Sanya Weathers's MMO Underbelly: No Endgame For MMO Devs
A look at the cult of game developer celebrity and why no one person can ever be credited or blamed for all that goes right or wrong with an MMO.
Whenever human beings gather, you will find them indulging in a favorite hobby: Humbling the mighty. The only thing we love more than being fans of someone is tearing that someone to shreds. Especially on the internet.
In video games, particularly MMOs, the phenomenon is such a regular occurrence that we should expect to see it once a year like some kind of unholy groundhog day. In the past few years, we’ve seen it happen to Jeff Anderson, Brad McQuaid, Bill Roper, Richard Garriott, and Mark Jacobs, among others. All five of those guys were strongly associated with their studios. All five were hit professionally, for varying reasons with varying degrees of culpability, and then shredded by the chattering classes with a savagery normally exhibited by feral cats and Walmart shoppers going after flatscreen TVs.
But these are MMO people, and there’s no such thing as a final chapter in an MMO. Jeff and Bill are already back in action. Brad has launched a blog, en route to his comeback. Richard Garriott has several new hobbies. Mark is not the type to sit quietly and fade away.
So, what creates these dramas with their multiple acts?
The MMO industry is very, very small. Once you are in, and once you’ve gotten past the entry level part of your career, you know everyone else. Literally. That list up there? I used to work for Mark, I currently work for Jeff, I met Bill on several occasions (and liked him enormously), and I’ve shaken hands with Brad in passing but was too nervous to say much on account of the rant site about his game that I ran for a couple years. I’ve never met Richard Garriott, but many of my friends have worked with him. You see what I mean? And I’m not all that social. I rarely went to the Secret Parties or the private suite events. I’ve always preferred player events, and hanging out in a corner with a handful of friends.
Are the big names in MMOs “celebrities”? Celebrity has always been the means by which Americans like to sell things, whether we’re talking about products, lifestyles, or dreams. Game companies, especially the ones that started in the 90s, tended to be run by people that dreamed big, talked big, and had the ability to sweep people up into their visions. They had to be, if they were going to get out of their basements (more on that in a bit). Give people like that access to an internet-sized audiences, have those people build products they desperately want you to buy, and you get the game industry version of celebrity.
;)
Unlike some people, designers
don't get their own photo-stalkers.
It isn’t like real celebrity, though. No one wants your autograph, no one takes pictures of you at the grocery store, and no one cares when you screw around on your spouse with a coed at a bar, with the possible exceptions of the spouse and the coed. (Mind you, when a studio employee screws around with customers, the community person cares. Cares a LOT. The community person is the one that has to deal with everyone whining that you nerfed a PBAE because the lead dungeon designer was shtupping the server’s big raid leader. It’s even better when the frisky gentleman wasn’t even the real lead dungeon designer, but said so to get the girl into the sack. And by “better” I mean AAAAARGH I HATE YOU SO MUCH.)
;)
"Thou art mortal, damnit!"
Anyway, even fake celebrity is like a drug for some people. Combined with the heady thrill of creating worlds that people live in more enthusiastically than they live in the physical world, and the resulting feeling of being, well, a god? It can go to the brain and cut off the blood supply. Early Roman emperors supposedly paid someone to ride around town perched nearby just to mutter “Remember thou art mortal, Caesar.” Yeah, didn’t work then, either.
What makes fake celebrity even harder to deal with in MMO games is that our industry is still very young in many ways. We lack… perspective. The ”veterans” are in their late thirties, and our “wizened ancients” are around the half century mark. All of these old timers (unless they changed careers and came to an already-successful company at an older age) started working in basements, living rooms, and abandoned warehouses near the BDSM prostitute district in L.A.
Companies were small, quarters were cramped, and the hours were long. But I can verify that it’s fun. Everyone at a small company knows everyone else, and the teams work and socialize together. And no one is too important to get their hands dirty. I once hung out with a guy who worked at EA back in the 80s when everyone from the founders to the cube drones helped mail games to customers. Yep, EA had giant envelope stuffing parties. They were just a little publisher, promoting games for home computers at a time when most people didn’t have a home computer.
Once you’ve been part of a team like that, it’s hard to imagine anyone on the team trying to destroy you in the name of their own advancement and success. When you pride yourself on your judgment, because it was that judgment that made you rich and an internet celebrity, you don’t see it coming when someone you raised up cuts you down. Everyone needs someone to trust, and trusting the wrong people has been the downfall of more than one MMO career.
