Factors contributing to its cyclical and greatly exaggerated demise include rampant mobile game growth and declining subscriptions for MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) titles.

FORBES: Despite Mobile And Console Competition, PC Gaming Industry Rakes In $20 Billion During 2012

That team was working on the third-person perspective spy-themed The Agency massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, which was canceled.

FORBES: Sony Shutters SOCOM Seattle Studio Zipper Interactive

The LEGO Group is the latest video game publisher to venture into this free-to-play business with its LEGO Universe massively multiplayer online (MMO) game.

FORBES: LEGO Universe Latest Online Game to Adopt Free-to-Play Business Model

In 2010, Star Trek Online, a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game featuring the voice acting of Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto, was launched by Atari and Cryptic Studios.

FORBES: Paramount Continues J.J. Abrams' Star Trek Reboot with New E3 Video Game

While competitors are turning more massively multiplayer online (MMO) games over to the free-to-play business model, Blizzard continues to find innovative ways to get its players to invest more money in its franchises.

FORBES: Connect

Specifically from the famed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMO), World of Warcraft.

FORBES: World of Warcraft May Protect the Aging Brain