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New Interview with Director: How Funcom is adjusting with change and the arrival of Lich King and Wa
AmazingAvery
Age of Conan AdvocateMember UncommonPosts: 7,188
Link: pc.ign.com/articles/933/933413p1.html
3 pages long:
Snippet:
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IGN: Age of Conan released last May and has seen quite a few updates. Yet there's been plenty of movement in the general MMO market, at least as far as AAA titles go. Warhammer Online is out, and there are expansions for The Lord of the Rings Online, EverQuest II, and World of Warcraft. How do you think Age of Conan stacks up right now, and in what ways do you think it's unique?
Craig Morrison: I think the game stacks up very well. The titles mentioned all have different elements to them. I think some things we do better than them, and in some areas they do better than us. Mainly it's down to where the products focused. I think in the areas where those other titles focused we certainly have the opportunity to improve. Warhammer Online has done a great job with its very PvP-centric options, and a game like Lord of the Rings has maintained Turbine's track record of keeping great quest-style content coming into their games after launch. I think it's safe to say we have the most visceral and beautifully detailed game world ever created for an MMO. Likewise, we have one of the most fun and well-paced combat systems of any of the current crop of MMOs. It feels different and allows for greater freedom of choice in combat. We also have the advantage of a very mature and brutal setting for the game. Tied closely to the visuals, I think it's a very unique setting amongst the current generation of MMOs. No other game out there feels quite like ours does in terms of setting and atmosphere. Stepping into Hyboria you are truly getting something different. IGN: As far as content updates go latest one seems to be fairly significant. It implements a PvP consequence system for the first time. So for players who aren't familiar or haven't logged in for a while, can you explain exactly what the changes are and how they work, as well as how the update fits in with what you see to be the game's strengths? Craig Morrison: The latest game update did indeed introduce a new consequence system for PvP. Off the back of the PvP leveling system that we had introduced in the previous update this new system brings a deeper meaning to PvP. Basically it introduces real consequences for players' actions. Players will now run the risk of becoming a criminal or even a murderer depending on their actions in PvP. If you as a player take part in anti-social actions in PvP, picking on weaker foes and such, you will find yourself accruing "murder points" that will eventually mean the attitudes of NPCs in the world will change towards you! Murderers will be outcast from society and will have to depend on new outlaw camps which can be found at remote locations in various different playfields. These NPCs offer the same types of services as you find in the normal cities, camps and outposts around Hyboria, but they charge for their services, a price you have to pay for becoming a dangerous individual to do business with. I think it's a really nice, dynamic system that adds a level of authenticity to the game world. Players can become famous or infamous at their discretion. It ties in with the brutal and dangerous world of Hyboria. It adds another interesting element to the PvP area of the game, an area that has been very popular since the launch of the game. I think it has managed a pretty good balance between the needs to protect players from excessive "grief" play while not preventing those who wish to stray down a darker path from doing so. It all ties into creating a visceral and believable interpretation of the harsh world that Howard originally described in the Conan literature while still accounting for the practical considerations that we have to keep in mind for game balance. So I think it adds very neatly into the games core PvP strengths in a unique and interesting way. IGN: How many active subscribers worldwide do you have at this point? If you're not willing to share this number, would you mind explaining why? Craig Morrison: Being a publically traded company on the stock market here in Norway that's not information I am able to give out. Information like that comes through our financial reporting to the Stock Market. IGN: What's going on with the Xbox 360 version of Age of Conan? Craig Morrison: There is a team working on it internally at the moment. There is a lot to consider with a console version so it's still something that is in the works, but we don't have any firm release plans as yet. IGN: Can you give us a glimpse into the future of Age of Conan? What's being readied for upcoming content patches? Craig Morrison: We are also in the process of preparing the DirectX 10 version of the game for our public test servers. I am really looking forward to players getting to experience some of the new visual improvements that this new technology allows. It really brings an even further splendor to the game world. IGN: Where do you see Age of Conan two years from now? Craig Morrison: I think we will continue to focus on bringing new fun content to the players and further expanding on the world of King Conan. There is some much more for us still to explore. I am excited to get the chance to get involved in an MMO on this scale as early as this since it means we get the chance to introduce new elements that can bring the game world to life even more for the players and engage them in their communities and the experience of the game. That's an area that is very important for me, and we have already started with systems like the PvP consequence system, and will continue to focus on areas like that so that hopefully players feel part of an exciting and dangerous game-world. |
Check out the link at the top for more Q&A 
Comments
Probably a good read for some of the guys that have not been in the game for a while. Nice interview.
Really nothing new in that interview. Deflections on the questions about subscriber numbers and the canned xbox version. Nothing specific about the future of AOC. Usual marketing regurgitation. There's really no substance at all in there.
I have to disagree thoroughly with you there. Look to how fair Chris is talking about his competitors. He says fair balanced stuff about WAR (even though there certainly are tons of stuff wrong with it), as well as fair stuff about LotRO. Me likes that. It's not like the mouth-yapper MJ trolling about his competitors like a fcking 10 year old forum troll. Chris definitely gave a very good and fair interview there.
