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Thank you all...

Published by UncleSpun in the blog UncleSpun's blog. Views: 11263

Hey folks, it's with a very heavy heart that I'm writing today to announce that this is the end of the road to neotopia for madmunki. It has been an honor and a privellege to walk this road with you all, but we cannot in all good conscience keep going. Let me explain why, and why now.

As you know since November we have been working as hard as we can in our spare time on getting a demo together in Unreal, given that it is only in our spare time it has been slow going, but as the project itself doesn't bring in any money that was the only way we could do it. The plan with the demo was to create an environment and an avatar and have said avatar able to run about the environment etc. We managed to get the environment to a decent enough point so that we could focus all of our attention on the avatar - so that's what we've been doing lately. Last week was the first time where I got to spend an entire week working on the avi, and my hope was to get it finished in that week, but I didn't manage. I reckon it would take another week to get it finished, but as I can only spend 3 days/week working on neotopia that means it still would not be complete for another 2 weeks. Now in theory we could just keep on working at this pace, the plan was always to get to a point where once we had enough to show perhaps we could get other developers involved, look to raising investment, possibly even do another kickstarter, but the fact is we are not doing this in a vaccum.

As you will also no doubt know Atom is on the verge of launching his kickstarter for Atom Universe. I cannot honestly imagine that there will be two virtual worlds on the PS4, or at least not two virtual worlds which are essentially containers for content, hubs that lead to many environments as opposed to providing a particular kind of content in themselves. Atom can commit more resources to AU than we can to neotopia right now, so he will in all likelihood be in a position to launch AU before we could launch neotopia. I think the fact that neotopia got to this point, with a thriving and creative community has been to the advantage of other devs, I think it shows that there is an audience and has demonstrated the ways in which developers of virtual worlds should engage with that audience. However I also think that if we continue it will be to AU's detriment, I know how I would feel if whilst running a kickstarter the competition were releasing screenshots and so on - that would only be divisive.

We have always said that the important thing was that there should be a succesor to Home on PS4, not that we have to be the ones to make it. We tried, but I genuinely believe that it is in the interest of the wider community that we stop here, if everyone gets behind Atom, hopefully AU will happen. As far as I can tell Atom is listening to the community, he is running polls and so on and is determined to give people what they want. You folks can help shape that, help ensure that it is the virtual world that you want.

The only thing saving me from feeling any worse about this than I already do is that I believe we all had a lot of fun getting to this point. I need to thank Carla & GreyNeo especially for all of their hard work in fostering this community, and all of you for being part of this community, and contributing so much of your time and creative energies into making it what it is. Madmunki will continue to host the site on our server, we know a lot of you have made friends here, and I for one have enjoyed reading people's blogs and seeing the awesome videos (special thx to Arwen), and screengrabs (special thx to Tamarra) that you have posted. We'll only take it down if it becomes derelict or something we can no longer have associated with ourselves due to inappropriate content.

So finally - apologies. It turns my stomach to think that we let you all down. I'll try my best to respond to comments, and will show up in the shoutbox to provide you with a target for rotten tomatoes. In the end we still love you all.

Dave
Feb 4, 2015
Tara(dx), PYAWAKITT, Ollinwyl and 13 others like this.
  • Tara(dx)
    Tara(dx) Feb 4, 2015
    I'm Speechless:cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
  • Karen
    Karen Feb 4, 2015
    I said it before and I'll say it again. Dave, your passion for Home was obvious. You didn't just talk the talk but you walked the walk. You gave up lots of sleep to be in Home and on your computer doing dev work to try to make this work. Making a virtual world without a million bucks in the bank and a staff of one hundred is no easy feat. And you still have to pay the bills. While I am saddened to see it come to an end, I fully understand why, No one can fault you for giving it the best shot that anyone could. For that, I salute you.
  • EndingDemise
    EndingDemise Feb 4, 2015
    RIP:zsleeping:
  • Ren_Echo
    Ren_Echo Feb 4, 2015
    No other developer has interacted with the community in the way Madmunki has which is why I supported Neotopia. As Karen posted, its disappointing but understandable. However, I wonder if an arrangement can be made with Atom Republic as they are also using Unreal and are open to working with other developers.
  • NeoHelper
    NeoHelper Feb 4, 2015
    Why stop here? It's just a bump in the road! It doesn't have to be Just a Virtual world! Neotopia could be something much more than just a Virtual World. The words Neotopia doesn't sound just like a Virtual world but a place to create and other things!
    I'm so sad that Neotopia isn't being created, but at least we went out with a bigbang!
    Neotopia could still be made, but with a different concept. Why make avi like people if you can just make us a game where we can customize these awesome things: [​IMG]

    We can make a game with just them, and down the road dlc with new character in which we could buy.
    Make a world with just them built with online capabilities... Make it where they can dance, walk around, have spunland as a space, we could make a world like Spunland but more cuter, better, and wider... It doesn't have to be a Virtual world like PSHome it can be a SPunLand World full of clothing we can add for these cute things.
    It could be a SpunLand Virtual world... We can add clothing to them, dress them ghetto, gothic, punk, professional, worker... We start off as Luminus and we level him up by fighting/unlocking the lights and when we level up to the max we can become the big fluffy guy.

