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Warhammer Online - Launch Date Moved: A Talk With Mark Jacobs
Today was a day of announcements for Electronic Arts, the game publishing giant that is currently developing Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning at the EA Mythic studios. First, it was announced that the company would be going through re-structuring that would put some jobs and studios at risk. Later, during their earnings call, it was announced that EA Mythic and Warhammer Online would be safe from such changes, and that the release date for the game would be pushed back from Q1 2008 to Q2 2008 to allow for more development and "polish" time.
November the 1st was a big day for EA, the colossal game publisher that currently impacts our little niche of the video game market in EA Mythic (Ultima Online, Dark Age of Camelot, Warhammer Online) and now with Bioware (their mysterious MMO). As you may or may not be aware, EA held their earnings call today at 5pm EST. Earnings calls are held by publicly traded companies to talk about the company’s earnings, the direction of the company and similar information. It was during this call that a push-back of Warhammer Online’s expected launch date from Q1 of 2008 to Q2 of 2008 was announced and discussed.
Earlier in the day, EA announced that they would be undertaking a re-structuring plan that would see what CEO John Riccitiello described as, “head-count reductions and facility closures”. Roughly translated, this means that EA will be closing some of their studios and laying off some of their employees.
“This was a difficult decision,” he continued in the call, “because it impacts the careers of some very talented people.”
While this may have piqued the interest and curiosity of many in the industry including the folks at EA Mythic, later on in the call, when he was addressing the subject of Warhammer Online, Riccitiello went out of his way to assuage any fears that Mythic may have had on the subject, and to shed some light on the situation:
“Frankly, this is a pretty straightforward situation, and I want to emphasize to the team at Mythic: No, we are not having you be part of our re-structuring. That's not the plan. We are investing in the growth of that studio. Warhammer's [push-back story] is a simple one: they missed part of a milestone. Mark [Jacobs, EA Mythic VP] came forward and said that it would affect quality if he held the March date. We made the decision with the big investment we've got behind it and frankly the talent and inspiration of the team to invest behind quality. We gave them a little bit more time, a little bit more money and we think we're going to have a little bit more of a hit on our hands. So… simple. So, you're safe Mark.”
The remarks seem genuine in the context of the overall call. While praise and high expectations were heaped on some of the other games that EA will be releasing in ’08, I don’t recall another studio being so singled out for praise with such attention given to the team.
;)
Fortunately, I had the opportunity this evening to speak with Mark Jacobs directly about the release date change. While above, you see Riccitiello’s account of the situation, Jacobs also filled us in via his “State of the Game” address on the WAR Herald:
“During the last phase of beta testing, we received valuable feedback from our testers that will help make these features even better. When we looked at our options, two paths lay before us: 1) Ship the game on time with fewer features and less polish, or 2) Extend the development cycle and spend the needed time and money to make WAR great.”
When the above was presented to EA, a decision was made there to follow the second option in what Jacobs described as “not a very long time” as the decision was reached in “a little over a week, or maybe two”.
Jacobs went on to tell us that the team was meeting their goals in terms of the content that was going into the game, but that they weren’t meeting the time goals that they had set. Had the game shipped as scheduled, in March of ’08, Jacobs tells us that there would have been no time left to polish, a buzz word in the industry as of late that has become an important and noticeable element to an MMO launch.
With the recent launch date push-back of Perpetual’s Gods & Heroes MMORPG that was followed by layoffs and the “indefinite hold” placed on the game, it would be easy to draw parallels to the situation at EA Mythic. After all, before Riccitiello’s assurances that they would not be a part of the re-structuring plan, the situations, at least on the surface, appeared similar. With that in mind, I asked Jacobs how he would respond to speculation that WAR might be on the way out.
He made reference to the fact that they did not announce that the date was uncertain, but rather that they had a set date in mind.
“We’re putting our necks on the line. We know how to do this,” he said, making reference to the fact that they have been studying the metrics through the Beta. They are aware of what quests, classes, etc. that players are spending their time with in-game and enjoying. From there, they saw that there were aspects that the players weren’t particularly happy with. As an example, there were some quests that weren’t so popular, and some aspects of RvR needed to be re-worked. The additional time was needed to make sure that these issues were addressed and EA Mythic could release the best game possible.
