Mythic Entertainment shuts down after two decades of MMO development

Electronic Arts has confirmed the closure of Mythic Entertainment, ending the operation of the studio that developed Dark Age of Camelot. The decision marks the latest in a series of studio reductions by the publisher, following the recent shuttering of BioWare.

Mythic operated for approximately 25 years. The company’s flagship title, Dark Age of Camelot, launched in the early 2000s and became a primary online role-playing game for a segment of the market. The game featured both player versus environment and player versus player combat, with encounters scaled for solo players, small groups, and large raids of over 100 participants.

Reader Adam W, who wrote to Metro, described his experience playing the title on the Prydwen server. He began as a solo infiltrator before transitioning to group-based classes and leading end-game raids. W noted that large raid groups of 60 or more players often failed to defeat difficult bosses. In those instances, smaller groups of eight players would continue through the dungeon, managing mechanics that larger groups could not control.

W said he eventually joined Public Enemies, which he identified as the top player versus player guild in his region. The guild operated a fixed group of eight players who engaged in regular combat matches against similar groups from other regions. W stated that the player versus player mechanics offered a balance that he has not found in subsequent titles.

The decline in Dark Age of Camelot began with the release of World of Warcraft in 2004. W observed that many players switched to the new game immediately after its launch. Server populations dropped over time, leading to the consolidation of English servers into a single instance. Mythic continued operations but did not regain its previous player base.

W sold his account on eBay after leaving the game. The listing included a rank 11 infiltrator, sorcerer, and paladin character, along with multiple other characters across several servers. The account sold despite the game's reduced activity level, indicating continued demand among remaining fans. The transaction violated the game's terms and conditions, which did not permit account transfers.

W attempted to play World of Warcraft but found the player versus player element less engaging than Dark Age of Camelot. He cited a lack of time due to work and a long-term partnership as the primary reasons for leaving that title. The release of World of Warcraft: Forever has prompted W to consider returning to online gaming, though he acknowledges the time commitment required.

EA did not release a specific financial reason for closing Mythic. The studio’s closure follows the pattern of recent reductions where the publisher has discontinued long-running franchises. Mythic’s shutdown concludes its role as a developer of online role-playing games, leaving the market without one of its original pioneers.