Jeff Strain leaves NCSoft
Gigashadow
The problem is not that I think GW2 won't be released or that its design suddenly turned into poop overnight; after all, the design has been going on for years now, it likely started off on the right track (given Jeff Strain's old speech), and Jeff Strain is not the only talented guy designing things over there. The problem is what it means when the creative force behind the only innovative and interesting game NCSoft owns, just leaves. As for two people leaving simultaneously for "unrelated reasons" -- there are no coincidences.
Gun Pierson
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Originally Posted by Inde
..., try to temper that with the knowledge that the game is being developed.
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The article: ' Let's talk about Tabula Rasa' gives more insight how things can go wrong while a game is in development.
Fates
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Originally Posted by fog_of_redoubt
Yeah, Regina learned that the day she took the job.
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Inde
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Originally Posted by fog_of_redoubt
You have been waiting for info for over 2 years, I hope you have continued patience.
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fog_of_redoubt
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Originally Posted by Konig Des Todes
And it takes much longer than 2 years to develop a game. And if NCSoft was the reason for the hushing, than all the more reason for Anet to be trying to find a new parent company like I suggested as a possibility.
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Now if NCSoft wanted to divest of ArenaNet, they could potentially sell the "wholly owned subsidiary".
But ArenaNet can't divest of the parent company.
Maybe in your little optimistic world, but not in the real world.
Lhim
"under amicable terms", I don't know....I find the use of those words....disturbing.
Konig Des Todes
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Originally Posted by fog_of_redoubt
It doesn't work that way. You can't decide you don't like your parent company and shop for a new one. Are you serious?
Now if NCSoft wanted to divest of ArenaNet, they could potentially sell the "wholly owned subsidiary". But ArenaNet can't divest of the parent company. |
Even in an imperfect and cruel world as this, things can happen for the better. Guild Wars was a good seller, so it could be seen as profitable to own Anet by certain people.
I think Anet merging/buying another company and splitting into its own is more likely than either of the above though. And even that is not very likely.
But meh, my main point in posting in this thread all along is that it said Jeff left NCSoft, not Anet. So there are more possibilities than just Jeff leaving Anet and GW all together.
The reasoning for Jeff's leaving could be as simple as he got sick of NCSoft pushing GW2 info back due to Aion and he wanted to focus on things with Anet alone and not NCSoft.
Buster
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Originally Posted by deank81
"under amicable terms", I don't know....I find the use of those words....disturbing.
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drunk n angry
i like the way you are interpreting this konig.... there would be no reason for them not to say he is also leaving anet if infact he wasnt.... also it says nowhere that he is not in collaboration with those still developing gwII. hopefully this all works out to be something better for areanet and the guild wars franchise.
we can only hope for now til we get more word about the current situation.
we can only hope for now til we get more word about the current situation.
ajc2123
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Originally Posted by Toxic OnyX
BINGO!
Ppl talk about GW2 like they know what is happening, about all we knew about GW2 was that there was supposed to be one. That's it, all the info released by the Community Relations is "we are working on GW2" working on could be anything from sketching stickmen and trying to tie some type of concept to them. |
I have hope that GW2 isn't affected.
fog_of_redoubt
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Originally Posted by drunk n angry
i like the way you are interpreting this konig.... there would be no reason for them not to say he is also leaving anet if infact he wasnt.... also it says nowhere that he is not in collaboration with those still developing gwII. hopefully this all works out to be something better for areanet and the guild wars franchise.
we can only hope for now til we get more word about the current situation. |
You guys are incredible.
He LEFT. Period, he is GONE. He is NOT working on GW2 anymore.
Eddie Frenzy Spam
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Originally Posted by ajc2123
During the 4th year anniversary (or was it last wintersday....) they said they would be playing GW2 in the office for celebration. So unless they are lyng to our faces, im pretty sure its on a solid pace and way past stickmen sketches.
I have hope that GW2 isn't affected. |
^_^
Devastating Flames
Well it's definitely unfortunate to see a father of the game go. Side effect to his leaving does it show an insight into anet why does a father of a multi (million or billion) game leave their must be something going wrong inside anet or Gw2. i still think Gw2 will release on the predicated date of December 25/31st 2010. Only time will tell
The game seems to be going along with pace of normal game creation(remember these things can take four years + to do)
The game seems to be going along with pace of normal game creation(remember these things can take four years + to do)
Konig Des Todes
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Originally Posted by drunk n angry
i like the way you are interpreting this konig.... there would be no reason for them not to say he is also leaving anet if infact he wasnt.... also it says nowhere that he is not in collaboration with those still developing gwII.
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The only reason to say Jeff didn't leave Anet would be to ease anyone worried about it. Which would mean an Anet sided view - which is not the case, it is a view from NCSoft's side. Therefore, they would bring up matters for NCSoft only (which is the case).
