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Dungeon Keeper MMO announced: 'Holy crap' is the expression you're after photo

I know I am not the only one who mourns the death of Bullfrog Productions, slaughtered as it was once Electronic Arts got its hands on the studio. Well, the British developer's legacy, and arguably its most brilliant game, is to live on in MMO form.

Chinese developer Netdragon Websoft has announced that it will be working with EA to create an MMO based on the once beloved Dungeon Keeper franchise. Dungeon Keeper Online will be the company's first 3D MMO.

For those who don't remember, Dungeon Keeper was similar to Bullfrog's Theme Park and Theme Hospital games, except you were an evil overlord who built and maintained a dungeon of monsters before doing battle against heroes. It was praised at the time for its unique focus on playing the role of the villain, as well as its sense of humor.

While the idea of a Dungeon Keeper MMO is interesting to me, I have to wonder whether an outsourced Chinese studio can capture the unmistakably British charm that the series had. Really, a Dungeon Keeper created without the love isn't a Dungeon Keeper at all.

[Thanks, Pedro!]


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22 comments | showing # 1 to 22

Professor Pew's Avatar
Professor Pew at 12/01/2008 10:12
Holy crap! Ehm, how the hell would this work as an MMO? Isn't half the charm of these theme/tycoon games that you can play it at your leisure?
robwho2's Avatar
robwho2 at 12/01/2008 10:17
Bullfrog ftw. I fucking loved Theme Hospital as a kid.

This is kinda good news, I guess. I'd far rather see a proper Dungeon Keeper sequel though.
Solivagant's Avatar
Solivagant at 12/01/2008 10:23
Awesome news! Now we can finally play Dungeon Keeper as it was meant to: AS A CHINESE DEVELOPPED MMO! GOOD GOING, EA!

Seriously though, this is what you get when you allow idiots to handle forgotten franchises. This is all your fault, people. Burn that Fallout 3 copy and start repenting!
brimtastic's Avatar
brimtastic at 12/01/2008 10:31
Sweet jumping monkey bladders! Loves the Dungeon Keeper. Not sure though seeing as I'm not a big MMO fan. And China? What the hell...
Technophile's Avatar
Technophile at 12/01/2008 10:32
part of me is saying "WOAH! Awesome!" and the other part is saying "umm..what? how? but then... and then?"
Ellolo17's Avatar
Ellolo17 at 12/01/2008 10:40
And its also his first game. Lets hope something good. Sometimes miracles happen.

-But no, it will surely be like "Choose your side: Heroes or Demons. In level 40 you can have your dungeon and pay other players to work as minions"-
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 12/01/2008 10:53
Awesome, another crap MMO based on an existing IP.
Danshir's Avatar
Danshir at 12/01/2008 10:54
I'm kinda stuck in the middle here. I loved Dungeon Keeper, and I love MMOs. However I only foresee disaster with this one. I hope I turn out to be wrong however.
Teta's Avatar
Teta at 12/01/2008 11:11
I have no idea how this game can work.
The idea of Dungeon Keeper was to create dungeons, and keep them.
How do i interact with other thousands of ppl in that game?
Scientist tz's Avatar
Scientist tz at 12/01/2008 11:18
Stop

fucking

making

MMO's.
njsykora's Avatar
njsykora at 12/01/2008 11:44
NO.

Dungeon Keeper 3 please.
Peteru's Avatar
Peteru at 12/01/2008 12:00
MMO?!

The good news of some form of DK still breathing are trampled by the bad news of some random bunch of ppl taking the wheel on this one and ... of MMO format.

Aren't business ppl in gameing industry doing their jobs ffs? WoW is cashing money by truckloads but it was done by veterans and briefcaseloads of money went into creating it!
How will these guys compete? With IP of someone else?

Bethesda did good with bought IP, but these guys are making cRPGs for years.
Zenlong's Avatar
Zenlong at 12/01/2008 12:11
Gotta say I would be much more inclined to play a Evil Genius MMO.
elsteveo's Avatar
elsteveo at 12/01/2008 14:12
another mmo holy jesus wiimotes
Android8675's Avatar
Android8675 at 12/01/2008 15:16
Kotaku reported that this was to be published only in China, and other various points East. (No US/UK/Jap/Korea)

Would love to check it out, but I've gotten my fill of DK over the years.
Yukai's Avatar
Yukai at 12/01/2008 15:36
I really miss Dungeon Keeper, it was one of my favourite games as a kid. I fondly remember building a sprawling epic dungeon and then training all my bile demons to level 10 so they could open a can of whoop ass.

Ahh, fond memories.
Exquisitor's Avatar
Exquisitor at 12/01/2008 17:23
I place Dungeon Keeper in the same realm as Syndicate and Magic Carpet. They are phenomenal games that transcend time and should be left alone.

In my mind, I think "holy hell, I want this!" But my heart tells me that Dungeon Keeper is a classic and should remain untouched (and thus, untainted.)
The Octagon's Avatar
The Octagon at 12/01/2008 17:41
Holy. Shit.

This is superb news. DK is/was easily on my top 10 best games of all-time.

In 2006, I had the distinct pleasure of attending a small lecture given by the then lead game designer of EA who explained to me (the only DK fan in the room) that EA unfortunately canned DK3 after acquiring Bullfrog. My heart sank, but I always had faith that there would be another installment in the DK series. This is a welcome addition if done correctly.
noxious's Avatar
noxious at 12/01/2008 19:37
I loved DK.. but.. I can't fathom it as an MMO.
jamesesdad's Avatar
jamesesdad at 12/01/2008 23:33
actually im pretty sure *Yawn* another mmo in an already crowded stagnant market is more the expression im after.
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar
Anus Mcphanus at 12/02/2008 06:00
Holy crap!.... still waiting for Dungeon Keeper 3...
EternalPersona's Avatar
EternalPersona at 12/04/2008 11:04
@Solivagant
Yes, this is our fault. It's our fault that this MMO is being made, because we bought a game you didn't like. Quickly people! If we burn those Fallout 3 copies, the mighty Solivagant will stop this travesty and forgive us for our sins!
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