Mythic Entertainment announces the acquisition of exclusive worldwide rights to create MMORPGs based on the table-top Warhammer games. This apparently puts an end to remaining hopes for a developer supported release of Warhammer Online (story), the Warhammer-based MMOG that had been in the works at Climax before being axed (story). Here's the deal:

MYTHIC ENTERTAINMENT SECURES WORLDWIDE RIGHTS TO CREATE MMORPG BASED ON GAMES WORKSHOP’S WARHAMMER FANTASY WORLD

FAIRFAX, VA – MAY 18, 2005 – Mythic Entertainment, developer and publisher of massively-multiplayer online role-playing games including "Dark Age of Camelot" and the upcoming "Imperator," today announced that they have secured the exclusive worldwide rights to create massively multiplayer online games for PC and console set in the fantasy world of Warhammer, created by Nottingham, UK-based Games Workshop Group PLC. The first game based upon the dark, medieval world of Warhammer will be released on PC in 2007.

"I have always been a big fan of Games Workshop and Warhammer and I am thrilled that we are now able to work on one of the world’s greatest and most enduring fantasy gaming brands," said Mark Jacobs, CEO and president of Mythic Entertainment, Inc. "Our goal for this first of what we hope will be many Warhammer-based games is to create the single-greatest RvR-based MMORPG in the industry."

"Warhammer fans around the world can be assured that our new partnership with Mythic, a company with fantastic credentials in delivering great online games, will result in a truly compelling online experience," said Andy Jones, CEO of Games Workshop’s Entertainment and Media Division. "We are really looking forward to working closely with people who share our passion both for the world of Warhammer and for making games of the highest quality."