    Down the road you'll make dlc where we can become them... Have clothing for them too!
    It doesn't just have to stop right here you can keep everything you made, but delete the avatars, edit the public spaces, and make it all look like a real virtual adorable spun-arific world? :)

    It could have worlds where we can create and publish so people could visit it.
    The stop of Neotopia is to sad right now maybe we could just make something brand new with Neotopia never been seen. Not just a Virtual world like AU & Kovok are making? :(
  • tallsloguy
    tallsloguy Feb 4, 2015
    Aww man.
  • Lianara
    Lianara Feb 4, 2015
    Uff, what a bummer!
    Please Dave, i kindly ask you to reconsider your decision.
    Maybe take a break and two step back to look at it from another position.
    Honestly, i dont want to spend my virtual life in a theme park. The things i have seen from AR in home and the concepts of AU shown so far is nothing for me.
    Rome wasnt build in one day, take your time. You know that you have our support. No matter how long it will take. The neotopia idea is too good to be remembered as just another "what if".
  • Abiatha
    Abiatha Feb 4, 2015
    Dave, thank you for your honesty and all your hard work. I feel very sad at this news, but I don't feel let down because I am a realist and understand sometimes you have to make the tough decisions. I want to thank you for starting this whole project - it was inspired and your passion, positive thinking and ingenuity were a beacon for those of us still reeling from the shock of the Home closure announcement. In the wake of that, there was so much negativity and you gave us something to build together as a community. I feel you have vision and ideas far beyond other developers and it is a shame that realising those ideas involves substantial financial input. Neotopia will always come first for me, ahead of other virtual worlds now being made. I hope there is some way in the future that you will be able to incorporate the work you have done on neotopia into a new project. Thank you so much for everything you have done for us. You were brave and ambitious and we have had some wonderful times together as a community. Thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for neotopia and I am so sorry you had to make this decision. I will support you in any future project in whatever way I can. Thank you again and, like Karen, I salute you.
  • ladybug17
    ladybug17 Feb 4, 2015
    Home is ending soon and now this?!! NOOO! I agree with Lianara, please reconsider this decision. The last thing all the anti-Homers need to hear is the demise of neotopia. I have learned to not let negativity win.

    Please don't throw away all the work you've done so far. You were the one that said if we didn't give up on you, you wouldn't give up on us.     Your talents cannot go to waste.

    However, if you believe AtomUniverse is the winner, perhaps you could attempt joining them along with Jam Games? If many developers join one creation it could be mind blowing!

    Thank you for reading.
  • kazumi-Poesje Matsumoto
    kazumi-Poesje Matsumoto Feb 4, 2015
    SCHEISSE!!! :mad::confused::(
  • Darwin Merlotte
    Darwin Merlotte Feb 4, 2015
    Sad to see neotopia go! :/ who knows what atom universe will be like. I hope it does indeed evolve into a virtual world and become something as awesome as neotopia! Maybe madmunki could team with AU and create a piece of art? Would be pretty cool.
  • TeddyBearz
    TeddyBearz Feb 4, 2015
    I hope a space or Planet on Atom Republic can be named after Neotopia,Would make a great Planet. Would that be allowed to happen?
    Tara(dx), Sam1knight, Abiatha and 2 others like this.
  • Uniquez_SLB
    Uniquez_SLB Feb 4, 2015
    aww so sad 2 hear this :(:cry::arghh:
    Tara(dx), Sam1knight, GreyNeo and 3 others like this.
  • LegoFire
    LegoFire Feb 4, 2015
    This is truly sad to hear, it's good knowing all the effort that was put in still to make our desires for a new Home come true.

