thanks for getting my hopes up about Smedley

bennylong · July 2006

yet another disappointment. How does he stay employed????

Leel · July 2006

I don't get it. Did he post something somewhere?

Leel · July 2006

evidently, it was printed in Star Wars Insider. Issue 88. (On sale now) From a Q & A section titled Comlink that he had been fired.

Seems strange if you add to that the fact that his posts are gone and the rumor that was circulating this morning.

Xcathdra · July 2006

Kinda weird that a Lucas Arts Magazine (the Q and A was with George Lucas according to other posts ive seen, but I cant confirm it) would comment on the firing of a SOE employee...

jrscott · July 2006

Originally posted by Leel

Seems strange if you add to that the fact that his posts are gone and the rumor that was circulating this morning.

You know? That has been bugging me all night. That and the sound of abject denial from the same group that brought us all the classics like "The CU is here to stay!"

And then there are these black helicopters that keep spraying my house.

Xcathdra · July 2006

Originally posted by jrscott

Originally posted by Leel

Seems strange if you add to that the fact that his posts are gone and the rumor that was circulating this morning.

You know? That has been bugging me all night. That and the sound of abject denial from the same group that brought us all the classics like "The CU is here to stay!"

And then there are these black helicopters that keep spraying my house.

Ooooooo... Arial spraying of Prozac.... Lucky you

MrArchy · July 2006

Originally posted by bennylong
yet another disappointment. How does he stay employed????

/target $OE_Exec
/JediMindTrick

Leel · July 2006

Click Here - Hurry

Galaxies in Turmoil

I know this is a little off-topic for Insider, but Sony Online Entertainment has recently forced, without warning, a new upgrade to Star Wars Galaxies called NGE, or “New Game Enhancements,” onto its players. The upshot is that anyone who has played the game for at least a year had has most if not all of their effort thrown out the window. The forums are full of players screaming for NGE to be removed, or at least simple two-way communication from SOE. Please, I’m begging on behalf of a beleaguered and seemingly ignored player base for help!

-Bradley Lord, Via Internet

Ouch! We feel your pain. Bradley, and can see why many longtime players of Galaxies would be upset. However, we also see the logic behind Sony Online’s decision to implement the enhancements. The game, considered to be among the hardest of the hardcore MMO’s was too cumbersome for many people’s tastes. Its interface and combat system were often difficult. For example, early versions of Galaxies featured more than a dozen different types of damage, from cold and heat to kinetic and so forth. It was just too much for some people. Many potential players agreed, and apparently, so did Sony Online.

But we can sympathize with your dismay and frustration. After all, MMO fans invest countless hours and endless heartbreak to make their custom character all that he or she can be. Don’t forget, however, that SOE has implemented tons of little elite bonuses intended only for old-school players of the original Galaxies. If you reached the prestigious level of Jedi, for instance, you’ll have special auras and abilities in the NGE expansion.

And look at it this way: Community is the lifeblood of any successful MMO. And frankly, the intricate interface and uber-hardcore play styles from the early versions of Galaxies were scaring off legions of potential players. Since you wrote your letter, both SOE and LucasArts Galaxies folks have been on the road meeting hundreds of Galaxies players, listening to their complaints, and promising to incorporate some of their suggestions into the ever-expanding Galaxies game.

Star Wars Insider – Issue 88, Comlink

KenshuAni · July 2006

Darn you, Leel. Beat me to it

Xcathdra · July 2006

Not sure where it states its all SOE's fault.. There was suppose to be somthing that George Lucas stated...

EDIT: Nevermind.. I see it... SOE decision to implement etc.....

Intresting

Leel · July 2006

posted it before reading it - trying to figure out how this pertains.

jrscott · July 2006

Originally posted by Leel
posted it before reading it - trying to figure out how this pertains.

Basically, Insider agreed with the motive for NGE...screw your current playerbase and try to steal WoW players.

KenshuAni · July 2006

This is the part that I loved:

Don’t forget, however, that SOE has implemented tons of little elite bonuses intended only for old-school players of the original Galaxies. If you reached the prestigious level of Jedi, for instance, you’ll have special auras and abilities in the NGE expansion.

Hmm, 2 years worth of work on a BE...equals a bonus to combat for what had been a non-combat toon...oh and don't forget the fact that if I respec to a combat toon I would maybe be level 20...

Yeah, that bonus is totally worth it!

bennylong · July 2006

Anyone can scan that SW insider about John being fired?

Xcathdra · July 2006

Originally posted by KenshuAni

This is the part that I loved:
Don’t forget, however, that SOE has implemented tons of little elite bonuses intended only for old-school players of the original Galaxies. If you reached the prestigious level of Jedi, for instance, you’ll have special auras and abilities in the NGE expansion.

