Originally posted by TUX426

Originally posted by Dorko2k

Originally posted by sookster54

Lately, SOE seem to be focusing all their energy on the PS3 platform and not putting as much effort into their PC titles. This is pretty much what almost every major gaming company has been doing lately, full on console releases with weak PC releases.

 true, DCUO's updates for the pc revolved around the PS3 updates & pc versions were held up because of problems with PS3 network.

It's obvious why...console game sales are growing and, like always, Smed is more interested in the gamers he DOESN'T have than the ones he does. First WoW, now the PS3, tomorrow something else. His goal is 100million Free Realms players (read "accounts"). How will he reach that on PC alone?

Smed works for the parent corporate division that does all the PS3 stuff, SMCE or whatever it is. SOE has no choice to do console stuff, because that is who they report to.

As I think about it, it is possible that Smed has been "given a window", in the tradition of large Japanese conglomerates, where an executuive screws up so badly or for so long, he is put in a position with no authority at all and all he gets to do is look out the window all day. The only reason he is not fired, is that it would make the company look bad, as it is shameful to have a top executive be acknoledged as a POS, because the company hired him and put him in that position, and it reflects badly on their judgement. To the shareholders and to the public. The corporate reorg they were subjected to a couple years back may have done that very thing.

In the end, Smed, like SOE, is no longer relevant in the gaming circles, except as a cautionary tale and the example to not follow.

I thought the recession was over.. guess it goes to show it is a depression.  borders just went down. 

Anyone can claim credit I guess, but it all goes to SOE's leadership...and that hasn't changed...only the poor folk who worked for them. Had they simply switched out a few (10-20) TOP people at SOE, this may not have ever had to have happened.

I feel bad for their employees. But no worse than I do for anyone unemployed in this economy. Good luck to them.

I also feel for their employees, the leadership is the problem, but ain't that the same worldwide? Tyrants everywhere & the work class suffer.

Years I have waited for Smed's comeuppance (ever since the EQ PoP debacle in fact). Finally his long term misdirection of SOE has hit them where it hurts - shareholders' pockets. The MMO industry would be so much better off without Smed.

I know they keep games on life support - but only after they have destroyed them first (SWG/Vanguard to name a couple).

... and the Matrix online, until they had to shut it down since tumbleweed and chirping crickets occupied the game more than players did.

I am EQ2 player, and think its best mmo on the market. With that said I can tell you 1/3 of SOE deserves to be laid off. Most of the support is rude, and not helpful which also says something about the managment. They really need to take a hard look at how they treat the players over at SOE. I mean I hate to say this, but Blizzard treats the players of their game far better then SOE does even though I think EQ2 is a better game then WoW.

Originally posted by gekkothegrey

I am EQ2 player, and think its best mmo on the market. With that said I can tell you 1/3 of SOE deserves to be laid off. Most of the support is rude, and not helpful which also says something about the managment. They really need to take a hard look at how they treat the players over at SOE. I mean I hate to say this, but Blizzard treats the players of their game far better then SOE does even though I think EQ2 is a better game then WoW.

When I was still foolish enough to pay for NGE SWG (it was a summer and it was that or WoW, come on) the GMs were extremely kind and helpful. I even got into a discussion with one about how SOE's policy is now to allow afk-combat in SWG, and how awful it was. Even SOE employees don't like their bosses, they're just gamers with game jobs in my experience :)

P.S.: Same GM referred me to Aion's website before it released, now I hate that asshole.

LOL at end comment there

At the same time that I am glad to see SOE finally limping off to die, I am also saddened by the fact that SOE once hosted several of the most fun, promising and unique MMORPGs of all time....

......And let them die a horrible death.

Now....how about SOE simply sells off it's IP licenses to make back some $$, and let someone COMPETENT run those games?

Originally posted by Wharg0ul

Now....how about SOE simply sells off it's IP licenses to make back some $$, and let someone COMPETENT run those games?

This. How awesome that would be.

And dude, your forum sig totally freaked me out!!

Originally posted by Vonatar

Originally posted by Wharg0ul

Now....how about SOE simply sells off it's IP licenses to make back some $$, and let someone COMPETENT run those games?

 

And dude, your forum sig totally freaked me out!!

 Thanks. I get that a lot.

Originally posted by Paradigm68

Originally posted by Obee

One point of interest is that the DCU, EQ, and EQ2 OBoard announcements all mention continued support and development.  SWG's announcement only mentions continued support.

Continued support "this year".

 The quote "this year" leads me to believe that they are not sure if they will keep the game running next year.