Legend shut down?

[HortonsWho]

Legend Entertainment Closes [06:07 pm]
19 Comments - Maarten Goldstein
According to an email we just received from a credible industry source, Wheels of Time and Unreal 2 developer Legend Entertainment got shut down by Atari today. If we receive any additional information we'll let you guys know.

From ShackNews.

[HERO Maxwell]

Legend Entertainment Closes [06:07 pm]
19 Comments - Maarten Goldstein
According to an email we just received from a credible industry source, Wheels of Time and Unreal 2 developer Legend Entertainment got shut down by Atari today. If we receive any additional information we'll let you guys know.

From ShackNews.
Here's an article from ign that i found a bit more informative
Didnt know about epic preventing the release of the multiplayer add on before.......Thats the main reason i never bought unreal 2. It didnt have co-op. :(
______________________________________________________
January 16, 2004 - Sources close to VE3D reported that Legend Entertainment has been shut down by the powers that be at Atari. Legend recently completed work on the XMP addon, which added an excellent multiplayer mode to Unreal 2. This was released free on the internet for existing owners of Unreal 2 and also in a special edition version of the game that was released recently. My own source indicates that the patch that is currently being tested will be released and that the master server for the game will continue to operate.

The Legend homepage has already been shut down and all that remains of their legacy is the Xbox port of the game that is being handled by Australian developers Tantalus. Legend has had much critical acclaim in the past although their titles have not always sold as well as they could, partly due to outside interference from publishers, as was the case with Unreal 2, who's multiplayer mode had to be removed originally as it clashed with Unreal Tournament 2003.
Atari representatives are, as of yet, unavailable to comment, but we shall keep you informed if there are any future developments.

[Lord_Simeon]

Very sad.
It must be a very cut throat industry, VG's.

[Freakish]

Way to go Atari.. XMP is quality; I can't believe they're shutting Legend down now. And how stupid to have kept multiplayer out of U2 to give 2k3 a chance to stagger along just a little longer.. XMP is far more fun than 2k3's ever been.

[Flying_Killer]

Atari is afraid of Legend.
That's why they shut it down.
They are afraid that they are going to make better games then they do,
and will have more sales.
The bastards :sour:

[Zinia]

Yup.....they know that even 2k4 won't hang with XMP so they C-Blocked it.

[Creeper]

Lame.

[Styx]

well there is some good news, the legend guys, the ones working on xmp, and who has been a really great support, says they will continue to support the game, and the community.

the public patch will be released, as well as the cbp pack

[phalanx]

that is a blow damn atari

[POP_A_NAZI]

Thank god... the exact Info I was looking for, although it is unfortunate to have heard this, I do have to say that I am still fortunate to had been able to play the game for a few days at least and hope that the patch is released soon because I am itch'n to get back on!---> :scratch: I want :hammer:+ :type: = :D

[Spiffness]

I wonder when it happens.

I wonder when that 17 year old dreamer becomes so obsessed about money rather than what he created a company to do, that he completely looses sight. Would rather shut down a company that obviously has lots of talent, for a moderate cash bonus. Unreal 2 woulda been TONS better had the companies that put the pressure on the thumb more willing to let it be.

Sad.

[fragnbrag]

this news totally sucks.... :(