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Nice writeup. I also can't help but think there's a bunch of hidden jabs at Mark Jacob.
I enjoyed the article Sanya. We as players don't really see all that is going on behind the scenes of an MMO. Ultimately heads will roll if the product doesn't live up to expectations and it seems like in today's mmo world you have about 3 to 6 months to deliver those expectations or you're in trouble. Also, do you know Haden Blackman? If so would you be kind enough to kick him hard in the twig and berries for me when you see him? Thanks!
Always a excellent read! ++
Nice article. Familiar to those of us who have worked in the corporate world and some insight to the younger crowd that has never worked or those who have worked in the civilian private sector but just didn't pay attention.
This went through ten drafts. If there were hidden jabs at anyone, I either deleted them or made them more obvious.
That's actually part of my motivation for writing this column - the anonymous dillweeds taking hidden jabs. My actual friends in the industry have their names on their posts, or spell out their job titles, past and present.
But that's another rant.
Nicely written humorous article. And I love the drunken ferret.
Isn't that one of the sea otters from Sea World, except with beer instea of a Pepsi/Coke/sponsered beverage?
This went through ten drafts. If there were hidden jabs at anyone, I either deleted them or made them more obvious.
That's actually part of my motivation for writing this column - the anonymous dillweeds taking hidden jabs. My actual friends in the industy have their names on their posts, or spell out their job titles, past and present.
But that's another rant.
Wait. So, would we (and by "we" I mean forum goers, game players) fall into that "anoymous dillweed" category for the things we say about them? Cause I have done so on more than a few occaisions (stating that they've lost touch with the spark that created this genre, etc...an example can be found here that I wrote today.) If so, don't get me wrong, I'm not upset at being called a dillweed (been called much worse, lol!!), I just don't put my real name out there because of you never know when something you write will piss someone off enough that they come after you. Sure, I have 8 years Army behind me and my home is a miniature armory, but have you ever tried to clean blood out of a carpet?
That and I don't think most of my jabs are hidden, lol.
Nice article, and ultimately common knowledge to anyone who has held down a job in the real world. Though I did find the following rather telling as to why the games are the same, year after year, release after release:
The same hundred people see each other at the same five conferences, year after year. I used to call E3 “summer camp,” and the Austin Game Conference my “high school reunion.” Everyone knows everyone else. Half of the group has a supersized personality, half of *those* people have supersized personality disorders, and many people are drinking heavily. For three days straight.
Sounds like your average high school clique. And people wonder why most of the games are uninspiring carrot-chasing grind fests.
Good insight & an appreciated article :)
...Designs on napkins, bug issues on post-its...thats my dream one day *sniff*
No, and I'm not explaining myself well.
Right now, on several forums, there are people posting under newly created identities just to make cheap shots at someone they don't know, and they've made no effort to talk to anyone informed. That's a dillweed.
People who say "die in a fire" over a video game in any sense but an ironic one are dillweeds.
But I don't think an observation counts as dillweed behavior. And I clearly don't think using a forum handle is in and of itself dillweed behavior, although it is often a contributing factor.
I do think that if you are part of the game industry, you have a responsibility to identify yourself as such, either by affiliation or by your actual name. But plenty of people that I love and respect feel differently about this, and I don't claim to be walking the one true path or anything. For myself, I have made a point for the last eight years of using some variation of my real name everywhere that I post, and if I'm posting on behalf of a studio, then I use "NameOfProduct RealName" as my handle. Just so everyone knows where and for what I stand.
I didn't always feel that way, but I like to think I learned from my youthful idiocy.
No, and I'm not explaining myself well.
Right now, on several forums, there are people posting under newly created identities just to make cheap shots at someone they don't know, and they've made no effort to talk to anyone informed. That's a dillweed.
People who say "die in a fire" over a video game in any sense but an ironic one are dillweeds.
But I don't think an observation counts as dillweed behavior. And I clearly don't think using a forum handle is in and of itself dillweed behavior, although it is often a contributing factor.
I do think that if you are part of the game industry, you have a responsibility to identify yourself as such, either by affiliation or by your actual name. But plenty of people that I love and respect feel differently about this, and I don't claim to be walking the one true path or anything. For myself, I have made a point for the last eight years of using some variation of my real name everywhere that I post, and if I'm posting on behalf of a studio, then I use "NameOfProduct RealName" as my handle. Just so everyone knows where and for what I stand.
