Well you know obviously all corporations mislead people. I mean its kinda like you buy a frozen dinner with this great picture of what the dinner will look like. Yet when you open the box and cook it.. you have something that looks like a failed attempt to bio-engineer a new life form.
Just the same as you get a box that lists all these great features. Then you play the game and half of them didn't make "launch" and half those will never make it into the game. That's pretty much true of all games.
What happened with SWG obviously went to an extreme no other MMO went to before. That said...
You have got to step back and apply little bits of logic.
1) LAE is at least 50% if not more responsible for what has happened to SWG.
2) Any Development with half a brain knows this and that is why...
What Torres says is true. No Dev house is going to touch that product with someone elses 10 foot pole. They would pick up a product with a promise to "respect" the IP and not make the same mistakes of the past. Just to have LAE mandate changes which would do just that.
And... the tarnish that is now on SWG would just move to a new company. Why would you want to get involved in that situation...
3) To the OP claim of a law suit...
You don't need to sit back and ask yourself if they would or not.
You just have to say to yourself would this even happen.
What do you see on the nightly news .. day after day after day...
"un named sources tell" (insert nbc, abc, cbs, cnn) that... (some totally made up rumor we never hear more about).
And we see NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN sued how often?
Everyone claims to have an inside source about any story they try to sell... You can't prove one way or the other.
The only legal action that can be taken is... depending on the medium you say what you say (written / oral) if you fall under the category of slander or libel.
You can claim "an inside source" told you that Torres hired ET to come down and impregnate your mom... and they can't sue you.
Just as you can claim that they are going to find a new Dev House for the game and they can't sue you. That's called rumor and speculation...
Hell you can say Smedley came over to your house with some take out and told you that they were giving up SWG and were going to make Leisure Suit Larry Online.. and they can't sue you for that.
What they would do is..
Let the world know (your inside source) is a voice in your head and that you need help.
Please get a grip.
(edited for grammatical errors while creating new ones to keep things balanced)
"Several websites are passing along spurious internet rumors regarding Star Wars Galaxies. Rest assured, these rumors are completely untrue.
LucasArts and SOE have no plans to "sunset" Star Wars Galaxies. The two companies will continue to work together as partners in making Star Wars Galaxies the ultimate online Star Wars experience. As has been announced several times previously, LucasArts and SOE are 100% committed and determined to continue to support Star Wars Galaxies together, especially with our renewed focus on improving the game for existing players through robust publish and content offerings in 2006. On our forums, we have shared early plans for game updates through Publish 34, which can be found here.
Additionally, LucasArts and SOE will be hitting the road this April and visiting several cities across the US with a series of Community Summits in an open "town hall" format where players can meet face-to-face with development team members, ask their questions, voice their concerns, as well as meet and hang out with fellow Star Wars Galaxies players."
Additionally, LucasArts and SOE will be hitting the road this April and visiting several cities across the US with a series of Community Summits in an open town hall format where players can meet face-to-face with development team members, ask their questions, voice their concerns, as well as meet and hang out with fellow Star Wars Galaxies players.
Julio Torres, Producer - LucasArts
Thats Bull crap, If Julio was so interested in casting a smiley face spell on SWG in person then He and SOE would have a mention and presence at the "all gamers" SOE Fan Faire in when folks? --APRIL in Atlanta . SOE wants all gamers to come but not SWG because basically its no longer a game.
This just IN! Mr Torrers has arranged for a very special guest to appear at SOEs Fan Faire - The GHOST oF OBI WAN . Problem is since you are not Luke Skywalker or watch attack of the Show on TechTV you will not be able to see him. Trust me though , he is sadden by all that has occurred.
Originally posted by JestorRodo Additionally, LucasArts and SOE will be hitting the road this April and visiting several cities across the US with a series of Community Summits in an open town hall format where players can meet face-to-face with development team members, ask their questions, voice their concerns, as well as meet and hang out with fellow Star Wars Galaxies players. Julio Torres, Producer - LucasArts Thats Bull crap, If Julio was so interested in casting a smiley face spell on SWG in person then He and SOE would have a mention and presence at the "all gamers" SOE Fan Faire in when folks? --APRIL in Atlanta . SOE wants all gamers to come but not SWG because basically its no longer a game. This just IN! Mr Torrers has arranged for a very special guest to appear at SOEs Fan Faire - The GHOST oF OBI WAN . Problem is since you are not Luke Skywalker or watch attack of the Show on TechTV you will not be able to see him. Trust me though , he is sadden by all that has occurred.
It's been common knowledge for a while now that SWG has its own fanfest run by LA since they're in charge of that sorta stuff. Either way, the SWG community team is going to be at the fan faire
BTW, off topic to the quoted post, but we killed another rumour officially today. Julio hasn't been fired from LA. Surprise!