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Originally Posted by fog_of_redoubt
It also didn't say what he had for lunch today. So by that we can assume he ate sushi with the crew at ArenaNet and therefore is moving back into his old job....
You guys are incredible. He LEFT. Period, he is GONE. He is NOT working on GW2 anymore. |
We just know too little to be positive on this.
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Originally Posted by Devastating Flames
Side effect to his leaving does it show an insight into anet why does a father of a multi (million or billion) game leave their must be something going wrong inside anet or Gw2.
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So why haven't one of the three Anet employees who were at this thread, and that one NCSoft employee, comment on this yet?
AnClar
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Originally Posted by Mordakai
the NCSoft was going to make GW2 one of their flagships
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Highlander Of Alba
Have to admit thatwith Jeff leaving people will assume this and that.
As a full statement not released only a mini one the few things that come up were.....at pax think it was said there would be no discussion on gw2 only Aion.
AS people from anet.ncsoft may be surprised at this also as they are on the forums but not making any comment.
That what makes the internet so appealing within minutes the news is worldwide and panic not only here but at anet.
The comments are yes full of what ifs....
Give it a DAY and we will get a better insight whats going on .
As a full statement not released only a mini one the few things that come up were.....at pax think it was said there would be no discussion on gw2 only Aion.
AS people from anet.ncsoft may be surprised at this also as they are on the forums but not making any comment.
That what makes the internet so appealing within minutes the news is worldwide and panic not only here but at anet.
The comments are yes full of what ifs....
Give it a DAY and we will get a better insight whats going on .
keli
Socrates The Mauler
I'm glad he left. Maybe now GW2 will shed it's Magic: The Gathering like shackles, and turn into something cool and unique, something worth playing for 5 plus years.
if it ever gets released. Given this announcement, one has to wonder.
if it ever gets released. Given this announcement, one has to wonder.
Joiry
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Originally Posted by Mordakai
Worst case: They are making BIG changes to GW2, and he couldn't stomach it....
actually, I guess there could be a worse scenario, GW2 being canceled. |
However, whatever other mistakes NCsoft has made, I think they at least were/are smart enough to leave Anet alone do their thing on GW2.
Another variant on the Anet leaving NCsoft theory (wild as it is). Maybe NCsoft doesn't like how GW2 is shaping up and want to divest themselves of it (cause they think Aion is teh Uber). Ie Strain leaves, gets capital to buy Anet back, and in one or two years GW2 eats Aion for lunch
vamp08
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Originally Posted by Konig Des Todes
I didn't see anyone mention this but, uhm....
Jeff left NCWest. It never said he left Arena Net... I think he's either separating himself from NCSoft business (so he can focus on Arena Net business), or this is the beginning of Arena Net leaving from NCSoft sponsorship... Which means no delays due to other games made by NCSoft. |
Cale Roughstar
Well, this certainly makes things interesting. I dont suppose we can do much more than sit around grumbling and stiring the conspiracy theory pot, after all, what are the chances that they would actually tell us anything that they haven't told the general public? Might as well keep our fingers crossed that everything for GW/GW2 will work out and then go about our own merry ways.
Eddie Frenzy Spam
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Originally Posted by Socrates The Mauler
I'm glad he left. Maybe now GW2 will shed it's Magic: The Gathering like shackles, and turn into something cool and unique, something worth playing for 5 plus years.
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The Magic: The Gathering influence is what made this game such a success in the first place, it was fresh, different and made PvP excellent. Without those things and being free to play the game would have simply died in the first year.
fog_of_redoubt
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Originally Posted by notskorn
No comments from Regina? What does she do all day, sit at her desk playing tetris?
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I guess they don't deem this topic worthy of discussing.
Trub
Targren
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Originally Posted by Mister_Smiley
Like i said, just because he left, dosn't mean it will cause any problems with GW2, seeing that he worked for NCsoft West and not Anet anymore
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If you work for Arenanet, you work for NCSoft (though not vice-versa).
This is only the beginning.
Bob Slydell
As long as guildwars can stay around and be maintained I'm fine with that. Shame he left but if that caused GW2 to die off I don't particuallry care. It's not like any of us have even put any money down or aside for the game to them that we won't get back. I love GW1, and GW2 threatens that.
~Grogs~
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Originally Posted by Konig Des Todes
I find you just as incredible. Yes, he left, NCWest. Nothing supports him leaving Anet. Nothing supports him staying at Anet. But due to wording, one should lean towards the the idea that he still works at Anet. But, of course, that doesn't mean he doesn't still work there.
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It's a huge leap to go from a publicly released statement saying an employee has left a company (and they wish him all the best in his future endeavours, yadda, yadda), and take from that he's reemployed / still employed by one of their subsidiaries?
Black Metal
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Originally Posted by fog_of_redoubt
She posted a little while ago in the Test Krew thread.
I guess they don't deem this topic worthy of discussing. |
Anyways, draw your own conclusions.