Translation:
"Xbox 360 version is never coming out".
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Originally posted by Frobner
"Massive sieges" "mounted combat" and "spellweaving" are just few words that spring to mind when I hear the word AOC.... But the word FAILURE will always top the list.
Funny thing about AOC and Warhammer. When things are going good (launch) they are throwing out numbers 750k boxes sold, 800k customers, #1prordered game, all the time. Both Funcom and Mythic couldn't wait to quote any vague statistic they could to make their game look good.
But when the game tanks, then they hide behind "we can't talk about numbers because we are a pubicly traded company".
Blizzard (a publicly traded company) has announced it's subscription numbers 3 times already this year 11M in January, 11.7M in July, 12M in October.
I have to disagree thoroughly with you there. Look to how fair Chris is talking about his competitors. He says fair balanced stuff about WAR (even though there certainly are tons of stuff wrong with it), as well as fair stuff about LotRO. Me likes that. It's not like the mouth-yapper MJ trolling about his competitors like a fcking 10 year old forum troll. Chris definitely gave a very good and fair interview there.
What was his alternative? Call out other games?
Oh you meant calling people out like saying your game is steak and others are hamburger? Oh yes I agree that would be a bad thing to do.
Translation:
"Xbox 360 version is never coming out".
Kind of sounds that way doesnt it. Frankly unless there was something forcing them to make the xbox version I would cut my losses and concentrate on the version that is currently being played.
Translation:
"Xbox 360 version is never coming out".
Kind of sounds that way doesnt it. Frankly unless there was something forcing them to make the xbox version I would cut my losses and concentrate on the version that is currently being played.
This is a great example of why I will never buy another Funcom game again. They lie through their teeth and you know it, they know it and they don't give a flying ****.
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CASUAL CONFESSIONS - Draccan's blog
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I think they do give a damn (they make money of us after all), its just that they don't really have any other option. When company is doing great, it would never risk a hit on their image and blatantly lie (well sure small lies but not huge ones). Huge lies only start when business is not going well, so the company starts wiggling around here and there trying to get back on the road.
Hats off to IGN for asking some tough questions. The answers were decent too, except for few sneaky dodges like with the number of subs.
I am the type of player where I like to do everything and anything from time to time.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodomor - pre-WW2 genocide.
Stock is worth $3 dollars and some change whats that saying about its future.
MAGA
Not really sure what your point is here. I get that you're saying "But Blizzard is a publicly traded company, and they're showing their numbers.." However, at the same time they're obviously doing well..which you say in your first paragaph is when the others throw out their numbers too, sooo..
Besides, Blizzard has sounded a little antsy when asked about people that have left to go to the other games, and are then quick to point out "BUT...XX% have returned!"
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You can't win - if you strike me down I shall respawn more powerful than you could possibly imagine!
Even though Craig dodge the question about the subscribers, he can't pull a white one on the annual report. In the second quarter 2008, AoC had over 400k subscribers. That's quite the respectable number is you ask me. That report and it's numbers prove the trolls and naysayers are full of shit, but nothing new there
Funcom Q2 2008 annual report
They do experience a drop in revenues, but we still are in a global recession so they feel the effect of it as bad as anyone else do.
Edit:To the clueless troll below me, nope I'm not a fanboy of the game. I don't even like it, nor do I play it. I'm just trying to bring some facts to the table as there is way too much guesswork going around about the game, and other games aswell too for that matter. Just have to wait for their next report to check those numbers again. To you guys who say the game is dying, why would Funcom put most of their effort into it if it's dying?Besides if you check Q3 they earned more revenues compared to Q2 so what does that tell us, hmmm? So stop talking out your ass. That goes for all the other trolls and naysayers aswell.
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Grammar nazi's. This one is for you.
deluded fanboy
fanboy is deluded
IGN: How many active subscribers worldwide do you have at this point? If you're not willing to share this number, would you mind explaining why?
Craig Morrison: Being a publically traded company on the stock market here in Norway that's not information I am able to give out. Information like that comes through our financial reporting to the Stock Market.
This is just complete dodge. They released the number in Q2, and made it difficult to determine the true time frame for those numbers, in an attempt to paint the game as doing better than was really the case. They then announced, while bleeding subs at the rate of about 5% a week, they would no longer be giving these numbers even in financial reports.
Thats not what he said there above. Is it? Did I miss the active subscription numbers in the Q3 report somewhere?
All the AoC fanboys came out stating how this was going to be the greatesr MMO ever and kill the WoW subscriber base. I played it for 2½ months. The starter area was good and then the game went downhill straight from there. A total waste of $50.
Spoils of War - The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.
I think they do give a damn (they make money of us after all), its just that they don't really have any other option. When company is doing great, it would never risk a hit on their image and blatantly lie (well sure small lies but not huge ones). Huge lies only start when business is not going well, so the company starts wiggling around here and there trying to get back on the road.
Hats off to IGN for asking some tough questions. The answers were decent too, except for few sneaky dodges like with the number of subs.
