Originally posted by koifish So what your saying is the possibility of placing all NGE players into the Japanese servers, thus giving them what they (NGEs) are demanding, all condemed housing and crap we abandoned wiped out and free transfer service. Then the possibility of the old names servers being converted back to preCU? I kinda like this philosophy, definately doable for me.. koi
This may explain their reluctance to wipe out old abandoned houses. Perhaps they have had this Plan B or C in place for a long time. It never made sense to me that they would continue to frustrate paying customers in favor of people that flipped them off and left.
I realize I said I quit. I never said it was forever
Joining the Austin team as lead designer is James Ohlen, BioWare's Creative Director, whose previous credits include lead or co-lead design roles on Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic(TM), Neverwinter Nights(TM), Baldur's Gate(TM) and Baldur's Gate II(TM). Also leading the BWA team are MMO veterans Richard Vogel and Gordon Walton. Richard Vogel brings 15 years of experience to BioWare Austin, previously serving as VP of Product Development for Sony Online Entertainment's Austin studio, as well as launching Ultima Online(TM) as a senior producer at Origin. Gordon Walton recently served as VP, studio manager and executive producer at Sony Online Entertainment as well as VP and Executive Producer at Electronic Arts
ok guys - take a guess as to what BioWare Austin is working on. Just saying - if you had to guess.
Realistically? They are working on getting a group of talented programmers together to work on a kick ass MMORPG that probably has nothing to do with Star Wars.
Wishful Thinking? They are working on getting us our game back, only better. Making the CURB changes!!
What we heard: Of all the Star Wars games, Galaxies has been the most controversial. After releasing it to mixed reviews in 2003, Sony Online Entertainment was criticized for completely overhauling the massively multiplayer online role-playing game's combat system in Spring 2005. The publisher drew even more criticism last November when it implemented a series of allegedly buggy new game enhancements that eliminated several character classes.
Given Galaxies' bumpy ride, and the fact that many game contracts expire after three years, it is not inconceivable that LucasArts, holder of all Star Wars rights, might want to shop around the license. According to informed sources in the industry, that's exactly what the company is doing. Two shops have been mentioned as talking with LucasArts--Cryptic Studios, home to MMORPG City of Heroes, and Canada-based BioWare, maker of the action RPG Jade Empire.
Of the two, BioWare appears the more likely candidate. Besides the fact it developed the critically acclaimed and wildly popular Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the developer just founded a new studio in Austin, Texas--home of SOE's Austin branch--which employs several ex-SOE staffers. The shop's sole project is an unidentified MMORPG set in a science fiction universe, just as Star Wars: Galaxies is.
What's the official line on all this? "The SWG license stuff is completely untrue," was a SOE spokesperson's terse response. "LucasArts and SOE have no plans to 'sunset' Star Wars Galaxies," said a LucasArts rep, referring to the practice of gradually phasing out a game. "It's had its fair share of hurdles, but it has also had its share of successes in its own right, so we aren't interested in abandoning it and focusing on the future."
However, what the LucasArts rep said next raised another interesting possibility--that another Star Wars MMORPG could be in the works. "We have had several developers approach us expressing interest in developing a future Star Wars online game," said the rep. (emphasis in the original.) However, if any such game is in the works, it will be a long time until it surfaces. "As of right now, it hasn't gone anything beyond that (that is, no conversations, no serious talks, no pitches, etc.)," assured the rep.
Despite the official denials, there is still much talk of all not being well at SOE Austin. Though potentially biased, a contact within another studio claims to have been peppered with resumes from SOE developers. The source claims that "over half of the [SOE Austin] coders and artists are scrambling for the lifeboats" because "they all seem to know they will be losing SWG." The studio has already seen one major departure--chief creative officer Raph Koster left this week "to pursue development interests outside of the company."
It wasn't just SWG vets that were hearing inside information.
Lets just say that all this stuff actually happened and BioWare has quietly been pluggin away at their version - ready to release sometime in 2007.
Let's just say - that
LucasArts says we want to do Pre-Cu and we want to do it right. SOE says "We can't cause we dont know how and plus we're tired of it - tbh" LucasArts - Well we kinda know these guys that we worked with on this other thing. SOE - Thats cool cause we are really trying to develop business models - not so much games. LucasArts - Says heya BioWare can you do this thing? Bioware - With the right guys, equipment, time and maybe some help from SOE - SURE. SOE - Cool but we still want to be the publishers. LucasArts says - That's Cool SOE. LucasArts says heya Bioware why don't you open an office in Austin. We got some servers you can develop on and load test on, and a lot of potential ex-employees that would be willing to help you out. It's cheaper than draggin their asses to canuck-town. Bioware - Yeah that's cool - give us some time to fix the shit that's broke before you say anything -that way we don't have to answer a bunch of questions instead of working. LucasArts - Alright - what you need like a year? SOE - I think we can keep interest in the game until then. We'll do some expertise bs. LucasArts says - Bitchin' - It's a plan then.