;)
“This game is going to live or die based on the RvR,” he told us. They wanted to make sure that what went in, it was right. “Feedback has indicated that it needs a bit more work. This has to be our distinguishing factor”.
We went on to talk a little bit about Beta as the sign-ups have been creeping steadily toward the half-million mark. To this point, we’ve been talking about some of the things that the Beta has borne out as needing work, so it’s only fair to point out that Jacobs told me that feedback on features like the Tome of Knowledge and RvR scenarios has been good overall. He also pointed out that it was unrealistic to expect 100% positive feedback on anything, and that he wasn’t trying to say that all of their feedback had been positive, just that overall, there were also a number of areas that were looking great.
The last question that I asked Mark on what had to have been an interesting day was whether this would effect the re-start, or the length of the Beta. He was very quick to point out that the beta would not be delayed and would re-start as scheduled in December, but that the delay would also mean an extended chance for players to “beat on the game”.
Over the last few years, a few events and cancellations in the MMORPG genre have made fans cynical of push-backs and corporate announcements. There is, therefore, a temptation to assume the worst whenever a delay is announced. That being said, I offer this quote from the earnings call regarding the decision to hold the release of the title “Army of Two” from Q3 – Q4:
“That was a decision as John [Riccitiello] mentioned earlier was made for quality and for the title and we though it better to sacrifice the short-term profitability for the long-term health of that franchise.”
Taken from this quote, this decision for those reasons isn’t a rare occurrence for the publishing giant.
So it seems as though, even with the announcement of a launch delay, spirits and expectations surrounding Warhammer Online at EA and at the Mythic studio are positive. Perhaps not surprising then that when Riccitiello addressed the share holders in the earnings call, he listed Warhamemr as one of the top prospects for next year.
D A M N I T ! ! !
Anyways keep up the good work!!
I hope the delays are worth it :D
A bold, yet wise decision by EA/Mythic.
/cheer
They pushed it back a quarter but still didn't give an actual date? I saw this coming (with beta shutting down for 2 months, who didn't,) and I see another delay after that. Well, unless they announce an official date in the next few months.
Pushing it back also means they dont have to go up against the WoW expansion. and AoC.
I personally would like to see the MMO trend become:
"push it back for more content and polish"
The current ship it as is.. method sucks.
Of course.. this assumes that when they (well any mmo) goes like.. that they actually did anything they claimed they would.
However, I just like the idea in principle and AoC did the same thing. To many games were launching before they should have.
Well, I am dedicated Warhammer fan, playing Warhammer RPG for some years and trying the tabletop game. So when I heard the news about Warhammer MMORPG, I jubilated. Enlisted for Beta, of course.
I began to loose my belief in all the project hearing more and more reports "how cool it will be" with nothing real to grasp. Last nail to the coffin for me was the announcement about server closing. Yes, I read an official statement //whole affair apparently serious, no more childish jokes there// but it did not explain weak points for me. Two month pause for implementing slight changes gained from players feedback? Two months, that's lot of time and lots of work, especially with the team like Mythic. So - are the changes (and corresponding game mechanics malfunction) really so slight? Or are they big, touching some of the core mechanics and the Mythic just not telling the truth to us?
And two months for implementing the Elven Realms? Absurd argument. Look at EVE Online and their patching time when implementing new contents.
My suspection deepened with the EA announcement about buying Bioware, mainly with regard to their developing MMO. What does EA, owning Mythic and thus Warhammer IP, need another great MMO for? Maybe beacause Warhammer is not prepared and in dubious state...
Today is known that planned launch term is moved and Mark Jacobs conceded "some parts of RvR need to be re-worked". RvR is surely make-or-break of this game, the thing distinguishing WAR from countless other hack-and-slash MMORPG. So the malfunction really refer to a substantial part of game mechanics.
