Unconfirmed: Neverwinter Nights MMO in Development

[GameBanshee News]

Variety brings word via unnamed sources that Atari's acquisition of Cryptic Studios may have been the first step in developing a Neverwinter Nights MMORPG.

Sources tell us that the developer is working on a massively multiplayer online (MMO) version of “Neverwinter Nights” with an eyed 2011 release.

Details about the project are unavailable, naturally, as it is an unannounced title. But this reportedly was the primary reason Atari was interested in acquiring Cryptic late last year. (The developer is currently working on “Champions Online” and “Star Trek Online”.)

Based on the third edition Dungeon and Dragons rules, “NWN” is a well-loved franchise. The first installment of the role-playing game was developed by fan-favorite Bioware in 2002. A sequel, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, came out in 2006 to slightly less favorable, but still solid, reviews.

Part of what made the game unique was its robust multiplayer component. Many players built persistent worlds, capable of hosting up to 75 players – in essence, mini MMOs of their own.

The new game represents a very big bet for Atari – perhaps as big as the company’s continued existence.

If done right, NWN Online could be a strong contender in the otherwise saturated MMO market. On the flip side, the possibility that we may never see another single player Neverwinter Nights is pretty disappointing.

[Xandax]

Never been one who believe in D&D rule set for MMOs, but well - will have to see if it is true and how they'll handle it. (And yes - I know DDOnline exists, or what it is called now).

[Sacoroth]

I'm a huge fan of NWN, but I have to say I'll be disappointed if it becomes another MMO. The alure of NWN is the fact that their is so much variety in the servers that are available that it can accomodate for your type of gameplay. Their are a lot of downfalls to the NWN multiplayer system, but personally I wish more games went in that direction where players can create their own world and advance it to whatever they had in mind when they created it and actually use their imagination. And anyways, I can't see a NWN MMO actually succeeding with all the competition out there at the moment, I'd rather the franchise continue to be known for its originality and ability to cater to its fanbase.

(Been lurking this site for some time now and I haven't bothered signing up as a member. I have to say I'm impressed with the quality of the site and the site's willingness to go against the norm and properly review and grade games without being swayed by the hype. Keep up the good work!)

[Tricky]

Oh it's 'massive' now..

[Darth Gavinius]

Well this looks like it could be the rope to finally hang Atari!

[Fiberfar]

I hope this stayes unconfirmed for at least.... 80 years. I'll be dead by then anyways.