Source: Popular game blog Kotaku. The official story: See below. What we heard: Of all the Star Wars games, Galaxies has been the most controversial. After releasing it to mixed reviews in 2003, Sony Online Entertainment was criticized for completely overhauling the massively multiplayer online role-playing game's combat system in Spring 2005. The publisher drew even more criticism last November when it implemented a series of allegedly buggy new game enhancements that eliminated several character classes. Given Galaxies' bumpy ride, and the fact that many game contracts expire after three years, it is not inconceivable that LucasArts, holder of all Star Wars rights, might want to shop around the license. According to informed sources in the industry, that's exactly what the company is doing. Two shops have been mentioned as talking with LucasArts--Cryptic Studios, home to MMORPG City of Heroes, and Canada-based BioWare, maker of the action RPG Jade Empire. Of the two, BioWare appears the more likely candidate. Besides the fact it developed the critically acclaimed and wildly popular Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the developer just founded a new studio in Austin, Texas--home of SOE's Austin branch--which employs several ex-SOE staffers. The shop's sole project is an unidentified MMORPG set in a science fiction universe, just as Star Wars: Galaxies is. What's the official line on all this? "The SWG license stuff is completely untrue," was a SOE spokesperson's terse response. "LucasArts and SOE have no plans to 'sunset' Star Wars Galaxies," said a LucasArts rep, referring to the practice of gradually phasing out a game. "It's had its fair share of hurdles, but it has also had its share of successes in its own right, so we aren't interested in abandoning it and focusing on the future." However, what the LucasArts rep said next raised another interesting possibility--that another Star Wars MMORPG could be in the works. "We have had several developers approach us expressing interest in developing a future Star Wars online game," said the rep. (emphasis in the original.) However, if any such game is in the works, it will be a long time until it surfaces. "As of right now, it hasn't gone anything beyond that (that is, no conversations, no serious talks, no pitches, etc.)," assured the rep. Despite the official denials, there is still much talk of all not being well at SOE Austin. Though potentially biased, a contact within another studio claims to have been peppered with resumes from SOE developers. The source claims that "over half of the [SOE Austin] coders and artists are scrambling for the lifeboats" because "they all seem to know they will be losing SWG." The studio has already seen one major departure--chief creative officer Raph Koster left this week "to pursue development interests outside of the company."
It wasn't just SWG vets that were hearing inside information.
Lets just say that all this stuff actually happened and BioWare have quietly been pluggin away at their version - ready to release sometime in 2007.
Let's just say - that
LucasArts says we want to do Pre-Cu and we want to do it right. SOE says "We can't cause we dont know how" LucasArts - Well we kinda know these guys that we worked with on this other thing. SOE - Thats cool cause we are really trying to develop business models - not so much games. LucasArts - Says heya BioWare can you do this thing? Bioware - With the right guys, equipment, time and maybe some help from SOE - SURE. SOE - Cool but we still want to be the publishers. LucasArts says - That's Cool SOE. LucasArts says heya Bioware why don't you open an office in Austin. We got some servers you can develop on and load test on, and a lot of potential ex-employees that would be willing to help you out. It's cheaper than draggin their asses to canuck-town. Bioware - Yeah that's cool - give us some time to fix the shit that's broke before you say anything -that way we don't have to answer a bunch of questions instead of working. LucasArts - Alright - what you need like a year? SOE - I think we can keep interest in the game until then. We'll do some expertise bs. LucasArts says - Bitchin' - It's a plan then.
What is so hard to believe about this scenerio?
.....and they game stays alive till the launch of SWG 2. I think SOE's new business model is game publishing and CS, and less making games. After DC comics I think they will be on to different things.
Source: Popular game blog Kotaku. The official story: See below. What we heard: Of all the Star Wars games, Galaxies has been the most controversial. After releasing it to mixed reviews in 2003, Sony Online Entertainment was criticized for completely overhauling the massively multiplayer online role-playing game's combat system in Spring 2005. The publisher drew even more criticism last November when it implemented a series of allegedly buggy new game enhancements that eliminated several character classes. Given Galaxies' bumpy ride, and the fact that many game contracts expire after three years, it is not inconceivable that LucasArts, holder of all Star Wars rights, might want to shop around the license. According to informed sources in the industry, that's exactly what the company is doing. Two shops have been mentioned as talking with LucasArts--Cryptic Studios, home to MMORPG City of Heroes, and Canada-based BioWare, maker of the action RPG Jade Empire. Of the two, BioWare appears the more likely candidate. Besides the fact it developed the critically acclaimed and wildly popular Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the developer just founded a new studio in Austin, Texas--home of SOE's Austin branch--which employs several ex-SOE staffers. The shop's sole project is an unidentified MMORPG set in a science fiction universe, just as Star Wars: Galaxies is. What's the official line on all this? "The SWG license stuff is completely untrue," was a SOE spokesperson's terse response. "LucasArts and SOE have no plans to 'sunset' Star Wars Galaxies," said a LucasArts rep, referring to the practice of gradually phasing out a game. "It's had its fair share of hurdles, but it has also had its share of successes in its own right, so we aren't interested in abandoning it and focusing on the future." However, what the LucasArts rep said next raised another interesting possibility--that another Star Wars MMORPG could be in the works. "We have had several developers approach us expressing interest in developing a future Star Wars online game," said the rep. (emphasis in the original.) However, if any such game is in the works, it will be a long time until it surfaces. "As of right now, it hasn't gone anything beyond that (that is, no conversations, no serious talks, no pitches, etc.)," assured the rep. Despite the official denials, there is still much talk of all not being well at SOE Austin. Though potentially biased, a contact within another studio claims to have been peppered with resumes from SOE developers. The source claims that "over half of the [SOE Austin] coders and artists are scrambling for the lifeboats" because "they all seem to know they will be losing SWG." The studio has already seen one major departure--chief creative officer Raph Koster left this week "to pursue development interests outside of the company."
It wasn't just SWG vets that were hearing inside information.
Lets just say that all this stuff actually happened and BioWare has quietly been pluggin away at their version - ready to release sometime in 2007.