And today, my belief for WAR is totally lost. Not because of the game itself but because of Mythic. They apparently lie. And worse, they apparently lie unbelievable way. I disliked it. So I'm returning to CoV and looking for a Bioware MMO. No more interest about WAR from me. Wait for this game, if you like, I am leaving.
With all the news about EAMythic going through a massive overhaul as a company, this was to be expected.
I really want this game to be great and I'm happy to wait for it to become one before it is released.
If it comes out flawed in a fundamental way in terms of mechanics it will never have a chance.
I'm glad they are putting the quaility of the game over the quick buck.
UO looks like a goner
It is indeed an odd coincidence that WAR is pushed back quite a bit at the same time EA as bought Bioware. Leaves us to wonder. And about this server takeoff due to player feedback... makes me really think if the changes arent deeper than they tell us. Oh well... we will see.
I really think that this company is doing things the right way around, unlike some others that rushed their product out, only to fail miserably.
I am sure" that" event was duly noted by all develloppers that were currently working on their forthcoming games, ...that and the aftermath/anger of the gaming public when it happened.
Smart move on EA/Mythic's part. Those predicting doom and gloom ...basically are assuming a whole lot at this point from what I can tell. Let them make the game the way they think it should be, and we'll be the judges of that ..once release comes or we all get into that danged beta! hehe :P
Cend
This is VERY good IMO, Mythic relise that a half finished game gets realised JUST to make a deadline, like WITH EVERY GAME over the past few years, doesn't cut it with us players.. With Funcom opting the same idea expect another delay from AoC as well TBH..
Theres enough to do out there I don't mind waiting on either
Lulz MMOs
Good to know they had a game ready to ship but realized that if they improved quality and added features it would be all the better. Plus the game is listed as a top performer for EA next year, good sign that it will release! I cannot wait for WAR!
Can anyone give me some insight as to what you think its wrong with their RvR system that they need to polish or change it? They already have Daoc for their RvR reference, so this really makes me quite skeptical about what they said..
DAoC is outdated.
Besides, Warhammer is a big IP, and is sure to attract some attention.
i respect the fact that they are willing to hold off on short-term profitability to enhance and improve the long-term quality of this game franchise. i think that when a game is delayed isn't a deathknell of a game, but for the most part it is a sign that the developers truly have listened to the feedback players have given and are willing to change and enhance certain aspects of the game. I like this, i feel more games when developed should take the time to improve the game as a whole. its a noble trait lot of developers have lost. this is i feel a good sign. we wil see come decemeber.
Must have been interesting talking to Mark Jacobs. The man can tell a lie so easily like it was second nature.
EA big mistake was not replacing him immediately, the man knows less about how to make a successful MMO than most of his counterparts in the industry. Hopefully the team behind him has more competent people so this game succeeds.
Did you read that Mythic was NOT being touched as part of EA's "cleaning house?"
Do you read that EA CEO made special reference to Mythic to dispel rumors about any major overhaul to the company?
Or read the newsletter saying exactly the same thing?
I'm happy Mythic is pushing to release a finished, polished, and amazing game.
Sounds like EA knows they have a winner and are doing whatever they can to help Mythic create even more of a winning product.
I'm just not happy because it means I have to wait even longer to play!
Personally the push back just makes me clamour more because thats ... that many more chances I could get into beta! I still look forward to Warhammer and as a programmer I can understand the want for the product your making to come out the way you wanted right at the gate. Its always disheartening if you have to push something your not happy with out because someone forces your hand.
Not that unexpected really. A game of this caliber is bound to be a little late. :P
They avoid Age of Conan, as long as Funcom stay on their schedule, but has there been any announcement about when Wrath of the Lich King will be released? I haven't seen any.
And best of luck to the Mythic guys. I hope you get a kick-ass game out of this in the time given. :)
While I'm all for releasing polished products, I'm very disheartened because this game set to release about now, and then the developers PROMISED to get it out by early 08'. I would rather play through a slightly less polished game and have changes implemented slowly that way I can get my character started. I just hope I get into Beta soon.... =/
Typical Mythic doublespeak.