I didn't always feel that way, but I like to think I learned from my youthful idiocy.
Well maybe I misread but I thought your initial comment was about people from the game industry. Who make these jabs without ID'ing themselves. As you said right after that "my friends in the industry have their names on their posts" or close to that.
Its easy as a "customer" to get caught in some things. Yet I try to keep a small tidbit of logic even in my rants (if anyone ever thinks I said something bad about WAR they didn't see my NGE posts). Some of this has to do with I don't like games that don't do well or are changed in ways that hurt them. Mostly this is due to the fact that "failure" does not encourage investment or taking risk instread of "use what works". So my passion comes from the fact I want the industry to survive and not be real life version of "clone wars".
I've never held a personal grudge against anyone that created an entertainment product. If "Aradune" or "Lord British" as I still call them.. came out with a new product that I enjoyed. Well I would play that product until I no longer enjoyed it. Tho I was disturbed by some things that were done, you have to move on. (RG had so many titles I loved with Origin System Inc.. well Tabula Rasa is just one thing that happened. It doesn't erase everything else.)
When I read forums quite often .. well I'll just end this by saying.. I am quite often disturbed by some things I read on them.
This one was a nice read.
At least part of the problem steps from all these "big names" only actually have one successful MMO to their name. I wouldn't pay special attention to a movie director for just one good movie. Usually I need to see around three good movies by that director before I memorize their name and start watching movies purely on the recommendation that they were directing it. Just one is a fluke or maybe the result of someone else's work.
No, and I'm not explaining myself well.
Right now, on several forums, there are people posting under newly created identities just to make cheap shots at someone they don't know, and they've made no effort to talk to anyone informed. That's a dillweed.
People who say "die in a fire" over a video game in any sense but an ironic one are dillweeds.
But I don't think an observation counts as dillweed behavior. And I clearly don't think using a forum handle is in and of itself dillweed behavior, although it is often a contributing factor.
I do think that if you are part of the game industry, you have a responsibility to identify yourself as such, either by affiliation or by your actual name. But plenty of people that I love and respect feel differently about this, and I don't claim to be walking the one true path or anything. For myself, I have made a point for the last eight years of using some variation of my real name everywhere that I post, and if I'm posting on behalf of a studio, then I use "NameOfProduct RealName" as my handle. Just so everyone knows where and for what I stand.
I didn't always feel that way, but I like to think I learned from my youthful idiocy.
I somewhat agree with you in that it is our responsibility within the industry to let people know where our opinions stand. However, for those of us that work for smaller studios that may be working on projects for several larger studios at a time, it is difficult for us to explain our honest opinions, without catching hell for it. Namely because what you say online these days, can and will haunt you if you even mention a disagreement with the way a client handles things, or even a boss- and on rare occasion, a boss complaining about one of his employees (that employee will sue for defamation, I've seen it). That is the primary reason I personally use a handle while playing other's games, or posting on fine websites such as this, unless it is the official forum for a game that I am working on. I guess it is different though for community reps and leads, since theirs are inevetably more public areas. However, I am just a graphic artist/animator and don't have to deal with the interviews and such regularly (unless a reporter stops by and is watching me build a world, or a character). That said, I have tried to indicate that I am within the industry in some of my posts in the past, just so people know where I come from in my critique or praise of a game/ studio/ biggie-sized personality.
However, I will agree wholeheartedly with the article. It is a fine window into our world, for those on the outside.
Thanks for an entertaining and informative read Sanya, your honest is refreshing! It is very evident that you are well schooled in "human nature" a difficult subject at best . :-)
What you comment in this article, methinks is private to these people, and sould not be commented publicy in a website.
but thats me..
I can promise you this - there are no statements in that entire article that apply to one single individual. What I said applies, for better or for worse, to multiple people. And I'm told that the same is true across many industries, which vaguely depresses me.
People are broken. And people are magnificent, too. Usually the same people are both, if that makes sense.
Though I've been in the game industry 6 years or so, I have still spent a majority of my career outside of it. Sanya, that article was a fantastically accurate microcosm of the MMO mini-verse.
Great job!
Rich "Tisirin" Weil
Community Director
Cartoon Network
I can promise you this - there are no statements in that entire article that apply to one single individual. What I said applies, for better or for worse, to multiple people. And I'm told that the same is true across many industries, which vaguely depresses me.