Mr Die hard of the dead game said "It's been common knowledge for a while now that SWG has its own fanfest run by LA since they're in charge of that sorta stuff. Either way, the SWG community team is going to be at the fan faire "
Then I had to reply " SWG HAD its own fan Fest , There is not going to be another, and I truly doubt that Julio is going on a town hall road show. Just in case, I am going to set up a Whip cream pie concession outside of the meeting halls. I am sure to do a brisk business.
Bah I still hope the buggers lose the license. As I said on the official forums, things still don't add up. I have wondered where the 500 pound gorilla (LEC) was in all of this, and finally Julio Torres posts on the SWG forums to dispel the rumors.
But. How come the letter to Grimwell online (http://www.grimwell.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=27298#27298 15th post down) is from ChrisKramer and it is exactly the same as Julios letter to the community? Did Chris Kramer (the SOE PR guy) write Julio's letter? Is the 500 pound gorilla still silent for the most part?
Also, I have a question. In cases where a new company takes on an existing MMORPG license, how do they handle the turning over of accounts? Does the new company start from scratch with players or is the player base turned over as assets? Just wondering. Thanks.
"Also, I have a question. In cases where a new company takes on an existing MMORPG license, how do they handle the turning over of accounts? Does the new company start from scratch with players or is the player base turned over as assets? Just wondering. Thanks."
It would be just like...
SOE taking over MxO except hopefully it would lead to positive things rather than negative.
It would depend in SWG case more on how readily SOE would be to losing the game/license.
And by that I mean...
MxO was entirely bought out.
SWG we are not sure how the deal worked. So if it was actually licensed to SOE anything they created code wise, (if they own the servers) etc would still belong to them.
They could in essence reskin the whole game and rerelease it without the Star Wars name.
In that case LAE would just be giving another company the license to the "name".
If its not set up that way it would be easier to transfer (like MxO) or if SOE wanted to sell out their part as well.
The MxO people just had to create station.com accounts but all their characters and such were moved over. (that's the short version).
Oh and the SWG fanfest...
that was officially answered on the SWG Forums not that long ago.
Yes LEC holds it (and ya probably won't be another altho that's just a guess) but the SOE Fanfaire is for all SOE games its just not specificly mentioning SWG. They said they invite gamers from all SOE branded games to attend.
Originally posted by Athela Bah I still hope the buggers lose the license. As I said on the official forums, things still don't add up. I have wondered where the 500 pound gorilla (LEC) was in all of this, and finally Julio Torres posts on the SWG forums to dispel the rumors. But. How come the letter to Grimwell online (http://www.grimwell.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=27298#27298 15th post down) is from ChrisKramer and it is exactly the same as Julios letter to the community? Did Chris Kramer (the SOE PR guy) write Julio's letter? Is the 500 pound gorilla still silent for the most part? Also, I have a question. In cases where a new company takes on an existing MMORPG license, how do they handle the turning over of accounts? Does the new company start from scratch with players or is the player base turned over as assets? Just wondering. Thanks. Athela
oops edited for typo.
Maybe they've got Julio locked up in a room somewhere with a gun to his head so he'd post it
As for the takeover thing, SOE did with it MxO. Pretty sure everyone kept their characters and what-not
Originally posted by Antarious Well you know obviously all corporations mislead people. I mean its kinda like you buy a frozen dinner with this great picture of what the dinner will look like. Yet when you open the box and cook it.. you have something that looks like a failed attempt to bio-engineer a new life form. Just the same as you get a box that lists all these great features. Then you play the game and half of them didn't make "launch" and half those will never make it into the game. That's pretty much true of all games. What happened with SWG obviously went to an extreme no other MMO went to before. That said... You have got to step back and apply little bits of logic. 1) LAE is at least 50% if not more responsible for what has happened to SWG. 2) Any Development with half a brain knows this and that is why... What Torres says is true. No Dev house is going to touch that product with someone elses 10 foot pole. They would pick up a product with a promise to "respect" the IP and not make the same mistakes of the past. Just to have LAE mandate changes which would do just that. And... the tarnish that is now on SWG would just move to a new company. Why would you want to get involved in that situation... 3) To the OP claim of a law suit... You don't need to sit back and ask yourself if they would or not. You just have to say to yourself would this even happen. What do you see on the nightly news .. day after day after day... "un named sources tell" (insert nbc, abc, cbs, cnn) that... (some totally made up rumor we never hear more about). And we see NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN sued how often? Everyone claims to have an inside source about any story they try to sell... You can't prove one way or the other. The only legal action that can be taken is... depending on the medium you say what you say (written / oral) if you fall under the category of slander or libel. You can claim "an inside source" told you that Torres hired ET to come down and impregnate your mom... and they can't sue you. Just as you can claim that they are going to find a new Dev House for the game and they can't sue you. That's called rumor and speculation... Hell you can say Smedley came over to your house with some take out and told you that they were giving up SWG and were going to make Leisure Suit Larry Online.. and they can't sue you for that. What they would do is.. Let the world know (your inside source) is a voice in your head and that you need help. Please get a grip. (edited for grammatical errors while creating new ones to keep things balanced)
Im getting sick of you telling me to "get a grip" or whatever. Fine you want my source...its my brother-in-law. He sat for an interview for Bioware. I guess it doesnt matter now since he didnt have the experience they wanted. They interviewed quite a few last monday and all had were told the same thing that Ive reported here.