Let's just say - that
LucasArts says we want to do Pre-Cu and we want to do it right. SOE says "We can't cause we dont know how and plus we're tired of it - tbh" LucasArts - Well we kinda know these guys that we worked with on this other thing. SOE - Thats cool cause we are really trying to develop business models - not so much games. LucasArts - Says heya BioWare can you do this thing? Bioware - With the right guys, equipment, time and maybe some help from SOE - SURE. SOE - Cool but we still want to be the publishers. LucasArts says - That's Cool SOE. LucasArts says heya Bioware why don't you open an office in Austin. We got some servers you can develop on and load test on, and a lot of potential ex-employees that would be willing to help you out. It's cheaper than draggin their asses to canuck-town. Bioware - Yeah that's cool - give us some time to fix the shit that's broke before you say anything -that way we don't have to answer a bunch of questions instead of working. LucasArts - Alright - what you need like a year? SOE - I think we can keep interest in the game until then. We'll do some expertise bs. LucasArts says - Bitchin' - It's a plan then.
What is so hard to believe about this scenerio?
What's so hard to believe about this scenario is that it could have been kept a secret this long. With all the conroversy surrounding this game, someone, somewhere, somehow coudn't have resisted the urge to make a rumor post of just plain let the cat out of the bag. There is always someones friends uncle who knows somebody who works at such and such blah blah blah...
Originally posted by koifish So what your saying is the possibility of placing all NGE players into the Japanese servers, thus giving them what they (NGEs) are demanding, all condemed housing and crap we abandoned wiped out and free transfer service. Then the possibility of the old names servers being converted back to preCU? I kinda like this philosophy, definately doable for me.. koi
This may explain their reluctance to wipe out old abandoned houses. Perhaps they have had this Plan B or C in place for a long time. It never made sense to me that they would continue to frustrate paying customers in favor of people that flipped them off and left.
Yes, it kinda makes sense. If you give the NGErs the newer Japanese servers to run the quagmier, it would be smoother, plus would wipe worthless real estate away, plus give them more poeple to see anytime they play. Then revert to preCU on old servers, maybe not all of them, but enough to servers live to support us that comeback, we could potentially meet our old friends in server that we left. And the code used would be the same as "twas the night before axemiss", so no need for reworked servers. koi
My opinions are my own, take them to heart or take them with a grain of salt. koi
Source: Popular game blog Kotaku. The official story: See below. What we heard: Of all the Star Wars games, Galaxies has been the most controversial. After releasing it to mixed reviews in 2003, Sony Online Entertainment was criticized for completely overhauling the massively multiplayer online role-playing game's combat system in Spring 2005. The publisher drew even more criticism last November when it implemented a series of allegedly buggy new game enhancements that eliminated several character classes. Given Galaxies' bumpy ride, and the fact that many game contracts expire after three years, it is not inconceivable that LucasArts, holder of all Star Wars rights, might want to shop around the license. According to informed sources in the industry, that's exactly what the company is doing. Two shops have been mentioned as talking with LucasArts--Cryptic Studios, home to MMORPG City of Heroes, and Canada-based BioWare, maker of the action RPG Jade Empire. Of the two, BioWare appears the more likely candidate. Besides the fact it developed the critically acclaimed and wildly popular Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the developer just founded a new studio in Austin, Texas--home of SOE's Austin branch--which employs several ex-SOE staffers. The shop's sole project is an unidentified MMORPG set in a science fiction universe, just as Star Wars: Galaxies is. What's the official line on all this? "The SWG license stuff is completely untrue," was a SOE spokesperson's terse response. "LucasArts and SOE have no plans to 'sunset' Star Wars Galaxies," said a LucasArts rep, referring to the practice of gradually phasing out a game. "It's had its fair share of hurdles, but it has also had its share of successes in its own right, so we aren't interested in abandoning it and focusing on the future." However, what the LucasArts rep said next raised another interesting possibility--that another Star Wars MMORPG could be in the works. "We have had several developers approach us expressing interest in developing a future Star Wars online game," said the rep. (emphasis in the original.) However, if any such game is in the works, it will be a long time until it surfaces. "As of right now, it hasn't gone anything beyond that (that is, no conversations, no serious talks, no pitches, etc.)," assured the rep. Despite the official denials, there is still much talk of all not being well at SOE Austin. Though potentially biased, a contact within another studio claims to have been peppered with resumes from SOE developers. The source claims that "over half of the [SOE Austin] coders and artists are scrambling for the lifeboats" because "they all seem to know they will be losing SWG." The studio has already seen one major departure--chief creative officer Raph Koster left this week "to pursue development interests outside of the company."
It wasn't just SWG vets that were hearing inside information.
Lets just say that all this stuff actually happened and BioWare has quietly been pluggin away at their version - ready to release sometime in 2007.
Let's just say - that
LucasArts says we want to do Pre-Cu and we want to do it right. SOE says "We can't cause we dont know how and plus we're tired of it - tbh" LucasArts - Well we kinda know these guys that we worked with on this other thing. SOE - Thats cool cause we are really trying to develop business models - not so much games. LucasArts - Says heya BioWare can you do this thing? Bioware - With the right guys, equipment, time and maybe some help from SOE - SURE. SOE - Cool but we still want to be the publishers. LucasArts says - That's Cool SOE. LucasArts says heya Bioware why don't you open an office in Austin. We got some servers you can develop on and load test on, and a lot of potential ex-employees that would be willing to help you out. It's cheaper than draggin their asses to canuck-town. Bioware - Yeah that's cool - give us some time to fix the shit that's broke before you say anything -that way we don't have to answer a bunch of questions instead of working. LucasArts - Alright - what you need like a year? SOE - I think we can keep interest in the game until then. We'll do some expertise bs. LucasArts says - Bitchin' - It's a plan then.