People are broken. And people are magnificent, too. Usually the same people are both, if that makes sense.
That will not save you, if these people is half the crazy you describe. People can mistake any reference, as a personal reference, and get angry. Ref: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118954/
Also, ##CODE ERROR##!.. you *hardly* know everyone in the industry. North America? maybe.. but I doubt you are friends with most Korean dev's, or the guys of Adventurine, or the guys of Taikodom. Hahaha.. :-)
Very amuseing article and like you have said the additudes found in a MMO company is not limited to just that industry, but is prevaliant in all industries. I have worked in the food industry, and the medical industry and the additudes are the same ( I do not think you want to hear about how ugly a group of women in a office setting can get......and I'm a guy who does not get involved in ANYONES drama..... so I'm sure you can guess how well liked I AM lol).
One thing I have noticed in some gaming forums is that sometimes a dev will make a change in a sandbox style MMO just because the players are not playing their mission, not because it will improve the game. Then there was the NGE ( I was on the forums when the NGE hit and it was more beause of the comments the DEVs made that made me quit then the changes they made to the game). And it was not just SWG that I saw this additude on.
OF cource the players are even worse, I am constantly amazed at how many players forget that they are playing a GAME, and that is you are not playing it their way then you have no right to even say the games name much less be a DEV on it.
I don't understand this. Clarification, please.
So is there alot of devs taking money from gold farmers or what?
I can promise you this - there are no statements in that entire article that apply to one single individual. What I said applies, for better or for worse, to multiple people. And I'm told that the same is true across many industries, which vaguely depresses me.
People are broken. And people are magnificent, too. Usually the same people are both, if that makes sense.
Ok, I really enjoy your articles. Sometimes the posts even more. I think I may have to steal that one. If someone said it please let me know.
People are broken. And people are magnificent, too. Usually the same people are both, if that makes sense.
Gotta Love it!
Interesting and well-written read as always.
This whole idea of "celebrity", when applied to people who are largely unknown to the general population has always puzzled me. Celebrity, or fame, is actually a purely relative term. There will be individuals who are "famous" in their school, their village, their golf club. People in their milieu will gossip about them and use them as examplars or dire warnings as if those people stood somehow outside or above the set.
It scales up from there. I was pretty heavily involved in comics fandom through the 1980s and there was a clear hierarchy of celebrity, not only within comics professionals but within comics fandom itself. All the behavior you describe took place in a microcosm at countless conventions and weekenders. The big difference then was that it's outward expression was through fanzines, which came out sporadically but never more often than monthly, and often only reached a local audience, whereas nowadays reaction and opinion is instantaneous and global.
I used to question then whether any of those "stars" of comics were really stars in any meaningful way. They certainly weren't stars in the way Clint Eastwood or Jane Fonda were. I wondered, then, if they would ever have the gravitas outside the field that other creative artists had achieved: could they compete in fame in the wider world with Borges or Braque, or even Judy Blume or Ralph Steadman?
At the time I doubted it, but now that I work with a bunch of people who aren't comic fans but hold Alan Moore as some kind of god, and when our national press routinely gives half-page obituaries even to fairly minor comics greats, I have to admit that maybe that celebrity did have some reality.
In games, I'm not so sure. The whole process, as you mention, is just so collaborative that the handful of names that float to the surface are inevitably either actual publicists or self-publicists. Film is a similarly collaborative enterprise, but it has lead actors on whom we focus and a director who, rightly or wrongly, is conventionally ascribed creative responsibility. In games, Mario and Lara Croft become the genuine, undeniable celebrities, not the guys who sat in a cubicle for months making them happen.
MMOs don't even have those fictional characters as surrogate stars, because in MMOs the hero is YOU. What really changed it for comics, in my opinion, was the adoption by Hollywood of comics as a prime source of material. The quality of the movies didn't matter, it was the budgets spent on making and promoting them that pushed comic characters and their creators right into the mainstream. Games, though, could possibly unseat movies as the world's first-choice entertainment medium, in which case there will be some real celebrity to be grabbed by those most able to stick their names on the outside of the box.