1) We are not meeting our internal deadlines. It is not because of lack of staff. It's because... because... Well, frankly we don't know why we're not meeting our internal deadlines - and that is a good thing.
2) Our beta testers discovered all sorts of problems, issues and great new ideas - none of which were anticipated and in order to correct the game this means we will have to push back the release date - and that is a good thing.
Anyone else see a management issue here? Get rid of Marc Jacobs now and this game has a chance.
AoC maybe. I doubt it as both games are targeting different audiences. WoW i am highly doubtful about. The "average" expansion time after announcement is 1 year, give or take. This means that WotLK may not be out until at least september of '08. And I doubt that it will come out by then since it took them 1 1/2 years to get TBC out and that didn't even have half of the content that WotLK is to have such as a new hero class, siege warfare, and other items. I forsee a Q1 '09 release for WotLK at least.
I've heard they have between 170 and '4 floors' of people working on the game and a good many disgruntled testers peeved about the beta shut-down have been saying combat was slow, boring, the tier system felt like a single-player game and that there were a lot of problems with RvR and some of the main features aren't remotely close to being implimented yet, like City Sieging. Hell they can't even decide if they want to make it instanced, partially instanced or completely open. So yea, sounds to me that Mythic's leads are having a hell of a hard time coordinating and managing everything.
Doesn't help that they won't give us a strait answer for nothing as to why they are delaying, yet alone leaving the delayed release window so wide open. IMHO it sounds like they are realizing the game is not nearly up to snuff and need to delay near indefinitely if they want a AAA release.
I blame Mark Jacobs. It was he after all that promised 'the next great MMOG' in under 3 years. Hiring nearly 200 people to work as fast as they can doesn't get the job done. It basically makes sure something will go real wrong, real fast. The beta shutdown and open ended delay is a clear indication of that. And a glowing 'State of the Game' letter doesn't change it either. I mean come on, anyone who played DAoC knows how infamous Mark jacob's 'state of the game' letters were lol.
I think some of the people in here are getting a little out of hand with the whole "WAR will flop" comments. Honestly, WAR is too big to flop. It is going strong and has MILLIONS of people eager to play it. It's just like any Valve game, release date get pushed back, and back and back, but in the end you have a high quality extremely well made game that you can enjoy. Plus, most companies eyes have been opened up since the whole vanguard. And what company wants to do buisness like SOE? I think EAmythic is making a smart move and I'm sure it will show in the end.
I would NOT compare Mythic to Valve software man.
I personally think the game has to much hype. Hype kills. Especially if a game is in any way, shape or form less then what the hype suggests. These delays suggest exactly that, thus people are worried. But yea, in this post VG world, delays are almost always good. I'm sure the game will be better for it in the end.
Look at Hellgate: London. That game had such massive amounts of hype just a month ago. Now it's coming out and it's review metascore is 74%. It just isn't living up to the hype. It's IMHO better then that 74%, but because it's not remotely as good as it was hyped, it's not doing good at all.
I think your onto something. Maybe blizzard has filed a lawsuit against them bringing up something just to stall them. You can never tell, Blizzard has a lot of money you know.Ohh and people who will comment on my comment above that Blizzard wasn't the first and stole the artwork etc etc etc. Get a life and a clue. Blizzard was the first to build the MMO with these types of virtual character models and content. And from what I read of that old lawsuit blizzard bought and paid them for portions of the models to begin the old warcraft series etc. I don't know what to believe anymore but what I do know is that for all these years Blizzard has been the one to bring these models and own art to the computer gaming community. So leave it at that. As I see it know, WAR is a copy and a clone of WOW art and online gaming concepts. Who was the first to do all this? Blizzard was and so the WAR fans will ultimately flame me for this but many would agree with me on this idea.