    Dave and everyone else may not have created a virtual world but he did create a pretty amazing community. I'm thankful for that.
  • Un0-0n3unique
    Un0-0n3unique Feb 5, 2015
    Ok this is making no sense at all so the pledge just failed now this oh gosh my bad this is sad to hear I'm not saying Neotopia is failing or anything but this is just depressing anyway @UncleSpun keep trying Never give up on anything keep going no matter how Manny time you tried never give up keep trying :) with joy and inspiration you put lot of effort in it you remind me of Hayao Miyazaki my favorite Anime director he planned on making a movie she disappoint hes fan :( like i say keep trying
  • teentekken
    teentekken Feb 5, 2015
    I am really sad to hear this. It's good knowing all the efforts that was put in still to make our desires for a new Home kome true. Please don't throw away all the hard work that you and madmunki have done. Please don't go! There will be alternatives that Neotopia might kome for the PS4. Will madmunki, Jam Games, and Atom Universe team up for the big project? Find out on the next episode of Virtual Homes for Next Gen.
  • teentekken
    teentekken Feb 5, 2015
    Never Give Up @UncleSpun
    -Cenation
  • teentekken
    teentekken Feb 5, 2015
    There might be possibilities that this project will be finished. Please, do not give up on Neotopia.
  • Goalkeeper_Matt
    Goalkeeper_Matt Feb 5, 2015
    Such a shame about this; which makes me wonder; if the community will still come to the shoutbox for instance; or will this slowly fizzle to completely nothing. It is the real community-feel that attracted me here. I don't want that to die also but it looks possible that it might do aswell. It just depends on members for themselves I suppose.
  • BBLARA1
    BBLARA1 Feb 5, 2015
    Hi Dave, I have a question but 1st I want to TY and all the Neotopia crew for everything. I just have a feeling its not really over. Is there a chance you will be joining Atom Republic to make a Neotopia Planet in Atom Universe? They do want you to be a part according to a thread on their forums...

    PLANETS:
    "Discuss creation of planets within the Atom Universe. Our intention is to allow third-party content providers to create sub-worlds within the main environment. Possible things to talk about: - One entrance to all "planets" e.g. HUB - Type of content to create for a new world - Common content between all worlds (e.g. avatars, inventory, etc.)"