Typically great article, Sanya. It's nice to see insight into the industry. Seems very much like the travel or general marketing industries - maybe a bit geekier. :D One particular paragraph stands out to me:
"Beyond all of that, there is the basic fact that without a great deal of effort, people at the top of any field lose touch with the things that made them great. The first to go is usually empathy for ordinary people, which unfortunately makes up the bulk of the potential customers and employees – all people who rely on you to care. Perspective goes next, because of the all encompassing bubble of pleasant sounding people who avoid confronting you. Creative thinking goes at some point, or at least the proof of it, because risks cannot be taken with millions of dollars of other peoples’ money. And one’s sense of fun disappears when someone is isolated, which is just death to a game maker. But simple things stop being enjoyable, until finally “fun” is limited to things beyond the range or experience of the average gamer."
This made complete sense to me and explained a ton, right up until the last sentence. Just looking at what has been released over the past 5 years, "fun" is definitely limited, but at least to me not at all beyond anyone's range or experience. Quite the opposite, actually. The average gamer, at least in the eyes of today's developers, is a 17-year-old boy who never emotionally matured past age 8. Instant gratification is rampant, and appears to be the result of a combination of people whining about the "grind" and random focus groups who are merely asked "So, would you like something nice later, or would you like it now?" and are rarely, if ever, shown the complete package objectively. While I don't think games should necessarily be designed to make calculus seem like Candy Land, it'd be nice if some of these designers would come down from their clouds you so eloquently described them on, get back to their roots, and maybe take a look at what people who actually have disposable income and a modicum of intelligence enjoy.
It's not quite true we never get asked to sign autographs. I've signed a number of them for fans. One time some Meridian 59 fans spotted me at a Dave and Busters (restaurant and high end arcade) and bought me a drink. The funny part is I was standing next to Raph Koster, a much bigger MMO "celebrity" than I am, and they didn't notice him. :)
As far as our celebrity being limited, it's not necessarily accurate. Movie and TV stars are much more recognizable because their faces are part of our entertainment. Even some of the creatives get recognized because of the filming of documentaries and special features. We don't have the same things in the game industry to that extent, but I'm sure people like John Romero and Raph Koster get recognized because of their high profile. But, for the most part, I don't think it's fair to look at movie and TV stars and say game developers aren't famous because we're not as recognizable as they are.
Sounds like the MMO business is no different from any other business.
I can promise you this - there are no statements in that entire article that apply to one single individual. What I said applies, for better or for worse, to multiple people. And I'm told that the same is true across many industries, which vaguely depresses me.
People are broken. And people are magnificent, too. Usually the same people are both, if that makes sense.
It's true. I, for one, am magnificentally broken.
And I liked this article.
I agree. A lot of it really seemed like it was referring to specific incidents and specific people.
I agree. A lot of it really seemed like it was referring to specifric incidents and specific people.
I'm just curious if Sanya was the girl misled by the "lead designer".
This describes much of humanity well, but in particular, the nerd.
Is it the nerds who can overcome their social retardation, or the better socialized people coming to grips with the finer workings of mmos, who make the most progress in the industry?
This describes much of humanity well, but in particular, the nerd.
Is it the nerds who can overcome their social retardation, or the better socialized people coming to grips with the finer workings of mmos, who make the most progress in the industry?
On this note, & most importantly, is that really you in the pic on pg 1 Sanya? Cause ur a real hawtie tottie ya know chickee-babe! >;-)
And who's the lucky nerd in the picture with you? (checks over shoulder to see if Mrs is about *blush*)
On this note, & most importantly, is that really you in the pic on pg 1 Sanya? Cause ur a real hawtie tottie ya know chickee-babe! >;-)
And who's the lucky nerd in the picture with you? (checks over shoulder to see if Mrs is about *blush*)
No, that was "Jon and Kate Plus 8". You know, the dumbasses who exploited their 8 children so they could be rich and then go through a divorce on t.v.
Dang :( *sniff*. Can we get some glamour pics anyway Sanya? *wink*
(oh yeah, great article btw ;)
No, and I'm not explaining myself well.
Right now, on several forums, there are people posting under newly created identities just to make cheap shots at someone they don't know, and they've made no effort to talk to anyone informed. That's a dillweed.
People who say "die in a fire" over a video game in any sense but an ironic one are dillweeds.
But I don't think an observation counts as dillweed behavior. And I clearly don't think using a forum handle is in and of itself dillweed behavior, although it is often a contributing factor.