......LOL....ROFL!....What sort of reality do you live in??! Blizzard does not own the Copy rights to a Bright colorful world of dwarves, elves, orcs and the like of fantasy ilk infact thats just how ALL Mythical fantasy is! You can't copyright a style ... YOU can copy right the ART (the actual physical artwork / model work) & characters (their back ground stories like where they came from and the cities they live in) themselves and if you look at WoW and Warhammer you see a distinct difference in how the Models are Created, Rendered and the like (Warhammers are much higher resolutioned than WoWs). Warhammer and Blizzard's Color Scheme's are alot a like but their model details, resolution, texture resolution & detail are two different styles and qualities. If you stand a Warhammer Online Dwarf next to a WoW dwarf you see a HUGE visual difference in everything but the over all color scheme (which is not copyrightable). Blizzard has nothing to do with their decision to push back a couple of months.
Oh and reality has nothing to do with virtual reality. You can have dwarves and elves, orcs across every game. But when your primary virtual avatars look almost identical and game environments it is said by many a copy or clone of the game that's been out before it, which is WOW.
Leaving because they're taking the time to make it a better game? Thats just absurd. I'm glad to see this decision made, I'll wait until 2009 if thats the time they need to make it a better game for us. I think all MMO developers should be held to these standards.
Well, the blizzard theory is simply absurd. WAR copying w0w is plainly delirant. I'm not flaming you but I deeply disagree with thine ideas. Alas, WAR release is delayed and We do find Blizzboys involved for... EA Mythic retro-copying themselves. By Jove, it would be certainly a matter of misticism or somewhat.
I think the main reason for delaying the release is that they want to improve the game they are compromised with, the IP they are dedicated to, and We the customers who don't deserve to pay for a Beta-like game to whom they wish to give a good, polished, fine game. All of them are proofs that they are not going to run for the easy bussiness but a proper way managing this big title that WAR is.
Let them work.
The delay is disappointing, but the straight-forward no-nonsense answers are nice to get from a CEO.
The beta was shut down for a while when it was in friends and family beta as well. It just wasn't announced. Beta shut-down is a common thing. Especially for just a couple months to put new things in.
Hopefully all of the content that's being worked on will be that much better on the other side. :)
1) I called this a long time ago, and mmorpg forum goers bashed me (Not just they will not make it). The reason is obvious, they just put elves and DEs into the game. There is no way they could do all they needed to for elves along by march 08. (Balance, quests, armor, etc etc etc.)
2) The rvr issues is rather simple, they have daoc as background , but they are not using the class setup or the pvp setup of doac. Thus, while they understand the concept of daoc, they are on new ground for balance and quality of game play. (IE balance: do caster stack up to the , hybrid healers, do tanks stack up to the dps , etc etc etc. Does one tank stack up to a different tank , etc etc etc. Is world pvp fun, is it worth the rewards, how do classes do in small battles and large battles, etc. ) For all these things daoc rvr doesn't help much, furthermore, they could have done a better job with daoc, heck the next patch on daoc is total bs (If warhammer is like this it may not be worth playing , it is so bad.)
I still feel mythic has created one of the best mmos ever and i like the co. But it is not like they have a magic formula. I also think WArhammer looks great, but that does not stop me from being critical.
PS. the Wow-pack is like nov 08 ... 3rd quarter. (Unless things change but thats the word on the street , it may be wrong tho).
edit -
Bezado
"Any major company can sue another for copyright if they think that's whats happening. I wouldn't be 100% against the idea that Blizzard could of sued them for art style because it is virtual artwork not stills. That in my opinion would cause them to have some problems when it comes to release dates."
This is true but Blizzard WOULD NEVER SUE EA OVER THIS. The reason is EA has the license for the WArhammer name and the artwork that goes along with it, which is what blizzard used to develop the art concepts for its original warcraft games (with no license) .
Thus the procedure would be EA mythic and gamesworkshop would file a counter suit, and they have imperical evidence of the the concpet of this art style dating back before Blizzard utilized and in the least both cases would be thrown out and the biggest result would be that Blizzard would lose the suit and have to pay up.
"Blizzard was the first to build the MMO with these types of virtual character models and content."
