The Norwegian software developer Funcom is in crisis. However, they believe that the games will continue to be operated one way or another.
In an interview, Funcom’s CEO Rui Casais talks about the studio’s crisis. With 14 million US dollars plus interest, they are in the red, after LEGO Minifigures Online remained below expectations even after a relaunch. 10 million US dollars are due after a deadline extension in December 2016.
But even if the call for investors or buyers sounds critical, Funcom is confident that they will come out of the crisis. This impression is conveyed by the CEO in the interview.
They have been in business for 20 years, have developed valuable tools over the years, and built their own platform. With this, potential buyers can develop any kind of MMO across various platforms. Everything is running smoothly, and they have capable developers. Games like Age of Conan, Anarchy Online, or The Secret World continue to function, and with The Longest Journey, they have an attractive brand. Funcom is structured in a way that they have “attractive parts” that can be separated from the overall complex and sold individually.
The ongoing MMORPGs continue to generate profit and “are doing well for Funcom.” Therefore, they are confident that the games will continue to run at a minimum, whether operated by Funcom itself or someone else. The games have high quality with an engaged community. They are confident that the games still have a long life ahead.
It is not necessarily required to have the help of an investor or buyer; they are looking for internal solutions. At Funcom, they are aware that mistakes were made in the past and that they must start anew and change some things. They are also willing to do so.