I do think that if you are part of the game industry, you have a responsibility to identify yourself as such, either by affiliation or by your actual name. But plenty of people that I love and respect feel differently about this, and I don't claim to be walking the one true path or anything. For myself, I have made a point for the last eight years of using some variation of my real name everywhere that I post, and if I'm posting on behalf of a studio, then I use "NameOfProduct RealName" as my handle. Just so everyone knows where and for what I stand.
I didn't always feel that way, but I like to think I learned from my youthful idiocy.
Thank for the reply. Would have replied sooner but went camping shortly later Friday.
Cool, that cleared it up for me. Sometimes, though, I wish the internet was wired so that you had to use your real name and information. I bet it would cut down on alot of the garbage that gets thrown up by people hiding behind that shield of anonymity.
Good article, but I'm going to have to disagree with the idea that there's no end for some of these guy's careers . That's not just wishfull thinking either! It's a small industry, and the lack of competition for leadership is the sole factor keeping them on top.
Managing artists is an art in itself, but knowing a good idea when you hear it from a subordinate isn't about having some magical leaderships skills, it's about not having your head in your ass and actually doing your job and listening. How many game saving ideas have these guys ignored? How many of these guys even come close to matching the dedication and effort of the artist's and programmers on their team? How could they, without cutting into their golf/dirtbike/whiskey/spaceship time? Who would ever trust these jackasses with a multi million dollar project after seeing them fail again repeatedly?
Personality might get them the job, but only results matter to the players. A product that stands out as exceptional is almost always the result of a good team effort, but a product that flops is almost always the result of bad management. MMO customers will always remember the flops first, I promise.
Chuckle - so a couple of leaders of the gaming industry took a gander at yur piece, Sanya. I bet they scoured your words nervously to make sure you weren't blackmailing em from a past developer event ..
j/k Keep up the good work
the game industry is deep down no different than any other trade I've worked in - the old adage "you're only as good as your last project" ring true, and it's human nature to remember the bad over the good, you can have 8 days of blazing sunshine and only bleat on about the fact it rained for 2 days straight. I do find however that "geekdom" for want of a better word is often more forgiving of the flops if you'vealready proven you can do great things.
I agree. A lot of it really seemed like it was referring to specific incidents and specific people.
And so what? These specific people screwed up so bad, that it's worth mentioning.
These specific people are the CLASSIC example of how a person reaches a typical FAKE celebrity status (or think he/she has reached it) and starts walking next to his/her shoes, only to fall flat on his/her face a short while later.
Most annoying thing today is tho. That there is still one person out there, who doesn't seem to be able to fall. A person so many want to see go down so bad and yet remains.
Cheers
Nice read as always, Sanya. Greetings!
Ok, I really enjoy your articles. Sometimes the posts even more. I think I may have to steal that one. If someone said it please let me know.
People are broken. And people are magnificent, too. Usually the same people are both, if that makes sense.
Gotta Love it!
I also fell in love with that quotation and I am also wondering if there is any origin to it.
What makes Dilbert, The Office (I prefer the UK version though the US one has its moments), and other business-life-based comedies so endearing is how the jokes have such a ring of truth to them. After working for several companies that have transitioned from small businesses to large corporations (and now consult for businesses that run across the spectrum), I can say from personal experience that even the most outlandish jokes in entertainment pale in comparison to what really happens.
The "geek" culture of MMO development houses is just transitioning to the "middle-management" culture of corporations.
It's a sad thing to see happen to any business, but until executions of middle-management become legal (ah, but the glory of the Roman Empire is long gone) it's inevitable for any growing business.
-w
The truth is that the people who sit atop a large game or company do deserve the majority of the blame when things go wrong. They make all the final decisions, and in the case that there are others who make the final decisions they are the ones who picked and hired the other decision makers. It's the same as every other type of company.
They have to balance the fine line of giving the employees enough freedom to do something great, but enough restriction to make sure it all follows the same vision and works together wonderfully. In the end it all gets traced back up to that top guy and what policies/decisions he made over the design and implementation time. It's his fault if he was persuaded by the guy who was determined to get a certain feature in that failed miserably, and his fault if he didn't allow in a feature that might of made the game a huge success.
I'm not saying it's easy but in the end it is his fault and his bad leadership (I use he through all this because everyone listed in the article was a guy).
A hard article to read. Even with the many drafts, it feels so very raw.
People on both sides of the curtain are far too human sometimes.
Sonya - your articles are always good to read and give good insight to the gaming industry.