Would you like his social security number too ? Maybe his birthday ? I dont know who the hell you are, but maybe you arent aware Im not prone to making up stories on this site. Im passionate yes, maybe too much but I dont make up rumors for fun.
As far as any lawsuit, I dont need any legal lessons from you thank you very much. I merely REPOSTED what had happened to someone else. And yes SOE did come after him. He emailed me a scanned copy of the certified letter. He also included a link to his forced retraction posts afterword. Would you like me to forward it to you ?
And finally, the sites Ive quoted here are considered reputable and would NEVER quote such a story if they didnt have a verifiable source. No they arent Washington Post, but they are journalists with integrety.
Doubt what you will, call me whatever you like, say inside sources are bogus, etc but the fact remains SOE / LA have been dishonest in the past and will continue so. These rumors arent coming from nowhere.
Facts - SOE employees are fleeing. Key members of SWG have all left. Bioware is hiring them all up (minus Koster for now). Bioware , a canadian based company opens a shop in Austin....thats huge in itself. Draw your own conclusions.
Originally posted by Obraik Originally posted by Erethorn Obraik, when the game closes or is taken over by another dev team, will you post an "I was an idiot" thread ? When the game doesn't close down or isn't taken over, will you post an "I was an idiot" thread?
Absolutely. If none of the above happens within three months I will. 25'th of June, the game is run by SOE, I'm an idiot. How about your part of the deal ?
Im still waiting on Obraik to admit he was wrong about the population. He always claimed the game was growing. He ignored every bit of evidence to the contrary.
So when the president of SOE admits the game has lost a lot of players, he's silent. Cmon Obraik, admit you were 100% wrong.
hmm Obraik (and some of you others), i think you maybe misunderstanding exactly what these rumours are hinting at.. Star wars galaxies isnt going to be dropped (or at least, there currently isnt any intention in the forceeable future to do this). Instead from what i can gather, the LA/Bioware scheme is a completly different game altogether and not a pre-cu rollback, but IS a star wars MMO.
I dont understand why people seem to think SWG is going to be dropped, even if it has 40-60k in subscribers its still most likely making money. So from Lucasarts perspective they will see it as, 'We have SWG which is going to take time to start to come together, why not exploit the IP by making another MMO aswell!'
I work in the MMO industry and normally nobody ever really discusses or mentions SWG at all, its just laughed off etc, but in the last 2 week i have constantly been hearing things along these lines.
The two key factors are a) bioware not denying it and people inside saying "wait and see" and b) Lucasarts and SOE saying SWG isnt going to be closed down. I think its pretty obvious really.
And as for people hoping for a Pre-cu galaxies, i really dont see this ever happening. I thought the pre-cu was awesome but it seems that LA dont think that with sort of system there isnt enough of the 'instant play', 'mass appeal' that allows you to rake up a user base like WOW has. They quite rightly feel that an IP like SW should have the same amount of subs
The best option is to wait till some of these new MMO's are released that have a similar style of play but dont have a management that has the weight of the SW IP on their backs.
Originally posted by treadstonex1 hmm Obraik (and some of you others), i think you maybe misunderstanding exactly what these rumours are hinting at.. Star wars galaxies isnt going to be dropped (or at least, there currently isnt any intention in the forceeable future to do this). Instead from what i can gather, the LA/Bioware scheme is a completly different game altogether and not a pre-cu rollback, but IS a star wars MMO. I dont understand why people seem to think SWG is going to be dropped, even if it has 40-60k in subscribers its still most likely making money. So from Lucasarts perspective they will see it as, 'We have SWG which is going to take time to start to come together, why not exploit the IP by making another MMO aswell!' I work in the MMO industry and normally nobody ever really discusses or mentions SWG at all, its just laughed off etc, but in the last 2 week i have constantly been hearing things along these lines. The two key factors are a) bioware not denying it and people inside saying "wait and see" and b) Lucasarts and SOE saying SWG isnt going to be closed down. I think its pretty obvious really. And as for people hoping for a Pre-cu galaxies, i really dont see this ever happening. I thought the pre-cu was awesome but it seems that LA dont think that with sort of system there isnt enough of the 'instant play', 'mass appeal' that allows you to rake up a user base like WOW has. They quite rightly feel that an IP like SW should have the same amount of subs The best option is to wait till some of these new MMO's are released that have a similar style of play but dont have a management that has the weight of the SW IP on their backs.
