{{Short description|Cancelled video game}} {{for|the fantasy film series|Mythica (film series)}}
'''''Mythica''''' was a never-released massively multiplayer online role-playing game (or "MMORPG") based on Norse mythology. It was under development by Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) for Windows-running PCs until it was cancelled in early 2004. The game had been under development for over two years and had a development staff of forty at the time of cancellation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/business/160655_mythica14.html|title=Microsoft ends development of 'Mythica' game|date=14 February 2004|work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|accessdate=2009-02-09|first1=Todd|last1=Bishop}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Krause|first1=Staci|title=E3 2003: Mythica|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/05/16/e3-2003-mythica|website=IGN|accessdate=7 September 2017|date=16 May 2003}}</ref>
As with most MMORPGs, one would have needed to purchase the game software and then subscribe to the game service, paying a monthly fee. The combat design was centered on being a demigod, including the ability to swat waves of enemies aside to focus on their boss.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Park|first1=Andrew|title=Mythica E3 2003 Preshow Report|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mythica-e3-2003-preshow-report/1100-6027474/|website=GameSpot|accessdate=7 September 2017|date=13 May 2003}}</ref>
==Lawsuit== In December 2003, Microsoft was sued for trademark infringement and unfair competition by Mythic Entertainment, the developers of the competing MMORPG ''Dark Age of Camelot''. Mythic claimed in the lawsuit that the terms "Mythic" and "Mythica" were so close as to cause consumer confusion, thus infringing on Mythic's trademark.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gamespot Staff|title=Mythic Entertainment sues Microsoft|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mythic-entertainment-sues-microsoft/1100-6086024/|website=GameSpot|accessdate=7 September 2017|date=23 December 2003}}</ref>
On May 25, 2004,<ref>{{cite web|title=Microsoft, Fairfax Firm Settle Suit (TechNews.com)|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56023-2004May25.html|website=www.washingtonpost.com|accessdate=7 September 2017}}</ref> three months after the game was cancelled, Mythic Entertainment announced that the case was settled and that Microsoft agreed to not use the ''Mythica'' name on new online computer games and to not register it as a trademark. Also as part of the deal, Microsoft gave ''Mythica''-related trademarks and domain names to Mythic.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mythic Entertainment Sues Microsoft for Trademark Infringement - Law360|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/645|website=www.law360.com|accessdate=7 September 2017|language=en}}</ref>
==Cancellation== Microsoft had begun promoting the game; the company had hosted a party at Gen Con for fans.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sulic|first1=Ivan|title=Mythica Announced|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/25/mythica-announced|website=IGN|accessdate=7 September 2017|date=25 April 2003}}</ref>
On February 12, 2004, MGS announced the cancellation of ''Mythica''. Microsoft claimed the cancellation was not due to the lawsuit, and cited the competitive MMORPG market and a desire to not "spread ourselves out over multiple MMORPG projects."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/mythica/ |title=GameSpy: PC Games, Reviews, News, Previews, Demos, Mods & Patches |accessdate=2006-03-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209053908/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/mythica/ |archivedate=2006-02-09 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Missing in Action: The Lost Games of the PC, Part 2|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/02/missing-in-action-the-lost-games-of-the-pc-part-2?page=3|website=IGN|accessdate=7 September 2017|date=2 April 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2004-02-13 |title=GameSpy.com - Interview |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/mythica/ |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910075021/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/february04/mythica/ |archivedate=10 September 2012 |accessdate=7 September 2017 |website=archive.gamespy.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1526467,00.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040229035314/http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1526467,00.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 29, 2004 |title=1UP: "Microsoft Cancels Mythica Project|accessdate=7 September 2017}}</ref>
At the time, Microsoft operated ''Asheron's Call'' and ''Asheron's Call 2'', and was planning to publish Brad McQuaid's new MMORPG: ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'' for PC and ''True Fantasy Live Online'', an anime-esque MMOG for the Xbox console. However, as with Mythica, the latter game was never released.
As a result of the decision, around forty positions at MGS were cut. Among those were executive producer Matt Wilson, senior designer Hal Milton and lead designer Joel Manners.
Some commentators said at the time that the cancellation was evidence that the (English language) massively multiplayer market had become saturated, though ''World of Warcraft'', released in November 2004, subsequently became the most popular MMORPG in the West with over 3 million Western subscribers as of December 2007. <ref>{{cite web|title=The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Mythica|url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/07/19/the-game-archaeologist-and-the-what-ifs-mythica/|website=Engadget|date=19 July 2011 |accessdate=7 September 2017}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}}
Category:Massively multiplayer online role-playing games Category:Microsoft games Category:Cancelled Windows games Category:Video games based on Norse mythology