No one has probably heard of the MMORPG Ever, Jane. Now it has to close because the developers no longer have any money to continue its operation.
What kind of game is this? Ever, Jane was based on the novels of British writer Jane Austen, who lived from 1775 to 1815. She is best known for ‘Pride and Prejudice’. Her books dealt with romance and the cultural status of women at the end of the 18th century.
The MMORPG Ever, Jane allowed fans to experience this world and enjoy a kind of virtual second life. There were no dungeons full of monsters, no fights, but tea parties with friends, courtship of the beloved, and spreading rumors to harm others. Players could create very quirky characters, such as a gay lawyer who also worked as an opera singer.
The MMORPG placed you in the town of Tyrehampton, where you could take on the role of a resident and experience your everyday life. This was characterized by gossip and chatter, meeting friends, balls, and parties. It was a very social online game that focused entirely on the role-playing aspect and was aimed at fans of Jane Austen.
Developers have to announce closure
Why is it being discontinued now? Ever, Jane has had a rough time since its successful crowdfunding campaign in 2013. The MMORPG never had many players, and development progressed only slowly. It never got beyond beta. Furthermore, the graphics appeared outdated even by 2013 standards.
The release of Ever, Jane was planned for 2020. In August of last year, however, the team had to announce that the date could not be met due to turbulent times. It has now been stated that Ever, Jane will not be released at all.
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the game’s closure,” says the official website. The servers closed on December 20.
The team stated that they simply ran out of money. The idea of introducing a subscription to cover ongoing costs was not well received by the community.
Can it continue? The development studio hopes that perhaps a savior will come riding in on a high horse to buy the game so that it can continue. However, this seems rather unlikely. The MMORPG speaks to too small a niche.
MeinMMO editor Alexander Leitsch has mentioned a few other MMORPGs that he believes will have to close in 2021.
