Ragnar Tornquist has set up a 'new' studio to spearhead development of Dreamfall Chapters, licensed the rights for Dreamfall from Funcom.  He is still going to keep an advisory role as 'Creative Director' with regards to TSW.  But I think you have to face it as far as Ragnar is concerned he has moved on ... gone as far as TSW is concerned. 

Thinking ahead to all the positive people out there, you just can't spin an advisory role in a good light. People are basically paid for doing nothing more than associating their name/reputation to a product/service.   Ragnar has left the building as far as TSW and started his own studio - good luck to him.

Story writing is one of TSW primary strengths. There is some great dialogue and story presentation in the cut scenes and investigation missions. I can’t help but see his absence as a negative for Funcom even though I wish him success in his new endeavor. I am left wondering who is going to take over the story writing duties to expand the game now? Or are they just giving up on it and preparing to resort to grind game play?

As I understand it, Tørnquist still works for Funcom as well. The new studio appears to be working from Funcom offices, and Funcom seem have a business deal with Tornquists studio.

As I see it, this is Tornquist doing something he has wanted to do for years part time, and the other part of his time he will still be working with The Secret World. 

For me this wont really change anything, as I still see him working for Funcom writing and doing stories.

Before he was writing the stories while beeing game director. Now he have alot more time on his hands.

I dont really see a problem here, only good things for gamers, Funcom and Tørnquist

Originally posted by Chtuga

As I understand it, Tørnquist still works for Funcom as well. The new studio appears to be working from Funcom offices, and Funcom seem have a business deal with Tornquists studio.

As I see it, this is Tornquist doing something he has wanted to do for years part time, and the other part of his time he will still be working with The Secret World. 

 

For me this wont really change anything, as I still see him working for Funcom writing and doing stories.

Before he was writing the stories while beeing game director. Now he have alot more time on his hands.

 

I dont really see a problem here, only good things for gamers, Funcom and Tørnquist

Thats like saying that when the top Dev's left WoW to work on "Titan" that they never really left the team and that the "Titan" job is only part time.  WoW went spiraling down the drain when this happened or not too long afterwards.  If this person is as people are describing him to be then TSW will certainly be impacted, and most likely in a bad way.  These Dreamfall Chapters will be his main focus.

My thoughts on Ragnar are that he is a creative genius along with being a real writer. When I say real I mean like epic, with ability far beyond the mmorpg genre. 

I also feel that his leadership role in directing the priorities was at times questionable. For example pushing up the barber shop and cosmetic surgeon on the post launch priorites instead of stabalizing pvp and/or getting the raid out on schedule.

I think joel is a kickass and take names type of guy and that he can competently take TSW in the direction he wants it to go. I just hope he decides to build a "big spalsh" type pvp update sooner than later.

Actually it sounds like he's able to do what he loves (and is famous for) for both Funcom and Redthread. http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/11/01/keep-the-faith-tornquist-talks-dreamfall-chapters/

It's a pretty good deal when you get to keep your day job (and salary) so you can work on a pet project. ;)

another attention grabbing misleading BS thread title.

he is not "gone" here is the press release,  he is working on a new adventure game

http://www.funcom.com/news/pre_production_begins_on_new_game_in_the_longest_journey_saga

"The close working relationship between Funcom and Mr. Tørnquist will allow him to continue on as Creative Director of Funcom’s ‘The Secret World’, in parallel with putting together a team to develop 'Dreamfall Chapters'."

Originally posted by Yakamomoto

another attention grabbing misleading BS thread title.

he is not "gone" here is the press release,  he is working on a new adventure game

 

http://www.funcom.com/news/pre_production_begins_on_new_game_in_the_longest_journey_saga

 

"The close working relationship between Funcom and Mr. Tørnquist will allow him to continue on as Creative Director of Funcom’s ‘The Secret World’, in parallel with putting together a team to develop 'Dreamfall Chapters'."

