Lego Universe to close in January
Failed to build "a satisfactory revenue model."
The Lego Universe MMO shuts up shop on 31st January 2012, The Lego Group has announced
The company explained that despite "a large number of players in the free play zone" it had not converted a satisfactory number of users into paying subscribers.
As a result of the game's closure, Colorado-base developer Play Well Studios is also being shut down along with a marketing team in Denmark, resulting in the loss of 115 jobs. Lego is promising to help those affected find new employment.
"The Lego Universe team can take pride in having developed and launched a great Lego experience that many players will miss," commented Lego exec Jesper Vilstrup.
"Right now, we have almost two million players in Lego Universe, and we get extremely positive feedback from players. Unfortunately, we have not been able to build a satisfactory revenue model in our target group, and therefore, have decided to close the game."
The title originally launched in Autumn 2010 to a muted reception from Eurogamer.
"As it is now, LEGO Universe starts as a pleasant distraction but promptly ferries you straight into a fierce, ludicrous grind that leads nowhere," read Quintin Smith's 5/10 Lego Universe review.