Software:Hellgate: London

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Flagship Studios
TypePrivate
IndustryVideo games
FateDissolved
Founded2003
DefunctAugust 2008
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, United States
Key people
  • Bill Roper (CEO and co-founder)
  • Max Schaefer (COO and co-founder)
  • Kenneth Williams (CFO and co-founder)
Products

Flagship Studios was an American video game developer best known for creating Hellgate: London. It was founded by Bill Roper along with Max Schaefer (video game designer) (it), Erich Schaefer (it), and David Brevik, former Blizzard North executives. The latter three had been collaborating since their 1993 founding of Condor Studios, later renamed upon acquisition by Blizzard Entertainment. At Blizzard North, the Schaefers and Brevik created the Diablo franchise, while Roper oversaw development of the Warcraft and StarCraft series.

Flagship Studios had a partnership with Namco Hometek and HanbitSoft to cover an international market for game marketing and distribution. The company dissolved in August 2008 because of financial troubles.

Mythos was a game under development by a division of Flagship Studios commonly called "Flagship Seattle". An online RPG, similar in style to Diablo, the game was used to test the networking technology behind the multiplayer component of Hellgate: London. It was expected to be free to play and download, although the financing model was never set in stone.[1] Following the layoffs at Flagship Studios due to the financial issues, the intellectual property rights over Mythos have now been claimed by the Korean company Hanbitsoft, which was offered as collateral for loans earlier in the year. Mythos lead designer Travis Baldree and Flagship Studios co-founder Max Schaefer have subsequently formed the new game company Runic Games along with the remaining staff of 14 behind the game from Flagship Seattle.[2] Runic Games developed the Diablo-like action RPG Torchlight.[3] They have since left Runic to found Double Damage Games.

Founding

In June 2003, Blizzard North executives Bill Roper, Max Schaefer, Erich Schaefer, and David Brevik emailed Blizzard Entertainment's then-parent company, Vivendi Games, threatening to resign unless provided financial protections and communication on Vivendi's intent to sell Blizzard.[4] Vivendi accepted their resignations effective immediately, spurring them to found Flagship Studios and recruit similarly disgruntled Blizzard North employees.[5][6]

Closure

On August 15, 2008, co-founder Max Schaefer announced that the studio had shut down.[7] Max and Erich Schaefer then formed Runic Games, which dissolved in November 2017.[8]

History

In March 2005, following months of teasing concept art for an unknown game, Flagship Studios' first title named Hellgate: London was announced via an exclusive article in the computer magazine PC Gamer. It was formally released October 31, 2007 as an action role-playing game (RPG) in the same vein as the Diablo games, but with the twist of being played in 3D, primarily from a first-person perspective. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic demon-infested London, following a great battle between demons and humans. Unlike regular first-person shooters, the game features RPG content in the form of e.g. random quests, and where a character's combat efficiency is more determined by statistics than player reflexes. In addition, the game features random levels, uncommon in games of similar perspective and scale. The game received mixed reviews, and complaints by many gamers that the game was released in an unfinished state, which was later admitted by CEO Bill Roper.[9] The company no longer owns the intellectual property rights to the game.[8]

Original release

Promotion at Taipei Game Show 2008

The developer Flagship Studios had proposed regular additions to Hellgate: London throughout the life of the game.[10] In March 2008, it was announced that Comerica Bank would provide game funding assistance, using Hellgate: London as collateral, for Flagship Studios so that they would not "rely upon a publisher's investment" to support ongoing development of their games.[11] "The Stonehenge Chronicles" update was scheduled for release on January 21, 2008 but was postponed until January 22, 2008 due to bugs. The last content patch developed by Flagship Studios was the "Abyss Chronicles". The original servers were shut down on February 1, 2009.[12]

The company Ping0 managed the North American and European servers for Hellgate: London, while Infocomm Asian Holdings managed the Southeast Asia server. Players in the Southeast Asia region experienced server crashing issues. The publishing companies involved gave an official response after several requests from the community.[13] Following the shutdown of Flagship Studios in August 2008[14] and the loss of its intellectual property rights, it was announced that Hellgate: London game servers would be shut down as of January 31, 2009.[15] At 12:00 a.m. CST on February 1, 2009, the game server and website for the North American and European regions became inaccessible.

