General Discussion

Massively interview: Multiverse explains the Buffy MMO, Firefly's delay

"Yesterday we brought you word that the folks at Multiverse (the developers of the MMO middleware) are in development on an MMO based on Buffy the Vampire slayer. At the same time, news came out the Firefly MMO will now be delayed considerably while they focus their efforts that other IP from writing dynamo Joss Whedon. Yesterday evening we had the chance to speak with Mr. Corey Bridges, Co-founder, Executive Producer and Marketing Director for the company. Mr. Bridges took some time out of his busy schedule at the Virtual Worlds Expo to explain a bit more about the Buffy/Firefly MMO hoopla.

Most interesting, it sounds as though (despite the lack of any announcements about it) there has actually been some forward movement on the Firefly MMO! Mr. Bridges could say almost nothing about it because of contractual obligations with Fox (the owners of the Firefly IP), but what he could say left us with the tantalizing impression we may actually see that Firefly game someday. Read on for all of that discussion, plus tidbits on why they're working on a Buffy title, a bit on what the game will be like, and the interactions between the 2D and 3D game spaces.

You folks put out a number of interesting announcements this week, but the one many people were most drawn to was the news of new titles. You announced that you were pushing off the Firefly IP MMO, and it sounds like you are already in development on an MMO set in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer IP. Is that accurate?

Corey Bridges: That is accurate. We are already in development with Buffy. That's obviously different than when we announced the Firely arrangement. There, we hadn't begun work on it. Annoying as heck that we had to delay the Firefly game.

Can you talk at all about what happened with the Firefly IP?

CB: I'm actually contractually bound from saying much about that at this time. I can say that it's not an issue of someone being at fault. Neither Multiverse or Fox, or anyone in specific made an error in this. There are just some issues that need to be worked through. Hopefully things will get back on track before too long.

"We are not announcing any relationship with Joss, but I would love to work on these games with him. We're definitely seeing what we can do on that front."
Fox and Multiverse had long talks about this, but we felt that it was appropriate - even though it would open us up to people venting their frustrations – to be candid and transparent about this. Fox especially wanted to do a release to let fans know that plans are released for right now. We really look forward to picking this back up as soon as possible. We are really happy to be working with them, and they're really happy to be working with us.

Our understanding has always been that you had the license, and that you didn't plan to develop it, but instead you were searching for a developer for the game. Is that correct?

CB: That is accurate.

Would it be a huge leap to say that you haven't found the right group to work with on that front?

CB: That I would not say.

Has there been any pre-production or work done on the project at all?

CB: Yes. Wrapped up in this is unfortunately the reality that we can't talk about this project. I'm dying to say more, it's one of the great frustrations in my life that we can't talk about it. We were moving and grooving, and now we have to put the breaks on. Hopefully things will change..."

A buffy MMO? wow never seen a MMO die the second it was announced who the hell would play a MMO based on that horrid IP.

Originally posted by Z3R01

A buffy MMO? wow never seen a MMO die the second it was announced who the hell would play a MMO based on that horrid IP.

Heh. My take is "you'd be surprised".

Many people don't share your tastes, mind you. 

Well there have been worse MMO IP's announced... there was ah... er... hmmmmmmm....

I may need help with this one... next thing you know there will be a "Charmed" MMO or "Gilmore Girls" MMO announced.

However... there was that one mention of Naughty America MMO... but I think I'd find more interest in that then in Buffy...

Buffy and her college friends are so retarded, her vampire enemies so pathetic and her universe (college/vampire lairs/home) so limited (as herself), I can't see how they could build an MMO on this.

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Originally posted by MyPreciousss
Buffy and her college friends are so retarded, her vampire enemies so pathetic and her universe (college/vampire lairs/home) so limited (as herself), I can't see how they could build an MMO on this.

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I think the Sims Online would have a better environment then that show.

Originally posted by Z3R01

A buffy MMO? wow never seen a MMO die the second it was announced who the hell would play a MMO based on that horrid IP.

First of all, it's not a horrible IP. You obviously have no appreiciation or understanding of "camp". Not that you have to but that's what Buffy is about.

Secondly, you are correct, it's a horrible IP to make a game off of as there just isn't going to be a lot there. People like Buffy because of the characters and their interactions. Not becuase the setting is amazing. To that end, the same could be said of Firefly.

Both will not do well.

And I'm huge fans of both.

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Z3R01

A buffy MMO? wow never seen a MMO die the second it was announced who the hell would play a MMO based on that horrid IP.

 

First of all, it's not a horrible IP. You obviously have no appreiciation or understanding of "camp". Not that you have to but that's what Buffy is about.

Secondly, you are correct, it's a horrible IP to make a game off of as there just isn't going to be a lot there. People like Buffy because of the characters and their interactions. Not becuase the setting is amazing. To that end, the same could be said of Firefly.

Both will not do well.

And I'm huge fans of both.

I'm a huge fan of both, and I think you're very wrong about firefly.  The different planets, the alliance/outer system dynamic, the smugglers, the way each planet was a law unto itself, etc.  Great setting.

Buffy MMO will fail.  It's failure given living form as a game. 

Originally posted by Sharajat

Originally posted by Sovrath

Originally posted by Z3R01

A buffy MMO? wow never seen a MMO die the second it was announced who the hell would play a MMO based on that horrid IP.

 

First of all, it's not a horrible IP. You obviously have no appreiciation or understanding of "camp". Not that you have to but that's what Buffy is about.

Secondly, you are correct, it's a horrible IP to make a game off of as there just isn't going to be a lot there. People like Buffy because of the characters and their interactions. Not becuase the setting is amazing. To that end, the same could be said of Firefly.

Both will not do well.

And I'm huge fans of both.

I'm a huge fan of both, and I think you're very wrong about firefly.  The different planets, the alliance/outer system dynamic, the smugglers, the way each planet was a law unto itself, etc.  Great setting.

 

Buffy MMO will fail.  It's failure given living form as a game. 

Not at all, for the reason you listed.

People didn't watch Firefly because of different Planets the alliance or the out system dynamic. They watched it for the characters and the humor. That is why it was a success with its fans.

An MMO is just not really going to capture that and certainly not going to bring in the numbers needed for it to be a success. But that is my though on the matter. If it does come to fruition then we will see.