Saga Splits From Wahoo Studios and Proves Micropayment-Driven MMO Can Succeed
Posted by: Aaron Lockard on August 08, 2007 5:48:21 PM
Saga Games and Silverlode Interactive announced today
that they have amicably split from Wahoo Studios
to enlarge their team
and focus exclusively on the expansion of their upcoming fantasy-themed
massively multiplayer real-time strategy game, Saga. The announcement
comes during a highly successful beta test for the innovative online
game, which has drawn praise from critics and has captivated more than
15,000 gamers from around the world so far with its unique gameplay and
pricing structure. Saga is currently scheduled for a Fall 2007 release.
Saga
is free to play, dropping the monthly fee that has become a mainstay in
online games in favor of a micropayment system that gives players '"
casual and otherwise '" tremendous value and a rewarding gaming
experience. Players can purchase low-priced booster packs to enhance
their armies with unique troops and spells, which they can trade with
others '" in return for other units, abilities and resources '" via the
in-game marketplace. Strategic supremacy remains the focus, however, so
players who do not buy booster packs are still competitive through
superior tactics.
Critics and fans have praised Saga's
exceptional strategic depth and the gripping nature of the in-game
marketplace, with GameZone.com proclaiming that the in-game economy is
'"a great boon' and that '"the warfare simulation scales beautifully from
small skirmishes to epic battles between rival kingdoms'¦ The battle
simulator handles incredibly well.'ÂÂ
Saga Games also announced
that the ongoing open beta test of the game '" which began on July 5 and
is available for download at PlaySaga.com '" has been a resounding
success, with more than 15,000 players signed up. Players are already
enthralled by the grand-scale strategic warfare and captivating
marketplace: more than 5000 booster packs have been purchased during
the beta test, with some players buying well over 100! Newcomers to
Saga need not fear: beta accounts will be partially wiped when the
final game is available, and players who purchased booster packs during
the beta test will have their credits transferred to the final game.
'"We're
thrilled with the response from fans and critics,' said Jason Faller,
Producer at Saga Games, LLC. '"It's been great to see players getting so
wrapped up in buying booster packs, trading units and spells, and
building their ultimate fantasy armies'¦ and we're only in beta testing!
We can't wait to unleash the final game '" along with new units, spells
and quests '" and continue to support our vibrant community with new
content on a regular basis.'ÂÂ