In the corporate world, it isnt a question of making money but rather we arent making enough.
For example, you allocate 50 workers to project A and 50 workers to project B. Project A earns your company a profit of 50 million dollars. Project B earns you a profit of 5 million dollars. Yes project B has earned a net profit but its much less than project A while using the same amount of manpower and resources.
Someone in charge will likely dump project B or revamp it as its not nearly as profitable as project A.
If your George Lucas and you can allocate workers towards Battlefield 3 or SWG, which would you choose right now ? Obvious answer is Battlefield 3 as it will make a hell of a lot more profit.
Finally, you have responsibilities to shareholders. And those shareholders hold the value of your stock in their hands. If they start selling off all their stock it tends to drop the price as it appears trouble looms. And stuff like this can happen when you have to explain to them why EVE (a game designed by 5 guys in a garage) holds a larger market share than star wars.
Wow you guys sure are in the know as to what is going on over at SOE and LA, I tell you guys what, this is only to the ones who act like they are in the know as to what is going on, why don't you give a date the Month, the hour, the day, when say for example Smead will get fired, and then arrange a joint account controlled by a third party such as a broker for a bet on some money, and then if the person is wrong they lose the money out of there pocket and if they are right they win the money into there pocket. And you really do lose it, the two persons sign a contract arranged by the broker and the money is already deposited into the account and sitting there until the date comes and goes.
I don't seem to see to many people setting these things up, I mean really for so many of you that are in the know as to what is going on, I would think you could be in a position to make some good money off of people in here in bets.
Take for example Obriak, some of you guys in here who know so much about what is going to happen to this game and what SOE and LA are going to do, and when they are going to do it, you guys could make a good amount of money off of Obraik in bets, or then again, maybe he would make a good lump of change off of you.
So in short, why is no one setting these things up to make some money, real money, none of this joking around bull shit, real hard earned money out of peoples pockets, or into them if you win, if I were in the know like some of you guys are I would do it, wouldnt you.
Whannnnn Whannnnn dat is the sound of 20 year old babies
"Im getting sick of you telling me to "get a grip" or whatever. Fine you want my source...its my brother-in-law. He sat for an interview for Bioware. I guess it doesnt matter now since he didnt have the experience they wanted. They interviewed quite a few last monday and all had were told the same thing that Ive reported here.
Would you like his social security number too ? Maybe his birthday ? I dont know who the hell you are, but maybe you arent aware Im not prone to making up stories on this site. Im passionate yes, maybe too much but I dont make up rumors for fun."
Ok lets see here the original rumor thread posted by you...
"Im not going into any details as I dont want any hints to my sources but here goes....
LA pulled the license from SOE. The rumors about February were dead right. SOE was allowed time to transition players (how much is unknown) to their other station pass games. Thats why they stopped selling SWG prepaid cards.
Publish 28, if it gets done will be the last publish to the game. There is a minimal support staff now working on it. Its purely cosmetic changes to keep existing players subscribing
Bioware did indeed gain rights to develop a second version of SWG. It wont be called SWG2. Its not a completely new game but rather a reworking of existing code. Bioware is currently hiring a large team to work on the game and prefer experience with SWG. Pre-cu is a plus
The focus groups information was handed basically directly to Bioware. Some of the questions, like a KOTOR experience were hints to you folks as to who was behind it."
Now also posted by you:
"Fine you want my source...its my brother-in-law. He sat for an interview for Bioware. I guess it doesnt matter now since he didnt have the experience they wanted."
So during this interview your brother-in-law learned:
"LA pulled the license from SOE."
"Bioware did indeed gain rights to develop a second version of SWG."
"The focus groups information was handed basically directly to Bioware."
As you stated in your original post on this... that's what you learned. Now you stated your source was your brother in law who sat through an interview and didn't have the experience they wanted.
Amazing that a company who won't comment (bioware) and LEC who denies the license pull.
Are having this information told to potential employees being interviewed by BioWare... Quite interesting.
Now:
" I dont know who the hell you are"
I'm a guy that went from being a salesman for a place Called Chips and Bits to... *drum roll*
Working for Origin System Inc in 1991. OSI advertised in a magazine which at the time was called: Computer Games Strategy Plus. In early 1991 Chips and Bits bought that magazine from its original creator (who was based in England). I was moved from sales to working on the subscription end of that magazine. Part of the job was to set up selling ad space to companies like OSI. We actually would work out discounts for the ad space in trade for product. Having been a long time fan of Origins games I used my comtacts and in late 1991 I met up with some Origin people at a show. I then ended up moving from Rochester, VT (where chips and bits was) to Austin.
From 1998 until 2001 I was what was called an IGM (Interest Game Master). I communicated between the development team and the Interest Team. Which with UO was a group of volunteers more commonly referred to in game as Elders and Seers.
