Years ago, I used to enjoy playing BioWare's Neverwinter Nights (http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/neverwinter-nights) with some friends online. I'm glad I did because I would have a hard time doing so now since GameSpy's new owner, GLU Mobile, shut down the multiplayer servers for many classic games without warning.
Source: PC Gamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/12/10/gamespy-shuts-down-multiplayer-support-for-swat-4-neverwinter-nights-and-other-classics/)
Quote from: Greybriar on December 11, 2012, 12:13:35 PM
Years ago, I used to enjoy playing BioWare's Neverwinter Nights (http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/neverwinter-nights) with some friends online. I'm glad I did because I would have a hard time doing so now since GameSpy's new owner, GLU Mobile, shut down the multiplayer servers for many classic games without warning.
Source: PC Gamer (http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/12/10/gamespy-shuts-down-multiplayer-support-for-swat-4-neverwinter-nights-and-other-classics/)
From what the article says, it seems like GLU mobile don't care about who their actions hurt, whether a gamer or developer. The policy might backfire if gamers boycott their products... :P
I didn't understand why these guys, or anyone else for that matter, would actually want to buy Gamespy in the first place. It's a dying MP platform with no source of revenue to cover operating costs. It has no relevance these days, and hasn't had any for years.
Probably for advert access to all the consumer who get their patches and other files there. Fileplanet (http://www.fileplanet.com/)is on ice as well:
QuoteNote: FilePlanet is no longer being updated and is in the process of being archived.
I was reading about this over at gog forums.
We used to play Atari's rts, Axis & Allies on the Gamespy server. They shut it down several weeks ago. Sucks to hear about Neverwinter Nights though. I was just thinking about firing it back up and asking a few fellas on here to adventure together.
Quote from: MetalDog on December 11, 2012, 09:54:58 PM
We used to play Atari's rts, Axis & Allies on the Gamespy server. They shut it down several weeks ago. Sucks to hear about Neverwinter Nights though. I was just thinking about firing it back up and asking a few fellas on here to adventure together.
There's always NWN2.. ?
Quote from: Nefaro on December 11, 2012, 11:34:53 PM
There's always NWN2.. ?
According to the source I linked to above (http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/12/10/gamespy-shuts-down-multiplayer-support-for-swat-4-neverwinter-nights-and-other-classics):
"....Over the past month, the multiplayer matchmaking service GameSpy has been closing down servers across a selection of games. Slashdot user OldTimeRadio reports that games such as Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, SWAT 4, Sniper Elite, Hidden and Dangerous 2, Wings of War and Star Wars: Battlefront will no longer let players search for, and in some cases host, online matches." (I highlighted NWN2 to make it easier to spot.)
Well damn.
I feel like I should make a witty observation here, but frankly I'm of mixed feelings and scattered thoughts.
On one hand, it's a shame that these classic old games are going to go away - unless someone figures out how to hack/fix a solution.
On the other hand, I don't think any of us is really surprised that support has dried up for some games that, in internet years, are ancient. It certainly will be difficult to argue that folks didn't get their money's worth. Doesn't mean it's right, but I can't say we didn't see a day when something like this might happen.
This is why one of my Panzer Corps reviews dinged them for failing to phave PBEM multiplayer games that did not go through their server.
This is an opportunity for a software company to develop a Gamespy replacement software to keep these going. Game Ranger perhaps?
The steam effect I think is a big reason to consider for the closure too.
Quote from: Bison on December 13, 2012, 06:19:39 PM
The steam effect I think is a big reason to consider for the closure too.
This .. and a lot of games' multiplayer system have had their own lobbies and gamefinder software the last few years, perhaps?
Quote from: eyebiter on December 13, 2012, 05:24:19 PM
This is an opportunity for a software company to develop a Gamespy replacement software to keep these going. Game Ranger perhaps?
But the obvious question here is : why? Why would some other company spend a bunch of money setting up servers for ancient games that few people are still playing online?
Quote from: MetalDog on December 11, 2012, 09:54:58 PM
We used to play Atari's rts, Axis & Allies on the Gamespy server. They shut it down several weeks ago. Sucks to hear about Neverwinter Nights though. I was just thinking about firing it back up and asking a few fellas on here to adventure together.
I think I used to play Operation Flashpoint (the original that transmorgirfied into Arma) on GAmespy. Not quite sure.
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