well...from what i have read Mr Freeman says that no one is too blame. No one thought up the nge, no one coded the NGE and no one published the NGE. It seems that it happened all on its own without human input, kinda like cancer iguess...so no one is to blame for it
that is the only conclusion i can arrive at when i read what he posts.
well...from what i have read Mr Freeman says that no one is too blame. No one thought up the nge, no one coded the NGE and no one published the NGE. It seems that it happened all on its own without human input, kinda like cancer iguess...so no one is to blame for it
that is the only conclusion i can arrive at when i read what he posts.
When I said no one is to blame, that's not quite what I meant...
The problem is, "the NGE" is too broad. It's like saying, "Who developed SWG?"
well...from what i have read Mr Freeman says that no one is too blame. No one thought up the nge, no one coded the NGE and no one published the NGE. It seems that it happened all on its own without human input, kinda like cancer iguess...so no one is to blame for it
that is the only conclusion i can arrive at when i read what he posts.
When I said no one is to blame, that's not quite what I meant...
The problem is, "the NGE" is too broad. It's like saying, "Who developed SWG?"
It's different.
When you ask "Who developed SWG?" to SOE, you will probably get tons of developers name here.
But if you ask "Who made NGE?" to SOE, you'll get nothing more than "It was all SOE as team, we supported the idea".
If you dont like what changes they made to salvage the game then you should just move on to greener pastures. They have stated a million times that subscribers were slipping and they tried something radical, sure it was marginally unethical, but thats how the cookie crumbles.
Will we still be hearing about this in 10 years? God I hope not.
Who cares? Really? The game has moved on, so should you. If you dont like what changes they made to salvage the game then you should just move on to greener pastures. They have stated a million times that subscribers were slipping and they tried something radical, sure it was marginally unethical, but thats how the cookie crumbles. Will we still be hearing about this in 10 years? God I hope not.
A hell of a lot of us care. That you do not matters zero to me. If you have nothing constructive to add in a conversation you don't care to hear, then kindly trot your happy arse onto a thread that better fits your pallet. It is that simple.
"SWG was a world, now it's just a game" -adamrk-
"When the game was good, you didn't have to ask where the population was, because it was everywhere. When the game was good you didn't have to ask which server had population, because they all did. When the game was good you didn't have to beg friends to give it a try, because they were already playing. " - Salty Pete
well...from what i have read Mr Freeman says that no one is too blame. No one thought up the nge, no one coded the NGE and no one published the NGE. It seems that it happened all on its own without human input, kinda like cancer iguess...so no one is to blame for it
that is the only conclusion i can arrive at when i read what he posts.
When I said no one is to blame, that's not quite what I meant...
The problem is, "the NGE" is too broad. It's like saying, "Who developed SWG?"
It's different.
When you ask "Who developed SWG?" to SOE, you will probably get tons of developers name here.
But if you ask "Who made NGE?" to SOE, you'll get nothing more than "It was all SOE as team, we supported the idea".
Then wouldn't the correct responce be everyone who was a part of that team? Surely there every team has a team leader. Someone who directs a complete revamp instead of a tweek on the existing mechanics and combat values?
I don't know, maybe I am wrong. I would bet that in most teams from sports to designers that there is a central influence of one or very few. I didn't expect someone under non-discloser to name names. I am sure enough people in and around the industry know who they wouldn't want to be from the people involved.
"SWG was a world, now it's just a game" -adamrk-
"When the game was good, you didn't have to ask where the population was, because it was everywhere. When the game was good you didn't have to ask which server had population, because they all did. When the game was good you didn't have to beg friends to give it a try, because they were already playing. " - Salty Pete
Who cares? Really? The game has moved on, so should you. If you dont like what changes they made to salvage the game then you should just move on to greener pastures. They have stated a million times that subscribers were slipping and they tried something radical, sure it was marginally unethical, but thats how the cookie crumbles. Will we still be hearing about this in 10 years? God I hope not.
A hell of a lot of us care. That you do not matters zero to me. If you have nothing constructive to add in a conversation you don't care to hear, then kindly trot your happy arse onto a thread that better fits your pallet. It is that simple.Id gladly go to other forums, however all you SoE haters feel the need to post the same trash on every other forum too. The game isnt going back to how it was, its been said a million times, get it through your thick skull and move on. Who was responsible? The developers for SWG, not SoE as a whole. They have a whole bunch of different teams for different games, the guys who work on EQ, EQ2 or their other games had nothing to do with any of it, yet everyone goes onto those forums going 'wah wah wah SWG, SoE are satan incarnate... *random gibberish*'.