What is so hard to believe about this scenerio?
What's so hard to believe about this scenario is that it could have been kept a secret this long. With all the conroversy surrounding this game, someone, somewhere, somehow coudn't have resisted the urge to make a rumor post of just plain let the cat out of the bag. There is always someones friends uncle who knows somebody who works at such and such blah blah blah...
The nge was kept secret for a while, up to the point when that post was made on the SOE boards, a few weeks before the announcement and about a month before the change.
Originally posted by dookseid What's so hard to believe about this scenario is that it could have been kept a secret this long.
Well IF, IF, IF this turns out to be true...It wasn't kept much of a secret really...I mean, someone wrote that article a long time ago and many of the rumors that have spread would have some truth in them. So, things have leaked...again IF this turns out to be correct.
And, as Tillamook says, the NGE was kept under wraps for a long time....This stuff has been discussed for a LONG time, it's just always been denied (just like all the references to the NGE and the Starter Kit)
Originally posted by dookseid What's so hard to believe about this scenario is that it could have been kept a secret this long.
Well IF, IF, IF this turns out to be true...It wasn't kept much of a secret really...I mean, someone wrote that article a long time ago and many of the rumors that have spread would have some truth in them. So, things have leaked...again IF this turns out to be correct.
And, as Tillamook says, the NGE was kept under wraps for a long time....This stuff has been discussed for a LONG time, it's just always been denied (just like all the references to the NGE and the Starter Kit)
That is true but at no other time was there this much controversy. Yes, things have been kept under wraps before and for quite a long time, but I just can't believe someone "in the know", somewhere, could resist the urge to be the hero to the refugees.... but that is just wishful thinking perhaps on my part...
Originally posted by koifish Originally posted by jrscott Originally posted by koifish So what your saying is the possibility of placing all NGE players into the Japanese servers, thus giving them what they (NGEs) are demanding, all condemed housing and crap we abandoned wiped out and free transfer service. Then the possibility of the old names servers being converted back to preCU? I kinda like this philosophy, definately doable for me.. koi
This may explain their reluctance to wipe out old abandoned houses. Perhaps they have had this Plan B or C in place for a long time. It never made sense to me that they would continue to frustrate paying customers in favor of people that flipped them off and left. Yes, it kinda makes sense. If you give the NGErs the newer Japanese servers to run the quagmier, it would be smoother, plus would wipe worthless real estate away, plus give them more poeple to see anytime they play. Then revert to preCU on old servers, maybe not all of them, but enough to servers live to support us that comeback, we could potentially meet our old friends in server that we left. And the code used would be the same as "twas the night before axemiss", so no need for reworked servers. koi
Althought that might be a daring solution to their problem .... who believes they'll try it? Tell all the people who suffered through the NGE 'hey, thanks for all those fees, now transfer to a new combined server, we're going to kiss the behinds of the people who have trashed us for the last year or so and give them your servers."
Hooooowhee, I don't think they have the guts to do it even if it worked. Too much of a gamble that they piss off their last remaining customer base and the Classics don't draw back enough pre-NGE people, who are still skeptical to say the least.
"And, as Tillamook says, the NGE was kept under wraps for a long time....This stuff has been discussed for a LONG time, it's just always been denied (just like all the references to the NGE and the Starter Kit)"
Well I believe that the NGE was in the works for a long time.
My source? none. But.. check this out..
Remember when SOE was going to have a magazine? There was I think one pre-view copy that was net only.
Then I believe there was only one print copy and I never heard of it again.
Anyway it was called: SOE Worlds.
The one copy I have is Spring 2005.. which means it was printed around December of 2004 because of lead time.. or Jan/fed. Anyway...
In that magazine there is an article called:
Help me, %TT, You're my only hope!
It was written by Dallas Dickinson then SWG Producer.
In the article is text to the following:
"Over the past couple of years, we've been listening to the feedback we get from our players, and one thing we've heard loud and clear is that our players want to feel like they are the heroes of the Star Wars movies that you know and love. You want to feel like you're Luke Skywalker.."
and that paragraph ends with..
"We want to make the game feel more Star Wars-y."
I never heard the term Star Warsy used by SOE with the CU... I do clearly remember how Iconic professions aka Luke Skywalker.. were star warsy.
Pretty much when Dallas wrote that article I feel he knew full well the NGE was coming... The CU hadn't even hit live yet when this article was written.
Looking back.. because I found the mag in my closet.. and rereading it.. I just see this as being a big reference to the NGE.
Hmmm. I guess this could all be like trying to figure out Nostradamus or the Bible Code, you don't really know what to look for till it's already happened... lol.
Originally posted by dookseid Originally posted by Leel Joining the Austin team as lead designer is James Ohlen, BioWare's Creative Director, whose previous credits include lead or co-lead design roles on Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic(TM), Neverwinter Nights(TM), Baldur's Gate(TM) and Baldur's Gate II(TM). Also leading the BWA team are MMO veterans Richard Vogel and Gordon Walton. Richard Vogel brings 15 years of experience to BioWare Austin, previously serving as VP of Product Development for Sony Online Entertainment's Austin studio, as well as launching Ultima Online(TM) as a senior producer at Origin. Gordon Walton recently served as VP, studio manager and executive producer at Sony Online Entertainment as well as VP and Executive Producer at Electronic Arts
ok guys - take a guess as to what BioWare Austin is working on. Just saying - if you had to guess.
