APB shut down, announces staff

APB, the crime MMO published by now bankrupt developer Realtime Worlds, has closed.

The following was posted today on the game's forum:

APB has been a fantastic journey, but unfortunately that journey has come to a premature end. Today we are sad to announce that despite everyone's best efforts to keep the service running; APB is coming to a close. It's been a pleasure working on APB and with all its players. Together we were building an absolutely amazing game, and for that, we thank you. You guys are awesome!

From all of the Realtime World staff we thank you for your continued support.

The servers are still up, so join the party and say goodbye!

- Ben 'APBMonkey' Bateman (Community Officer)

No specific timing was given for a final shut-off. The game is now free to play.

APB was released in late June and early July.

"24 hours"

GI has now published quotes from administrator Begbies Traynor, who said today that depsite interest from 300 parties, none of a final shortlist of six were "comfortable with buying it as a live operation."

Able added that "staff had been told what the position is", and the game is expected to be shut down within the next 24 hours.

The news is the latest - and most likely the last - in a series of terrible blows for the Scottish developer, which went into administration last month after laying off its MyWorld team.

Despite the lay-offs, RTW claimed it was "fully committed" to APB at the time.

The company recently rehired 23 staff, with the intention of keeping MyWorld going until a buyer could be found.

It's been rumoured that an American firm is interested in the social project.

While searching for an APB buyer, RTW said the game had 130,000 registered users, and that the average spend per paying punter was $28 per month.

Never more. Such a crying shame. To all those involved: we salute you.