I worked there until 2001... when I moved to a different companies Austin Studio. To add as to why... OSI suffered through a law suit form an unrelated volunteer program. That was the counselor team and all volunteer programs were cancelled in 2001. I was offered to move to another position within OSI but chose to pursue other interest.
And btw in my interview... I wasn't told anything that your "brother in law" was. Nor was I asked if I had any background in Pre-CU coding.
You know, as fascinating as all of this is, and as much as I'd just LOVE to get involved in speculation, I just can't. Why? Not because it's all BS. Not because it makes too much snese. Not because I have any special, secret insider info.
It's because in the end, it really makes very little difference.
Regardless of who, if anyone, ends up with rights to develop a Star Wars IP MMO, Lucas Arts will be involved. This seriously limits any potential appeal to me, as Lucas Arts has clearly demonstrated that they have no interest in putting out the kind of game I'd pay to play. They had that and they pissed it away.
So what if Bioware joins hands with LA to get the Star Wars IP? It doesn't mean a thing to me. They'll make some actiony, lowbrow Star Wars gankathon. It'll most likely be a far more complete and polished Star Wars gankathon than the NGE will ever be, but that really doesn't interest me. If it did, I'd be playing WoW right now while I'm waiting for something worth playing to surface. But I'm not. There was only so much shallow, actiony content I could stomach.
I guess it all comes down to what you really want out of a game. Are you the run-of-the-mill MMO formula demographic? Are you a social FPS kinda person? Or are you a virtual sandbox dweller? If you answered yes to the last one, then nothing going on in that rumor orgy could possibly excite you. You, like me, would be more interested in watching which direction such people as Ralph Koster start drifting.
I know this isn't the kind of thing you want to hear from someone like me. It's sad, in ways, because it signals my complete lack of hope for the future of the whole Star Wars IP in MMOs. And all most of us really want when we follow these rumors is a little something to cling to, to keep just a tiny shred of hope alive for what we used to have, only better and brighter. But I just can't justify trying to fool myself or anyone else that this is a rational quest anymore.
At this point, I'll just take cold comfort in the vindictive voyerism that is watching Smed's SOE goonsquad twisting on the end of that big ugly hook they made for themselves. Because when there isn't any hope, there is always "I told you so".
At this point, I'll just take cold comfort in the vindictive voyerism that is watching Smed's SOE goonsquad twisting on the end of that big ugly hook they made for themselves. Because when there isn't any hope, there is always "I told you so".[/b][/quote]
As wicked as it may sound... I like that point of view. In fact, it's the only thing that keeps me reading the forums. I have no hope that they will restore the game to it's former potential. But watching them drown after they set the boat on fire brings me a great deal of enjoyment. It's nasty, I know, but I can't help it. Am I vindictive ? Hell, yes I am.
[quote]Originally posted by Erethorn [b][quote]Originally posted by azhrarn
At this point, I'll just take cold comfort in the vindictive voyerism that is watching Smed's SOE goonsquad twisting on the end of that big ugly hook they made for themselves. Because when there isn't any hope, there is always "I told you so".[/b][/quote]
As wicked as it may sound... I like that point of view. In fact, it's the only thing that keeps me reading the forums. I have no hope that they will restore the game to it's former potential. But watching them drown after they set the boat on fire brings me a great deal of enjoyment. It's nasty, I know, but I can't help it. Am I vindictive ? Hell, yes I am. [/b][/quote]
Comments
"SWG is no longer striving to be a world simulation."
- Helios-
http://www.cesspit.net/drupal/node/1260#comment-2061
Well, it that case you've already lost. SWG was all about world simulation, not fps for for acne plagued teens
Well you know obviously all corporations mislead people. I mean its kinda like you buy a frozen dinner with this great picture of what the dinner will look like. Yet when you open the box and cook it.. you have something that looks like a failed attempt to bio-engineer a new life form.
Just the same as you get a box that lists all these great features. Then you play the game and half of them didn't make "launch" and half those will never make it into the game. That's pretty much true of all games.
What happened with SWG obviously went to an extreme no other MMO went to before. That said...
You have got to step back and apply little bits of logic.
1) LAE is at least 50% if not more responsible for what has happened to SWG.
2) Any Development with half a brain knows this and that is why...
What Torres says is true. No Dev house is going to touch that product with someone elses 10 foot pole. They would pick up a product with a promise to "respect" the IP and not make the same mistakes of the past. Just to have LAE mandate changes which would do just that.
And... the tarnish that is now on SWG would just move to a new company. Why would you want to get involved in that situation...
3) To the OP claim of a law suit...
You don't need to sit back and ask yourself if they would or not.
You just have to say to yourself would this even happen.
What do you see on the nightly news .. day after day after day...