Realistically? They are working on getting a group of talented programmers together to work on a kick ass MMORPG that probably has nothing to do with Star Wars.
Wishful Thinking? They are working on getting us our game back, only better. Making the CURB changes!!
Realistically? They are working on an MMORPG that will be in the WoW mold but with some extra options to give it a bit more depth (that will likely be the forseeable future of MMORPGs for a while).
Wishful Thinking? They are working on a sandbox style MMORPG based on either ancient Greek/Roman mythology or ancient Norse mythology. Better yet, a sandbox MMORPG that includes both (and maybe a few other ancient myths too).
I already played a really good Star Wars MMORPG, but it is long gone now. If a company that isn't SOE is going to make one, I'd rather it be new and fresh (but set in the same time period as SWG, but with a stricter adherence to the continuity of the films, ie., no Jed or thirty year old weapons that are better than new ones, or equipment that is a few thousand years old and still usefuli. Unlockable Force sensative skills would be okay). If a company that is SOE is going to make one, I wish they stop right now and forget the whole thing.
Really though, an MMORPG set with the ancient Greek gods at war with the ancient Norse gods would kick all kinds of ass.
Originally posted by Antarious "And, as Tillamook says, the NGE was kept under wraps for a long time....This stuff has been discussed for a LONG time, it's just always been denied (just like all the references to the NGE and the Starter Kit)" Well I believe that the NGE was in the works for a long time. My source? none. But.. check this out.. Remember when SOE was going to have a magazine? There was I think one pre-view copy that was net only. Then I believe there was only one print copy and I never heard of it again. Anyway it was called: SOE Worlds. The one copy I have is Spring 2005.. which means it was printed around December of 2004 because of lead time.. or Jan/fed. Anyway... In that magazine there is an article called: Help me, %TT, You're my only hope! It was written by Dallas Dickinson then SWG Producer. In the article is text to the following: "Over the past couple of years, we've been listening to the feedback we get from our players, and one thing we've heard loud and clear is that our players want to feel like they are the heroes of the Star Wars movies that you know and love. You want to feel like you're Luke Skywalker.." and that paragraph ends with.. "We want to make the game feel more Star Wars-y." I never heard the term Star Warsy used by SOE with the CU... I do clearly remember how Iconic professions aka Luke Skywalker.. were star warsy. Pretty much when Dallas wrote that article I feel he knew full well the NGE was coming... The CU hadn't even hit live yet when this article was written. Looking back.. because I found the mag in my closet.. and rereading it.. I just see this as being a big reference to the NGE. So imho it was under wraps for quite some time.
According to the folks at SOE, the NGE was ibeing developed for almost six months before being inflicted on us. That would actually explain why they decided to implement the unpopular CU with little testing time when they had the CURB, which was very popular with the folks in the closed beta, almost ready to publish (it was supposed to go on the public test server with a few days of the CU announcement).
I really don't buy the whole "the original code was too hard to work with/ the original code was poorly implemented" cannard. If either of those were true, they would never have been able to slap the CU together in less than a month, nor would they have been able to slap the NGE on top of it like they did six months later. The original game was still viable. They didn't even do the focus groups until after they has partially developed the NGE. They asked a bunch of folks who had never played an MMORPG wether they like a fast paced, action filled Star Wars game (probably used Battlefront and the console games as examples) or a (what they considered) slower paced RPG type game without strict structure. Add in a directed storyline experience (which was meant to be implemented in SWG originally but got scrapped after an early launch) which was intentially tied to the new 'action packed' game and you have the opitomy of a tainted focus group.
I have been getting the japan servers on my list scince they taken them off line is nothing new to me but i do hope they make them into classic servers
Was there a 3rd server? I swear there was. I saw a screen shot of one that did not have the Japan- title in front of it. Either I did, or it was a dream and I'm losing my mind. If there was a third new server that showed post a SS so I can regain my sanity. edit* it had some special title in front of it and people were wondering what this special 3rd server was for? It was in the list with other servers but it wasn't a Jap server. Was it in another thread or something? I can't find the link in here.
I posted the following on the $OE forum. The 5 page thread was then deleted within minutes. No PM sent to me from the DEV's (they always send me a warning PM) , No Ban (or Ban me , No Lock, just deleted.
"The Japanese servers have been relocated to the US. They still show the distances as being in Japan due to left-over code. These servers will be used to host a Pre-NGE version of the game. This will be announced around the time that SW:G is scheduled to be released.
My source was not able to confirm what version of the game will be on these servers, Pre-CU or CU, only that it would be Pre-NGE.
This is not a rumor.
The information comes from my most trusted source. If it is Pre-CU then I will most likely re-sub. If it is CU then I will give Vanguard a shot and once again be a crafter/adventurer."
Originally posted by -Teek- I posted the following on the $OE forum. The 5 page thread was then deleted within minutes. No PM sent to me from the DEV's (they always send me a warning PM) , No Ban (or Ban me , No Lock, just deleted. "The Japanese servers have been relocated to the US. They still show the distances as being in Japan due to left-over code. These servers will be used to host a Pre-NGE version of the game. This will be announced around the time that SW:G is scheduled to be released. My source was not able to confirm what version of the game will be on these servers, Pre-CU or CU, only that it would be Pre-NGE. This is not a rumor. The information comes from my most trusted source. If it is Pre-CU then I will most likely re-sub. If it is CU then I will give Vanguard a shot and once again be a crafter/adventurer."
pre cu- threads. If you do not wish to talk constructively about the current state of the game then you are not welcome to post. If you troll further you will be banned.
