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Stargate Worlds General Article: Firesky Comments on Elggren's Departure
On May 12th, news broke that Studio Head Dan Elggren would be leaving Firesky, the company making Stargate Worlds. Today, MMORPG.com has received comment from the company about the issue.
By Jon Wood on May 14, 2009
On May 12th, TenTonHammer reported that Dan Elggren, the Studio head at Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment (Firesky) and one of the leading developers of Stargate Worlds, had left the company.
They gleaned this announcement from a personal blog posted by Elggren's wife where she wrote that her husband was leaving the company. In it she wrote that "Over 100 employees have left since October, so Dan felt he was as loyal as he possibly could be considering that he was basically volunteering for work and not getting paid! It's such a shame, because the game he's been working on for over three years was within several months of being ready to ship!"
Elggren, again according to the blog, starts work with Gazillion (who, among other studios, owns NetDevil the company developing Jumpgate Evolution) on June the 1st.
Since that story, the original blog has been locked and is now only available on an invite only basis.
Today, MMORPG.com spoke to Firesky's Kevin Ballentine about the news:
"While we are saddened by Dan's departure, we believe that Stargate Worlds will benefit from this unforeseen change. Dan's guidance has been crucial to getting Stargate Worlds to this point, but we believe fresh eyes may find ways to improve the game moving forward. We wish to express our appreciation to Dan for all he has done for our company and wish him the best of success in his new endeavors. Dan will be transitioning his responsibilities to Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, over the next week.
;)
"Rod has 25 years of industry experience and is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Rod has the right experience and vision to lead this team to the finish line.
"We wish both Rod and Dan success in their new responsibilities."
In a post on the official Stargate Worlds forums, Elggren expressed his belief that Stargate Worlds still "has a chance" to ship.
Speaking directly to the blog which prematurely leaked notice of his departure, Elggren said that:
"My wife is just sick about those that saw her blog. This was not meant to cause problems and is usually only read by close friends and family. We certainly hold no ill feelings towards CME. The number of 100 employees leaving is not accurate. When you have good friends leave, it is always a bigger deal and is hard to see that happen. Now that we have made the decision to move, my wife and kids now have to leave a lot of friends and family in the area of Gilbert and Mesa, Arizona as well as those we will miss at the office. It's always difficult to start over and I am just glad she is now looking forward to the new opportunity. "
Additionally, Firesky had no comment on the progress of the financial negotiation first reported in early April. Negotiations are ongoing.
Wow, with great news like "In a post on the official Stargate Worlds forums, Elggren expressed his belief that Stargate Worlds still "has a chance" to ship." I think we can all sit back and breath easier now.
I really am upset this had to happen to this game, but with it having so much trouble I am not even sure I want to see it come out now. There is no way they are going to be able to release a polished product under these conditions, so even if it comes out I have a real bad feeling it will not be worth the money.
SGW should have already been released by now.
WOW just WOW.Fresh eyes?a game that is broke is talking about fresh eyes like they have the luxury to up and start some new direction? lmao.This game is officially done,i cannot see anyone playing this game at any time in the future.There is no reason to futher any more hardship,pain ,money loss,pack it in and call it a day.
Lots of drama in the gaming industry this week. 3DRealms shuts down, then this...and probably other drama I don't even know about.
I don't see how his comment can be seen as "good" news..."chance to ship" means things are very shaky and it'll take something good happening for them to make it. Not that it'll be successful at launch...we can pretty much assume it won't considering the amount of delays and drama that it probably won't be.
Pretty much the death knell for this MMO. Chances are slim it will ever see the light of day.
The only way to gain additional interest in this product is if the "Star Gate Universe" series is a hit. If Sci-Fi's new show is recieved positivally then new efforts could continue on this MMO.
But, I highly doubt that this series will come close to the success of SG-1 or Atlantis from first impressions.
gosh... are we going to see a Stargate game 1 day... it IS unbelieveable
so many games go through hardship and make it out on top. This one sure does get more press then others...never say never! I want a stargate game!!
