Books about travel is what the Might And Delight developers call TMORPG – a “small” massively multiplayer online role-playing game, as opposed to a “big”. It’s a gorgeous-looking adventure that debuted in early access in October, but unfortunately the launch didn’t go as well as the developers had hoped. Yesterday, they announced that they had to lay off about 25 employees to continue operating the studio. They added that development will continue, albeit at a conceivably slower pace.
“Since the launch didn’t go as smoothly as we had hoped, we’ve had to make some pretty big and tough cuts for our beloved team,” Can and gladly say. “In order to continue to survive, we were forced to reduce our team from around 35 people to 10. Say goodbye to so many Might and Delighters that are skilled, trusted and loved, without a doubt. What is our hardest test in our 11 year history.
“We suffered a setback and as a result, the pace at which upcoming content production WILL be affected. We want to be transparent about that. However, we also want you to know that the team remains determined and hell relies on only two things: surviving and delivering the best possible content for the game. We’ll do whatever it takes to keep Book of Travels going and keep it going. and the company grows with you.”
It’s always a little heartbreaking to hear a game as small but lovely as Book Of Travels and its developers struggling. Lauren Morton is a big fan of the tiny MMO and thought it might restore her faith in the genre after she interviewed creative director Jakob Tuchten.
“If anything, the Book Of Travels entices me with countless possible secrets that I have yet to uncover,” she wrote. “As a former resident of Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, and a short vacationer in Final Fantasy XIV and Black Desert, the unknown appealed to me.
“I believe Tuchten understands, and may be involved in, why I broke up with MMOs, which is why I have faith (and even ten hours, that’s still a belief) that Book Of Travels is the match I’ve been waiting for.”
If you want to keep the studio afloat, you can buy Book Of Travels On steam for £24 / €25 / $30. Might And Delight also released a DLC called Cup Of Kindness that doesn’t get you anything, but serves as a small donation to the developers. It only costs £2/$2/€2 and is a good way to support them if you’ve been enjoying the game so far.