Who cares? Really? The game has moved on, so should you. If you dont like what changes they made to salvage the game then you should just move on to greener pastures. They have stated a million times that subscribers were slipping and they tried something radical, sure it was marginally unethical, but thats how the cookie crumbles. Will we still be hearing about this in 10 years? God I hope not.
A hell of a lot of us care. That you do not matters zero to me. If you have nothing constructive to add in a conversation you don't care to hear, then kindly trot your happy arse onto a thread that better fits your pallet. It is that simple.Id gladly go to other forums, however all you SoE haters feel the need to post the same trash on every other forum too. The game isnt going back to how it was, its been said a million times, get it through your thick skull and move on. Who was responsible? The developers for SWG, not SoE as a whole. They have a whole bunch of different teams for different games, the guys who work on EQ, EQ2 or their other games had nothing to do with any of it, yet everyone goes onto those forums going 'wah wah wah SWG, SoE are satan incarnate... *random gibberish*'.
I understand your frustration, it irritates me when NGE and CU lovers come in and push their opinions on me. All I can say about that is that you should check my posts, this thread is the only one I have post in about SWG at all on this forum since it has been created. I loved pre-CU. I already know that the game I loved is not the game current players probably agree with. Hell you may have never even played it. Point is, I understand and I don't come pestering you so don't label me as such.
As for the rest of your rant.... screw it. I have had bad nights too. We have all had things we have been passionate about, cared about, or were willing to stand up and fight for. If you haven't, then you haven't lived much.
And one other point, I don't request a roll back. I don't desire to see the game you enjoy screwed up to make me happy. I am a firm believer that if you pay to play the game and get some enjoyment out of it then good for you. Sadly I can't. The game I bought into is gone so until another game is developed that is at least as fulfilling to me as Pre-CU SWG was, I will at times pop in and cry, wail, moan over my loss. Don't hold that against me. Just let me get it out of my system.
Good luck in your game.
"SWG was a world, now it's just a game" -adamrk-
"When the game was good, you didn't have to ask where the population was, because it was everywhere. When the game was good you didn't have to ask which server had population, because they all did. When the game was good you didn't have to beg friends to give it a try, because they were already playing. " - Salty Pete
I dont play NGE, I did play pre-CU, I did move on.
To be honest though, I think everyone epitomises the pre-CU way too much. It was buggy, and it was getting close to its expiry date. Not saying what they turned it into was good, but they had to try something.
Sorry if i took it out on your only thread, I just had to scroll past one too many 'NGE sucks' and 'so and so is responsible' posts. Yeah it does and they are, but you arent saying anything new.
Hope you find a new game with the RP immersion of SW, im sure one will come along soon. Me? Im just biding my time til Conan comes out and makes me wet myself. (Was hoping VG would do that, but alas)
Id gladly go to other forums, however all you SoE haters feel the need to post the same trash on every other forum too.
Not all of us feel the need to post about SoE or SWG on the others forums. The general forums is the only other place I've posted about SWG or SoE .... I don't even post in the current SWG player forum.
When I said no one is to blame, that's not quite what I meant...
The problem is, "the NGE" is too broad. It's like saying, "Who developed SWG?"
Fair enough, then:
1. Who made the decision to make jedi a starting profession and thereby invalidate in the in game efforts of the pre-nge Jedi and who implemented it?
2. Who made the decision to make loot better than crafted and invalidate the in game efforts of most craftersand who implemented it?
3. Who made the decision to do away with the ability to mix and match skills from multiple professions and who implemented it?
4. Who made the decision as to which profession to get rid of and which to keep and who implemented it?
5. Who made the decision to keep the NGE a secret?
6. Who knew about any of the above aspects of the NGE and didn't tell the players?
Now I don't expect you to answer these questions. But since part of the decision is whether it is fair to blame the entire team for the NGE, perhaps you could tell us, without naming names, what percentage of the SWG would fall in one of the above categories? Is there even a single member of the team that wouldn't? You have a chance to clear their name here and now if there is really anyone on the team that is actually innocent.
But my guess is, if there is any SWG team member that the players have heard about they fit in one of the above categories. I am not saying the people that fit in those categories are evil or should have their careers ruined, but you can't credibly claim they don't deserve the blame for the NGE.
Ahh, might have been some requirements there of which you are unaware...
Ack! "Unfun to most people" is no alternative at all. At risk of drifting off the topic of Who is to blame, really? and into more general design...