Here's another from Brenlo...but it wasn't really a warning. Just an interesting PM
From: Brenlo
Sent: 08-07-2006 11:01 pm
Re: Your Signature
We are working on more communication and we hope to have it continually improve. Thanks again for your feedback. On the pre-CU/NGE server, sorry but there are no plans for that right now. That doesn't mean never but it doesn't mean it will happen either.
Originally posted by -Teek- Here's another from Brenlo...but it wasn't really a warning. Just an interesting PMFrom: BrenloSent: 08-07-2006 11:01 pmRe: Your SignatureWe are working on more communication and we hope to have it continually improve. Thanks again for your feedback. On the pre-CU/NGE server, sorry but there are no plans for that right now. That doesn't mean never but it doesn't mean it will happen either.
Thanks.
That is highly interesting. Totally inconsistent with every other post or PM I have seen. I say we keep the full court press on them. They're going to fold.
I realize I said I quit. I never said it was forever
Here's another from Brenlo...but it wasn't really a warning. Just an interesting PM From: Brenlo Sent: 08-07-2006 11:01 pm Re: Your Signature We are working on more communication and we hope to have it continually improve. Thanks again for your feedback. On the pre-CU/NGE server, sorry but there are no plans for that right now. That doesn't mean never but it doesn't mean it will happen either.
Thanks.
That is highly interesting. Totally inconsistent with every other post or PM I have seen. I say we keep the full court press on them. They're going to fold.
Yeah, thats why I kept that one, it was from the time when Brenlo popped in there and said something to the effect of, "we messed up, and the NGE was poorly done/rolled-out"
What has always interested and disappointed me on the SWG forums was how whenever there was a straight shooter red name I started to appreciate, they would soon disappear.
I realize I said I quit. I never said it was forever
Originally posted by -Teek- Here's my favorite warning from Garva... From: Garva Sent: 09-11-2006 10:07 am No More... pre cu- threads. If you do not wish to talk constructively about the current state of the game then you are not welcome to post. If you troll further you will be banned. Here's another from Brenlo...but it wasn't really a warning. Just an interesting PM From: Brenlo Sent: 08-07-2006 11:01 pm Re: Your Signature We are working on more communication and we hope to have it continually improve. Thanks again for your feedback. On the pre-CU/NGE server, sorry but there are no plans for that right now. That doesn't mean never but it doesn't mean it will happen either.
Thanks.
Mostly I was talkin about that thread you made that got deleted. What are some of players saying about that rumor?
Comments
I realize I said I quit. I never said it was forever
Realistically? They are working on getting a group of talented programmers together to work on a kick ass MMORPG that probably has nothing to do with Star Wars.
Wishful Thinking? They are working on getting us our game back, only better. Making the CURB changes!!
It wasn't just SWG vets that were hearing inside information.
Lets just say that all this stuff actually happened and BioWare has quietly been pluggin away at their version - ready to release sometime in 2007.
Let's just say - that
LucasArts says we want to do Pre-Cu and we want to do it right.
SOE says "We can't cause we dont know how and plus we're tired of it - tbh"
LucasArts - Well we kinda know these guys that we worked with on this other thing.
SOE - Thats cool cause we are really trying to develop business models - not so much games.
LucasArts - Says heya BioWare can you do this thing?
Bioware - With the right guys, equipment, time and maybe some help from SOE - SURE.
SOE - Cool but we still want to be the publishers.
LucasArts says - That's Cool SOE.
LucasArts says heya Bioware why don't you open an office in Austin. We got some servers you can develop on and load test on, and a lot of potential ex-employees that would be willing to help you out. It's cheaper than draggin their asses to canuck-town.
Bioware - Yeah that's cool - give us some time to fix the shit that's broke before you say anything -that way we don't have to answer a bunch of questions instead of working.
LucasArts - Alright - what you need like a year?
SOE - I think we can keep interest in the game until then. We'll do some expertise bs.
LucasArts says - Bitchin' - It's a plan then.
What is so hard to believe about this scenerio?
It wasn't just SWG vets that were hearing inside information.
Lets just say that all this stuff actually happened and BioWare have quietly been pluggin away at their version - ready to release sometime in 2007.
Let's just say - that
LucasArts says we want to do Pre-Cu and we want to do it right.
SOE says "We can't cause we dont know how"
LucasArts - Well we kinda know these guys that we worked with on this other thing.
SOE - Thats cool cause we are really trying to develop business models - not so much games.
LucasArts - Says heya BioWare can you do this thing?
Bioware - With the right guys, equipment, time and maybe some help from SOE - SURE.
SOE - Cool but we still want to be the publishers.
LucasArts says - That's Cool SOE.
LucasArts says heya Bioware why don't you open an office in Austin. We got some servers you can develop on and load test on, and a lot of potential ex-employees that would be willing to help you out. It's cheaper than draggin their asses to canuck-town.
Bioware - Yeah that's cool - give us some time to fix the shit that's broke before you say anything -that way we don't have to answer a bunch of questions instead of working.
LucasArts - Alright - what you need like a year?
SOE - I think we can keep interest in the game until then. We'll do some expertise bs.
LucasArts says - Bitchin' - It's a plan then.
What is so hard to believe about this scenerio?
