I've been outspoken when it comes to bashing developers both here and on f13. In particular ive said things about McQuaid, Godager and Ellingsen that were pretty harsh. I feel its only fair that if you want to be able to spout negativity when you deem it applicable, that you also take a second to be positive when the situation calls for it.

So here we go - I think overall MJ has done a very good job with this product. What he said publicly about the game pre-launch accurately reflects the shipped product. I am impressed with the responsiveness to player concerns/feedback since launch. The plans he has laid out for 1.1 make sense, and the conversations he has participated in on f13 regarding RvR incentives convince me he basically knows what is going on.

In no way am I saying WAR is perfect - far from it. But as the top guy on a AAA MMO title MJ's performance stands out as being by far the best that i can recall in the last 3-4 years at least.

The game is doing well, but i think MJ is a freaking crybaby -shrugs-

I really want this game to succeed.  I played beta and I think it's really come a long way to where it is now.  Just hope the player base stays strong. 

I agree with you on about nearly everything you said about MJ.  He's so much fracking better than fracking Kalgan.  I can't stand that guy.  MJ, for now, at least addresses real issues. 

They really should have tried to get 1.1 out before the free month...now they're gonna have to try and lure people back, which is always sketchy at best.

MJ definitely does not rank amongst the scum of the MMO pond--McQuaid, Godager, SOE, etc. He's head and shoulders above those clowns. That said, does it really warrant ++respect? I mean, communication is what developers should be doing. It's like that Chris Rock routine where he blasts people for saying things like "I take care of my kid!" That doesn't make you special, it's what you're supposed to do.

If anything the fact that some people would specifically want to praise him for that just shows what a horrible state this market's really in, and how low the expectations are that these guys work under. Many other companies would be forced out of business if they tried to pull some of the PR crap that MMO devs get away with due to their customers being a bunch of desperate addicts.

Originally posted by jaxontyler

I really want this game to succeed.  I played beta and I think it's really come a long way to where it is now.  Just hope the player base stays strong. 

 

I agree with you on about nearly everything you said about MJ.  He's so much fracking better than fracking Kalgan.  I can't stand that guy.  MJ, for now, at least addresses real issues. 

yes, MJ probably deserves some kudos when compared with some other guys. Mostly because some other shouldnt have spawned in the mmorpg scene.

I normally dont really like kalgan much, but even despite my feelings toward him I can honestly say kalgan is in another (better ) league when compared with the ex AOC guys , EE and goddager. liking or not kalgan has a working vision of WOW,, and even if he changes the visions or i dont like his vision,at least he makes it work . some others have vision that suck and don't work .

I like Mark's honesty.

Well I would say that Mythic and Turbine are in a league of their own when it comes to responding to Customer Feedback and communication. 

I would put Blizzard right below them.

After that I would put NCSoft.

Below that is SOE and Sigil. 

Below that is Funcom. 

I think I covered all of the major MMO Game Studios. 

Originally posted by vernd

 

MJ definitely does not rank amongst the scum of the MMO pond--McQuaid, Godager, SOE, etc. He's head and shoulders above those clowns. That said, does it really warrant ++respect? I mean, communication is what developers should be doing. It's like that Chris Rock routine where he blasts people for saying things like "I take care of my kid!" That doesn't make you special, it's what you're supposed to do.

 

Fair point, and i agree.

It is a sad reflection on the MMO industry that fullfiling basic moral obligations like 'not lying' makes a producer stand out from the crowd.

Originally posted by FischerBlack

Originally posted by vernd

 

MJ definitely does not rank amongst the scum of the MMO pond--McQuaid, Godager, SOE, etc. He's head and shoulders above those clowns. That said, does it really warrant ++respect? I mean, communication is what developers should be doing. It's like that Chris Rock routine where he blasts people for saying things like "I take care of my kid!" That doesn't make you special, it's what you're supposed to do.

 

 

Fair point, and i agree.

It is a sad reflection on the MMO industry that fullfiling basic moral obligations like 'not lying' makes a producer stand out from the crowd.

The best thing players could do, if they appreciate MJ's approach to communicating with his customers, is begin to demand the same from other companies. Say "if MJ can be honest like this, why can't you?" Don't let it fizzle here on the MMORPG.com forums.

I agree with the OP.  He's doing a good job. But he had to do the same job if WAR was a bad product like AOC was. The quality of a game at launch is a big part of how people appreciate it's makers. And in that way the whole developement team deserves our respect I feel.