Hmm, 2 years worth of work on a BE...equals a bonus to combat for what had been a non-combat toon...oh and don't forget the fact that if I respec to a combat toon I would maybe be level 20...

Yeah, that bonus is totally worth it!

Actually making this stament leads me to beleive LA has no idea what SOE is doing in the game.. "Tons of little elite bonuses" LIKE WHAT?!?!

KenshuAni · July 2006

Originally posted by Xcathdra

Originally posted by KenshuAni

This is the part that I loved:
Don’t forget, however, that SOE has implemented tons of little elite bonuses intended only for old-school players of the original Galaxies. If you reached the prestigious level of Jedi, for instance, you’ll have special auras and abilities in the NGE expansion.

Hmm, 2 years worth of work on a BE...equals a bonus to combat for what had been a non-combat toon...oh and don't forget the fact that if I respec to a combat toon I would maybe be level 20...

Yeah, that bonus is totally worth it!

Actually making this stament leads me to beleive LA has no idea what SOE is doing in the game.. "Tons of little elite bonuses" LIKE WHAT?!?!

I think that the "tons" is actually the "one" elder buff you got for mastering a profession Pre-NGE. They might also have been refering to the Jedi bonus of an extra crystal, robe and the Force Ghost ability for having unlocked pre-NGE.

So, a total of 4 elite bonuses. Can anyone think of one that I am missing?

Fignar · July 2006

Originally posted by KenshuAni

Originally posted by Xcathdra

Originally posted by KenshuAni

This is the part that I loved:
Don’t forget, however, that SOE has implemented tons of little elite bonuses intended only for old-school players of the original Galaxies. If you reached the prestigious level of Jedi, for instance, you’ll have special auras and abilities in the NGE expansion.

Hmm, 2 years worth of work on a BE...equals a bonus to combat for what had been a non-combat toon...oh and don't forget the fact that if I respec to a combat toon I would maybe be level 20...

Yeah, that bonus is totally worth it!

Actually making this stament leads me to beleive LA has no idea what SOE is doing in the game.. "Tons of little elite bonuses" LIKE WHAT?!?!

I think that the "tons" is actually the "one" elder buff you got for mastering a profession Pre-NGE. They might also have been refering to the Jedi bonus of an extra crystal, robe and the Force Ghost ability for having unlocked pre-NGE.

So, a total of 4 elite bonuses. Can anyone think of one that I am missing?

Yes the card box and the crayons provided to the traders who can transform it into the box speeder the faster vehicles in the game!!!

Daed710 · July 2006

Originally posted by Leel

Click Here - Hurry

Galaxies in Turmoil

I know this is a little off-topic for Insider, but Sony Online Entertainment has recently forced, without warning, a new upgrade to Star Wars Galaxies called NGE, or “New Game Enhancements,” onto its players. The upshot is that anyone who has played the game for at least a year had has most if not all of their effort thrown out the window. The forums are full of players screaming for NGE to be removed, or at least simple two-way communication from SOE. Please, I’m begging on behalf of a beleaguered and seemingly ignored player base for help!

-Bradley Lord, Via Internet

Ouch! We feel your pain. Bradley, and can see why many longtime players of Galaxies would be upset. However, we also see the logic behind Sony Online’s decision to implement the enhancements. The game, considered to be among the hardest of the hardcore MMO’s was too cumbersome for many people’s tastes. Its interface and combat system were often difficult. For example, early versions of Galaxies featured more than a dozen different types of damage, from cold and heat to kinetic and so forth. It was just too much for some people. Many potential players agreed, and apparently, so did Sony Online.

But we can sympathize with your dismay and frustration. After all, MMO fans invest countless hours and endless heartbreak to make their custom character all that he or she can be. Don’t forget, however, that SOE has implemented tons of little elite bonuses intended only for old-school players of the original Galaxies. If you reached the prestigious level of Jedi, for instance, you’ll have special auras and abilities in the NGE expansion.

And look at it this way: Community is the lifeblood of any successful MMO. And frankly, the intricate interface and uber-hardcore play styles from the early versions of Galaxies were scaring off legions of potential players. Since you wrote your letter, both SOE and LucasArts Galaxies folks have been on the road meeting hundreds of Galaxies players, listening to their complaints, and promising to incorporate some of their suggestions into the ever-expanding Galaxies game.
Star Wars Insider – Issue 88, Comlink

Hmmm, the above article is in the Star Wars Insider #88 (for july/aug, ships june), but this doesnt mention anything about Smed, let alone the current rumor. I dont see anything in #88 about Smed being fired, I just flipped through it again and couldnt find anything like that mentioned. If I missed it, lemme know what page its on, or link a scan of the page in question.

