Mark Jacobs Speaks About The New Deal with EA

A week Ago, Electronics Arts (EA) re-entered the MMORPG scene when it acquired Mythic Entertainment, developer of the highly popular Dark Age of Camelot (DAoC) and the upcoming Warhammer Online (WAR). After fans of DAoC expressed their fear for the future of their most revered MMO, Mark Jacobs has reassured them that the game will continue on. But what’s the merger all about? What does it mean to both EA and Mythic? FiringSquad sat down with Mythic co-founder Mark Jacobs and reveals what the new deal means to Mythic.

Talks between EA and Mythic isn’t one of those spur of the moment things. Their relationship dates back to the early days of online gaming. Considering their history, it was only a matter of figuring out how to take advantage of each other’s strengths. With EA being the number one interactive entertainment company and Mythic earning the position of being one of the most successful independent developers of MMOs, the merger was a match made in MMORPG heaven.

Known to be a bit of a rebel in the MMORPG scene, Mythic surprised everyone with the decision to join with a large publisher. Jacobs believed that with EA’s resources, Mythic will be given the opportunity to create games that would’ve been impossible to create as an independent. Jacobs was quick to say that it’s not just about EA giving the money and Mythic going crazy. It’s about making great games in a responsible and professional manner.

EA has not been very successful in developing MMORPG products, save for Ultima Online, so it would seem that EA stands to benefit more from the deal. Jacobs said, “The acquisition of Mythic will mean that there are now additional resources within EA to help create online games as well as additional people from Mythic who have been part of the online industry since its earliest days who can lend their expertise to helping EA become the #1 developer and publisher of online games.”

When asked if the deal would allow for other EA properties to be made into MMORPGs, Jacobs replied, “Well, EA didnÂ’t buy Mythic just to do WAR. Our mandate is to make the best MMORPGs in the world going forward and make lots of them. As to what the games will be based on, it is way too early to say.”

A week Ago, Electronics Arts (EA) re-entered the MMORPG scene when it acquired Mythic Entertainment, developer of the highly popular Dark Age of Camelot (DAoC) and the upcoming Warhammer Online (WAR). After fans of DAoC expressed their fear for the future of their most revered MMO, Mark Jacobs has reassured them that the game will continue on. But what’s the merger all about? What does it mean to both EA and Mythic? FiringSquad sat down with Mythic co-founder Mark Jacobs and reveals what the new deal means to Mythic.

Talks between EA and Mythic isn’t one of those spur of the moment things. Their relationship dates back to the early days of online gaming. Considering their history, it was only a matter of figuring out how to take advantage of each other’s strengths. With EA being the number one interactive entertainment company and Mythic earning the position of being one of the most successful independent developers of MMOs, the merger was a match made in MMORPG heaven.

Known to be a bit of a rebel in the MMORPG scene, Mythic surprised everyone with the decision to join with a large publisher. Jacobs believed that with EA’s resources, Mythic will be given the opportunity to create games that would’ve been impossible to create as an independent. Jacobs was quick to say that it’s not just about EA giving the money and Mythic going crazy. It’s about making great games in a responsible and professional manner.

EA has not been very successful in developing MMORPG products, save for Ultima Online, so it would seem that EA stands to benefit more from the deal. Jacobs said, “The acquisition of Mythic will mean that there are now additional resources within EA to help create online games as well as additional people from Mythic who have been part of the online industry since its earliest days who can lend their expertise to helping EA become the #1 developer and publisher of online games.”

When asked if the deal would allow for other EA properties to be made into MMORPGs, Jacobs replied, “Well, EA didnÂ’t buy Mythic just to do WAR. Our mandate is to make the best MMORPGs in the world going forward and make lots of them. As to what the games will be based on, it is way too early to say.”