Last time I saw the letters SWG they had bad karma attached to them. Here you see the letters SGW, I would hate to see those letters affect this game.
All joking aside, I would hate to see this game not make it to ship date, even if its not polished, I would still play it, in hopes that my monthly subscription fee amoung many others as well, help it over this stroke of misfortune and be there for the long haul. I am sure I am not alone in my opinion.
"Has a chance to ship" = "Hope my lotto numbers come up this week/month/year".
Well my perspective is that's better news than the blog saying
"it was a few months from shipping..."
Depending on the perspective anyone here might have... this may make more sense to some than... others.
"AAAAGGGRRRRIIIICCCCCOOOLLLLAAAA!!!! You're going to have to come down here and finish off CME yourself!"
[Gary Whiting on finding out about the leaked info]
"No Gary, I've hurt you ..... and I wish to go on ...... hurting you"
Sorry just daydreaming there, So Dan is being replaced by Rod? So who is doing Rods job? Ahh yes Rod is still doing his old job as that actually pays money, and is a placeholder for Dans old voluntary position until either a miracle happens or a charity worker comes along. Or CME closes doors finally, but that won't happen until MGM does something or the U.S goverment shuts down MMOGULs, beam me up Scotty!
Might want to remove this game from the site now ;p
I was explaining this game to one of my girlfriends, and since we watch Stargate Atlantis together she had some interest. I told her that the franchises universe is PERFECT for an MMO, I then added "if it is done right, it will be a classic".
I think the games industry needs to keep people with a corporate outlook far far far away from the development of ANY game. I think an MBA should automatically disqualify you from managing in the games industry.
I can think of few things easier than taking the extremely popular Stargate franchise, distilling the things that make it cool and exciting, and making a great MMO. The options are endless as the imagination of the people developing the game.
Make an exciting game and people will come to play it!
If half the energy that went into "How are we going to make 40 trillion euros from this game", went into "How are we going to make this game so good that subscribers lose their wives/girlfriends/mistresses because it is better than sex!" then not only would the game be great but they would end up making a huge amount of money as well.
I dont know what it is with franchises, but right now Star Wars, Star Trek, BSG, Dr. Who, Battletech and Stargate do not have any games, nevermind MMOs!!! WTF?!?!
Yours in Anti-Suit Plasma,
Star¤Dagger
P.S. ST and SW have mmos in development, and anyone who thinks that Galaxies is a Star Wars MMO needs to watch the movies again or read one of the decent books to realize that mmo is not SW.
*sigh* Really doesn't look like we'll ever get an SG1 game...
[...]
I can think of few things easier than taking the extremely popular Stargate franchise, distilling the things that make it cool and exciting, and making a great MMO. The options are endless as the imagination of the people developing the game.
Make an exciting game and people will come to play it!
If half the energy that went into "How are we going to make 40 trillion euros from this game", went into "How are we going to make this game so good that subscribers lose their wives/girlfriends/mistresses because it is better than sex!" then not only would the game be great but they would end up making a huge amount of money as well.
[...]
You defintely got a point there.
I would suggest you all read up on who Rod is. He is a really talented guy and is a vet in the gaming industry. He is really good!
This story reminds me of the Chris Coleman's family murder case currently underway.
So far the husband has NOT been indicted. Yet...
Why would he call police to have them check on his family instead of driving home himself and checking?
"Oh, what is this? You have a Girlfriend in Florida?"
The family of the dead wife calls and says they wish to have their daughter's body there for a funeral service, husband denies request. Jerk!!
But, he is not a suspect the police say...
In so many words, like Chris Coleman, Firesky can say all they want about this situation...but, sorry, this game is Guilty of being Dead.
In a few weeks we will see an announcement that the company is "going in a new direction" and has decided that SGW does not fit that direction and will stop production..they will issue an appology and that willbe the end fo the game
Its a small company for the purpose of making this game. It will simply close with no new direction. MGM may assume the work done and shop it but more than likely the heads of the closing company will closet the work. Money talks and if the new Star Gate TV series is a hit then more attention will be brought to this game.
