Loftia Nears Launch as Ship of Heroes Shuts Down

Ever wonder what happens to all those crowdfunded MMOs you backed years ago? Some finally make it to launch, and some... well, they don't. This week's Make My MMO column brings us both sides of that coin.

Let's start with the good news. Loftia is officially gearing up for its early access launch, and it's due out at the top of November. If you've been following this cozy multiplayer game, that's a pretty big deal — it's been one of the more anticipated crowdfunded titles out there, and now it's almost here.

Loftia isn't the only one gearing up for a fall early access debut, either. Monsters & Memories is also preparing to launch into early access this fall. So if you're the type who likes getting in on the ground floor of crowdfunded MMOs, you've got a couple of options to keep an eye on in the coming months.

But not every story in the crowdfunded MMO space has a happy ending. Ship of Heroes is facing what the column calls its inevitable end. That's the tough reality of this corner of gaming — for every game that makes it across the finish line, there's another that runs out of road.

It's a reminder of just how risky backing a crowdfunded MMO can be. You're not just buying a game; you're betting on a team to deliver something that might take years to build, if it ever gets finished at all. Loftia and Monsters & Memories are proof it can work out. Ship of Heroes is proof it doesn't always.

So what's the takeaway if you're watching this space? Keep your expectations realistic, follow development updates closely, and maybe don't count your chickens until that early access build is actually downloadable. The fall window is shaping up to be a busy one for crowdfunded MMO fans, with two launches on the horizon and one notable shutdown in the rearview.

Will you be jumping into Loftia or Monsters & Memories when early access hits? Or are you still waiting to see how things shake out before spending your money? Let us know in the comments.