Starr Long, the Producer of Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa has written an article detailing the current state of Tabula Rasa. In the article he discusses NCsoft's commitment to the game, where the game is now and their future development plans, as well as Richard Garriott's current involvement, rumored layoffs and financial issues.

Starr Long, the Producer of Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa, updates us on the state of the game, as well as moving forward to the exciting things to come.

In the last few weeks there’s been talk about the future of Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa, the financial impact of the game on NCsoft as a whole, and the state of our development team here in Austin. I think it’s important to clarify what is going on and what our players can look forward to in the near future, because there is a lot to look forward to.

NCsoft has committed a lot of money and resources into continuing post-launch development of Tabula Rasa. We have been putting new content into the game every few weeks, and we will continue doing just that. We have already added more upper level content and new features like Hybrids, and we’re working on tons of exciting content, such as Personal Armor Units (mechs and mini-vehicles that players can use and will grant them new abilities). Other features we are planning include Command Opportunity, where players will get the ability to summon entire squads of upgradeable NPCs to fight for them. Clans will be able to battle over control points, which we are building specifically for clan versus clan gameplay. Another addition we’re working on is Flashpoints, which are missions that start dynamically in a region for a number of players, whenever certain criteria are met.

Read more here.

I am actually tempted by this game and wish they would offer a free trial for a week or 2 the way other MMOs do. TR's 3-day free trial didn't seem worth the downloading effort, in my opinion, so I didn't bother with it.

TR sounds like a pretty good game, but I am not sure it is worth paying a subscription fee to play, based on what I have read. If NCSoft ever comes up with a more generous free trial period and/or a more economical subscription plan (say, a CoX/TR "package deal" or something along those lines), I would probably give it a try.

I just can't play a game designed by someone named "Starr" 

But it does sound like NCSoft remains committed to improving the game, just a matter of seeing if they can capture momentum again, especially in light of the upcoming major releases this year.

Maybe I'd play it if they dropped the RG off the front of the name?

Originally posted by tmr819

I am actually tempted by this game and wish they would offer a free trial for a week or 2 the way other MMOs do. TR's 3-day free trial didn't seem worth the downloading effort, in my opinion, so I didn't bother with it.

TR sounds like a pretty good game, but I am not sure it is worth paying a subscription fee to play, based on what I have read. If NCSoft ever comes up with a more generous free trial period and/or a more economical subscription plan (say, a CoX/TR "package deal" or something along those lines), I would probably give it a try.

I agree I would love to give this game a good go around, but i dont think 3 days is enough time ... I am hoping they offer a 2 week trial soon. I am dying for a good sci fi game.

Guys I found this game to be an absolute blast...for about a month.

With that in mind if you have the money, go for the 3 day trial and play.  You'll know in 3 days if you really like it and will stick with it.

If you last a month like me, that is one month closer to the games I think most of us are waiting on...which is a good thing!

TR was great fun when I started playing it.  It doesn't have much lasting power, but the game is a blast when you first start.  It is VERY solo friendly regardless of the direction you choose w/ your character and if you like grouping that makes instances much much more friendly.

Just my 2 cents, for what they are worth.

It's sad to say but TR will go the way of Auto Assault by next year. There just isn’t that much interest....The game cost a shit load of money to make and  is basically the same handful of missions over and over again.

This is RG's Diakatana make no mistake, if it wasn't for the Koreans worship of the man the plug would have already been pulled.

Originally posted by todeswulf

It's sad to say but TR will go the way of Auto Assault by next year. There just isn’t that much interest....The game cost a shit load of money to make and  is basically the same handful of missions over and over again.

This is RG's Diakatana make no mistake, if it wasn't for the Koreans worship of the man the plug would have already been pulled.

As someone who played and now miss auto assault this statement just makes me want to play the game.  Auto assault did get repetitive, but at least it was a nice break-up of the onslaught of cookie-cutter mmos out there.  Forget hitting something with a sword or shooting it with a dinky pistol or bow and arrow, something's in your way, just  ram it with your car!  Boo-yah.  Senseless car violence and complete terrain destruction for the win ^^

Just my 2cents.

I just have one question. It seems like (from what everyone is saying) that this game is loosing steam, as in loosing subscriptions, the whole ball of wax. Is this true? I was really thinking about giving this game a go, but with dwindling numbers, I'm not.

I absolutely loved Auto Assault.  I hated to see it go.  Human Engineer = God on wheels.

That game was so far before it's time...

I salute you for bringing it up again.  I'll miss it and hope that somebody out there will realize what a good idea it was and take more of the same idea into account on an MMO in the future.

I got the game for 10 bucks at EB games, and I actually really enjoyed it. However I had a couple problems.

1. It didn't look that great on my comp, which isn't the games fault, but if I could run it close to what the screen shots look like, I probably would've liked it more.

2. I didn't know anymore. I have way more people I know in WoW then this game, so transferring is a problem.

I honestly think this game could be better then WoW, but in a sense, never will be because they should've held it back until it was more polished gameplay wise.

I just starting playing the game again after the beta ended.  I am having fun.  I don't think the quests are too repetitive because from the ones I have played, they all get that way.  What I like is the constant action.  If it isnt the ships dropping off the Bane to start shooting at me as I go by, it is some kind of alien beast.  No place seems safe or serene in this world.  I like that.  As far as people leaving the game--I don't know.  I always see other players wondering around.  It isn't SWG pre CU--but I don't think any game will ever compare to that.  Another thing I like is the shooter type of action.  I like the fact that I need to actually aim and take cover.

So, if you are at all interested in this game, I would say give it a try.