If its true, perhaps they mean its going to be in issue #89, as that would make more sense time-wise. But I kinda doubt Lucas saying something like that in his fan club mag though, specially since Smed's a SOE goon, not LEC. And besides, corporations usually dont "fire" presidents or other high ranking suits, but rather arrange for them to "leave to pursue other interests" or some other bs pr way to say he was canned or quit.

Perfect example of how suits explain what we normal people call "quitting" or being "fired" is Smeds response to Koster leaving, got this off his WoW guild page, go figure, lol http://www.fohguild.org/forums/mmorpg-general-discussion/18739-soe-loses-star-wars-mmog-license-chief-creative-officer-allegedly-4.html#post454426

Smed:

"Yes Raph is leaving SOE. It's not some big dramatic thing - it's simple.. he's at the end of his contract with SOE and he wants to try some new things that realistically we can't do here at SOE right now. The truth is Raph is an incredibly talented and amazingly creative person and he has 1000 great ideas. He's done some great things in this industry and I know he'll continue to do great things. Raph's been with SOE for 5 years. I've enjoyed working with him a lot and he's made some great contributions. At the end of the day we have a finite amount of resources and projects that we can have in development at any one time. He wants to try some new stuff that we can't do at this stage.. we have a lot of things we are trying to do as a company right now."

Ok, now let me translate that into english....

"Koster thinks we suck and are running SWG into the dirt whilst pissing all over his original dream for the game, so he jumped off this sinking ship before his good name was ruined, along with most of our other talented employees. I fear smart people in general, so hopefully whatever game Raph works on next doesnt put SOE, and our pitifully beaten bastard child SWG, into an even earlier grave. At the end of the day, we decided money was more important than quality or talent, and so long as SWG has at least as many subs as Matrix Online then Im happy, as SWG is really nothing more than one of the sci-fi offerings in our Station Pass, which if you havent noticed, is our only real concern at this time."

Agricola1 · July 2006

Firing John Smedley = another anti-NGE protest lasting 6 months causing them to employ more people to delete threads.

BTW is that chatroom working on launchpad that they closed down after the NGE? Or is it still under total lockdown?

DeletedAcct · July 2006

It is always possible that Smedley is leaving. SOE would of course deny it if it was true because of stocks.investors,etc. So don't give up hope. Just like they said they weren't going to make certain changes to the game in the past right up to the point they did, the same could be true for firing Smedley. Deny right up to the point he leaves

Marthanna · July 2006

Originally posted by bennylong
yet another disappointment. How does he stay employed????

You REALLY don't want to know..

Ewwwww.....

Wildcat84 · July 2006

Given everything else that's going on at Sony, and the fact that SOE's woes aren't limited to just SWG, EQ's playerbase has also collapsed (due to WoW, SWG's has been due to CUNGE) it's not a question of IF Smed is going to be fired, it's a matter of WHEN.

Shayde · July 2006

Good point... Chris only said to me that he wasn't fired, and refused to answer follow-up questions. ALL folow-up questions.

Wildcat84 · July 2006

Originally posted by Shayde
Good point... Chris only said to me that he wasn't fired, and refused to answer follow-up questions. ALL folow-up questions.

Yep, in my mind there is no question that Smed is on his way out. The longer this goes on the more I see what their "grand plan to save their jobs" was back in November... EQ/EQ2's player bases had been ravaged by WoW... SWG's was stagnant but still strong. So, they sold the NGE as their "shot" at turning around the sub numbers FOR ALL OF SOE by attracting 500K+ 12 year olds who would want to play Jedi from the get go.

They probably didn't think any deeper than that. I think they almost certainly expected the people who left to leave, but to be quickly replaced by new players who wanted "instant gratification". They didn't expect to lose half the vets AND fail to attract a significant new population.

Which means: Sooner or later, they are all fired.

Agricola1 · July 2006

And we haven't even mentioned "The Matrix Online" another game that should've been a license to print money?

kanezfan · July 2006

Here's what I want to know. Now, I can understand them thinking let's revamp the game in order to appeal to a broader audience. I'd even support that idea, were it implemented correctly. but the thing I don't understand....

How in the hell did they play around with the NGE as it stood at launch and decided it was a good idea to launch it? How??? How????!???!?!??! Are they totally blind and stupid? What did they expect? I know Smed at one point said the player reaction was stronger than he anticipated, what kind of reaction did he expect? one or two people getting angry? wtf?

Look, I don't want to see anyone lose a job, but this is one of those times where you have to fire someone. There is no excuse for a screw up this major. None.

My only hope is that if we get a classic server, it is a pre-CU server and not a CU server.

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thanks for getting my hopes up about Smedley

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thanks for getting my hopes up about Smedley

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