General: John Smedley Interview

Bravnik · August 2010

(Mod Edit)

Smedley is to MMO's what Spielberg is to Star Wars. He is completely inept when it comes to MMO's and needs to just leave. He should have been fired years ago with the SWG episode. Sense then his decisions have not got any better. Him and his buddy Brad took a great thing (EQ) and based on that success ruined a lot of potentually great MMO's. At least after Vanguard Brad has the decensy to take the money from SOE and disapeer. Specially after he didn't even have the courtesy for his develpers to show up for their firing in the PARKING LOT.

Just look at Planetside, Smedley's so called favorite game. It had tons of potential but they didn't care. As the population drops they just merge servers. They are down to the last server now. Once the subscriptions stop making a profit they will turn the last one off as well. Sad. His favorite game as well but he just sits back and watches it die.

Lots of people have a bad taste from the SWG thing. I personally have a bad taste from every SOE game I have ever played. Every one of them had great potential and it was wasted due to bad management and SOE's desire to grab a quick buck rather than develop a game for the players. Had they done the later they MIGHT have had a WOW killer with millions of subscribers instead of a few lack luster MMO's with a few hundred thousand between them all.

What a waste of potential. Thanks Smedley.

Bravnik · August 2010

Originally posted by Daffid011

That is a good point SFG, but the follow up question is who would soe put out as a public face? Soe has a way of ruining the reputation of their public faces. Just look at how quickly players have turned on smokejumper from EQ2.

At this point one would have to ask, even if sony got rid of Smedley who would they replace him with? It isn't like soe has attracted any notable talent from the industry in years. In contrast they seem to be losing most of their top members for one reason or another.

If sony really wanted to show that soe was turning a corner they would do something about the image, because as it stands there are a lot of people who just do not trust smed or soe.

They need to replace him with someone that actually knows MMO's and what players like and dislike. Hell I would jump at the chance myself and I guarantee you I could do 100x better at his job.

Mrbloodworth · August 2010

Originally posted by Ozmodan
The Syndicate is not for everyone. They run the guild like a business. I play games to have fun, not be in a business.

Smedley is funny, for being a CEO of one of the larger developers in this genre, he comes off as so clueless at times, but then again the industry seems to have similar issues with that at most of the major studios.

And sorry Bloodworth, but your definition of successful and mine are miles apart. SOE has been bleeding players for years. They just had another round of major layoffs not long ago. They have not had a major hit since EQ. The best thing they have going for them is these kids games and there is not a lot of revenue in that segment. So please tell me how the man has been successful after EQ? The only thing I see is a one hit wonder who has struggled with poor decision after poor decision since.

Yet SOE is one of the top distributors, makers, host and marketers for MMG's.

I understand most MMORPG users like to ignore reality, but I thought you were smarter than that with your blue text.

NortonGB · August 2010

I have no idea what was in that chapter of the book or why they left EQ.

John Smedley is a smart guy, who needs syndicate enemies when he can make friends?

Russel Williams of FLS should do the same thing omo.

Nipashnaka · August 2010

Making MMOs is hard.

I have the advantage of having neither played EQ, nor SWG so this statement isn't tainted by any specific experiences with those games. But I will say that pretty much any game that makes it to launch is a "success" to some degree - for every launched MMO there is something like 60 failed MMOs that died somewhere in the development cycle for whatever reason. It's like anything else. For example, it's easy to say "Oh, this major league baseball player has crap stats and is terrible" but the fact is everyone playing at the level is a professional and is good at what they do, else they wouldn't have made it that far. And it's the same thing with MMO developers. You have to have some basic measure of competence to get a game to launch, much less see any sort of profit at all.

I also think it's easy to say - "I have a great idea for a game! It's sandbox and PvP and unicorns and malleable terrain and randomly generated loot and awesome AI and its skill based and classless and there are a million abilities." But saying these things does not actually make it so. There is no "Picard" position in the industry, everybody has to pull their weight by actually doing stuff and not just telling others what to do. As an external observer, you can tell who is good and who isn't by how many startups (or projects) they form which never get anywhere.

JerYnkFan · August 2010

Originally posted by Nipashnaka
Making MMOs is hard.