"un named sources tell" (insert nbc, abc, cbs, cnn) that... (some totally made up rumor we never hear more about).
And we see NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN sued how often?
Everyone claims to have an inside source about any story they try to sell... You can't prove one way or the other.
The only legal action that can be taken is... depending on the medium you say what you say (written / oral) if you fall under the category of slander or libel.
You can claim "an inside source" told you that Torres hired ET to come down and impregnate your mom... and they can't sue you.
Just as you can claim that they are going to find a new Dev House for the game and they can't sue you. That's called rumor and speculation...
Hell you can say Smedley came over to your house with some take out and told you that they were giving up SWG and were going to make Leisure Suit Larry Online.. and they can't sue you for that.
What they would do is..
Let the world know (your inside source) is a voice in your head and that you need help.
Please get a grip.
(edited for grammatical errors while creating new ones to keep things balanced)
That bit you quoted was actually from the "Not from Smed" section.
-d
Waiting on: Pirates of the Burning Sea and Pirates of the Carribean Online
That bit you quoted was actually from the "Not from Smed" section.
-d
You're right, clicked back and checked. I stand corrected!
EDIT: it was Helios on the SWG forum that made that remark
From IGN.
"Several websites are passing along spurious internet rumors regarding Star Wars Galaxies. Rest assured, these rumors are completely untrue.
LucasArts and SOE have no plans to "sunset" Star Wars Galaxies. The two companies will continue to work together as partners in making Star Wars Galaxies the ultimate online Star Wars experience. As has been announced several times previously, LucasArts and SOE are 100% committed and determined to continue to support Star Wars Galaxies together, especially with our renewed focus on improving the game for existing players through robust publish and content offerings in 2006. On our forums, we have shared early plans for game updates through Publish 34, which can be found here.
Additionally, LucasArts and SOE will be hitting the road this April and visiting several cities across the US with a series of Community Summits in an open "town hall" format where players can meet face-to-face with development team members, ask their questions, voice their concerns, as well as meet and hang out with fellow Star Wars Galaxies players."
Read it here http://pc.ign.com/articles/698/698245p1.html
Additionally, LucasArts and SOE will be hitting the road this April and visiting several cities across the US with a series of Community Summits in an open town hall format where players can meet face-to-face with development team members, ask their questions, voice their concerns, as well as meet and hang out with fellow Star Wars Galaxies players.
Julio Torres, Producer - LucasArts
Thats Bull crap, If Julio was so interested in casting a smiley face spell on SWG in person then He and SOE would have a mention and presence at the "all gamers" SOE Fan Faire in when folks? --APRIL in Atlanta . SOE wants all gamers to come but not SWG because basically its no longer a game.
This just IN! Mr Torrers has arranged for a very special guest to appear at SOEs Fan Faire - The GHOST oF OBI WAN . Problem is since you are not Luke Skywalker or watch attack of the Show on TechTV you will not be able to see him. Trust me though , he is sadden by all that has occurred.
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It's been common knowledge for a while now that SWG has its own fanfest run by LA since they're in charge of that sorta stuff. Either way, the SWG community team is going to be at the fan faire
BTW, off topic to the quoted post, but we killed another rumour officially today. Julio hasn't been fired from LA. Surprise!
Mr Die hard of the dead game said "It's been common knowledge for a while now that SWG has its own fanfest run by LA since they're in charge of that sorta stuff. Either way, the SWG community team is going to be at the fan faire
"
Then I had to reply " SWG HAD its own fan Fest , There is not going to be another, and I truly doubt that Julio is going on a town hall road show. Just in case, I am going to set up a Whip cream pie concession outside of the meeting halls. I am sure to do a brisk business
.
Unaware of the Jestor?
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Bah I still hope the buggers lose the license. As I said on the official forums, things still don't add up. I have wondered where the 500 pound gorilla (LEC) was in all of this, and finally Julio Torres posts on the SWG forums to dispel the rumors.
But. How come the letter to Grimwell online (http://www.grimwell.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?p=27298#27298 15th post down) is from Chris Kramer and it is exactly the same as Julios letter to the community? Did Chris Kramer (the SOE PR guy) write Julio's letter? Is the 500 pound gorilla still silent for the most part?
Also, I have a question. In cases where a new company takes on an existing MMORPG license, how do they handle the turning over of accounts? Does the new company start from scratch with players or is the player base turned over as assets? Just wondering. Thanks.
Athela
oops edited for typo.
"Also, I have a question. In cases where a new company takes on an existing MMORPG license, how do they handle the turning over of accounts? Does the new company start from scratch with players or is the player base turned over as assets? Just wondering. Thanks."
It would be just like...
SOE taking over MxO except hopefully it would lead to positive things rather than negative.
It would depend in SWG case more on how readily SOE would be to losing the game/license.
And by that I mean...
MxO was entirely bought out.