The following is an account of the North American and European subscription model Flagship Studios had while it was in effect: There were two types of multiplayer accounts: free and subscription accounts. Subscribers had access to ongoing content updates. The US subscription plan cost $9.95 a month and an offer to pay a one-time fee of $149.99 for a lifetime subscription was available for up to 100,000 people who pre-ordered the game and ended on January 31, 2008.[16] The UK subscription is £6.99 and EU subscription is €9.99.[17] Additionally, subscribers would have access to a Hardcore mode, special PvP arenas and a PvP ladder, the ability to bypass server queues, a shared storage space with room for 40 items instead of 20, the ability to create guilds, the ability to achieve officer status in guilds, and 24-hour customer support.[18] Subscribers and non-subscribers were able to interact in all ways in the game. Non-subscribers could join guilds, but not create them.[19] The level cap is set to 50 and up to 24 character slots are available for all players.[20] As of July 2008, all subscriptions were suspended and players could neither subscribe nor unsubscribe at that point, although they were no longer billed.[21] Since Flagship Studios went into receivership, the US & EU multiplayer ceased.

Due to problems with the subscription service, the Halloween holiday subscription content was made available to all players, both fee-paying and free-playing.[22] In SEA, two weeks after the game was released, many players complained about a game patch, installed by Infocomm Asia Holdings (IAH), which supposedly would have deleted player's characters since game launch.[23] While the EU and US servers had received recent patches and additional content since launch, support and patching of the SEA server had been delayed. IAHGames, the distributor of Hellgate: London and the company providing the "Alliance" server for the SEA region, had promised patch 0 on launch day itself.[24] However, Patch 0 was delayed with no official date of implementation. On November 14, a joint statement by the CEOs of IAHGames and Flagship Studios announced that the both Patch 0 and Patch 0.1 will be implemented on November 22 and that they are considering some compensation for the early adopters.[23][25]

Relaunches

On November 3, 2008, South Korean-based software distributor Hanbitsoft[26] announced via its global public relations blog, that it has acquired the Hellgate: London and Mythos properties from Flagship Studios. The post mentions development of an upcoming expansion,[27] using leftover Flagship development efforts. Updates from company state the expansion pack includes new maps featuring Seoul and a product title, The Second Invasion.[28] On November 12, 2009, HanbitSoft announced the re-development of Hellgate: London (authorized by the former Flagship Studio) had been completed.[29] By July 2011, Hellgate: London multiplayer servers were relaunched using a free-to-play model. Hanbitsoft's redesigned game is live in South Korea, while the North American release has been only in beta testing.[30]

In September 2014, Hellgate Global, which was announced to include the expansion Hellgate: Tokyo and the new Hell Mode difficulty level, was listed at Steam Greenlight by HanbitSoft-linked company Redbana Corporation.[31] The project was approved by the Steam Community and Valve contacted Redbana Corporation for the possibility of hosting the game on Steam.[32] However, in January 2016 the T3Fun/Redbana Hellgate Global service was shut down.

On November 15, 2018, Hellgate: London was released on Steam, developed by T3 Entertainment and published by HanbitSoft.[33]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic70/100[34]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.comD+[35]
Eurogamer7/10[36]
GamePro60%[37]
GameSpot7/10[38]
GameSpy3/5[39]
IGN6.8/10[40]
Bit-tech7/10[41]
GameDaily7/10[42]

The game received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[34] The game sold almost one million copies.[43]

