The ambitious MMORPG known as Ghost, developed by Fantastic Pixel Castle, is currently facing a precarious situation. Studio head Greg Street has confirmed that their publishing agreement with NetEase Games is concluding. With a team boasting former World of Warcraft lead systems designers and veterans from both Blizzard and Riot Games, Ghost has long been considered one of the most promising new massively multiplayer online games in recent memory. However, Street has issued a stark warning: “If we’re unable to find a publisher soon, the reality is that the studio would likely close, and the entire team, leadership included, would be affected.”
Just a couple of months ago, we got our first real look at in-game footage for Project Ghost. Even in its early stages, the pedigree of the Fantastic Pixel Castle team—many of whom are renowned industry veterans—made it a project hard to ignore. Creating a top-tier MMORPG is an enormous undertaking, demanding significant resources and time before it can hope to stand alongside giants like Final Fantasy XIV, World of Warcraft, and Guild Wars 2.
Unfortunately, there’s now a serious risk that Ghost might never reach its full potential. Street stated, “I wanted to share the news that Fantastic Pixel Castle’s time as a first-party studio within NetEase Games is coming to an end.” He praised NetEase for being “gracious and supportive” in their search for a new publisher. However, he also acknowledged the harsh reality of the current market: “in the current market environment very few deals are getting made for any game, let alone something on the scale of an MMORPG.”
A video accompanies this announcement, showcasing some of Ghost’s development and the team’s passion for the project.
Street emphasized that the team is “doing everything we can to find a publisher or investor.” Despite their efforts, Fantastic Pixel Castle is also “encouraging our team members to explore future opportunities and supporting them through the uncertainty.” He extended gratitude to the dedicated community, playtesters, and “the literally hundreds of people who have given us advice on how to find funding in this absurdly challenging time for our industry.” He concluded with a hopeful wish: “I hope you all will have a chance to play Ghost.”
The MMORPG landscape hasn’t seen a significant shakeup in quite some time, with World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV continuing to dominate, and a few new contenders like Throne and Liberty trying to carve out their niche. Other promising titles, such as the dungeon-focused Fellowship and the ambitious Ashes of Creation, are still on the horizon. The recent cancellation of ESO creator Zenimax Online’s next MMORPG further highlights the fragility of the genre’s development. Losing Ghost would undoubtedly be another substantial blow to the entire MMORPG community.
In a heartfelt closing statement, Street expressed profound gratitude to his team. He remarked, “I know it’s cliché to say this, but demonstrably this is the best team I have ever worked with. We are rigorous in collecting data, and the data on our team morale and performance is higher than I have ever seen. Despite the challenges, the past two years have been the most satisfying of my career.”
We’re always tracking the most anticipated upcoming PC games. For those seeking other engaging experiences, be sure to explore the best multiplayer games available today.
Have you been eagerly following Ghost’s development? We’d love to hear which MMORPGs you’re most excited for and your thoughts on this news.