A press release by Near Death Studios last week really got some game buzz going. The announcement causing all the talk? Make sure you're sitting down… Near Death Studios has concluded the purchase of Meridian 59, the first 3-D MMORPG, from 3DO. Near Death Studios, founded by former developers of the game, intends to put the Meridian 59 service online and grow the Meridian 59 franchise. See – aren’t you glad you’re sitting down?

According to the press release, Near Death Studios was founded in 2001 by former Meridian 59 game developers Rob Ellis II and Brian Green. Rob Ellis II has served as Lead Level Designer, Game Designer, and World Builder, on such titles as Meridian 59 and Ultima Online. “Meridian 59 was my first game and I’m incredibly pleased to have the opportunity to allow fans to once again play their favorite online only game,” said Rob.

Brian Green helped design and program three updates to Meridian 59 before working on a single player game at 3DO and then working at Communities.com. “After putting my heart into a game as historic as Meridian 59, it’s a wonderful feeling to be able to bring it back online for the community to enjoy,” said Brian.

Together, the founders and employees of Near Death Studios intend to bring the Meridian 59 game service online for fans worldwide to once again enjoy the game. Near Death Studios intends to release an updated version of Meridian 59’s last release, continue to add content to the game, and grow the Meridian 59 franchise into the future. “We have already begun to work an aggressive schedule to get the game service online and players back into the Meridian 59 world,” Rob replied when asked about Near Death Studio’s plans for Meridian 59.

What? You don’t remember Meridian 59?
Meridian 59, released way back when in September 1996, was one of the first commercial 3D graphical online role playing games. Most gamers consider Meridian 59 to have been the very first game of this genre.

In a classic story of geeky game development, Meridian 59 was started in 1994 by Andrew and Christopher Kirmse in their parents’ basement. (See, I told you it was geeky! Don't you love it?) The brothers formed Archetype Interactive and joined with others, such as Rob Ellis II, to complete the game. In 1996 the game and company were sold to The 3DO Company, and gamers first saw the game relesased on September 27, 1996. Some four years later, on August 31, 2000, 3DO closed down all American Meridian 59 game servers. American gamers mourned…

During the game’s life, there were six updates developed for it, each adding new content. The game was also been localized into other languages by German and Korean companies. Those were the days of players known as “Q”, and “Psychochild”. A game in the right place at the right time, Meridian 59 was there before Ultima Online. It was there when the original NeverWinter Nights closed down. Fans of “massively multiplayer” games needed a place to be. And that place, for many, was Meridian 59. Fans even forgave them their bad advertising… Who can forget their PC Gamer ad that told how Meridian 59 was “The single most fun thing you can do with hundreds of other people without wearing anything made of latex.” We were desperate.

And now, the game is coming back. Near Death plans to “fix the game destroying bugs and then launch the game,” most likely using an updated version of the last version, Liberation. Eventually, they’d like to “create an updated sequel, taking the best of the existing Meridian 59 features and putting them into a modern game engine.” WooHoo! Once back online, the game will be free to download, with an as yet unannounced monthly fee to play.

Speaking for those of us here at MMORPG Café’, we’re looking forward to seeing if Near Death Studios can bring this classic piece of gaming history back to life. We’re rooting for them!

For more information and news, make sure to visit the game’s new official web site at:

http://meridian59.neardeathstudios.com/

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