Positive aspects of the game commented on by reviewers include its story,[44] and the overall look of the game.[40] Other aspects of the game received mixed reception. For instance, some reviewers called the combat enjoyable, with varied classes,[39] and praised the loot and customisation aspects,[40] while other reviewers described combat as underdeveloped[40] and monotonous, with quest repetition and locked progression choices.[37] Similarly, the game's technology received mixed reviews. The multiplayer component was both praised[41] and criticised,[39] with some bugs, slowdowns and crashes mentioned.[39]

Other media

Comic

A comic book adaptation of Hellgate: London was written by Ian Edginton, illustrated by Steve Pugh, and published by Dark Horse Comics. All four issues were collected into a trade paperback published in June 2007 (ISBN 1-59307-681-9).[45] The collected comic was also included in the Collector's Edition of the game. The plot focuses on a Templar, Cabalist and Hunter teaming together to rescue a book they believe will give them an advantage over the demons.

Novels

There is also a trilogy of novels based on Hellgate: London written by Mel Odom. The first novel, titled Exodus was released on June 26, 2007; the second novel, Goetia, was released on February 26, 2008; the third novel, Covenant was released on August 26, 2008. Exodus is set 18 years before events of the game, Goetia takes place 14 years before the events of the game, and Covenant takes place 13 years before the events of the game. The novels primarily follow the stories of three characters and their interactions with each other, as well as their individual struggles against the demons. Each character is from a different class from the game. The novels also feature references to and cameos by various characters from the game.

Hellgate VR

Hellgate VR is being developed by Skonec Entertainment.[46]

