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Now that's interesting news: former developers of Meridian 59 have bought back the rights of the game and intend to put it back online, according to a press release we received:
Near Death Studios, Inc. purchases Meridian 59 from The 3DO Company
Mountain View, CA - November 29, 2001
Near Death Studios, Inc. has concluded the purchase of the massively
multiplayer online only role-playing game Meridian 59. The agreement
transfers all rights and interest in the United States and in all foreign
countries in the Meridian 59 property from The 3DO Company to Near Death
Studios. Founded by former developers of Meridian 59, Near Death Studios
intends to put the Meridian 59 service online and grow the Meridian 59
franchise.
Near Death Studios was founded in 2001 by former Meridian 59 game developers
Rob Ellis II and Brian Green. Rob Ellis II has served as Lead Level
Designer, Game Designer, and World Builder, on such titles as Meridian 59
and Ultima Online. “Meridian 59 was my first game and I’m incredibly pleased
to have the opportunity to allow fans to once again play their favorite
online only game,” said Rob.
Brian Green helped design and program three updates to Meridian 59 before
working on a single player game at 3DO and then working at Communities.com.
“After putting my heart into a game as historic as Meridian 59, it’s a
wonderful feeling to be able to bring it back online for the community to
enjoy,” said Brian.
Together, the founders and employees of Near Death Studios intend to bring
the Meridian 59 game service online for fans worldwide to once again enjoy
the game. Near Death Studios intends to release an updated version of
Meridian 59’s last release, continue to add content to the game, and grow
the Meridian 59 franchise into the future. “We have already begun to work an
aggressive schedule to get the game service online and players back into the
Meridian 59 world,” Rob replied when asked about Near Death Studio’s plans
for Meridian 59.
Former developers not directly involved with Near Death Studios, Inc. have
been very supportive of the purchase. Former Meridian 59 directors, lead
programmers, and inventors of Meridian 59, Andrew and Christopher Kirmse are
happy that Near Death Studios is the new owner of Meridian 59. Damion
Schubert, who served as Lead Designer throughout much of the development of
Meridian 59 and its expansions said, "Meridian 59 was one of the true
pioneers of the massively multiplayer game space, paving the way for the
success of today's hits. It is nice to see that the spirit behind Meridian
cannot die."
About Meridian 59:
Meridian 59 was one of the first commercial 3D graphical online RPGs.
Released in September 1996, Meridian 59 was one of the first games in the
new era of graphical online games. Meridian 59 is considered by many to be
the first of the new generation of massively multiplayer online only
role-playing games.
Meridian 59 began as a side project by Andrew and Christopher Kirmse in
their parents’ basement in 1994. They formed Archetype Interactive and
joined with others, including Near Death Studios co-founder Rob Ellis II, to
further develop the game with a more complete team. The game and company
were sold to The 3DO Company in 1996 and Meridian 59 was released to the
public on September 27, 1996. On August 31, 2000 The 3DO Company closed down
all American Meridian 59 game servers and the game has been unavailable to
players in the U.S. since then.
During its four year lifespan, the game had six updates developed for it.
Each update added new content, such as new monsters to fight, spells to
cast, or areas to explore. These expansions helped take Meridian 59 from its
solid foundation and grow the game world. The game had also been localized
into other languages by German and Korean companies.
Throughout its history, Meridian 59 was well received from players and the
press, receiving C/Net Gamecenter’s Best RPG Award in the game’s first year
of service. Meridian 59 remains one of the best PvP (player vs. player) and
social online games even today. Thousands of the game’s players agree that
the balance in PvP combat has not been matched by subsequent games, and that
the communication tools are still the most developed in any graphical game.
Many important aspects of today’s online RPGs, such as customizable chat
groups, buying defending and conquering player owned buildings, and player
selection of guild emblems, were an early part of Meridian 59.
Watch for more news at the game’s new official website |
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Meridian 59 to be revived
