Funcom focuses on smaller online games following 'The Secret World' disappointment

Funcom addresses the failures of The Secret World and turns its focus toward smaller online titles.

Funcom will now develop "smaller, more focused online games" following disappointing sales of its latest massively multiplayer title The Secret World, it was revealed in its second quarter financial report.

The developer confirmed sales of The Secret World are far below expectations, with over 200,000 copies sold since its launch on June 29th of this year. According to Funcom, sales of the game over a 12-month period are believed to be less than half of what was initially predicted.

The studio points to mixed review scores which "impacted sales of the game significantly," and competitors ranging from Diablo 3 to Guild Wars 2 as reasons for its difficulties.

Funcom now plans to build smaller online titles with "player-driven content" using its DreamWorld game engine, which will shorten development time and feature less of an upfront investment. The studio looks to League of Legends, World of Tanks, and Minecraft as examples.

Funcom, however, still plans to grow the subscriber-base of The Secret World by offering improvements to combat and accessibility.

The Secret World received a 6.5 out of 10 from Polygon, with the review stating: "The Secret World's successes have little to do with the MMO essentials, and though its trappings are unique and sometimes powerful, its core is undeveloped."

Funcom is currently working on a massively multiplayer game based on the LEGO Minifigurines line.