Curse

Inde · Dec 13, 2007, 06:16 PM // 18:16

Interesting news. I know some were following this and played in beta:

Quote:

Fury Goes Free, Bad News to Follow December 11, 2007, 10:53 am ET

More details are coming to light about the state of Fury, the recently launched MMORPG that has reportedly not lived up to the expectations of developer Auran (story). Following a press release confirming staff cuts and that game support is being outsourced to China (story), Kotaku Australia has word that the game will go completely free-to-play as of the Chosen (story) content update on December 14, and a dire comment from Auran CEO saying: "We will then have some bad news to follow (unless a miracle occurs), but there will be a very positive end to the week." While we wait for that other shoe to drop, here's the announcement of Fury's new business model:

Cockpit, Austin, TX - December 10, 2007 – Gamecock Media Group and Auran Games today announced a new Free to Download, Free to Play option for their fast paced arena combat game FURY. The new business model will begin with the release of the first major free content update “Age of the Chosen” on December 14, 2007.

“FURY was built around giving players options that suit their play style and their wallet,” said Tony Hilliam, CEO of Auran. “With the AotC update, we are introducing a new player category called “Chosen”. As one of the Chosen, players can access all game types, equip all weapons and unlock all 400 abilities – and they can play as much as they like absolutely free. This is a fantastic opportunity for players to jump into battle with their mates and discover the frenetic pace of the fastest RPG combat ever. Chosen will earn less gold and essence, and will not be able to trade with other players.”

“Chosen players can purchase game gold from the FURY store or upgrade to “Hero” status to earn more Essence and Gold. Retail stores sell the “Hero” status pack, along with a free month of “Immortal” status, so this is $30 value for the new price of $19.99 (in US stores). As a Hero or Immortal players can unlock abilities faster and purchase better gear, but the matchmaker then ensures they are playing against other players of similar skill and rank.”

FURY: Age of the Chosen is a massive free content update that introduces two new game types aimed at the new player. “Carnage” throws two teams into battle with the aim of returning blood tokens to their base faster than their opposition. Blood tokens are gained from killing bots, not other players, so the action is indirect competition rather than head to head. The 1v1 Elimination game type means games will spawn faster and matches are more evenly balanced.

http://bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.p...threadid=83378

For a more "dire" look at what happened:

Quote:

Fury Devs Auran Done For, Closing Up Shop

Last week, we heard Australian developer Auran (of Dark Reign, Fury and Battlestar Galactica) were in a bit of a tight spot. Mostly due to MMO brawler Fury and the fact it had been a "financial disaster". Well, despite Auran's Tony Hilliam trying to claim otherwise, Kotaku Australia's Logan sends word that the studio is indeed done for, has already closed its doors and that all staff have been laid off. Is the news unexpected? No. Is it sad? Definitely. Not only were Auran one of Australia's oldest dev houses, but there's no suckier time to be sacked than at Christmas.

Faer · Dec 13, 2007, 06:18 PM // 18:18

Now that it's free, I might be more inclined to play it for as many hours as it takes for me to somewhat enjoy it.

Probably not, though.

Unlucky Slayer · Dec 13, 2007, 06:20 PM // 18:20

Wonder if this means we'll get JR to come back to modding with us? =3

Malice Black · Dec 13, 2007, 07:09 PM // 19:09

JR worked on it, that is why it failed. He should come back to Guru and own noobs in RA.

Jeremy Untouchable · Dec 13, 2007, 07:57 PM // 19:57

Its sad for JR but, will it just shows pvp isnt allways where its at. All games need balance, exp. Halo would kinda suck with no story...Long live GW

Malice Black · Dec 13, 2007, 07:59 PM // 19:59

Halo does suck, didn't you get the memo?

Jeremy Untouchable · Dec 13, 2007, 08:00 PM // 20:00

lol. nope didnt get the memo...my Xbox360 is a dvd player at best thou.. havnt touched it in 7 months..

ensoriki · Dec 13, 2007, 10:12 PM // 22:12

Sacked at christmas....
(sarcasm)nice.(end sarcasm)

Aera · Dec 13, 2007, 11:05 PM // 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malice Black

JR worked on it, that is why it failed. He should come back to Guru and own noobs in RA.

First thing I thought

Anyway, I'm not surprised this has happened really. Guess I'm not the only one who de-installed really soon

Sad though

Onarik Amrak · Dec 14, 2007, 02:08 AM // 02:08

Looks like an interesting game to try...

Too bad it flopped... especially for the Australian game industry.

jackie · Dec 14, 2007, 07:00 AM // 07:00

They should release some mod-kit as well while they're at it, might turn to something good with a bit of tweaking.

Etta · Dec 14, 2007, 12:14 PM // 12:14

Auran, isn't that the company that Alex Weeks went to after he left Anet?

my2cent · Dec 14, 2007, 12:24 PM // 12:24

so its completely free now just download client and update?

GhostRaptor · Dec 14, 2007, 01:14 PM // 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etta

Auran, isn't that the company that Alex Weekes went to after he left Anet?

Fixed.

And yes. I get to spend Christmas officially unemployed, then get on a plane and start a new job in the New Year.

Etta · Dec 14, 2007, 02:12 PM // 14:12

Oh man! that's suck, Alex. I'm so sorry about that, this time of the year and all.

Well good luck with the next job, man. I'm guessing you can't tell us who are you gonna be working for, right? wink wink

Btw sorry about the "e" as well. :P

Snograt · Dec 14, 2007, 02:12 PM // 14:12

Eeks - it's Weekes!

Nice to see you're still around, Alex - I thought we'd seen the last of "GhostRaptor"

Jeremy Untouchable · Dec 14, 2007, 03:35 PM // 15:35

Alex, anything cool with your new job?

AscalonWarrior · Dec 14, 2007, 04:16 PM // 16:16

Fury is free? Might give it a try someday

GhostRaptor · Dec 15, 2007, 06:45 AM // 06:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy Untouchable

Alex, anything cool with your new job?

Oh, it's very cool.

Jamison0071 · Dec 15, 2007, 11:52 AM // 11:52

Is it anything to do with NCSoft/Anet?