I have the advantage of having neither played EQ, nor SWG so this statement isn't tainted by any specific experiences with those games. But I will say that pretty much any game that makes it to launch is a "success" to some degree - for every launched MMO there is something like 60 failed MMOs that died somewhere in the development cycle for whatever reason. It's like anything else. For example, it's easy to say "Oh, this major league baseball player has crap stats and is terrible" but the fact is everyone playing at the level is a professional and is good at what they do, else they wouldn't have made it that far. And it's the same thing with MMO developers. You have to have some basic measure of competence to get a game to launch, much less see any sort of profit at all.

I also think it's easy to say - "I have a great idea for a game! It's sandbox and PvP and unicorns and malleable terrain and randomly generated loot and awesome AI and its skill based and classless and there are a million abilities." But saying these things does not actually make it so. There is no "Picard" position in the industry, everybody has to pull their weight by actually doing stuff and not just telling others what to do. As an external observer, you can tell who is good and who isn't by how many startups (or projects) they form which never get anywhere.

Excellent Post

Phry · August 2010

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Ozmodan

The Syndicate is not for everyone. They run the guild like a business. I play games to have fun, not be in a business.

Smedley is funny, for being a CEO of one of the larger developers in this genre, he comes off as so clueless at times, but then again the industry seems to have similar issues with that at most of the major studios.

And sorry Bloodworth, but your definition of successful and mine are miles apart. SOE has been bleeding players for years. They just had another round of major layoffs not long ago. They have not had a major hit since EQ. The best thing they have going for them is these kids games and there is not a lot of revenue in that segment. So please tell me how the man has been successful after EQ? The only thing I see is a one hit wonder who has struggled with poor decision after poor decision since.

Yet SOE is one of the top distributors, makers, host and marketers for MMG's.

I understand most MMORPG users like to ignore reality, but I thought you were smarter than that with your blue text.

In the past that may well have been true... perhaps you need to take a closer look at what SOE has to offer these days, it isnt much, its been a long time since they had a AAA title in their games catalogue, those that remain, have very low subscriber numbers, perhaps their pinning a lot of hope on DCU.. personally, i see it as a none starter, and not because its an SOE title either.. for SOE, the writing has been on the wall for quite a while, irrespective of colour... which is probably why so many of their Dev's appear to be working now.... for other companies.

Ozmodan · August 2010

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Ozmodan

The Syndicate is not for everyone. They run the guild like a business. I play games to have fun, not be in a business.

Smedley is funny, for being a CEO of one of the larger developers in this genre, he comes off as so clueless at times, but then again the industry seems to have similar issues with that at most of the major studios.

And sorry Bloodworth, but your definition of successful and mine are miles apart. SOE has been bleeding players for years. They just had another round of major layoffs not long ago. They have not had a major hit since EQ. The best thing they have going for them is these kids games and there is not a lot of revenue in that segment. So please tell me how the man has been successful after EQ? The only thing I see is a one hit wonder who has struggled with poor decision after poor decision since.

Yet SOE is one of the top distributors, makers, host and marketers for MMG's.

I understand most MMORPG users like to ignore reality, but I thought you were smarter than that with your blue text.

Another one living in a state of denial. I have friends that worked for them that were in the layoffs. SOE is pinning all their hopes on these upcoming titles, because the current offerings are just not bringing in enough to support the staff. You can only operate in the red for so long....

Sovrath · August 2010

Originally posted by JerYnkFan

Originally posted by Nipashnaka

Making MMOs is hard.

I have the advantage of having neither played EQ, nor SWG so this statement isn't tainted by any specific experiences with those games. But I will say that pretty much any game that makes it to launch is a "success" to some degree - for every launched MMO there is something like 60 failed MMOs that died somewhere in the development cycle for whatever reason. It's like anything else. For example, it's easy to say "Oh, this major league baseball player has crap stats and is terrible" but the fact is everyone playing at the level is a professional and is good at what they do, else they wouldn't have made it that far. And it's the same thing with MMO developers. You have to have some basic measure of competence to get a game to launch, much less see any sort of profit at all.

I also think it's easy to say - "I have a great idea for a game! It's sandbox and PvP and unicorns and malleable terrain and randomly generated loot and awesome AI and its skill based and classless and there are a million abilities." But saying these things does not actually make it so. There is no "Picard" position in the industry, everybody has to pull their weight by actually doing stuff and not just telling others what to do. As an external observer, you can tell who is good and who isn't by how many startups (or projects) they form which never get anywhere.

Excellent Post

yeah, hat was an excellent post!