I read nothing into it being "dead", the situation might be worse, they might just release it "as-is" and we will have a living death like Conan.
I like my living dead where they belong, in Left 4 Dead! "I hate games that are released too early"
S*D
If they released the game "as is" people would be immensely disappointed. The last time the servers were up and running, nearly everything, save a few quest givers and hostile npcs, was occupied by placeholders. There were only about 4 of the mini-games actually functioning and most of the classes were non-funtional beyond basic shooting with a couple specials and a self heal. Many times they have said they are still working on the game, which may be true, but the reality is that when the CB servers shut down, the game was only marginally better than it was in closed alpha.
I believe SGW is not going to make it. CME is having to many problems and complications, with either financial negotiations, reports of staff not being paid, and now studio head has jumped ship as well, not to mention the rumors that the game is not fairing very well. I think they should go ahead and either hand the project over to a more qualified and expierienced development company, or scratch the whole thing all together, I believe that if CME continues with the production of this game, it will crush the Stargate franchise, and make lots of fans upset.
so your saying SOE going to take it over like they did with Vanguard.
so your saying SOE going to take it over like they did with Vanguard.
Shame on you for even voicing such a horrible idea. The game would be better off canceled than falling into the clutches of SOE.
Shame on you for even voicing such a horrible idea. The game would be better off canceled than falling into the clutches of SOE.
I see a conflict of interest but it could happen. You know they helped Vanguard instead of hurting the game and they do offer the Star Gate TCG.
so your saying SOE going to take it over like they did with Vanguard.
Umm where the hell does it say anywhere in my post anything about SOE?
Shame on you for even voicing such a horrible idea. The game would be better off canceled than falling into the clutches of SOE.
Where the hell do I mention SOE at all in my post. I don't believe it's in there.
Speaking from a Beta point, though I am not in Beta now. The last beta I was in the game had a few problems still, but was very playable. I actually enjoyed the game. So if they have ironed out those problems I don't see why this game can't ship. Unless they are having money and publisher issues, that could be the hold up.
Just my opinion.
Nuich
1) Being bitter over the NGE doesn't make SWG any less of a Star Wars MMO... sure it's not much like the movies but it's still Star Wars whether you want it to be or not. It's not the greatest Star Wars MMO ever but it's not bad either. As to Star Wars "Games"? I can think of numerous Star Wars Games for the X-Box/Wii/PS that are relatively recent releases not to mention the fact that there are a bunch of java based Star Wars games available on the Star Wars websites. For the PC? I'll grant that they haven't released anything new in a while. Though I wouldn't be surprised to see them start releasing more clone wars era games based on the cartoon network series. Also, don't forget that BioWare is very close to releasing SW: ToR MMO on top of all that.
2) Battletech HAD an MMO in production but because Micro$oft holds the license EA had to cancel it because the limited license they were operating their project under expired and M$ was being a bunch of pricks about allowing EA to renew the liscence for a reasonable fee. Combine that with the fact that M$ has almost completely exited the PC game industry and focuses almost exclusively on the X-Box now and you can see why there's no longer a battletech MMORPG (Though there are 3 indie MMO projects for Battletech MMO's that I know of currently ongoing).
3) Star Trek has several video games on the market and one that didn't come out too terribly long ago.... And an MMO in development. I think it will release even though it has run into it's own problems. One of the facts gamers need to face is that with the recession a LOT of financial backers just don't have the confidence to lend capital right now. Especially on something as risky as an MMORPG title.
4) BSG only just ended (and not well to be honest) so it's hard to say whether anyone will pick up the IP for a game or not.
5) Dr. Who doesn't even remotely lend itself to an MMO format.