Originally posted by Herokiller

I just have one question. It seems like (from what everyone is saying) that this game is loosing steam, as in loosing subscriptions, the whole ball of wax. Is this true? I was really thinking about giving this game a go, but with dwindling numbers, I'm not.

When I started playing about a month ago I would login and all the server pops were on low, now when I log in they say medium at around 6pm EST. Euro hits low later on and all servers are low in the morning but I think the population is improving. I see some people on the east coast server when I am just dickin' around at the bases and running cross country.

Tried TR on it's release as a brief change from LOTRO and have been playing it ever since. It is a really nice game with loads of exciting and visceral combat. Always feels like you are playing the game rather than pressing buttons in the right order and provides heaps of fun.

It is certainly no more repetitive than any other mmo and to my mind it is a lot less so. The missions are go here, go there, find this, kill that, etc like every other game on the market. To it's credit though, it's npc enemies wander around, fight one another and show a lot more life and character than in any other mmo I have played. Because of this it also has replay value. Unlike LOTRO whereby everything was exactly the same when you came to play through a second time, TR often feels like a new experience, even when completing the same objectives.

The game feels a lot more open ended than AutoAssault did so has the potential to be a slow grower like EVE and to expand in to something truly great. Whether it does or not will depend on what new PVE content NCSoft deliver over and above the interesting PvP concepts they have promised us.

The 3 day trial will be enough for you to explore the first noobs zone, participate in mass assault and defence of control point bases and maybe even play through the first few instanced zones. That is, if you actually play the game rather than sitting in general chat moaning because it isn't the same as World Of Warcraft! You wouldn't believe how many people seem to feel compelled to do this. What 3 days won't show you is that each new area feels better built and more exciting than the last, that the storyline becomes involving and that you get a real sense of being part of something.

Elves need not apply, but if you want to take part in a game which feels like a cross between Starship Troopers, Stargate and Saving Private Ryan, with a side order of Aliens and Predator thrown in, then this may be what you are looking for.

In terms of population, the last figures I saw were that they had 150,000 subscribers 3 months in, which puts it on a par with City Of Heroes. The euro server is well populated and has a vibrant community. There are 3 US servers, I haven't played on them but at least one of them seems to be on a par with the euro server for player numbers.

See when I look at TR, I think Diablo.... With Guns.... 

Definitely worth giving a try if you haven't already, I'm glad that I did!

I found the game very fun, for about three days, after which I realized the game was all style and no substance. I think that's why the trial is only three days, if it was two weeks the conversion rate to paid players would be much, much lower.

(By all means though, if you really have an interest and can find the box really cheap somewhere, it may be worth it for some).

The rest of the "state of the game" seems to be a lot of spin though. Richard Garriott  "checking in daily as he trains for his space (ego) trip" had me LOL, along with the excuse for poor launch numbers being a result of a "highly competitive time frame". Huh?!?!?! The game launched in the midst of the ongoing drought of quality, appealing MMOs!

This game is another case of  "what could have been".  That Richard was able to bank roll his vanity space tourism with the proceeds shows were a lot of the wasted money went.

If and when they add significant PvP content, I would be willing to give this game a try.

I just recently bought TR and Im having a lot of fun. The GM's in this game are awesome. everyday and sometimes several times a day I see GM's in chat interacting with the community,a sking if anyone needs help etc. Its quiet refreshing.

I have been in Beta for over three months and played the game another couple weeks last month to give it another try. Im done. My left mouse button can take just as much ;) Wich is basically the only button you really use through the game lol.

My state on the game:

- By end of beta we said that the game was severely lacking high level content.

- The Mid to high level content that was in, was severely bugged

- Number of classes and skills way too little and restrictive (read boring). You will have all your skills at lvl30!! Not to mention the specialist tree completely nerfed into oblivion!  All you need is firearms to pump5 and use rifle and shotguns.... for all classes. As most class specific weapons are severely unbalanced or just nerfed to death! ..or better, just plain bugged (and still are at this moment).

- Logos are just a plain collection system to unlock skills. Nothing more. A huge missed opportunity of what could have been so much more than that! This was my biggest dissapointment really.

- Cloning system all fun and dandy, but just doesn't work as intended and becomes a chore to use really (friend and ignore lists not copying while cloning for instance)

- PAU's were announced at end of beta to be in close after launch as persuasion cookie. After almost half a year later they are still not in! And at this moment still no ETA when they actually will be in?!

- After almost half a year post-launch they still havent got all the needed high end content in place. So many lvl50's running around completely bored.  As PVP in TR is just plain dueling atm. Nothing more, nothing less!

Sure Starr..... the game is on steam.... ehhrrmm? I wonder how long you guys at NCSoft can hold up the curtain till it falls down..... hard.

The moment Age of Conan and WAR launch, both games with great PVP potential, I wonder how many will still stick to this game. As sure, many jumped in because of the SF setting (like me), but a lot were drawn in for the PVP, wich basically sucks....and still sucks almost 6months post-launch. As there is no PVE endgame!

Cheers

Originally posted by tmr819

a CoX/TR "package deal" or something along those lines

Now that would be cool.  I wouldn't mind a $20 package deal/Station Pass type thing.  NC makes some great games, but it seems none have any lasting power.  Paying one price to access a few games would repopulate the servers across the board and be a MUCH better value.

Its not the best game NCSoft has released (Lineage 2 still holds that title for me), but its an enjoyable game to pass the time while I wait for AoC. Sure its repetitive but hell what mmo isn't repetitive? Its definitely a break from the normal hack and slash mmo games I am usually drawn too.