Closing Down Macguffin Games
December 3rd, 2010 by Macguffin in NewsSo, Macguffin Games is going out of business.
Although we gave it a great try with Mustache Mercenaries, we weren’t able to turn things around fast enough to keep the company going. We knew that was a risk when we started, and I’m not unhappy at all with what we accomplished with the time we had. I’m thinking about doing some post mortem blog posts over the next couple weeks, and if I do, I’ll delve into some of what went right and wrong.
We’ll be leaving the Mustache Mercenaries servers up for now, but they’ll most likely come down in the next week or two. So play now!
In regards to the Kickstarter – thank you to everyone that contributed. In the end, even if we had hit our goal, that alone would not have been enough. In order to keep the company going, we needed a couple things to break our way on the business side. Sadly, they did not.
I started Macguffin Games because I love game development and although this company is going away, the people that brought it to life are not. We’re still here and will still be making games. On my part, I’m looking forward to having more time to devote to various game projects, as well as to the excellent Boston indie community. The experience of starting the company and of working on All Heroes Die and Mustache Mercenaries has been an amazing one; I have learned more in three years of doing this than I would have in 10 working at my old job. I wouldn’t trade this for anything.
So, to our friends, two things. One – thank you. You’ve all been fantastic, and we wouldn’t have accomplished what we did without you. Two – don’t be sad. There is more and better to come for all of us.
In the meantime, don’t worry about Macguffin Games. It was, after all, only a plot device.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I can’t help but be sad, but I wish everybody the best—you had an awesome set of people working on these projects. I’m especially sad that I’m not going to get to see what All Heroes Die would have become, it’s one of the coolest strategy concepts I’ve heard in a long time. Can’t wait to see what you guys do next!
Congratulations on a good run, and all the best for the future.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Thanks, Adam. We’ll see what happens with AHD. At the least, I still find the ideas there compelling.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:13 pm
I’m with Adam: can’t help but be sad. But hey, nothing ventured, etc., and now you’re free to pursue your next plan of world domination with “I started a company” under your belt.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:24 pm
I’m afraid some sadness, for the time being, is inevitable, but we all know what reality entails and that sometimes even the hardest changes to make can be necessary and for the best in the long run.
Luckily, not even this transition can break the bonds that our local and global community has strengthened during MG’s time. So soon enough the sadness will surely give way to exuberence for all the great things to come from all the Macguffiners in the future.
It’s been a genuine pleasure supporting you and your company. Thanks for the ride.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Bummer deal – I liked what I saw of MM when we were jammin’ together at GAMBIT. Best luck with your future endeavors.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Damn.
That said, I’m looking forward to what comes next. You’ve done more than most of us manage to, and as you point out, there’s more to see.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:42 pm
This sucks even more now that I read it again here.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:42 pm
A sad announcement, indeed. I’m still very admiring of your bravery and persistence. You’ll never regret it. This is a story you can tell your son one day and he will be proud of his pop.
December 3rd, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I’m sorry to hear the news, Scott. This isn’t the end of an era, just the beginning of another. I wish you all the best of luck in all your future endeavors. I hope to chat with you at the next Post Mortem.
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:18 pm
I’m really sorry to hear it Scott. I’m grateful to have gotten to know your games this year – I can’t wait to hear what you’re up to next.
December 3rd, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Hey Mr. Scott,
John and I were REALLY REALLY sorry to hear about Macguffin Games. We remember 15 years ago when you were just starting to work on your own games and talked about forming a company. I’ve loved that fact that you’ve used friends in your company and have pretty much stayed the Scott we always loved.
Miss you, and hello to your Lady.
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:24 pm
Sorry to hear it, Scott, but I look forward to supporting whatever you do next.
December 3rd, 2010 at 8:39 pm
It’s a real shame to see the ‘guff hit the fan. But, like Kevin, I look forward to pushing Scott closer and closer to his eventual final product, which, knowing Scott, won’t be final anyway.
December 3rd, 2010 at 10:55 pm
I’m sorry to hear that Scott. I was hoping MacGuffin would make it. I know you poured your heart, soul, and years of your life into it.
Next time we meet up, you’re drinking something stiff, and I’m buying. What was that awful drink from GDC? Beer with Pear Liquor?
December 4th, 2010 at 1:47 am
Ouch, bummer. Sorry to hear that MacGuffin is closing shop, but good to hear that it was a worthwhile experience for you.
Best of luck on the next project!
December 4th, 2010 at 2:49 am
Nay!
December 6th, 2010 at 8:07 am
[...] Den englischen Originalblog findet man hier. [...]
December 8th, 2010 at 3:32 am
Well, that sucks donkey balls. Let me concur with White, I hope to see some more of AHD in the future. It’s still what drew me to here.
December 8th, 2010 at 9:19 am
Thanks, Rom. It is on my agenda to get back to AHD at some point… the trick will be, the scope of it is still huge. I’ll be thinking how to approach it & we’ll see what’s possible. It’s not something I’ll leave forever, that’s for sure.
December 8th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I’m glad the will is still there. It’s a great project. Will any future project or development be announced on this blog? I just want to know where to look for the occasional update of your work.
December 8th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
If it isn’t this blog, the URL will most likely redirect to my current site, so Macguffin should get you there.
Thanks for being an awesome supporter, Rom.
December 13th, 2010 at 12:01 am
[...] of our flagship indie studios, MacGuffin Games. Founder and local indie hero Scott McMillan wrote a farewell post detailing what happened, with the short of it being that Mustache Mercenaries didn’t perform [...]
December 19th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
[...] bad etiquette. Still, I feel a certain kinship for other small indie game development firms like Macguffin Games that recent closed down. Although we both appear to be on different ends of the business cycle, [...]
December 30th, 2010 at 8:26 am
and I only found it today!
It’s easy to see that the future is bright for everyone there even if this endeavor failed.
Best of luck!
February 21st, 2011 at 10:49 am
[...] Macguffin Games schliesst die Pforten. All Heroes Die* wird also nie erscheinen. [...]