6) Actually there is a Stargate game or two out there.... relatively recent ones as well. Problem with releasing stargate themed games right now is that it's a dwindling IP since Sci-Fi cancelled both SG1 and Atlantis (STUPID) and the new series hasn't launched yet so it has yet to be seen if it will have any draw at all. Based on the plot details released so far I suspect it won't be nearly as popular as the original two... Top that off with the fact that the 'direct to DVD' movies idea they had has really utterly flopped so far because both 'movies' have pretty much sucked so far. The 2nd one was actually so bad that it would have sucked even if it'd just been a 2 part episode.
If the development of the game faced difficulties before, then having a constructive key member of staff leave is only going to make things that bit more difficult. Compounding the problem is that they have no capability to bring in replacements to fill the void as they are operating on a zero wages basis - so its not as if they can go head hunting and bring in a truckload of new talent.
The bit about it being an opportunity to bring fresh eyes in, is I think just a statement trying to look on the positive side - sure they could come out and say, this *really* doesnt help, but thats just going to be self defeating masochism albeit honest self defeating masochism. Sometimes its just about whether you look at the positive or the negative side of things. Or being delusional at the right times if you want to be cynical about it.
The chances of success for the project can only have been hurt by this. Theres always the chance an angel investor turning up of course, but then if wishes were horses... everyone would have a mount at level 1.
1) Being bitter over the NGE doesn't make SWG any less of a Star Wars MMO...
S*D: It is not SW, no matter how much they label it to be so.
I can think of numerous Star Wars Games for the X-Box/Wii/PS that are relatively recent releases not to mention the fact that there are a bunch of java based Star Wars games available on the Star Wars websites.
S*D: This is an MMO site, so we do not acknowledge the Lesser Game platforms.
For the PC? I'll grant that they haven't released anything new in a while. Though I wouldn't be surprised to see them start releasing more clone wars era games based on the cartoon network series. Also, don't forget that BioWare is very close to releasing SW: ToR MMO on top of all that.
S*D: I look forward to both, BioWare at least has a clue.
2) Battletech HAD an MMO in production but because Micro$oft holds the license EA had to cancel it because the limited license they were operating their project under expired and M$ was being a bunch of pricks
S*D: As always
(Though there are 3 indie MMO projects for Battletech MMO's that I know of currently ongoing).
S*D: I know of one, but I only track AAA titles and less than AAA titles that I think will have half a chance, can you list the three, thanks.
3) Star Trek has several video games on the market and one that didn't come out too terribly long ago.... And an MMO in development. I think it will release even though it has run into it's own problems. One of the facts gamers need to face is that with the recession a LOT of financial backers just don't have the confidence to lend capital right now. Especially on something as risky as an MMORPG title.
S*D: Legacy is not Star Trek, it is an abomination, dont know what other games you are thinking of. STO, I hope they do well, but they are making some major mistakes, hopefully they can recover.
4) BSG only just ended (and not well to be honest) so it's hard to say whether anyone will pick up the IP for a game or not.
S*D: Even a sci-fi space sim with vipers and cylons would be one of the most popular games out, if done well.
5) Dr. Who doesn't even remotely lend itself to an MMO format.
S*D: Use your imagination, how can a story that takes place through space and time, in addition to other universes NOT lend itself to MMO format, granted the devs would have to be on their toes, but it would be brilliant!!
6) Actually there is a Stargate game or two out there.... relatively recent ones as well. Problem with releasing stargate themed games right now is that it's a dwindling IP since Sci-Fi cancelled both SG1 and Atlantis (STUPID) and the new series hasn't launched yet so it has yet to be seen if it will have any draw at all.
S*D: I am a bit surprised, both series did quite well and the universe is ripe for an MMO, time will tell.
Response above in quote after "S*D:"
Yours in "Make it great" Plasma,
Star¤Dagger
Di di bump......bump........bump..........another one bites the dust! Awesome.......Only the strong survive!!!!!! You didnt want a half azzed, mediocre attempt of a game did you???? Star Trek will fold next, even with the movie out.........Just a prediction........
Star Trek has a experianced and well known company making its game. Stargate had a new startup doing thiers regardless of experianced devs. I will say, however, I would much rather play an MMO based on the new movie than Next Gen expanded.