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Signe 6/23/06 12:12:50 PM
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Hard Core Member
Joined: 3/19/04 |
I read THIS today which really surprised me!
I'm wondering what the heck is going on over there. Recently, I cancelled my sub (although there is still time left until mid-July, I think) because I'm moving shortly and plan to be a bit to busy for it for some time. I never go away for very long, however, because I'm somewhat addicted to character creation (it's a girly thing) and I love the combat... though the game itself lacks in a lot of other areas. If this is true, it's a pretty nasty development! (or should I say, "un-development"  )(sorry, if someone posted this previously. I couldn't find anything although my search-fu is always weak) |
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baff 6/23/06 1:18:07 PM
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Hard Core Member
Joined: 5/22/05 |
Nice find. Predictable I suppose. I think those numbers may be exaggerated. Difficult to say. COH hasn't posted last quarters subs. Can't say it could of happened to a more deserving bunch. NCsoft support are a bunch of useless lazy twigs. If it's true, the company is well shot of them. I've sent a few emails to bosses at NCsoft recommending this course in my time. I'm almost tempted to send gloating messages to tech sup. No idea about Auto Assault, but it looked like a flop sales wise. COV sold well, but must have brought a large percentage of players back (as opposed to all new blood), who once they finish it, will all leave again. 100k subs seems like extreme weightloss to me, and under the 125k they said they wanted to keep the game open. I think if it was that bad we would have seen server merges by now. Essentially I feel it is normal for development companies to have a support period budgeted in after release. Once the money has been spent, normal service will be resumed. I don't see why this would be any different for MMO's. Further R&D budgeting would be dependendant on the commisioning of an expansion. I don't think support teams are ever very large for very long. |
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Signe 6/23/06 1:53:48 PM
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Hard Core Member
Joined: 3/19/04 |
It wasn't hard to find. I visit that site constantly. hehe. In the discussion that followed there was a link to an announcement on the official forum and it looks as if whoever posted that info in the dev only forum did have his numbers a bit wrong.
"NCsoft’s Austin business has announced an immediate restructuring within its organization that included the difficult task of reducing members of its workforce. The online games industry is one that is continually changing with the scaling up and down of business based on product launches and product development schedules. Over the past two and a half years NCsoft has launched six major titles into the North American market and has grown with each title launch. As the company continues to grow its live products and prepares its next set of major online game releases for later in 2006 and 2007, the company sees a slowdown in its launch pattern and the need to streamline its business. For this reason, NCsoft has reduced its 300 person workforce in Austin by approximately 70 people to accommodate this change. This decision has no impact on the schedules of any projects currently in development and service to NCsoft’s current games will continue without interruption. " Source I do like this game although, quite honestly, it needs something to keep me interested for longer periods of time. |
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gadgethead 6/23/06 3:03:54 PM
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Novice Member
Joined: 12/21/05 |
Heres the link: http://www.gamespot.com/news/6153106.html Heres the thing, they say they didnt lay off any developers but theres a reason why. The developers, Cryptic, ArenaNet, NetDevil, etc are all separate companies. So NCSoft wouldnt do the layoffs, the individual companys would. I was suspicious about AA when I saw they only had 4 realms. Many of us have said the problem with COX is that while it was nice eye candy the game play is shallow. I still laugh at the fact that superheroes have limited endurance. I could see certain origins have endurance, such as human athletic, but for them all to is ridiculous. I can think of no other MMOG that has such an artificial constraint. In WOW if you run out of mana you can still do some damage with a staff or wand; in FFXI, everyone has auto attack, also using melee or ranged weapon, etc. Theres a developer journal by Jack Emmerit where he expressly said they would not make two games because "they would both suck". Guess what? They made two games.... |
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Signe 6/23/06 4:26:17 PM
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Hard Core Member
Joined: 3/19/04 |
Err... the gamespot story got it from the original f13.net link I posted above, no?
In any case, I agree that CoH has quite a few flaws. The endurance issue doesn't bother me half as much as most of the others, however. The game really does need more depth. They need to lessen the post level 25 grind, too. It smacks you in the face as soon as you hit that level. |
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tute 6/23/06 6:13:08 PM
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Novice Member
Joined: 5/10/06 |
Originally posted by Signe Err... the gamespot story got it from the original f13.net link I posted above, no?In any case, I agree that CoH has quite a few flaws. The endurance issue doesn't bother me half as much as most of the others, however. The game really does need more depth. They need to lessen the post level 25 grind, too. It smacks you in the face as soon as you hit that level. ___________________________________________________________________________ Agreed on the post 25 grind. I don't find the stories associated with the missions as engaging as others do, so for me its the combat and getting new powers. The new powers can take too long and as for the combat, you can pretty much experience all the game has to offer within a month's subscription. |
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Signe 6/23/06 6:24:50 PM
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Hard Core Member
Joined: 3/19/04 |
Exactly. This is why I end up playing for a month and putting it aside for a few months, then I go back. The sidekick feature makes it easy to do. It's a good thing, too... I have a feeling a lot of people play the inconsistant way I do for the reasons we've been discussing. If it weren't for the sidekick feature, I have a feeling a lot more would quit for good. |
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Firebird1 6/25/06 12:57:35 AM
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Novice Member
Joined: 9/08/05 |
It's a good game COH/COV. The problem is that other then fighting there is no real... Anything else to do. Now if they were to introduce creafting/ apartments (COV took care of SG/VG Bases)/ or other long term stuff.
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Serling 6/25/06 7:02:45 AM
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Advanced Member
Joined: 2/06/06 |
Gee... Maybe what the game needs is more nerfs to bring people back. /sarcasm |
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tute 6/25/06 10:24:40 AM
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Novice Member
Joined: 5/10/06 |
Originally posted by Serling Gee... Maybe what the game needs is more nerfs to bring people back. /sarcasm __ | |
