TASS is authorized to announce that Matt Firor is no longer with EA Mythic. He headed up the development of DAOC as its producer through launch, first expansion, and thereafter.

When I mention the good people that I left behind at Mythic, Firor was on that list. He was very much involved in the nuts and bolts of game development, and had a very realistic attitude towards what was possible and fun.

Firor on the stress of balancing a live game: “Everybody that wants their character to be more powerful, raise their hands! (gleefully waves arms in air)”

Firor’s response to what he’d do with a dream $100 million MMO development budget: “Make four $25 million games.”

I know the Internet TRUTH BRIGADES are immediately streaming toward the Batforums with the tolling of doom for Mythic, but, like me, his move was more about location than anything else. Since marrying he was commuting on a daily basis from Hunt Valley, MD to Fairfax, VA. There’s only so much of that a wife will put up with.

But if you’re wanting to make an MMO studio in old Microprose territory, the number of people who’ve overseen a successful MMO launch can be counted on one hand. So all you folks with mad VC cash email him already.