I'm guessing most of you have heard about the recent cuts and layoffs at Funcom, and some of you probably think that this spells Gloom & Doom for Anarchy Online, The Longest Journey, and any and all future games on the drawing board.

Nope.

Fact is, we're plowing on in blatant disregard of naysayers (as always). Keep in mind that not a single person from the production department - the boys and gir- uh, boys making the games - was put out to graze. We've lost some good people in other departments, but we're placing the focus squarely on development, because that's what matters the most.

What does this mean? It means that production on AO continues as planned and promised. There are no major changes aside from the ones made on a continuous basis to benefit the players and ensure that we deliver quality content within an acceptable timeframe. It also means that, at some point, we'll kickstart development on our second-generation MMO.

And, yes, this still means that there will be no sequel to TLJ. At least not in the traditional sense, and probably not in any sense. Sucks, doesn't it? But think about it this way: We'll create other worlds for you to explore. New worlds. Exciting worlds. Not Stark, not Arcadia, but something fresh and original and unlike anything you've seen before. Everything has an upside...and this is it.

I feel like I should say something pithy in closing, but I can't think of anything pithy. Pith don't grow on trees. So you'll have to settle for this:

"It just tastes better!"

Yes.  ¶ 10:49