Seffren · August 2010

Originally posted by JerYnkFan

Originally posted by Nipashnaka

Making MMOs is hard.

I have the advantage of having neither played EQ, nor SWG so this statement isn't tainted by any specific experiences with those games. But I will say that pretty much any game that makes it to launch is a "success" to some degree - for every launched MMO there is something like 60 failed MMOs that died somewhere in the development cycle for whatever reason. It's like anything else. For example, it's easy to say "Oh, this major league baseball player has crap stats and is terrible" but the fact is everyone playing at the level is a professional and is good at what they do, else they wouldn't have made it that far. And it's the same thing with MMO developers. You have to have some basic measure of competence to get a game to launch, much less see any sort of profit at all.

I also think it's easy to say - "I have a great idea for a game! It's sandbox and PvP and unicorns and malleable terrain and randomly generated loot and awesome AI and its skill based and classless and there are a million abilities." But saying these things does not actually make it so. There is no "Picard" position in the industry, everybody has to pull their weight by actually doing stuff and not just telling others what to do. As an external observer, you can tell who is good and who isn't by how many startups (or projects) they form which never get anywhere.

Excellent Post

Yeah .... but crap will allways be crap, nomatter how you spin it.

Mrbloodworth · August 2010

Originally posted by Ozmodan

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Ozmodan

The Syndicate is not for everyone. They run the guild like a business. I play games to have fun, not be in a business.

Smedley is funny, for being a CEO of one of the larger developers in this genre, he comes off as so clueless at times, but then again the industry seems to have similar issues with that at most of the major studios.

And sorry Bloodworth, but your definition of successful and mine are miles apart. SOE has been bleeding players for years. They just had another round of major layoffs not long ago. They have not had a major hit since EQ. The best thing they have going for them is these kids games and there is not a lot of revenue in that segment. So please tell me how the man has been successful after EQ? The only thing I see is a one hit wonder who has struggled with poor decision after poor decision since.

Yet SOE is one of the top distributors, makers, host and marketers for MMG's.

I understand most MMORPG users like to ignore reality, but I thought you were smarter than that with your blue text.

Another one living in a state of denial. I have friends that worked for them that were in the layoffs. SOE is pinning all their hopes on these upcoming titles, because the current offerings are just not bringing in enough to support the staff. You can only operate in the red for so long....

Yet SOE is one of the top distributors, makers, host and marketers for MMG's.

Daffid011 · August 2010

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth
Yet SOE is one of the top distributors, makers, host and marketers for MMG's.

There are only a few "top" mmo makers in the market right now and soe isn't one of them. Soe used to be the undisputed #1 in the industry and now they would struggle to break top ten.

Having a lot of titles that have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory doesn't make them tops in anything.

tvalentine · August 2010

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Ozmodan

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Ozmodan
The Syndicate is not for everyone. They run the guild like a business. I play games to have fun, not be in a business.

Smedley is funny, for being a CEO of one of the larger developers in this genre, he comes off as so clueless at times, but then again the industry seems to have similar issues with that at most of the major studios.

And sorry Bloodworth, but your definition of successful and mine are miles apart. SOE has been bleeding players for years. They just had another round of major layoffs not long ago. They have not had a major hit since EQ. The best thing they have going for them is these kids games and there is not a lot of revenue in that segment. So please tell me how the man has been successful after EQ? The only thing I see is a one hit wonder who has struggled with poor decision after poor decision since.

Yet SOE is one of the top distributors, makers, host and marketers for MMG's.

I understand most MMORPG users like to ignore reality, but I thought you were smarter than that with your blue text.

Another one living in a state of denial. I have friends that worked for them that were in the layoffs. SOE is pinning all their hopes on these upcoming titles, because the current offerings are just not bringing in enough to support the staff. You can only operate in the red for so long....

Yet SOE is one of the top distributors, makers, host and marketers for MMG's.

True, but i imagine it would matter whether or not those games they distribute, market, develop are shit/unsuccessful or not. You can push out alot of games, although it doesnt mean anything unless those games are getting sold. The layoffs also show that their current strategy is failing, and they aren't as successful as people think they are. Kind of like Activision laying off infinity ward after MW2.

Burntvet · August 2010

True, but i imagine it would matter whether or not those games they distribute, market, develop are shit/unsuccessful or not. You can push out alot of games, although it doesnt mean anything unless those games are getting sold. The layoffs also show that their current strategy is failing, and they aren't as successful as people think they are. Kind of like Activision laying off infinity ward after MW2.