Someone else already stated that "Celebrity" status is attained by repeated success in the eyes of the users. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Steven Spielburg, ect. did not become famous with just one movie. They became famous after years of acting and/or directing movies. When the "BIG" names in gaming reach that pinnacle in thier career they will very possibly have the poveratsy(sp?) chasing them with the same vigor as they chase the big movie stars, and for the same reasons - Dirty Laundry.
The MMO workplace sounds exactly like every other workplace that I have ever had the displeasure of going to, except for one thing; most people in the gaming industry joined not because they just had to have a job, but instead because they dreamed of creating games or being part of the process of creating games. If those employees dont enjoy what they are doing then its a reasonable probability that the people who play the game are not going to enjoy what the unhappy employee created.
Short to say, my last job was working in a company that created medical equipment and supplies. My boss was caught screwing his bosses (Sr Director of Supply) secretary in his bosses personnal conference room during lunch. A guy two offices down from my office hung himself when the divorce papers came in the office mail from his wife - apparently when he called home his wife had left a message letting him know that she was going to rake him over the coals and press for full custody of thier 3 children. Icing on the cake, in the packing warehouse, we had a father and daughter working packing boxes. The father had to be arrested and removed from the premises when he found out his daughter was pregnant with the baby of another of thier coworkers. This all happened in a six month timeframe. FUN FUN FUN..... but most those people worked thier jobs not because they had a dream of working that type of job, but because thats the type of job they could get with thier educational levels; they all pretty much hated thier jobs.
Well I must admit that I have read your posts in the past as a passing interest. This article comes across to me that you are a little pissed at alot of people. Maybe you should be the one to take a year off and practice those smiling exercises?
I come from a TV and Theatre background where things are similar yet unfold in the background, and at least we have the decency to keep them in the background!
This is by no means a personal stab mind you. I just think you had a bad day and need to vent more before posting articles, otherwise you'll become a victim to those statements.
As far as I am concerned though, this article was a simple rant, so just like those MMO dicks you mention, who cares all I want is a good damn MMO to play and see someone actually fix those errors rather than playing the schoolyard blame game.
God, no wonder people leave these MMO's soon after the game reaches retail. Get back to making real games that work and if you're one of those dicks with wads, keep it in your pants and show us your money, stick it in your mouth and give us what we want. What else are you gonna do with it, spend it?
Well as for my money, I'm keeping it until something descent comes out, hype isn't worth it, end game for me!
the game industry is deep down no different than any other trade I've worked in - the old adage "you're only as good as your last project" ring true, and it's human nature to remember the bad over the good, you can have 8 days of blazing sunshine and only bleat on about the fact it rained for 2 days straight. I do find however that "geekdom" for want of a better word is often more forgiving of the flops if you'vealready proven you can do great things.
No, I don't think geekdom is forgiving. My counter to your observation is Jeff Freeman. He did great work on SWG, with its launch and Jedi instilation but he will forever be remebered as the creator of the NGE.
RIP Jeff,
Your troubles are done.
Nice article. Interesting read.
I can't help but think how heartbreaking it's gotta be for developers to see an MMO they've worked on for years crash and burn. And to add salt to the wounds you have a plethora of people online posting hateful things, often personally insulting the creators.
A thought provoking and well written "take" on the industry from the inside that seeks a commonality -- a "thread" to obtain answers that thinking MMO hobbyists seek.
Of course, the title says it all, really. There is no "End Game" -- no "magic bullet" to explain away all the issues for all the problems and failures. Except one. For all of them (the latest put out to pasture is Mark Jacobs) -- it was time for them to go.
Great article. You have really raised the bar on this site (not to disparage the other editors...it's just that you are a truly exceptional writer).
I personally maintain a "blogosphere/ message board" identity that is separate from my real life identity because
A. If something I post can't stand on it's own legs, then it is flawed. I'm not going to try and use my RL credentials to prop it up.
B. It being instantly obvious to anyone that googles my name that I put a lot of energy into commenting on MMOs would potentially hurt my career. Particularly if they catch the random posts I make while chewing on problems at work (I often find that when I get stuck on something it helps to distract myself for a bit and then rethink it). Employers expect you to be focused on the task at hand 25/7 in my field, serious hobbies are a distraction you cannot afford.
However I do use Yeebo everywhere. So if you want to find more stuff that "that guy" wrote, you can find it.
Good insigt in to persons at top.. "Celebrity status" breaks dow a person.. Like MJ was broken