How is the MMORPG Rift doing, now that 2019 is coming to an end? A community manager from Gamigo wants to cheer up the disheartened fans.
This is the story:
- Rift was released in 2011 as a “subscription” MMORPG under Trion Worlds. It had a budget of “over 50 million $”
- However, in 2012, the game switched to a free-to-play model – which was considered fair and exemplary for years.
- The game received expansions and updates, and a loyal community formed around it.
- From around 2016 the wind became harsher – monetization tightened – the mood in the community deteriorated.
- In 2018, Trion Worlds was dissolved – the rights to the games were transferred to the German company Gamigo. They focused on ArcheAge – Rift seemed to play only a minor role.
What’s happening right now with Rift? Not much. Essentially, the biggest innovation this year was the introduction of the Battle Pass, which, however, received mixed reactions.
In addition, European servers were merged and it was said that there would be no more major expansions, but rather smaller updates and events.
Gloomy mood at Rift
How is the mood in the community? Rift still has loyal fans who wish for more to happen. They want new content that leads the MMORPG to a flourishing future. Many are emotionally attached to the game.
However, currently the mood seems rather bleak. Simply too little has happened in 2019.
A part of the community fears that Gamigo is merely operating Rift in a kind of maintenance mode, keeping it running without significantly developing the MMORPG.
The current mood is at a particularly low point.
What is the trigger for this low point? A post in the official Rift forum has stirred up the community somewhat.
Player Challengere writes that the negative feedback and the gloomy mood in the forum have led Gamigo to halt the development of the MMORPG. The player base would have scared off the developers, which is why the game is now effectively running on low flame.
When asked where he got this information from, Challengere only stated that he did not want to reveal his sources. However, players are to blame for the current state of Rift.
Everything is not as it seems, says Gamigo
What does Gamigo say about this? Community manager Taerentym has commented on the statement. He wrote: “The development of Rift has not been halted due to player criticism – constructive or otherwise. While our development team is working hard and reading your feedback, we ask that you do not spread false information like this. Your thread has been closed.”
Gamigo thus denies the accusations. According to the community manager, it is not true that development has been stopped because the community criticized the MMORPG so harshly.
What does this mean now? However, this does not change the fundamental problem. Simply too little is happening with Rift. This is also the reason for the criticism. Even the future of the MMORPG does not look very good with only events and small updates. Players simply feel neglected, which is also understandable.
However, the situation does not mean that Rift is no longer supported at all. According to Taerentym, the developers are looking at player feedback, which means that it is likely addressed in updates. We simply have to wait and see what 2020 brings for Rift.