All the evidence supports my assessment, from a legal standpoint becuase it will look for the creation or origin of that style, Which was done by Gamesworkshop not Blizzard, its a slam dunk. Heck ill even give an example, IF i CREATED a hyper warp engine and copywrited/pattoned it, however , never did anything with it and then some person/company came along and strapped one to a space ship and sold them, i could sue and win that suit anyday becuase i was the one that created and owned the rights to that engine, even if i was not the first to USE IT ON A SPACESHIP. (Gamesworkshop was me in this example and blizzard was the spaceship people who first applied the idea/technology.)
Here's the thing. Right now I'm playing LOTRO and having a pretty good time with it. I maxed my characters levels, doing some fluff things, working on traits, collection type stuff, getting ready to start hitting the high level raids. The more time that goes by, the more the LOTRO devs add and they more they convince me that they are moving in a really positive direction. So, I'm getting more and more sucked in. Also got into a nice guild finally and that's a big plus.
Next year, Chronicles of Spellborn and AOC launch. These games could potentially be very big. I might try them while I keep my LOTRO account current. If one of them blows me away I might try playing two mmo's at a time or maybe leave LOTRO, but it would have to be a really cool game.
The problem is, it feels like Warhammer Online will be launching a little late. I might try it, I might not. But with each great game that comes along that's one less chance for Warhammer to suck me in and keep me.
I wish them the best of luck. Maybe when they launch I'll be bored with LOTRO and AOC and COS will both suck. That's three big if's. I'm sure there are others in the same boat, like the WOW players with the next WOW expansion, etc.
Anyway, more polish time is always good. But longer dev time does not guarentee a great release or final product as we have all seen before. They are saying its polish and this and that. Sure, sure. Time will tell. Experience has taught me to be a skeptic.
Tbh i was almost sure they'd announce release delay. After closing beta it was pretty obvious that beta testers feedback was rather harsh. Thnaks god Mythic doesnt rush release, there is no place on market for half-assed product, not after wow.
Even if they keep telling us war isnt meant to be a wow killer expectations are high. Anything under 1 million will be considered as flop (with all that hype going around).
I know EA gets the SOE rap sometimes (being called Evil, ruins games, etc...)
But, this year HAS seen a massive turn around in their strategies...
New and unique IP's for games (Deadspace) instead of the "Another sequel"
Big steps in the MMO field (Mythic..Step 1....Bioware. Step 2)
And now, not releasing a game for money only...what a concept...that a few companies I will not mention here, should have also followed...
I for one...will be watching EA a little closer...more of a lean mean MMO, unique IP machine...
Cheers!
Soo..does this mean more beta time?
Heh well sucks its been moved but hope its worth the wait...hope they dont move it again.
Thanks for your imput Elven...much the way I see things. :)
Cend
Actually the orcs, dwarves and elves ideas were spawned way back in the 1940's by a man named Tolkien.....if we want to get picky about details....
Wow is not the Holy Grail despite some of you that think so. They have copied everything from their predecessors and more. Five year old machines can run their software because their software isn't as detailed or complicated as some games out today. Cartoony style works for most machines.
I have played Wow...two attempts.....still came to the same conclusion that game isn't for me....not challenging enough.
BUT its a very good game if you are new to MMOs and want to cut your gaming teeth on something, hence the millions of first timers and casual gamers that play it.
Please don't try to tell the rest of us that have been gaming for YEARS online...that Wow invented the wheel..its just not so....hehehe
Cend
Cend
Lets for once encourage finished game products, not half-assed bungled, buggy unplayable disappointments.....I think you all know what I am referring to..no names mentioned.
Cend
So I read that Mark Jacobs got feedback from his boss ..the Publisher..the guy that counts the beans, that they are allowed some more time to add things in that might be needed or buff things up that might be needed.
Is there something wrong with that picture? I don't think there is to be quite honest.
But obviously Zoom you know much better than these develloppers how to make a game..and certainly more than EA/Mythic put together...so I am gonna nominate you to be the Director in Charge of Warhammer.
You bettter do a damn good job or I won't be buying your game! mmm kay?
Cend
You guys need to stop with the doom and gloom, it sounds like they are putting their shoulders to the grind, allow them the time they need. Our impatience to play is not going to help that project succeed.