We got that as "not star warsy enough".
I guess I am asking you who is to blame since you are in the know, lol? From the course of the development, I suspect there was no one at SOE who's job it was to look at potential changes and evaluate whether were consistent with or contradicted the cannon. If there was, that person did a very poor job, at least from JTL forward.
Ironically, almost every attempt you guys made to make the game more "star warsy" had the opposite effect. Take for example adding Obi Wan's Blue Glowie to game in the ToOW expansion. That's something from the movie that you put in the game. On the surface, one might think that added to the game's star warsyness. But instead of thinking, what role did obi wan play in the movies and how can with incorporate him into the game in a way that is consistent with the movies, you just treated him like any other quest giver. So you had obi wan's blue glowie, which in the movie only appeared to Luke (and perhaps leia at the end of Ep 6) for the purpose of helping Luke destroy the emperor and become a Jedi, you had him giving out quests to not only not jedi rebels, but to freaking imperials and worse dark/imperial jedi! So instead of your work contributing to the Star Wars feel, it in essence become ANTI-Content. Much of what was added in the CU/RoTW/ToOW/NGE era was like that.
I guess you felt like you had to make it equally available to all players because that make sense in a generic MMO, but not in a Star Wars MMORPG.
Originally posted by ShiloFields Fair enough, then: 1. Who made the decision to make jedi a starting profession and thereby invalidate in the in game efforts of the pre-nge Jedi and who implemented it?
The person who implemented it is guilty!?
6. Who knew about any of the above aspects of the NGE and didn't tell the players?
Anyone that didn't break the law is guilty, too?
But my guess is, if there is any SWG team member that the players have heard about they fit in one of the above categories. I am not saying the people that fit in those categories are evil or should have their careers ruined, but you can't credibly claim they don't deserve the blame for the NGE.
Originally posted by Dundee Originally posted by ShiloFields Fair enough, then: 1. Who made the decision to make jedi a starting profession and thereby invalidate in the in game efforts of the pre-nge Jedi and who implemented it?The person who implemented it is guilty!? 6. Who knew about any of the above aspects of the NGE and didn't tell the players?
Anyone that didn't break the law is guilty, too?
But my guess is, if there is any SWG team member that the players have heard about they fit in one of the above categories. I am not saying the people that fit in those categories are evil or should have their careers ruined, but you can't credibly claim they don't deserve the blame for the NGE.
Well, then blame everyone for the NGE.
I think it IS arguable that SOE, and those within SOE/LEC who knew the NGE was coming that were involved in the discussion and marketing of the TOOW expansion quite possibly DID engage in criminal fraud, yes. Managers aware of the NGE who let Devs who were unaware of the existence of the NGE go out and talk about things like the ranger revamp would certainly be party to fraud.
They also were using the money being paid by CU era customers who reasonably expected the CORE CONCEPT of what they were paying for (many paid in advance) would at least continue, especially with new features (such as for CH's) being promoted with the upcoming expansion to develop something that totally tore all that down.
Indeed, I've often wondered WHY they even bothered releasing TOOW before the NGE, considering that it was in live less than half a month with the CU system. The answer likely is they did it so they'd have a defense against the possible charges I outlined above:
They can claim that since it was released fully functional while the CU still existed they DID deliver the stuff they promised when they were promoting it.
In other words, it is certainly possible that there are potential criminal charges that could be made against those who were involved in the NGE.
I think it IS arguable that SOE, and those within SOE/LEC who knew the NGE was coming that were involved in the discussion and marketing of the TOOW expansion quite possibly DID engage in criminal fraud, yes.
The deception must have either been likely to or have actually resulted in "injury" or "damage" to the plaintiff. Typically, the damage is money.
Since they offered refunds for pre-orders, there's no damage from that.
As for this:
They also were using the money being paid by CU era customers who reasonably expected the CORE CONCEPT of what they were paying for (many paid in advance) would at least continue, especially with new features (such as for CH's) being promoted with the upcoming expansion to develop something that totally tore all that down.
The subscription fees you're paying only entitle you to the current service, no matter what the game company does with the profits.
Otherwise, you could cancel your account and still expect access to the next publish content. No one expects that, therefore it is unreasonable to expect the money you're paying for this month's subscription entitles you to anything next month.
In other words, it is certainly possible that there are potential criminal charges that could be made against those who were involved in the NGE.
You're killing me with this stuff.
An employeris liable for acts done by employees during their time at work.
