It has been known for some time that apart from Star Trek Online and Champions Online, Cryptic Studios has also been working on a third unannounced MMO.
Atari, who recently purchased Cryptic Studios, has in the past expressed a desire to revive some of its classic franchises such as the Dungeons and Dragons games. Incidentally Neverwinter Nights (NWN) is one of Atari’s most popular “classic franchises” that carries the D&D banner.
A blog post on Variety reveals that sources at Cryptic have informed the publication that the developer is working on an MMO version of the NWN franchise and that it is scheduled for a 2011 release.
Bioware developed the original and arguably the most well received Neverwinter Nights game and the sequel was handed to Obsidian Entertainment. With the third full release in the hands of yet another developer it remains to be seen how well Neverwinter Nights fans respond to the idea.
Furthermore a 2011 release is likely to coincide with the release of Blizzard’s next MMO which is currently in development and is likely to attract a good portion of the 11million strong player base that World of Warcraft enjoys.
Cryptic Studios is responsible for the City of Heroes and City of Villains MMOs. Champions Online is set to continue the super hero theme of Cryptic’s two previous projects and is planned for release later this year. Star Trek Online is also currently being developed by Cryptic and should be out sometime in 2011.
A Neverwinter Nights MMO will contrast starkly with Cryptic’s previous and current projects, and if the rumor is true then it remains to be seen how well the NWN community will respond to the idea.
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