    I have also read there will be Project Nebula and 4 Kings Casino on PS4 as well between May and Nov but wondered do I have to sign in and out of all these worlds to visit? It would be nice if I could go to 1 place and roam to other worlds/planets from there. I think there is something to this and hope you can get involved. Please keep us posted.
  • Ashley
    Ashley Feb 5, 2015
    This is completely understandable and I was always wondering how just a few people could ever manage such a huge idea anyway I was wondering why would we not want to support Kovoks Project Nebula? Isn't that more of what Home is? Atom Republic's project is more like a theme park if I remember
  • IzyWizzy
    IzyWizzy Feb 5, 2015
    i dont want to be spunless!
  • oswald63
    oswald63 Feb 5, 2015
    Yes, with heavy heart we receive the news, but Thank you to all efforts to create a successor to psh. Its not wasted ,we must contine with ATOMS attempt and prehaps a little NEOTOPIA can emerged within it in the future. As said before, many changes can occur along the way to eventually reach what we want...just hołd the faith under whatever umbrella.
    Again , Thanks to developers and all
    All the best
  • teentekken
    teentekken Feb 5, 2015
    Will there be any plans to get Neotopia out of kancellation?
  • Ransom
    Ransom Feb 6, 2015
    I'm still not giving up on you or Neotopia, I just contacted Untold Games and gave them the low down on whats going on, Hopfully they will get ahold of you & the team to talk & Maybe things can turn around for the good. I am not done there though, I will be getting a hold of some more virtual reality developers soon, and see if this thing can have a spun-tastic ending, Cause I don't see us all ending this way. Much Love & Positive vibes.
  • Sam1knight
    Sam1knight Feb 6, 2015
    Greetings everyone and to Dave :)
    I remember a good friend once said at times life thow many Challenges some are hard to Over come and Some Might seem Impossible, but remember I havnt seen anyone left yet we still believe in the impossible, however if this was your final try no worry I Still respect u as a Great and Talented Developher and you created some amazing work, even thou your Spunkland will be gone it wont be Forgotton how much joy it brought to others, Even my time being on Neotopia site been amazing, we have an amazing community, and the Possitvity and Joy that this site has amazes me:) and even still I get friend that visit and they tell me hey sam your controller has a Neotopia Sticker what that?? I say it a place that just like the Lost city of Atlantis, it a magical wonderful place that one day I hope to discover it, maybe when I get a PS4 and I will definitely, one day who know I might see an icon that says Neotopia ready to download, Anything Possible in short Thank Dave for all the hard work and dedication and to GreyNeo and Carla, I believe in miracle even if I don't see it, always believe thank so much for reading live life in balance :)
  • Ransom
    Ransom Feb 6, 2015
    Update: Got a hold of Matteo Sosso from Untold Games, & Foofa Studios, He truly seemed interested in the Neotopia project, and assured me he was going to look further into it, That was this morning. Also contacted Iris Productions, The makers of TechnoLust for the Oculus Rift & Project Morpheus, Still awaiting word back from them.
  • teentekken
    teentekken Feb 7, 2015
    @Ransom Man, I really want Neotopia back. This community is the best community ever made. I will NEVER give up on madmunki or Neotopia. There might be possibilities that Neotopia (virtual world) will get out of cancellation. I will be waiting. Never lose hope everyone.
  • PYAWAKITT
    PYAWAKITT Feb 9, 2015
    I just got back from a weekend in Montreal, and I see this. :(
    Dave, so sad to read your blog.......
    When I first read the announcement of Home closing..... well, there are no words.......
    Then you came along and gave me hope for a newer, brighter virtual world, full of possibilities........
    I want to thank you for that and the honesty in which you treated all of us. Your blogs were interesting and fun to read.
    I wish you and your team only the best, and hope to see you somewhere in the future.
    I'll be here to offer support...... when that happens! :)
  • Ransom
    Ransom Feb 9, 2015
    Well I received a message from Dave on Facebook, That he really appreciates the effort's and time I put into helping with what i'm doing, But Neotopia will not continue to develop the social networking virtual world.
    That's just to sum up the long message, But plans to continue to keep open the forum, So i'm thinking in my opinion that Mad Munki will just make misc things for these other developers of these, Remember that's just my opinion. It was a nice run everyone, I really wanted this project to happen,I met a lot of decent people here. But this ride seems to be over completely as far as Neotopia being made. I'm honestly feeling hella let down, But I will keep pushing forward, The same with my growing J.F.C & The Virtual Community group.
    Much love and positive vibes. Here are a couple link's to check out what we're doing, If anyone is interested.
    www.Facebook.com/JFCVR
    www.Faceboook.com/groups/JFCVR
  • oswald63
    oswald63 Feb 9, 2015
    It looks as of ATOM is interested in working with Neotopia developers as per their post on their web site.Sowhat has been built, community wise , does not have to be lost.
  • oswald63
    oswald63 Feb 9, 2015
    Also for info, Atom is now polling its members for what they want next after the theme park section....so in answer to those who just think its a ride park etc... It looks as if that's just a starting place
  • LADYBLUU
    LADYBLUU Feb 10, 2015
    I just don't understand what's the problem, why are you limited to days, isn't this a job for you or your just a volunteer? I also wonder, why are you guys asking for money or help, how was Playstation Home funded, a why can't you do the same, because I do not recall Playstation Home asking for funds from the consumers, and another thing why waste the work you put in already, why not use the avatar from home we don't hate it, are you dying to be different? A lot people love the old format new sceneries with greater graphics with clothes, and the ability for it to be protected from hackers and booters is all we need, with a new generation feel to it.
  • NeoTech
    NeoTech Feb 10, 2015
    LADYBLUU - all the work done to try to make this happen was for free - many, many hours. We did ask a lot of different people and companies for money to make this a reality. If we'd achieved what we wanted, we might have made money out of it - this was never the goal. There were a few people who asked for nothing and helped us because they wanted Home to continue in some form - they are the true stars in this story. You might feel bad because something you liked has been taken away, but we're really the people trying to fill that gap.
  • Abiatha
    Abiatha Feb 11, 2015
    LADYBLUU, Playstation Home was funded by Sony, a vast multinational company with a lot of money, who decided they didn't want to continue providing the service called Home anymore. As far as we know, Sony are not prepared to sell Home to anyone else to run, including the avatars and spaces.

    So basically, if we want a new version of Home, then someone has to make it by starting all over again from the beginning. If you can imagine having to do that yourself, then you will understand that this would take a lot of money to do (as well as time).

    Although neotopia is now not continuing, there are other developers trying to make something a bit like Home for the PS4. There will not be anything like Home anymore for the PS3. Please realise that Home will be gone at the end of March 2015. We are all going to miss Home a lot, including our avatars, but it will soon be gone.

    If you are interested in the other Home-like projects, please go and find out about them. There is Project Nebula and Atom Universe. There are also Home-like places for PC, such as IMVU, Twinity and Second Life. For your phone, there is IMVU, and Avakin Life (which is made by Lockwood who made a lot of spaces on PS Home). Many people are also meeting up in online games such as GTA V.
  • kazumi-Poesje Matsumoto
    kazumi-Poesje Matsumoto Feb 12, 2015
    Abiatha. U have forget VEEMEE. It is also for the Android now.
  • Haymaker Snoopy-Panda
    Haymaker Snoopy-Panda Feb 15, 2015
    Definitely came as as a surprise. Thank you so much Dave for putting so much time and effort into creating a new virtual world for all of us. It was quite a journey and our curiosities peaked each day and kept us excited.