.....and they game stays alive till the launch of SWG 2. I think SOE's new business model is game publishing and CS, and less making games. After DC comics I think they will be on to different things.
It wasn't just SWG vets that were hearing inside information.
Lets just say that all this stuff actually happened and BioWare has quietly been pluggin away at their version - ready to release sometime in 2007.
Let's just say - that
LucasArts says we want to do Pre-Cu and we want to do it right.
SOE says "We can't cause we dont know how and plus we're tired of it - tbh"
LucasArts - Well we kinda know these guys that we worked with on this other thing.
SOE - Thats cool cause we are really trying to develop business models - not so much games.
LucasArts - Says heya BioWare can you do this thing?
Bioware - With the right guys, equipment, time and maybe some help from SOE - SURE.
SOE - Cool but we still want to be the publishers.
LucasArts says - That's Cool SOE.
LucasArts says heya Bioware why don't you open an office in Austin. We got some servers you can develop on and load test on, and a lot of potential ex-employees that would be willing to help you out. It's cheaper than draggin their asses to canuck-town.
Bioware - Yeah that's cool - give us some time to fix the shit that's broke before you say anything -that way we don't have to answer a bunch of questions instead of working.
LucasArts - Alright - what you need like a year?
SOE - I think we can keep interest in the game until then. We'll do some expertise bs.
LucasArts says - Bitchin' - It's a plan then.
What is so hard to believe about this scenerio?
What's so hard to believe about this scenario is that it could have been kept a secret this long. With all the conroversy surrounding this game, someone, somewhere, somehow coudn't have resisted the urge to make a rumor post of just plain let the cat out of the bag. There is always someones friends uncle who knows somebody who works at such and such blah blah blah...
Yes, it kinda makes sense. If you give the NGErs the newer Japanese servers to run the quagmier, it would be smoother, plus would wipe worthless real estate away, plus give them more poeple to see anytime they play. Then revert to preCU on old servers, maybe not all of them, but enough to servers live to support us that comeback, we could potentially meet our old friends in server that we left. And the code used would be the same as "twas the night before axemiss", so no need for reworked servers. koi
My opinions are my own, take them to heart or take them with a grain of salt. koi
It wasn't just SWG vets that were hearing inside information.
Lets just say that all this stuff actually happened and BioWare has quietly been pluggin away at their version - ready to release sometime in 2007.
Let's just say - that
LucasArts says we want to do Pre-Cu and we want to do it right.
SOE says "We can't cause we dont know how and plus we're tired of it - tbh"
LucasArts - Well we kinda know these guys that we worked with on this other thing.
SOE - Thats cool cause we are really trying to develop business models - not so much games.
LucasArts - Says heya BioWare can you do this thing?
Bioware - With the right guys, equipment, time and maybe some help from SOE - SURE.
SOE - Cool but we still want to be the publishers.
LucasArts says - That's Cool SOE.
LucasArts says heya Bioware why don't you open an office in Austin. We got some servers you can develop on and load test on, and a lot of potential ex-employees that would be willing to help you out. It's cheaper than draggin their asses to canuck-town.
Bioware - Yeah that's cool - give us some time to fix the shit that's broke before you say anything -that way we don't have to answer a bunch of questions instead of working.
LucasArts - Alright - what you need like a year?
SOE - I think we can keep interest in the game until then. We'll do some expertise bs.
LucasArts says - Bitchin' - It's a plan then.
What is so hard to believe about this scenerio?
What's so hard to believe about this scenario is that it could have been kept a secret this long. With all the conroversy surrounding this game, someone, somewhere, somehow coudn't have resisted the urge to make a rumor post of just plain let the cat out of the bag. There is always someones friends uncle who knows somebody who works at such and such blah blah blah...
The nge was kept secret for a while, up to the point when that post was made on the SOE boards, a few weeks before the announcement and about a month before the change.
Well IF, IF, IF this turns out to be true...It wasn't kept much of a secret really...I mean, someone wrote that article a long time ago and many of the rumors that have spread would have some truth in them. So, things have leaked...again IF this turns out to be correct.
And, as Tillamook says, the NGE was kept under wraps for a long time....This stuff has been discussed for a LONG time, it's just always been denied (just like all the references to the NGE and the Starter Kit)
Love, Sodapop
Well IF, IF, IF this turns out to be true...It wasn't kept much of a secret really...I mean, someone wrote that article a long time ago and many of the rumors that have spread would have some truth in them. So, things have leaked...again IF this turns out to be correct.
And, as Tillamook says, the NGE was kept under wraps for a long time....This stuff has been discussed for a LONG time, it's just always been denied (just like all the references to the NGE and the Starter Kit)
That is true but at no other time was there this much controversy. Yes, things have been kept under wraps before and for quite a long time, but I just can't believe someone "in the know", somewhere, could resist the urge to be the hero to the refugees.... but that is just wishful thinking perhaps on my part...
Trust me, I want to believe! I really, really do.
Yes, it kinda makes sense. If you give the NGErs the newer Japanese servers to run the quagmier, it would be smoother, plus would wipe worthless real estate away, plus give them more poeple to see anytime they play. Then revert to preCU on old servers, maybe not all of them, but enough to servers live to support us that comeback, we could potentially meet our old friends in server that we left. And the code used would be the same as "twas the night before axemiss", so no need for reworked servers. koi
Althought that might be a daring solution to their problem .... who believes they'll try it? Tell all the people who suffered through the NGE 'hey, thanks for all those fees, now transfer to a new combined server, we're going to kiss the behinds of the people who have trashed us for the last year or so and give them your servers."