You want to change that law? - No fair changing it just for game companies or just for the NGE, either. - You seriously think this law is unfair?
I remember being in the SOE offices and listening to the developers speak of the combat upgrade. This was back when JTL was in alpha and Kashyyyk was a glimmer.
There, I remember being excited about changes to come and the direction we were going. I had a chance to meet and talk to many of the developers and they were not only creative, they were passionate in trying to make Star Wars Galaxies a better game.
We gave feedback there that was recorded and was, to our best ability, a reflection of the desires and thoughts on combat and this game from members of the community, that represented that community.
I'll try not to presume much but I have to admit there was a dramatic shift in operations not long after. SOETyrant left as did a newly acquired community manager. We then had a combat upgrade for test, not in the sandbox environment propositioned but as a free for all beta. The moment I started playing there I had the distinct impression of "This doesn't seem like what we were told at the summit. What happened?" and I know several who attended as well felt the same way.
Not much longer after that, the travesty of the NGE was introduced.
So for a couple years now I've wondered about what happened and where things started going wrong. Could I blame the developers I met? No, they had passion and a desire to make the game awesome. Could I blame some of the leaders responsible for design at the time? No, they brought us down and listened to us. They gave us hope for what was to come in ways no one else could.
Then I started to wonder, what power or influence could encourage someone like SOETyrant to leave and then have the CU as we knew it introduced? I'm left with precious few answers and all of them point higher up the tree, than with the developers that I knew and appreciated.
I imagine it's fairly simple. Some dick'ead at Lucas Arts' marketing department looked at WoW's 8mil subs and turned around to SOE and said, "We want that! Now!". SOE probably went all pale-faced at the idea and screamed, "Noooo!", and then LA waved that magic contract under their noses.
$OE designed every bit of it. LA enabled the failures and the player-screwing.
Yup. That's about right. LA should never have aprroved of it, but SOE came up with it, and sold it to the guys upstairs. According to his own blog, Jeff Freeman and Dan Rubenfield had to push for it 40 times a day for two months. In other words, LA had to be CONVINCED of this idiocy.
Also, LA had never developed an MMO before, so some grace may be handed to the for not knowing what they were doing and deferring to the experts (SOE) who made the unethical choice to screw current players to gain mytholigical fictitious players.
Comments
well...from what i have read Mr Freeman says that no one is too blame. No one thought up the nge, no one coded the NGE and no one published the NGE. It seems that it happened all on its own without human input, kinda like cancer iguess...so no one is to blame for it
that is the only conclusion i can arrive at when i read what he posts.
well...from what i have read Mr Freeman says that no one is too blame. No one thought up the nge, no one coded the NGE and no one published the NGE. It seems that it happened all on its own without human input, kinda like cancer iguess...so no one is to blame for it
that is the only conclusion i can arrive at when i read what he posts.
When I said no one is to blame, that's not quite what I meant...
The problem is, "the NGE" is too broad. It's like saying, "Who developed SWG?"
Jeff Freeman
well...from what i have read Mr Freeman says that no one is too blame. No one thought up the nge, no one coded the NGE and no one published the NGE. It seems that it happened all on its own without human input, kinda like cancer iguess...so no one is to blame for it
that is the only conclusion i can arrive at when i read what he posts.
When I said no one is to blame, that's not quite what I meant...
The problem is, "the NGE" is too broad. It's like saying, "Who developed SWG?"
It's different.
When you ask "Who developed SWG?" to SOE, you will probably get tons of developers name here.
But if you ask "Who made NGE?" to SOE, you'll get nothing more than "It was all SOE as team, we supported the idea".
Who cares? Really?
The game has moved on, so should you.
If you dont like what changes they made to salvage the game then you should just move on to greener pastures. They have stated a million times that subscribers were slipping and they tried something radical, sure it was marginally unethical, but thats how the cookie crumbles.
Will we still be hearing about this in 10 years? God I hope not.
"SWG was a world, now it's just a game" -adamrk-
"When the game was good, you didn't have to ask where the population was, because it was everywhere. When the game was good you didn't have to ask which server had population, because they all did. When the game was good you didn't have to beg friends to give it a try, because they were already playing. " - Salty Pete
well...from what i have read Mr Freeman says that no one is too blame. No one thought up the nge, no one coded the NGE and no one published the NGE. It seems that it happened all on its own without human input, kinda like cancer iguess...so no one is to blame for it
that is the only conclusion i can arrive at when i read what he posts.
When I said no one is to blame, that's not quite what I meant...
The problem is, "the NGE" is too broad. It's like saying, "Who developed SWG?"
