Auto Assault to die its final death

[aries369]

Ah, capitalism.

So what if they spent millions of dollars developing the code? If they're just shutting it down, what difference does it make to them one way or the other? Either way the code is now useless to them, the only difference is that by releasing the code people can make their own servers to continue playing the game if they wish. Are they planning on selling the code to someone to make back some of their money?

Well, by releasing the code they do give competitors a head-start, and also open up a freeware MMO that would compete with their own products.
So yes, it's an understandable move.

-eh-

Yes, it maybe is an understandble move. However, there does not seem to be a MMO out there like Auto Assault, so I fail to that a freeware MMO Auto Assault would compete with NC Soft's own products.

I don't see the competitors thing as an excuse either since they
have closed down the servers for Auto Assault. If they are worried about competition is must be based on fear...

 

[Sander]

-eh-

Yes, it maybe is an understandble move. However, there does not seem to be a MMO out there like Auto Assault, so I fail to that a freeware MMO Auto Assault would compete with NC Soft's own products.

Any MMO competes with other MMOs.

I don't see the competitors thing as an excuse either since they
have closed down the servers for Auto Assault. If they are worried about competition is must be based on fear...

There's a lot of code to an MMO and an MMO server that can be quite complicated, including conflict resolution and networking details. Releasing source code for that kind of code means the competition has an easier time creating their own games. It's as simple as that.

 

[pkt-zer0]

I most likely am missing something here, but releasing the server software to the community for free doesn't necessarily mean open-sourcing it, no?

 

[Sander]

I most likely am missing something here, but releasing the server software to the community for free doesn't necessarily mean open-sourcing it, no?

We were talking about releasing the server code.

Also, server software could never be released as-is, for an existing MMO. Which means that making it release-ready would cost them even more money.

 

[Futurity]

Was the game even good?

 

[ratsnack]

The premise might have been interesting, drive around completing missions. However the art was very childish perhaps designed by highschoolers.

http://news.softpedia.com/images/reviews/large/autoassault_011-large.jpg

you can imagine how it looks on slower computers with reduced graphics.

 

[Sorrow]

These comments almost make sense until you realize that only 3 MMOs have closed down (AC2, E&B, and now AA). The original trio (UO, AC1, and EQ1) are all still open. Even Neocron manages to stay online.

Sitting aroubnd worrying that your MMO of choice is going to suddenly shut down is really a pointless waste of time.

That's why it's unfair to people who bought the game - no one expects that a MMO that he bought will shut down in a few months.