SWG we are not sure how the deal worked. So if it was actually licensed to SOE anything they created code wise, (if they own the servers) etc would still belong to them.
They could in essence reskin the whole game and rerelease it without the Star Wars name.
In that case LAE would just be giving another company the license to the "name".
If its not set up that way it would be easier to transfer (like MxO) or if SOE wanted to sell out their part as well.
The MxO people just had to create station.com accounts but all their characters and such were moved over. (that's the short version).
Oh and the SWG fanfest...
that was officially answered on the SWG Forums not that long ago.
Yes LEC holds it (and ya probably won't be another altho that's just a guess) but the SOE Fanfaire is for all SOE games its just not specificly mentioning SWG. They said they invite gamers from all SOE branded games to attend.
Maybe they've got Julio locked up in a room somewhere with a gun to his head so he'd post it
As for the takeover thing, SOE did with it MxO. Pretty sure everyone kept their characters and what-not
Obraik, when the game closes or is taken over by another dev team, will you post an "I was an idiot" thread ?
Touch
SOE knows what you like... You don't!
And don't forget... I am forcing you to read this!
Not exactly the same, but it works:
Barry Bonds...clearly guilty, yet suing. why? to protect his "image".
Absolutely. If none of the above happens within three months I will. 25'th of June, the game is run by SOE, I'm an idiot. How about your part of the deal ?
Im still waiting on Obraik to admit he was wrong about the population. He always claimed the game was growing. He ignored every bit of evidence to the contrary.
So when the president of SOE admits the game has lost a lot of players, he's silent. Cmon Obraik, admit you were 100% wrong.
hmm Obraik (and some of you others), i think you maybe misunderstanding exactly what these rumours are hinting at.. Star wars galaxies isnt going to be dropped (or at least, there currently isnt any intention in the forceeable future to do this). Instead from what i can gather, the LA/Bioware scheme is a completly different game altogether and not a pre-cu rollback, but IS a star wars MMO.
I dont understand why people seem to think SWG is going to be dropped, even if it has 40-60k in subscribers its still most likely making money. So from Lucasarts perspective they will see it as, 'We have SWG which is going to take time to start to come together, why not exploit the IP by making another MMO aswell!'
I work in the MMO industry and normally nobody ever really discusses or mentions SWG at all, its just laughed off etc, but in the last 2 week i have constantly been hearing things along these lines.
The two key factors are a) bioware not denying it and people inside saying "wait and see" and b) Lucasarts and SOE saying SWG isnt going to be closed down. I think its pretty obvious really.
And as for people hoping for a Pre-cu galaxies, i really dont see this ever happening. I thought the pre-cu was awesome but it seems that LA dont think that with sort of system there isnt enough of the 'instant play', 'mass appeal' that allows you to rake up a user base like WOW has. They quite rightly feel that an IP like SW should have the same amount of subs
The best option is to wait till some of these new MMO's are released that have a similar style of play but dont have a management that has the weight of the SW IP on their backs.
I don't seem to see to many people setting these things up, I mean really for so many of you that are in the know as to what is going on, I would think you could be in a position to make some good money off of people in here in bets.
Take for example Obriak, some of you guys in here who know so much about what is going to happen to this game and what SOE and LA are going to do, and when they are going to do it, you guys could make a good amount of money off of Obraik in bets, or then again, maybe he would make a good lump of change off of you.
So in short, why is no one setting these things up to make some money, real money, none of this joking around bull shit, real hard earned money out of peoples pockets, or into them if you win, if I were in the know like some of you guys are I would do it, wouldnt you.
Whannnnn Whannnnn dat is the sound of 20 year old babies
Would you like his social security number too ? Maybe his birthday ? I dont know who the hell you are, but maybe you arent aware Im not prone to making up stories on this site. Im passionate yes, maybe too much but I dont make up rumors for fun."
Ok lets see here the original rumor thread posted by you...
"Im not going into any details as I dont want any hints to my sources but here goes....
LA pulled the license from SOE. The rumors about February were dead right. SOE was allowed time to transition players (how much is unknown) to their other station pass games. Thats why they stopped selling SWG prepaid cards.
Publish 28, if it gets done will be the last publish to the game. There is a minimal support staff now working on it. Its purely cosmetic changes to keep existing players subscribing
Bioware did indeed gain rights to develop a second version of SWG. It wont be called SWG2. Its not a completely new game but rather a reworking of existing code. Bioware is currently hiring a large team to work on the game and prefer experience with SWG. Pre-cu is a plus
The focus groups information was handed basically directly to Bioware. Some of the questions, like a KOTOR experience were hints to you folks as to who was behind it."
Now also posted by you:
"Fine you want my source...its my brother-in-law. He sat for an interview for Bioware. I guess it doesnt matter now since he didnt have the experience they wanted."
