of what naysayers might think, Salvatore has been one of the key minds behind creating everything about the Amalur universe. While debatable, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was – by most standards – a good game.
He then talked about the lore surrounding the MMO.
"Something else I probably shouldn't say, but what the hell: Reckoning showed a TINY slice of the world 2,500 years BEFORE the MMO. A TINY slice of a past age that ties to the meta-story of Amalur in the way a tale of the Schism in the Catholic Church might relate to modern day Earth…yes, the world lore was THAT BIG."
This means that it’s very possible 38 Studios was looking at an MMORPG release since day one. It has become commonplace for companies to try and set up a world lore that players can be familiar with before the release of the full MMO; World of Warcraft started that trend.
If you haven’t been following the news lately, 38 Studios had to lay off its entire staff. In all probability, development has completely shut down. There’s been no word from the studio heads, but we are waiting to see what happens.
Via Eurogamer