Hellgate: Redemption

A new game set in the Hellgate: London universe, codenamed Hellgate: Redemption, is being developed by Lunacy Games.[47]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ Tim Surette (2007-03-22). "Mythos detailed, will be free". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167915.html. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  2. ↑ Suzie Ford (2008-08-11). "Runic Games Interview". WarCry. http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/5127-WarCry-Interviews-Runic-Games-Travis-Baldree. Retrieved 2008-08-11. 
  3. ↑ "Press - Torchlight - Runic Games". Torchlightgame.com. http://www.torchlightgame.com/press/. Retrieved 2015-10-07. 
  4. ↑ Schreier, Jason (October 2024). Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment. New York City: Grand Central Publishing. pp. 72–74. ISBN 9781538725429. 
  5. ↑ "Flagship Studios Opens with a Splash". Flagship Studios. 2003-11-22. http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/articles.pl?show=686. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  6. ↑ Robert Howarth (2003-10-27). "Flagship Studios Interview". IGN. http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/interviews/19767/Flagship-Studios-Interview. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  7. ↑ "Max Schaefer: Flagship Studios has closed". 15 August 2008. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/max-schaefer-flagship-studios-has-closed. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Green, Jeff (2008-08-19). "Flagship Founder Bill Roper Interview: Bill Roper speaks out at last". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3169356. 
  9. ↑ Stuart Bishop (2008-02-25). "We ballsed things up with Hellgate, Roper admits". CVG. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=183206. Retrieved 2008-07-17. 
  10. ↑ Remo, Chris (2007-10-29). "Flagship's Roper on Hellgate: London's Future". Shacknews. http://www.shacknews.com/featuredarticle.x?id=649&page=1. 
  11. ↑ "Hellgate: London Gets Financial Aid". Voodoo Extreme. 2008-03-26. http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/37734/Hellgate-London-Gets-Financial-Aid. 
  12. ↑ [1]
  13. ↑ "Asian Hellgate: London Servers To Get Wiped". http://kotaku.com/gaming/erased/asian-hellgate-london-servers-to-get-wiped-321249.php. 
  14. ↑ Green, Jeff (2008-08-18). "Bill Roper spoke out at last". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3169356. 
  15. ↑ GameSpy Staff (2008-10-24). "Namco to Close Hellgate: London (PC)". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/hellgate-london/923551p1.html. 
  16. ↑ [2][Usurped!]
  17. ↑ Bishop, Stuart (2007-08-27). "GC: £6.99 a month for Hellgate online". Computer and Video Games. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=170702. 
  18. ↑ [3][Usurped!]
  19. ↑ Remo, Chris (2007-05-08). "Hellgate: London Subscription Details Released". Shacknews. http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/46863/. 
  20. ↑ [4][Usurped!]
  21. ↑ Sol Invictus (2008-07-15). "Flagship Studios Still in Operations". http://hellgateguru.com/2008/07/flagship-studios-still-in-operations/. 
  22. ↑ [5][Usurped!]
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Lee, Oo Gin (2007-11-15). "It's hell for gamers with Hellgate bug fix". digital.asiaone.com. http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20071115-36887.html. 
  24. ↑ [6]
  25. ↑ [7]
  26. ↑ "Hanbitsoft, Inc.". http://www.hanbitsoft.com/. 
  27. ↑ Eric Caoili (2008-11-03). "HanbitSoft Planning Hellgate Relaunch". www.gamasutra.com. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20921. 
  28. ↑ "안내 헬게이트: 런던 두번째 침공". http://hg.hanbiton.com/News/NoticeView.aspx?BoardID=1&ptype=2&search_type=&search_keyword=&page=0&postid=1126. 
  29. ↑ "Hellgate: Resurrection and Hellgate: Tokyo Announced". 2009-11-13. http://news.mmosite.com/content/2009-11-13/20091113030637844,2.shtml. 
  30. ↑ "Hellgate". Hellgate.t3fun.com. http://hellgate.t3fun.com/home/home.aspx. 
  31. ↑ Yin, Wesley (2014-08-19). "Hellgate is back - as a Steam Greenlight pitch •". Eurogamer.net. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-08-19-hellgate-is-back-as-a-steam-greenlight-pitch. 
  32. ↑ "Steam Greenlight :: Hellgate". Steamcommunity.com. http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=298851137. 
  33. ↑ "HELLGATE: London". https://store.steampowered.com/app/939520/HELLGATE_London/. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Hellgate: London (pc: 2007): Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/hellgate-london/. 
  35. ↑ Chick, Tom (2007-11-14). "Hellgate: London (PC)". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3164383. 
  36. ↑ Fahey, Rob (2007-11-02). "Hellgate: London Review". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=86786. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Lewis, Cameron (2007-05-11). "Review: Hellgate: London for PC". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/145449.shtml. 
  38. ↑ Gerstmann, Jeff (2007-11-09). "Hellgate: London for PC Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/hellgatelondon/review.html?sid=6182588. 
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 Rausch, Allen (2007-11-02). "Hellgate: London (PC)". GameSpy. http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/hellgate-london/832252p1.html. 
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 Butts, Steve (2007-11-05). "Hellgate: London Review". IGN. http://pc.ign.com/articles/832/832739p1.html. 
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 Martin, Joe (2007-11-02). "Hellgate: London". Bit-tech. http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2007/11/02/hellgate_london/1. 
  42. ↑ Wong, Steven (2007-11-02). "Hellgate: London Review (PC)". GameDaily. http://www.gamedaily.com/games/hellgate-london/pc/game-reviews/review/4251/1839/. 
  43. ↑ "The Making Of: Hellgate London". Edge (Future plc). July 13, 2013. http://www.edge-online.com/features/the-making-of-hellgate-london/. Retrieved August 7, 2013. 
  44. ↑ "Hellgate: London Review". NZGamer.com. http://nzgamer.com/pc/reviews/559/hellgate-london.html. 
  45. ↑ "Hellgate: London TPB". http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=13-801. 
  46. ↑ Reahard, Jef (August 11, 2015). "Hanbitsoft is rezzing Hellgate for VR". Massively Overpowered. https://massivelyop.com/2015/08/11/hanbitsoft-is-rezzing-hellgate-for-vr/. 
  47. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 27, 2024). "17 Years Later, Hellgate: London Makes Surprise Return With New Game From Original Developer". IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/17-years-later-hellgate-london-makes-surprise-return-with-new-game-from-original-developer. 



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