
Sure, expensive readers, Chronicles of Elyria is again in our headlines once more, and no, it’s not for any notably heartening causes. Because it has been awhile, a refresher: COE is the Kickstarter-funded sandbox MMORPG that has been a slow-moving prepare wreck ever since, with an abrupt cancellation of development, an unsuccessful lawsuit lodged towards the studio by backers, and a glacial collection of developments for issues like rebuilding of its web site, work on a licensed sport supposedly using the Soulbound Engine backend tech, and multiple splinter games — all whereas Soulbound Studios has promised the MMO that was initially funded will sometime occur.
It’s a type of a number of video games, ElyriaMUD, that we’re reporting on as we speak, as YouTuber Kira has shared several messages from inside the non-public Discord channels which have been walled off to seemingly hand-picked loyalists behind an NDA for a few years now. The messages affirm that developer Jeromy “Caspian” Walsh has been regularly updating the MUD portion of the sport, which is listed as being in an alpha state. As such, most of those updates seem rudimentary, like including new instructions and updating how to hook up with the MUD.
Due to the leakers, we’re additionally having access to extra comms between these Discord superfans and Walsh. Among the many particulars shared is the likelihood that month-to-month streams might begin up once more, although whether or not they’ll be on Twitch or locked inside Discord isn’t specified, plus there’s phrase of a roadmap of some type and an total plan to get ElyriaMUD “to the purpose of being monetizable (price paying for),” in addition to a imprecise promise to proceed the initially famous staggered launch of COE‘s items right into a ultimate product.
Walsh additionally as soon as extra claims that that is all occurring with none kind of revenue, however he additionally means that the aforementioned licensing work on the third-party sport will deliver some money circulation, claims {that a} studio is trying to license the Elyria IP for a cellular conflict sport, and floats the “risk” for an Elyria TTRPG system.
As ordinary, the temper amongst MMORPG followers is primarily deep skepticism over the concept that folks nonetheless consider that something Elyria-related will see an precise launch and over Walsh’s claims that he’s making progress; in reality, former backers simply argue he’s making an attempt to keep away from extra authorized motion. Both method, the NDA seems to have been shattered as soon as once more, and it still doesn’t look promising.
Additional studying:
• Chronicles of Elyria dev addresses fumbled deadlines, the missing website, and press coverage
• Chronicles of Elyria’s dev blogs disappear, and there’s no timeline for when they’ll return
• Chronicles of Elyria dev claims development is ‘progressing steadily,’ but no, you can’t see it
• Chronicles of Elyria’s Jeromy Walsh holds a ‘fireside chat’ that’s long on promise but short on timelines
• Chronicles of Elyria shifts development roadmap of its six different pieces based on feedback
• Chronicles of Elyria claims that over 90% of fans still want the MMO
• Chronicles of Elyria begins alpha testing… a feedback form
• Chronicles of Elyria studio tosses ‘quick release’ strategy after inking a licensing deal
• Chronicles of Elyria boss explains how Soulbound burned through nearly $7M in three years
• Chronicles of Elyria claims its Soulborn Engine ‘is a functional MMO engine once again’
• Chronicles of Elyria dev insists it will ‘return as a full-fledged MMO in no time’
• Chronicles of Elyria dev again recaps backend work, saying ‘the core platform is nearing completion’
• Chronicles of Elyria apologizes for ‘toxic’ Discord, aims to test Kingdoms of Elyria again soon
• Chronicles of Elyria boss insists Kingdoms of Elyria: Settlements will ship in 2023 in spite of lawsuit appeal
• Chronicles of Elyria dev celebrates dismissal of backer lawsuit as next phase of ‘hero’s journey’
• Chronicles of Elyria admits to running out of money in 2021, ‘hemorrhaging cash’ ever since
• Chronicles of Elyria says the mid-alpha test phase will roll out this spring, addresses stock assets
• Chronicles of Elyria is now estimating a late 2024 release
• Chronicles of Elyria’s subreddit reopens, promising ‘no more censorship from Soulbound Studios’
• Gamers’ class-action against Chronicles of Elyria studio proceeds, suit against Xsolla deferred
• The Chronicles of Elyria class-action lawsuit has been split up between two states now
• Chronicles of Elyria tweaks NDA, locks down Reddit over death threats, and proposes NFT land trades
• Chronicles of Elyria backers sound the alarm on class action waiver in new NDA
• Kingdoms of Elyria colony sim alpha test starts on July 6
• Chronicles of Elyria talks rebuilding trust in backer Q&A as the consumer lawsuit continues
• Chronicles of Elyria previews Kingdoms of Elyria gameplay, outlines the path to alpha
• Chronicles of Elyria previews its Kingdoms of Elyria alpha
• Chronicles of Elyria dev answers backers’ Kingdoms of Elyria questions
• Chronicles of Elyria developer offers a look at Milestone 2 features coming to side game Kingdoms of Elyria
• Chronicles of Elyria, now back up to five devs, examines its development achievements and shortcomings
• Chronicles of Elyria team hopes to avoid the ‘one-man economy’ pitfall
• Chronicles of Elyria on the purpose and mechanics of Kingdoms of Elyria’s fog of war
• Chronicles of Elyria boss outlines four-tier release for Kingdoms of Elyria standalone game
• Chronicles of Elyria is releasing Kingdoms of Elyria as a standalone product for backers
• Make My MMO: Chronicles of Elyria backers lodge lawsuit, Wagadu snags more funding
• Chronicles of Elyria says it’s focusing on settlement development in the short term
• Chronicles of Elyria clarifies art and comms as players vow their lawsuit will go forward
• Chronicles of Elyria is still in development, new video from Soulbound vows
• Soulbound Studios insists work on Chronicles of Elyria continues in pre-litigation paperwork response
• Chronicles of Elyria fans have filed the pre-litigation paperwork necessary to sue Soulbound Studios
• Chronicles of Elyria backers have now hired a lawyer to file a class action suit
• Chronicles of Elyria restores forums and gives parkour demo to all backers
• Chronicles of Elyria players allege that Xsolla is now stonewalling on refunds
• Chronicles of Elyria boss insists work on the game continues in spite of team layoff
• Make My MMO: Following Chronicles of Elyria reports, state attorney general addresses crowdfunding scams
• Chronicles of Elyria boss says development is still ongoing, still seeking funding
• Disgruntled Chronicles of Elyria backers seek aid from the Washington attorney general
• Vague Patch Notes: Chronicles of Elyria’s road to nowhere
• The Daily Grind: Are you angry about the collapse of Chronicles of Elyria?
• Make My MMO: Chronicles of Elyria becomes the highest-profile MMORPG Kickstarter to crash and burn
• Kickstarted MMORPG Chronicles of Elyria halts development, lays off all employees