Itsa good theory but doesnt explain the lies they told early one. We'll right that one off to a lack of morals by management and their PR people.
Companies "lie" (emblish would be the word they would use but to many people they are lies) all of the time while doing their marketing.It when they cant back it up or the product doesnt have enough other things going for it that its gets them in trouble.
As far as giving a damn well thats subjective. Yes they ( any business) give a damn because they want your money but that does not mean that they act with your interests in mind or that they do a good job in dealing with customers.
Cough! not all mate and you know it. If you played for 2 1/2 months (10weeks?) and say average gamer plays 20 hrs a week? Not bad for 25cents or 14pence per hour easy it. Even if $50 plus 3 month sub = about 48 cents per hour. Im guessing you played more than 20 hrs per week for the first while though
I would call that value for money
Cough! not all mate and you know it. If you played for 2 1/2 months (10weeks?) and say average gamer plays 20 hrs a week? Not bad for 25cents or 14pence per hour easy it. Even if $50 plus 3 month sub = about 48 cents per hour. Im guessing you played more than 20 hrs per week for the first while though
I would call that value for money
He doesnt get to decide what is and what is not 'value for HIS money' ? I mean ROFL
Someone want to explain what part of "it's still in the works" they don't understand in relation to the 360 development question?
Plus and anyone explain why is it the Hardcore "I don't like AoC" group (doesn't sub either) who wants to know sub numbers? I can't understand why there are no posts in the LOTRO forums or EQ2 on the matter considering thats just 2 games that don't release numbes officially. Crazy..
Mabye it's because people are on a vendetta because AoC adversly effected their lives to such a great extent? who knows..
Cough! not all mate and you know it. If you played for 2 1/2 months (10weeks?) and say average gamer plays 20 hrs a week? Not bad for 25cents or 14pence per hour easy it. Even if $50 plus 3 month sub = about 48 cents per hour. Im guessing you played more than 20 hrs per week for the first while though
I would call that value for money
He doesnt get to decide what is and what is not 'value for HIS money' ? I mean ROFL
Well you have to ask yourself why would you play it for 2 1/2 months if it was not value or gained some entertainment value from the game - I mean - C'mon.
Funcom, $OE they all full of the brown stuff, hope that not so funny com go down would not miss them one bit tbh. I would also like to see a few more go in this current climate too for example Codemaster too.
Then it would clean up the market a little for freash blood and tallent.
Asbo
Yeah thats a genious idea!! Lets get rid of all the companies that have money to make a good mmorpg so that all we get are unfinished indie games and laughable asian grinders from now on!
Lol - they lost 50% of customers in the first 6 weeks - hardly a glowing report. And to qoute from their Q3 report
Also not a glowing report. Perhaps you need to learn to read.
However I would think that an xbox360 version would be a good thing for the PC players as to release on the xbox the game would need to be pretty much bug free. Also the xbox has lower graphics processing power and less memory so they would need to improve the performance/memory useage. All bonuses for the PC players.
a quick correction but the stock price on Yahoo is in NOK, the USD value is 39 cents
linky investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp
Ok back to subject I though it was a good interview and I don't see where trhe man has much choice otehr than to use business speak to try and avoid some of the questions although I think he could have spun some of the questions better. For example on the Xbox issue he should have just said it was on the back burner so they could funnel more development resources into the PC version which is probably the truth and would have made the fans happier anyway.
I miss DAoC
Cough! not all mate and you know it. If you played for 2 1/2 months (10weeks?) and say average gamer plays 20 hrs a week? Not bad for 25cents or 14pence per hour easy it. Even if $50 plus 3 month sub = about 48 cents per hour. Im guessing you played more than 20 hrs per week for the first while though
I would call that value for money
He doesnt get to decide what is and what is not 'value for HIS money' ? I mean ROFL
Well you have to ask yourself why would you play it for 2 1/2 months if it was not value or gained some entertainment value from the game - I mean - C'mon.
I agree with arkady09. YOU are not the one who decides what is "value for HIS money".
Think about it like this. You go see 2 movies which both cost 10 bucks. One is 2 hours long and entertaining. Other one is 10 hours and sucks. First one has $5/hour "value for money" second one $1/hour "value for money.
Now you think the second movie has better "value for money" only because it lasts longer even if it sucked? That is just stupid.
He himself said it was "A total waste of $50". This is how he FEELS about AoC. It's his personal feeling and nothing you do or say, can change that fact.
The real question is, why did he keep on playing for 10 weeks? Why didn't he quit after 3-4 weeks like many others?
Maybe he didn't play that much? Maybe he only reached the boring endgame in about 8 weeks?
Maybe he had bought 3 months of playtime and he "had" to play?
Or maybe he was like me. Maybe he was hoping so much to finally find a good pvp game that he was willing to give FC a chance to fix the game and he was willing to pay for "beta". Unfortunately not all things can be fixed and once he saw that he quit.
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Originally posted by Frobner
"Massive sieges" "mounted combat" and "spellweaving" are just few words that spring to mind when I hear the word AOC.... But the word FAILURE will always top the list.