 /sigh... Can we get a lock or title change?

Originally posted by bcbully

Originally posted by Yakamomoto

another attention grabbing misleading BS thread title.

he is not "gone" here is the press release,  he is working on a new adventure game

 

http://www.funcom.com/news/pre_production_begins_on_new_game_in_the_longest_journey_saga

 

"The close working relationship between Funcom and Mr. Tørnquist will allow him to continue on as Creative Director of Funcom’s ‘The Secret World’, in parallel with putting together a team to develop 'Dreamfall Chapters'."

 /sigh... Can we get a lock or title change?

The significance this has for me is:

Movement has finally resumed on The Longest Journey series!

"The Longest Journey" and "Dreamfall" are very much Ragnar's babies, as much so, if not more so than TSW is. It's what he's known for and it's what many fans of his work have come to admire him for. He also contributed to the Anarchy Online universe, but not nearly so much.

In any case, this is nothing but good news to me.

Splitting off from Funcom to focus full-time on a new Longest Journey game is an awesome move. Gives him more time and space to focus on the new game(s). I could not be more psyched about this.

Funcom have now clarified Ragnar remains an employee of Funcom,  he didn't leave to start the new studio he is doing a combined role.

Do people still think Ragnar is having any input/connection with regards to TSW, when he is headed in a different direction and starting a new business.  Those who think that should try starting a new business, they will soon realise you wish they made 25 hour days and 8 day weeks.

Originally posted by fallenlords

 

I'm as cofident in TSW as I was day of release. Even through the hard times. Joel and Ragnar got this. 

The game could be doing very well and Ragnar, Joel annouce they are now living in the Funcom offices so they can have 24 hour input into the game. You would still find a way to spin it in a negative way.

Still enjoying TSW and I just bought TLJ and Dreamfall from GOG.com this past weekend to replay the game. (They had a sale, not because I knew of the new TLJ Chapters)

With this game the foundataion is already built. They have their strategy, which is to keep releasing stuff like they have already done, in the same fashion.

Im certain that other than the base lore, ragnar didnt do specific writing, and didnt do specific quest layout...really i dont see this boing a huge deal.

Oh...and hes not leaving for a new studio...hes going to work on expanding past funcom products...hes still with funcom.

As misleading as i would expect any post on this forum regarding funcom and their games...to be expected.

Originally posted by Yakamomoto

another attention grabbing misleading BS thread title.

he is not "gone" here is the press release,  he is working on a new adventure game

 

http://www.funcom.com/news/pre_production_begins_on_new_game_in_the_longest_journey_saga

 

"The close working relationship between Funcom and Mr. Tørnquist will allow him to continue on as Creative Director of Funcom’s ‘The Secret World’, in parallel with putting together a team to develop 'Dreamfall Chapters'."

The RPS interview clearly states he is still working with the TSW team, yeah I know it's a terrible hit for the haters but it is what it is.

Tørnquist: Yes. I’ll still be contributing a lot to the story side, advising Joel and the team. I’m working on the master story document at the moment, making sure all the threads are coming together and we know where we’re at. I want to make sure the team are as independent as possible but I have no plans to leave. TSW is very dear to me and I plan to stay on as long as possible.

Originally posted by revy66

The RPS interview clearly states he is still working with the TSW team, yeah I know it's a terrible hit for the haters but it is what it is.

Tørnquist: Yes. I’ll still be contributing a lot to the story side, advising Joel and the team. I’m working on the master story document at the moment, making sure all the threads are coming together and we know where we’re at. I want to make sure the team are as independent as possible but I have no plans to leave. TSW is very dear to me and I plan to stay on as long as possible.

It's fallenlords. Everyone and their mother knows he is Funcom's nemesis and just wants this company to burn to the ground and he will not rest until the day it happens. So it's best just to ignore him, as there is no reasoning with that guy.

Like the famous quote from Alfred in Dark Knight: "Some men just want to watch the world burn"