Cend
There is no life..only Wow..there are no facts only Wow no other online games existed before Wow!...sing that song!! *wink*
hehehe
Cend
I think its a really good idea, i completely agree that adding on another couple of years if needs be is so much better than rushing out an unfinished product.
Presuming they are geniune that is.
If the delay is not for the reasons given and what we get is the typical release that still needs tweeking i think people are going to be really really unforgiving.
a loyal employee of, and paid evangelist for, EA.
I wish WAR all the best.
However, I'm really glad that my favourite game, Eve Online, has an outstanding team of devs and a fantastic leader - it gives me confidence in them. They communicate on the forums regularly, and they have superb vision for their game. You feel your game is in good hands.
It is what it is
Was this expected? In the MMORPG Genre the best to be expected would be a little or no lag, few bugs, good gameplay, alot of content, nice graphics, active community, good storyline, and some pvp element.
The only real reason someone would be dissappointed in the release date being pushed back is that their life is either rather uneventful/uninteresting or they do not seek out adventure/excitement amongst lifes compexities. My mom had a saying, "If your bored alot, you must be boring company".
As far as the Vanguard factor is concerned:
I think MMOGs are going to improve iteratively, and that's a good thing -- too many changes, too quickly, in a new genre can be dangerous, especially considering what it takes to build one of these games ... I know other MMOG developers disagree and feel we need paradigm shifts every few years (and perhaps want to be credited for these leaps). But look where it's gotten us ... we have 30 million dollar flops that hurt us ALL, making it harder for even experienced developers to get the funding they need, and incredibly tough on the newer developer. It's just too early to experiment in major ways ... let's get a few more hits out first and prove this genre as viable long term, ok?"
Brad McQuaid
Original Producer and Co-Designer of EverQuest
President and CEO of Sigil Games Online, Inc.
I played Mythic's initial success Dark Age of Camelot and being the first player in the world to hit rank 5 in Realm Points I gained some noteriety as well (Ninpo, Albion Scout, Merlin Server). Simply said, if WAR runs as smoothly as DAoC did during its beta and after release, and the RvR element they are boasting about, delivers, I cannot see how it could fail.
Oh btw Pie>Cake anyday
Oh what a shame. Not.
WAR is adding nothing new to the MMO scene. It is just another WOW.
I'm all for a delay if they put WAR! into Warhammer Online and not pointless RvR or a zone snorefest. I say make it a all out land War with city/town takeovers.
Well actually its pretty good that they pushed it back. It means that when it does come out, it will have less bugs and crap for people to complain about.
Think of it like sex lol. The longer you put it off, the better it feels in the end
.
The longer they put off WAR, the more people will wanna play it and when it finally gets released then BAM! It turns out to be so good that people give up their social lives and jobs just to be with it.
to paraphrase "weve come to realize that the feature were banking on with this game, RVR, is a complete and utter disaster that brings absolutly nothing new or compelling to this genre. today weve officially entered panic mode".
I don't know if it's a complete and utter disaster, but I've heard for several beta testers that it wasn't remotely up to the standards it should have been. I wouldn't doubt that when the beta opens again with the new phase, that there will be significant changes. For one, apparently the entire tier system feels more like a singleplayer experience then a realm wide push for dominance. We'll just have to wait and see.
I personally think the delay was to make combat fun. Cause, as I've said, from comments I've read, it was really anything but fun. But yea, a delay to make combat more interactive and fun is always a good delay. :)
When I read the announcement of mythic purchased by the Evil Empire I knew this game was heading downhill. Everything EA touches turns into crap.
Well I think EA bought Mythic for WAR.
So I highly doubt they will trash it down...
Better to have a finished game with as few bugs as possible. Other than a game that fails at launch time.
This is EA we're talking about here, the only game franchise they haven't completely bollocked is the Command and Conquer series and that's only because quite a few of them played it and they now have Greg Kesavin from Gamespot as their producer for C&C3 and he actually knows what a decent game is supposed to be like.