Hooooowhee, I don't think they have the guts to do it even if it worked. Too much of a gamble that they piss off their last remaining customer base and the Classics don't draw back enough pre-NGE people, who are still skeptical to say the least.
"And, as Tillamook says, the NGE was kept under wraps for a long time....This stuff has been discussed for a LONG time, it's just always been denied (just like all the references to the NGE and the Starter Kit)"
Well I believe that the NGE was in the works for a long time.
My source? none. But.. check this out..
Remember when SOE was going to have a magazine? There was I think one pre-view copy that was net only.
Then I believe there was only one print copy and I never heard of it again.
Anyway it was called: SOE Worlds.
The one copy I have is Spring 2005.. which means it was printed around December of 2004 because of lead time.. or Jan/fed. Anyway...
In that magazine there is an article called:
Help me, %TT, You're my only hope!
It was written by Dallas Dickinson then SWG Producer.
In the article is text to the following:
"Over the past couple of years, we've been listening to the feedback we get from our players, and one thing we've heard loud and clear is that our players want to feel like they are the heroes of the Star Wars movies that you know and love. You want to feel like you're Luke Skywalker.."
and that paragraph ends with..
"We want to make the game feel more Star Wars-y."
I never heard the term Star Warsy used by SOE with the CU... I do clearly remember how Iconic professions aka Luke Skywalker.. were star warsy.
Pretty much when Dallas wrote that article I feel he knew full well the NGE was coming... The CU hadn't even hit live yet when this article was written.
Looking back.. because I found the mag in my closet.. and rereading it.. I just see this as being a big reference to the NGE.
So imho it was under wraps for quite some time.
Realistically?
They are working on getting a group of talented programmers together to
work on a kick ass MMORPG that probably has nothing to do with Star
Wars.
Wishful Thinking? They are working on getting us our game back, only better. Making the CURB changes!!
Realistically? They are working on an MMORPG that will be in the
WoW mold but with some extra options to give it a bit more depth (that
will likely be the forseeable future of MMORPGs for a while).
Wishful Thinking? They are working on a sandbox style MMORPG
based on either ancient Greek/Roman mythology or ancient Norse
mythology. Better yet, a sandbox MMORPG that includes both (and
maybe a few other ancient myths too).
I already played a really good Star Wars MMORPG, but it is long gone
now. If a company that isn't SOE is going to make one, I'd rather
it be new and fresh (but set in the same time period as SWG, but with a
stricter adherence to the continuity of the films, ie., no Jed or
thirty year old weapons that are better than new ones, or equipment
that is a few thousand years old and still usefuli. Unlockable
Force sensative skills would be okay). If a company that is SOE
is going to make one, I wish they stop right now and forget the whole
thing.
Really though, an MMORPG set with the ancient Greek gods at war with the ancient Norse gods would kick all kinds of ass.
six months before being inflicted on us. That would actually
explain why they decided to implement the unpopular CU with little
testing time when they had the CURB, which was very popular with the
folks in the closed beta, almost ready to publish (it was supposed to
go on the public test server with a few days of the CU announcement).
I really don't buy the whole "the original code was too hard to work
with/ the original code was poorly implemented" cannard. If
either of those were true, they would never have been able to slap the
CU together in less than a month, nor would they have been able to slap
the NGE on top of it like they did six months later. The original
game was still viable. They didn't even do the focus groups until
after they has partially developed the NGE. They asked a bunch of
folks who had never played an MMORPG wether they like a fast paced,
action filled Star Wars game (probably used Battlefront and the console
games as examples) or a (what they considered) slower paced RPG type
game without strict structure. Add in a directed storyline
experience (which was meant to be implemented in SWG originally but got
scrapped after an early launch) which was intentially tied to the new
'action packed' game and you have the opitomy of a tainted focus group.
I posted the following on the $OE forum. The 5 page thread was then deleted within minutes. No PM sent to me from the DEV's (they always send me a warning PM) , No Ban (or Ban me
, No Lock, just deleted.
"The Japanese servers have been relocated to the US. They still show the distances as being in Japan due to left-over code. These servers will be used to host a Pre-NGE version of the game. This will be announced around the time that SW:G is scheduled to be released.
My source was not able to confirm what version of the game will be on these servers, Pre-CU or CU, only that it would be Pre-NGE.
This is not a rumor.
The information comes from my most trusted source. If it is Pre-CU then I will most likely re-sub. If it is CU then I will give Vanguard a shot and once again be a crafter/adventurer."
Here's my favorite warning from Garva...
From: Garva
Sent: 09-11-2006 10:07 am
No More...
pre cu- threads. If you do not wish to talk constructively about the current state of the game then you are not welcome to post. If you troll further you will be banned.
Here's another from Brenlo...but it wasn't really a warning. Just an interesting PM
From: Brenlo
Sent: 08-07-2006 11:01 pm
Re: Your Signature
We are working on more communication and we hope to have it continually improve. Thanks again for your feedback. On the pre-CU/NGE server, sorry but there are no plans for that right now. That doesn't mean never but it doesn't mean it will happen either.
Thanks.
I realize I said I quit. I never said it was forever
Yeah, thats why I kept that one, it was from the time when Brenlo popped in there and said something to the effect of, "we messed up, and the NGE was poorly done/rolled-out"
http://soe.lithium.com/swg/board/message?board.id=swggpdiscussion&message.id=1039243#M1039243
Funny how he hasn't been back to the SWG forums since then....
I realize I said I quit. I never said it was forever