Development Cycle Archive
Thread: Great Expectations, Major Schedule Changes and making SWG the finest MMORPG ever
TH -
Thank you for letting us know. Don't don't let them get to you. They just really enjoy the game and want more. So I see it as a compliment. I hope your transition goes smoother. Keep your chin up.
DaHowler wrote:
Thunderheart wrote:
Meplorium wrote:TH please do convey to the higher ups that the customers are very pleased with the job the few people working on this project are doing but are very displeased that there are few people working on this project.
I have. I've been going over the details, the history and the effect this announcement is having on the community for some time now. I've spent more than a couple of sleepless nights in the past couple of weeks thinking about this post. It's not easy for anyone involved.You know, I've read through this whole thread sitting here trying to figure out whether to stay or not (and checking on the release date for WoW to see if it is coming before the combat rebalance) This will be remembered as a turning point for this MMORPG, and I don't mean a good one. This will drive out masses and JTL will fail to bring them back due to EQ2 and WoW releases. A sad day indeed.
Then I got to this post I was floored. This says alot guys. Pay attention here. Be pissed. You should be. Quit if you want. You'd have just cause. But don't blame TH. If you ever had doubt about who's side TH is on this should tell you. What a rollercoaster this whole thing is. As cool as his story seemed up front, given the turns this whole thing has taken I'm glad to not be in TH's shoes. It's hard enough sitting here.
Keep the faith, TH. I hope I am wrong about this being the beginning of the end. You, and many of us, deserve more.
It all boils down to communication or lack of it I am afraid. The only time the devs appear from their cushy offices is to break bad news. They ask for all kind of feedback which we give them then we hear no more on the subject.
I understand the need for a coordination of effort to overhaul such a large part of the game. Myself, I am patient and believe that the game has improved over the past year, and I still find it fun to play and will continue to do so through JTL, the SMUGGLER REVAMP, combat balance, and CGW revamp. These will all add to the game, and I know just how much time and effort is involved in such large undertakings in this complex a game.
I do have one question, however, dealing with Publish 10 and the "Jedi Trials"...
Thunderheart wrote:
"To become a Jedi, there needs to be a known path with mysterious quests, new NPC’s, new NPC behaviors, new places and all the little things that will make The Jedi Trials a publish to be excited about."
"Publish 10 will be the Jedi Trials.This will be the new gateway to the Jedi profession that will by a mysterious path to unlocking Force sensitivity."
Thunderheart wrote:
Thorolfsk wrote:
Thunderheart can you please respond to these questions:
- Can the development team please provide the community with a valid reason for pushing back the combat revamp?
The most important reasons are:
- I understand that there are many people against having Jedi in the game, but it is part of the game. En masse, the community was adamant that we change the holocron/professions system and that time is now. Given the effort that went in to publish 9, we needed to clear the schedule and make room for publish 10 to do a better job on it. The Jedi system needed to be changed because it was effecting everyone. That is why it had the shceudling priority that it has.
- The Combat Balance is a huge publish and will have as much code in it as a console game. Its huge. We need the expertise and the manpower to do it correctly.
With all due respect, why release a expansion pack before fixing problems already existing within the game?
I would start with "With all due respect", but you used it =P, soin short and with respect, this isn't "just an expansion". This is Space. Space is something that everyone wanted at launch and Space is needed to create the Star Wars experience.
The other side of that is that JTL has been in production since January. We can't delaysix and half months of work for something that really makes Star Wars what it is.
Assuming theexpansion will have a few problems, wouldn't that just create alarger backlog for you guys, and take time away from other problems?
Those integration problems are being accounted for and that's why we needed more scheduling time. Publish 10 and taking the extra time to make integration with the ground game smoother is the time from the schedule that was needed. All in all, they were very difficult decisions to make.
I partially agree with this TH. The "method" to gain the jedi slot was messing up the whole game and thus everyone. But you chose to also completely change the jedi system. Not that it didn't need it, but you did that a whole month or more before changing the part of jedi that was screwing up the game. The hologrind.
Yes jedi are integral to SW, and yes everyone has the option to bea jedi. But that goes both ways. Smugglers are an integral part of SW, BH are also an integral part, Pistoleers, Carbineers, Dancers, are all an integral part of StarWars, and guess what........everyone has the option to be any of those other professions. Even more so then a jedi for that matter. Jedi is also technically the newest profession. We didn't even see the first one until about 4 months into the game. It was a nice game then, no hologrinding, no avoiding fixing the problems with the other professions etc.
Twiggy_Gorath wrote:
Thanks for the update TH!
*points to someone in the crowd*
This guy over here still doesn't get that expansions pay for staff/more staff to program combat revamps and such
Twig
Actually, I think the 6 million buck they bring in every month shoudl go to paying for more staff to fix things and stuff. The expansions are just for extra cash, which they will need because the expansions will be so buggy they will need MORE developers to fix the expansions bugs, on top of the bugs of the original game.
Fix the base game first, THEN work on the expansion.
Message Edited by JediNg on 07-15-2004 04:46 PM
Darksfallen wrote:
TH -
Thank you for letting us know. Don't don't let them get to you. They just really enjoy the game and want more. So I see it as a compliment. I hope your transition goes smoother. Keep your chin up.
QFE!
HERE HERE! Take your time TH, THEY WILL apreciate it in the end, dispite how they feel now. Better to do it right then a botch job.
Galiger wrote:Well I know this post will be lost in the ocean of complaints but I just want to express my enjoyment in the game that you have created. It is unlike any game I have played in the past and in my eye is a very sucessful game. Please just do the best you can do and that is all that anyone, that is reasonable people, can ask.I have extremely enjoyed the crafting and combat in this game and believe you are doing a wonderful job. People will always be unhappy with what you do... you are dealing with thousands of people - all of which have different ideas, dreams and wishes. You will never make a game that makes everyone happy... so set your goals and run with it, definately don't loss sleep over it... you're no good to anyone sleepy.Good luck to you Thunderheart, and the rest of the Devs.I personally thank-you for the game and the work you have done.
How long have you been playing SWG?
I've had my fun moments, my bad moments, and periods where I didn't play at all.
However, I think this is probably one of the worst decisions the team has made. Ever. I am loving the new JTLS content, and I am looking forward to it. But I was more looking forward to the combat revamp, which has now been pushed back months.
Good luck.