So during this interview your brother-in-law learned:
"LA pulled the license from SOE."
"Bioware did indeed gain rights to develop a second version of SWG."
"The focus groups information was handed basically directly to Bioware."
As you stated in your original post on this... that's what you learned. Now you stated your source was your brother in law who sat through an interview and didn't have the experience they wanted.
Amazing that a company who won't comment (bioware) and LEC who denies the license pull.
Are having this information told to potential employees being interviewed by BioWare... Quite interesting.
Now:
" I dont know who the hell you are"
I'm a guy that went from being a salesman for a place Called Chips and Bits to... *drum roll*
Working for Origin System Inc in 1991. OSI advertised in a magazine which at the time was called: Computer Games Strategy Plus. In early 1991 Chips and Bits bought that magazine from its original creator (who was based in England). I was moved from sales to working on the subscription end of that magazine. Part of the job was to set up selling ad space to companies like OSI. We actually would work out discounts for the ad space in trade for product. Having been a long time fan of Origins games I used my comtacts and in late 1991 I met up with some Origin people at a show. I then ended up moving from Rochester, VT (where chips and bits was) to Austin.
From 1998 until 2001 I was what was called an IGM (Interest Game Master). I communicated between the development team and the Interest Team. Which with UO was a group of volunteers more commonly referred to in game as Elders and Seers.
I worked there until 2001... when I moved to a different companies Austin Studio. To add as to why... OSI suffered through a law suit form an unrelated volunteer program. That was the counselor team and all volunteer programs were cancelled in 2001. I was offered to move to another position within OSI but chose to pursue other interest.
And btw in my interview... I wasn't told anything that your "brother in law" was. Nor was I asked if I had any background in Pre-CU coding.
Now I guess you know some about me...
You know, as fascinating as all of this is, and as much as I'd just LOVE to get involved in speculation, I just can't. Why? Not because it's all BS. Not because it makes too much snese. Not because I have any special, secret insider info.
It's because in the end, it really makes very little difference.
Regardless of who, if anyone, ends up with rights to develop a Star Wars IP MMO, Lucas Arts will be involved. This seriously limits any potential appeal to me, as Lucas Arts has clearly demonstrated that they have no interest in putting out the kind of game I'd pay to play. They had that and they pissed it away.
So what if Bioware joins hands with LA to get the Star Wars IP? It doesn't mean a thing to me. They'll make some actiony, lowbrow Star Wars gankathon. It'll most likely be a far more complete and polished Star Wars gankathon than the NGE will ever be, but that really doesn't interest me. If it did, I'd be playing WoW right now while I'm waiting for something worth playing to surface. But I'm not. There was only so much shallow, actiony content I could stomach.
I guess it all comes down to what you really want out of a game. Are you the run-of-the-mill MMO formula demographic? Are you a social FPS kinda person? Or are you a virtual sandbox dweller? If you answered yes to the last one, then nothing going on in that rumor orgy could possibly excite you. You, like me, would be more interested in watching which direction such people as Ralph Koster start drifting.
I know this isn't the kind of thing you want to hear from someone like me. It's sad, in ways, because it signals my complete lack of hope for the future of the whole Star Wars IP in MMOs. And all most of us really want when we follow these rumors is a little something to cling to, to keep just a tiny shred of hope alive for what we used to have, only better and brighter. But I just can't justify trying to fool myself or anyone else that this is a rational quest anymore.
At this point, I'll just take cold comfort in the vindictive voyerism that is watching Smed's SOE goonsquad twisting on the end of that big ugly hook they made for themselves. Because when there isn't any hope, there is always "I told you so".
_______________________
Kote lo'shebs'ul narit
[quote]Originally posted by azhrarn
At this point, I'll just take cold comfort in the vindictive voyerism that is watching Smed's SOE goonsquad twisting on the end of that big ugly hook they made for themselves. Because when there isn't any hope, there is always "I told you so".[/b][/quote]
As wicked as it may sound... I like that point of view. In fact, it's the only thing that keeps me reading the forums. I have no hope that they will restore the game to it's former potential. But watching them drown after they set the boat on fire brings me a great deal of enjoyment. It's nasty, I know, but I can't help it. Am I vindictive ? Hell, yes I am.
[quote]Originally posted by Erethorn
[b][quote]Originally posted by azhrarn
At this point, I'll just take cold comfort in the vindictive voyerism that is watching Smed's SOE goonsquad twisting on the end of that big ugly hook they made for themselves. Because when there isn't any hope, there is always "I told you so".[/b][/quote]
As wicked as it may sound... I like that point of view. In fact, it's the only thing that keeps me reading the forums. I have no hope that they will restore the game to it's former potential. But watching them drown after they set the boat on fire brings me a great deal of enjoyment. It's nasty, I know, but I can't help it. Am I vindictive ? Hell, yes I am.
[/b][/quote]
QFE