THQ: Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millenium is no longer an MMO

THQ has "refocussed" troubled MMO Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millenium. It's now an "immersive single player and online multiplayer experience", the publisher has announced.

Rumours circulated earlier this year that the game had been cancelled before THQ revealed it was looking for a business partner to help carry through its original vision for the title.

However, it's now confirmed that the game's scope is being scaled back and it's going in a new direction.

"As previously announced, we have been actively looking for a business partner for the game as an MMO," explained THQ CEO Brian Farrell.

"However, based on changing market dynamics and the additional investment required to complete the game as an MMO, we believe the right direction for us is to shift the title from an MMO to a premium experience with single and multiplayer gameplay, robust digital content and community features.

"Because we believe strongly in the high-quality and vast creative work that is in production, this is the right decision for both our portfolio and for gamers devoted to this powerful property."

THQ didn't reveal platform details or release timing.

As a result of the downsizing, a number of development staff have been laid off - 79 full-time employees at Vigil Games and 39 employees at Relic Entertainment.

It's been a tough few months for the publisher. Off the back of heavy quarterly losses, due in part to dismal sales of its uDraw peripheral, it recently announced wide-ranging redundancies and restructuring, with Farrell taking a 50 per cent pay cut.