And on top of that, SOE itself was "demoted" a while back, to be part of the Sony division that makes all the PS3 stuff (and took a personnel cut then, too), which it was formerly equal in position to. In the corporate world that is usually a HUGE sign that your division is not getting it done.

When all of SOE's games put together are doing less business than EvE or what LOTRO was doing before, you pretty much are getting reamed.

Plus all the layoffs, and all the new cash grabs in SOE's games lately only reenforce that likelyhood.

Euqsarrat · August 2010

@Ozmodan

I 've been member of The Syndicate for several years, it never felt like a ''run like a business'' guild to me. I have countless friends in the guild, we play, chat, email, facebook, on a daily basis, having a huge amount of fun.

Of course there is the business side of the guild, if you read Angie's article about us it is pretty clear but it is not strictly business

As far as the SOE discussion goes, i was a huge fan of Everquest, and, bleeding or not, they are putting a lot of effort to try and build us a good game. And i sure hope they achieve it.

Valeran · August 2010

I wonder if he is still playing WoW?

Elikal · June 2011

Hm, news about an interview with Mr.Smedley and suddenly a dozen deleted users? What a strange... coincidence. *raises eyebrow*

Be that as it may, but: if you meet SOE CEO John Smedley, at a time like this, would it as journalist not be reasonable to ask more pressing questions? Like about the ongoing security issues? Or how about: what data was really stolen now? Or how the disaster of DCU will be attendet? Or how SOE is going to go back to the center of MMO gaming with EQ3 and stop being some sort of trash-game or "ex" wannabe?

I am sure there are plenty of questions coming to my mind that should be asked to Mr.Smedley. But these here I found are nothing but nice smalltalk. Quite a wasted opportunity, as I see it.

Kenze · June 2011

Originally posted by Elikal
Hm, news about an interview with Mr.Smedley and suddenly a dozen deleted users? What a strange... coincidence. *raises eyebrow*

Be that as it may, but: if you meet SOE CEO John Smedley, at a time like this, would it as journalist not be reasonable to ask more pressing questions? Like about the ongoing security issues? Or how about: what data was really stolen now? Or how the disaster of DCU will be attendet? Or how SOE is going to go back to the center of MMO gaming with EQ3 and stop being some sort of trash-game or "ex" wannabe?

I am sure there are plenty of questions coming to my mind that should be asked to Mr.Smedley. But these here I found are nothing but nice smalltalk. Quite a wasted opportunity, as I see it.

you do realize this thread is 14months old? necroing is bad mmkay?

Distopia · June 2011

Originally posted by Kenze

Originally posted by Elikal

Hm, news about an interview with Mr.Smedley and suddenly a dozen deleted users? What a strange... coincidence. *raises eyebrow*

Be that as it may, but: if you meet SOE CEO John Smedley, at a time like this, would it as journalist not be reasonable to ask more pressing questions? Like about the ongoing security issues? Or how about: what data was really stolen now? Or how the disaster of DCU will be attendet? Or how SOE is going to go back to the center of MMO gaming with EQ3 and stop being some sort of trash-game or "ex" wannabe?

I am sure there are plenty of questions coming to my mind that should be asked to Mr.Smedley. But these here I found are nothing but nice smalltalk. Quite a wasted opportunity, as I see it.

you do realize this thread is 14months old? necroing is bad mmkay?

Beat me to it lol.

Kaelaan21 · June 2011

Originally posted by Elikal
Hm, news about an interview with Mr.Smedley and suddenly a dozen deleted users? What a strange... coincidence. *raises eyebrow*

"They're dead Jim!" or if you prefer the Red Dwarf version, "They're dead Dave. Everbody Dave. Everybody's dead Dave. They're all dead. Everybody's dead Dave."

Stop being a necro.

Elikal · June 2011

Originally posted by Kaelaan21

Originally posted by Elikal

Hm, news about an interview with Mr.Smedley and suddenly a dozen deleted users? What a strange... coincidence. *raises eyebrow*

"They're dead Jim!" or if you prefer the Red Dwarf version, "They're dead Dave. Everbody Dave. Everybody's dead Dave. They're all dead. Everybody's dead Dave."

Stop being a necro.

Whoopsy... I somehow overlooked. My bad. ^^()

Amana · June 2011

Yep, old thread. Locking it to avoid further confusion.

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