The Untamed Isles Drama Unfolds

Phat Loop Studios is stirring the pot in the gaming community after declaring a hiatus for their hotly anticipated MMORPG, Untamed Isles. Last week, the developers found themselves in a sea of controversy, being accused of losing backers’ funds while dabbling in the volatile world of cryptocurrency.

Promised Waters Turn Murky

With a hefty $525,000 raised through Kickstarter (that’s approximately $841,000 in New Zealand dollars), the initial announcement of the game’s hiatus left supporters reeling. Critics have been vocal, suggesting that rather than investing in game development, Phat Loop may have redirected funds into the crypto rabbit hole.

Phat Loop’s Response

In a bid to quell the uprising, the studio released a statement emphasizing that all funds received were “spent by the studio developing the game.” It continued to explain that the hiatus was due to the company “exhausting its available funds,” exacerbated by the withdrawal of key investors unsettled by market instability.

The Economic Rollercoaster

During the height of hopes, the game aimed to launch this October. But alas, Grant, a representative from Phat Loop, revealed that the game’s journey was stalled because soaring expenses were no match for dwindling financial resources. “The crypto market crash meant that investors… pulled out,” he lamented. This revelation hasn’t exactly painted the studio in the best light.

Game First, Crypto Second? Not Quite

For many fans, the buzz around Untamed Isles revolved around the tagline “game first, crypto second.” Naturally, the latest developments fuel skepticism—why, then, is the crash of the crypto market cited as a significant roadblock? Frustrated backers have let their thoughts fly on social media, questioning the validity of these claims.

A Community in Turmoil

With over 70 team members working themselves into exhaustion for two years, it’s heartbreaking to see the team grapple with these financial woes. While members of the community still hold faith in the unique combat system designed for the game, the clouds of doubt continue to swirl.

The Road Ahead

Grant assured fans that “until the crypto situation is resolved — and we’re confident it will be at some stage” the project must hibernate for now. As the gaming world watches, one can only hope that the once-promising Untamed Isles will rise from the ashes of the crypto crash, reminding us of the old adage: what goes up must come down. Or was it just a “hiatus” in a “volatile market”? Only time will tell.