Frontier Developments – MMO Fallout

Frontier Developments Layoffs At Halifax Studio

Frontier Developments announced in an investor update today that 15 positions have been cut at the company’s studio in Halifax. While layoffs post game launch are not unexpected, this move seems to be another step in an ongoing consolidation out of Canada and into the primary office in Cambridge.

With its business emphasis now on two major self-published franchises, Elite: Dangerous and Coaster Park Tycoon, Frontier is re-focusing its development activities in Cambridge where the expertise in these franchises lies.

Job openings are still available on the Frontier Developments website as work continues on Coaster Park Tycoon.

(Source: Frontier Developments)

Elite: Dangerous Refunding More Orders

Elite: Dangerous backers angered at the recent announcement that offline mode is being cut may be able to get a refund after all. Initially Frontier Developments announced that they would offer a refund providing the customer had not played the game at all. Now, judging by a post by David Braben, the scope may be opening up.

We initially declined some people’s request for refund as our records showed they have already played Elite: Dangerous online. After listening to many of the comments I received after my AMA here, we have since re-opened these requests and informed those people that we will be contacting them so that we can fully understand their individual situation before making a more informed decision.

(Source: Elite: Dangerous)

Elite: Dangerous Limited Refunds For Offline Removal

Following the news that offline mode would be nixed from Elite: Dangerous, Frontier Developments has begun offering limited refunds to customers. In order to be eligible for a refund, however, you can not have participated in any of the alpha or beta phases.

Those who have already been playing the game online in the Alpha and/or Beta phases, regardless of whether they backed the project via Kickstarter or purchased access to Alpha and/or Beta through our online store, are not eligible for a refund.

When it launches, Elite: Dangerous will still feature an online mode, however it will need to be connected to the game’s main server. Offline mode is still a possibility, however Frontier Developments has stated that it will be a large undertaking.

(Source: Frontier Developments Newsletter)

Elite: Dangerous Nixes Offline Mode

Frontier Developments has officially cancelled the promised offline mode for its MMO space shooter, Elite: Dangerous, just a month before launch. While the feature was originally promised in the game’s Kickstarter campaign, CEO David Braben commented in the latest newsletter that technical restraints would have resulted in an inferior experience for offline players: