Japanese MMO M2 Suffers Server Failure, Ceases to Exist

If you ever decide to set out and a build a massive, microtransaction-supported MMORPG, it goes without saying that you’d come up with a strict plan of retaining a working backup of said game, and even an off-site backup of your backup, right? Well, in the case of M2, it doesn’t appear that the Japanese development team felt that such steps were necessary, as The Escapist reports that one of the game’s main servers suffered a “critical issue” that literally forced the title out of existence.

M2 was taken offline at 8PM on the 21st of October due to a “critical issue” one of the game’s main servers. Whatever the problem was, it’s kind of a moot point now, because the game isn’t coming back. Neither current game operators Hangame nor Sankando, the original developer, could restore the game data, and this seems to be another case of developers playing fast and loose when it comes to backups.

M2 had a fairly small user base, but it was heavily based around microtransactions and premium items, so chances are there’s more than a few angry players lamenting their lost time and money. Hangame is issuing “conditional” refunds to certain players.

Ouch.