It's different.
When you ask "Who developed SWG?" to SOE, you will probably get tons of developers name here.
But if you ask "Who made NGE?" to SOE, you'll get nothing more than "It was all SOE as team, we supported the idea".
Then wouldn't the correct responce be everyone who was a part of that team? Surely there every team has a team leader. Someone who directs a complete revamp instead of a tweek on the existing mechanics and combat values?
I don't know, maybe I am wrong. I would bet that in most teams from sports to designers that there is a central influence of one or very few. I didn't expect someone under non-discloser to name names. I am sure enough people in and around the industry know who they wouldn't want to be from the people involved.
"SWG was a world, now it's just a game" -adamrk-
"When the game was good, you didn't have to ask where the population was, because it was everywhere. When the game was good you didn't have to ask which server had population, because they all did. When the game was good you didn't have to beg friends to give it a try, because they were already playing. " - Salty Pete
I understand your frustration, it irritates me when NGE and CU lovers come in and push their opinions on me. All I can say about that is that you should check my posts, this thread is the only one I have post in about SWG at all on this forum since it has been created. I loved pre-CU. I already know that the game I loved is not the game current players probably agree with. Hell you may have never even played it. Point is, I understand and I don't come pestering you so don't label me as such.
As for the rest of your rant.... screw it. I have had bad nights too. We have all had things we have been passionate about, cared about, or were willing to stand up and fight for. If you haven't, then you haven't lived much.
And one other point, I don't request a roll back. I don't desire to see the game you enjoy screwed up to make me happy. I am a firm believer that if you pay to play the game and get some enjoyment out of it then good for you. Sadly I can't. The game I bought into is gone so until another game is developed that is at least as fulfilling to me as Pre-CU SWG was, I will at times pop in and cry, wail, moan over my loss. Don't hold that against me. Just let me get it out of my system.
Good luck in your game.
"SWG was a world, now it's just a game" -adamrk-
"When the game was good, you didn't have to ask where the population was, because it was everywhere. When the game was good you didn't have to ask which server had population, because they all did. When the game was good you didn't have to beg friends to give it a try, because they were already playing. " - Salty Pete
I dont play NGE, I did play pre-CU, I did move on.
To be honest though, I think everyone epitomises the pre-CU way too much. It was buggy, and it was getting close to its expiry date. Not saying what they turned it into was good, but they had to try something.
Sorry if i took it out on your only thread, I just had to scroll past one too many 'NGE sucks' and 'so and so is responsible' posts. Yeah it does and they are, but you arent saying anything new.
Hope you find a new game with the RP immersion of SW, im sure one will come along soon. Me? Im just biding my time til Conan comes out and makes me wet myself. (Was hoping VG would do that, but alas)
The game is only a big hole...nothing happens...
peoples prefer post on the forum than play Ig
i think lots of players waiting for the Swg emu release...
wait and see
Fair enough, then:
1. Who made the decision to make jedi a starting profession and thereby invalidate in the in game efforts of the pre-nge Jedi and who implemented it?
2. Who made the decision to make loot better than crafted and invalidate the in game efforts of most craftersand who implemented it?
3. Who made the decision to do away with the ability to mix and match skills from multiple professions and who implemented it?
4. Who made the decision as to which profession to get rid of and which to keep and who implemented it?
5. Who made the decision to keep the NGE a secret?
6. Who knew about any of the above aspects of the NGE and didn't tell the players?
Now I don't expect you to answer these questions. But since part of the decision is whether it is fair to blame the entire team for the NGE, perhaps you could tell us, without naming names, what percentage of the SWG would fall in one of the above categories? Is there even a single member of the team that wouldn't? You have a chance to clear their name here and now if there is really anyone on the team that is actually innocent.
But my guess is, if there is any SWG team member that the players have heard about they fit in one of the above categories. I am not saying the people that fit in those categories are evil or should have their careers ruined, but you can't credibly claim they don't deserve the blame for the NGE.
I guess I am asking you who is to blame since you are in the know, lol? From the course of the development, I suspect there was no one at SOE who's job it was to look at potential changes and evaluate whether were consistent with or contradicted the cannon. If there was, that person did a very poor job, at least from JTL forward.