    You guys were so amazing with the community. Best I've seen communication between devs and users since I discovered the forum for The Golf Club (10 dev crew they have there) where they were excellent as well with users.

    I'm personally really excited about Atom Universe and it looks better and better each day. They're suppose to have a demo this month on PC and will start a Kickstarter soon.

    I really hope you guys and Jame Games could join Atom Republic because I seriously think Atom Universe is no joke. It looks sick.

    So, to have you guys teamed up with Atom, this gives many brilliant minds a chance to create an amazing next gen virtual world.

    Thanks once again guys!
  • oswald63
    oswald63 Feb 18, 2015
    Thanks to Dave, and all who helped spearhead Neotopia. Although it has not continued, it has shown to others how a community can be built with all the imagination that it can bring to such a project.
    Atom looks really good, and potentially could be the successor.Hopefully with their desire to work with like minded developers all that Neotopia is will not be lost ... Here's hoping
  • NelsonAK
    NelsonAK Jan 15, 2016
    I have haven't been on PS3 or PS4 much until recently & was talking about Neotopia only to find out it didn't make it. It's disappointing news to here but at least you tried. I'm sorry I had no money to help support the project, I'm also sorry I wasn't very active on here. To be honest I'm not very good with forums, never have been. I have my Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering. I'm not a pro at coding though but wouldn't mind helping develop Neotopia in any way I can. I've never used Unreal Engine & know nothing about it but I'm not working right now & have lots of free time on my hands. Something can still happen but it takes the will to want it to happen. I'd love to help bring Neotopia to life but would need to talk to the developers to figure out where to start, what is needed, & where to get the tools to do this. If Unreal Engine costs money though I'm screwed because I'm broke & no income. I tried adding UncleSpun on PSN but he never accepted my request. Atom may be coming up but who says Neotopia can't be better? As long as there's still the will to do it, it can be done. All good things take time to create & I'm 100% willing to help just need to know where to begin. Message me on the PlayStation Network as it's the best way to contact me & we can go from there. Don't let Atom or other's stop Neotopia, you were there 1st & even SONY let you advertise before Home shut down. Never Give Up! Thanks either way for trying.

    NelsonAK, HoTShoTs-Nelson, & Xx-_KiSsMe_-xX are my main accounts on PSN.
    Tara(dx), Abiatha, GreyNeo and 2 others like this.
  • GreyNeo
    GreyNeo Jan 15, 2016
    @NelsonAK Hiya Nelson, nice to see you back on the forums! :) No need to apologize!! Thank you for the well wishes and support, I'll msg on PSN. Even though the project has been stopped, the forums will remain open for the community to use and we encourage everyone to do so. There's a friendly and caring community here, please feel free to stop by anytime! Thank you again! Hope to see you around =^)
  • Abiatha
    Abiatha Jan 28, 2016
    This is still the greatest online community I have found. I agree with Grey, so very caring and inclusive. I regret only stopping by every now and again but I am very glad this community is still going. My heart will always belong to neotopia and Spunland.
  • teentekken
    teentekken Feb 20, 2016
    You Neotopians are like to me, and still are. I enjoy it here, and will continue to be in Neotopia community. I love these community Dave. You never let us down. Don't think like that. You and madmunki, did the best you all could to make this into a reality. I have faith in all of you. You are all awesome. I am never giving up on this community. I am always going to stay here. Even when the Virtual world Neotopia did not continue, I will continue to support Neotopia, and everyone who is involved in it.
    Sam1knight, GreyNeo and Tara(dx) like this.
  • Tara(dx)
    Tara(dx) Feb 21, 2016
    I agree Spunlings/Neotopians 4ever☺[​IMG]
    Sam1knight and GreyNeo like this.
  • Pokemon_Mew_24
    Pokemon_Mew_24 Sep 6, 2016
    This still is sad news... Thank you Dave for doing your best. We as the community still appreciate the awesomeness of you. <3
    GreyNeo, Sam1knight and Tara(dx) like this.
  • Tara(dx)
    Tara(dx) Sep 7, 2016
    So nice to see ya posting,hopefully you've been great & I agree X1000000 with you @Pokemon_Mew_24 we will always appreciate everything Madmunki has done for us all♡♡We miss ya♡♡
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