Massive Multiplayer Armageddon
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Like Uru, NCsoft's Auto Assault attracted a different kind of MMO player, one who might not be satisfied with the traditional fantasy model. Max Taha, a graphic designer and independent game developer from Fargo, ND, played the game from the day it launched until the day NCsoft turned it off. "The premise was simply fresh, different, and miles away from any fantasy or sci-fi games out there," Taha says. "It required actual control skills in handling the vehicles and aiming your weapons instead of strict reliance on macros and bash buttons. All these elements, done right, sold the game to me."
And as with most MMOs, a small, tight core of players remained feverishly dedicated to the game. But Taha blames the community for the game's demise: "Many players predicted doomsday from day zero. This negative outlook, coupled with word of mouth and bad press coverage, contributed to our eventual demise." Of course, bad juju and lack of belief didn't create any of the game's very real technical and gameplay problems. (Note: 1UP.com rated the game B+ at the time of its launch in May 2006.)