Ironically, almost every attempt you guys made to make the game more "star warsy" had the opposite effect. Take for example adding Obi Wan's Blue Glowie to game in the ToOW expansion. That's something from the movie that you put in the game. On the surface, one might think that added to the game's star warsyness. But instead of thinking, what role did obi wan play in the movies and how can with incorporate him into the game in a way that is consistent with the movies, you just treated him like any other quest giver. So you had obi wan's blue glowie, which in the movie only appeared to Luke (and perhaps leia at the end of Ep 6) for the purpose of helping Luke destroy the emperor and become a Jedi, you had him giving out quests to not only not jedi rebels, but to freaking imperials and worse dark/imperial jedi! So instead of your work contributing to the Star Wars feel, it in essence become ANTI-Content. Much of what was added in the CU/RoTW/ToOW/NGE era was like that.
I guess you felt like you had to make it equally available to all players because that make sense in a generic MMO, but not in a Star Wars MMORPG.
Anyone that didn't break the law is guilty, too?
Well, then blame everyone for the NGE.
Jeff Freeman
But my guess is, if there is any SWG team member that the players have heard about they fit in one of the above categories. I am not saying the people that fit in those categories are evil or should have their careers ruined, but you can't credibly claim they don't deserve the blame for the NGE.
Well, then blame everyone for the NGE.
I think it IS arguable that SOE, and those within SOE/LEC who knew the NGE was coming that were involved in the discussion and marketing of the TOOW expansion quite possibly DID engage in criminal fraud, yes. Managers aware of the NGE who let Devs who were unaware of the existence of the NGE go out and talk about things like the ranger revamp would certainly be party to fraud.
They also were using the money being paid by CU era customers who reasonably expected the CORE CONCEPT of what they were paying for (many paid in advance) would at least continue, especially with new features (such as for CH's) being promoted with the upcoming expansion to develop something that totally tore all that down.
Fraud, deceptive trade practices, false advertisement, amongst other charges might apply.
Indeed, I've often wondered WHY they even bothered releasing TOOW before the NGE, considering that it was in live less than half a month with the CU system. The answer likely is they did it so they'd have a defense against the possible charges I outlined above:
They can claim that since it was released fully functional while the CU still existed they DID deliver the stuff they promised when they were promoting it.
In other words, it is certainly possible that there are potential criminal charges that could be made against those who were involved in the NGE.
Since they offered refunds for pre-orders, there's no damage from that.
As for this:
The subscription fees you're paying only entitle you to the current service, no matter what the game company does with the profits.
Otherwise, you could cancel your account and still expect access to the next publish content. No one expects that, therefore it is unreasonable to expect the money you're paying for this month's subscription entitles you to anything next month.
You're killing me with this stuff.
You want to change that law? - No fair changing it just for game companies or just for the NGE, either. - You seriously think this law is unfair?
Jeff Freeman
Buy 5, get a stake free.
Torches sold separately.
WTS Torch, (Rage of the Elders +20 fire AOE Dot)
PST
SWG Team Mtg.
Jeff Freeman
There, I remember being excited about changes to come and the direction we were going. I had a chance to meet and talk to many of the developers and they were not only creative, they were passionate in trying to make Star Wars Galaxies a better game.
We gave feedback there that was recorded and was, to our best ability, a reflection of the desires and thoughts on combat and this game from members of the community, that represented that community.
I'll try not to presume much but I have to admit there was a dramatic shift in operations not long after. SOETyrant left as did a newly acquired community manager. We then had a combat upgrade for test, not in the sandbox environment propositioned but as a free for all beta. The moment I started playing there I had the distinct impression of "This doesn't seem like what we were told at the summit. What happened?" and I know several who attended as well felt the same way.
Not much longer after that, the travesty of the NGE was introduced.
So for a couple years now I've wondered about what happened and where things started going wrong. Could I blame the developers I met? No, they had passion and a desire to make the game awesome. Could I blame some of the leaders responsible for design at the time? No, they brought us down and listened to us. They gave us hope for what was to come in ways no one else could.
Then I started to wonder, what power or influence could encourage someone like SOETyrant to leave and then have the CU as we knew it introduced? I'm left with precious few answers and all of them point higher up the tree, than with the developers that I knew and appreciated.
I can imagine quite a lot though.
Yup. That's about right. LA should never have aprroved of it, but SOE came up with it, and sold it to the guys upstairs. According to his own blog, Jeff Freeman and Dan Rubenfield had to push for it 40 times a day for two months. In other words, LA had to be CONVINCED of this idiocy.
Also, LA had never developed an MMO before, so some grace may be handed to the for not knowing what they were doing and deferring to the experts (SOE) who made the unethical choice to screw current players to gain mytholigical fictitious players.
fishermage.blogspot.com