Painbringer
I hope a A-net person posts some sort of reassuring post on gw2
Konig Des Todes
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Originally Posted by Targren
You can't talk about NCSoft and Anet like they're different companies. They are not. ArenaNet is wholly owned by NCSoft. "NCSoft West" is the division of NCSoft charged with governing all of NCSoft's European and American subsidiaries including Arenanet
This is only the beginning. |
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Originally Posted by ~Grogs~
Companies don't miss opportunites to get marketing milage out of high level strategic internal transfers.
It's a huge leap to go from a publicly released statement saying an employee has left a company (and they wish him all the best in his future endeavours, yadda, yadda), and take from that he's reemployed / still employed by one of their subsidiaries? |
Legendm
This doesn't change much in my opinion. We are all still waiting for some GW2, though some more than others (you know who you are), and now we're still waiting. Nothings changed.
There's this thing called 'a life', I suggest you get one.
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Originally Posted by Socrates The Mauler
I'm glad he left. Maybe now GW2 will shed it's Magic: The Gathering like shackles, and turn into something cool and unique, something worth playing for 5 plus years.
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Chocobo1
I check back in this topic and surprise surprise, no Anet employee finds it important to shed any light about this. You'd think the main developer behind Guild Wars leaving deserves some kind of post from someone in the know.
YunSooJin
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Originally Posted by Chocobo1
I check back in this topic and surprise surprise, no Anet employee finds it important to shed any light about this. You'd think the main developer behind Guild Wars leaving deserves some kind of post from someone in the know.
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fog_of_redoubt
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Originally Posted by Konig Des Todes
*facepalm* Owned by != same as. Though I suppose to a degree, it is can be seen as an issue of opinion to some, such as whether you consider Anet employees NCSoft employees. I personally wouldn't, as, say, Linsey Murdock doesn't do work for NCSoft, but does work for Arena Net - but is payed by and resourced by NCSoft. I.e., Arena Net is sponsored by NCSoft, but not is NCSoft. Though it seems you, Targren, would think they are one in the same...
I was merely pointing out the wording and bringing up the possibility. |
Do you have any idea what a wholly owned subsidiary is? Who do you think Linseys boss answers to? Who do you think looks at ArenaNets financial statements? Who do you think approves ArenaNets budgets for running the company and hiring people?
Dude you have obviously not worked in the corporate world at any significant level if you don't understand these basic concepts.
I think you need to let your theories go. Go play some GW, work on a title or something.
Chilly Ress
Konig,
Do you realize that he departed on amicable terms? Do you realize they bid him farewell? Do you realize that they wished him best of luck on his future endeavors?
Jeff Strain and David Reid are done with NCSoft and ArenaNet.
Regardless, I doubt either of them have been at the head of development of Guild Wars since its launch. I'm also sure that there is an entire team of dedicated individuals working relentlessly to make Guild Wars 2 a successful, and more importantly for them, a profitable MMO.
All this doom and gloom is wild speculation anyways.
Do you realize that he departed on amicable terms? Do you realize they bid him farewell? Do you realize that they wished him best of luck on his future endeavors?
Jeff Strain and David Reid are done with NCSoft and ArenaNet.
Regardless, I doubt either of them have been at the head of development of Guild Wars since its launch. I'm also sure that there is an entire team of dedicated individuals working relentlessly to make Guild Wars 2 a successful, and more importantly for them, a profitable MMO.
All this doom and gloom is wild speculation anyways.
Leigh The Legendary
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Originally Posted by YunSooJin
you mean GW2 was just vaporware? ohh okay
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12 chars
quietkitten
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Originally Posted by Kuntz
I'm not really taking anyone's side, I'm just looking at it logically. Even if Rick was fired, he made his choice/mistake by publicly telling people he left on his own accord. He shouldn't have done that (if he really was fired). And based on how shatty Tabula Rasa was, I wouldn't be surprised if he was fired. That game was awful.
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As to how it'll fall out-- My guess is that it's ALREADY fallen out. No other filings have been made on the case (last I checked, about a month ago) and NCSoft's answer/alternative motion was due in May or early June if I remember correctly. So it's likely that it's already settled.
The stock option discussion was more to point out information about employment contracts that most people don't understand, and based on some of the attacks I got after that post, I was right.
No idea about the Jeff Strain thing though.
Regina Buenaobra
Hi, everyone. Just wanted to point you in the direction of a wiki post made by our head of studio to address this:
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Jeff's departure Hi all, I wanted to take a moment to offer my personal note on Jeff's departure. Jeff is a personal friend of mine. We worked together very closely from the time he joined Blizzard in 1996, through our founding of ArenaNet in 2000, until he left ArenaNet to join NCsoft West in 2008. I'm sad to see him leaving NCsoft now. We remain good friends and I wish him great success in his next endeavor. It's important to understand that ArenaNet is a separate and self-contained development studio. Jeff hasn't been involved in the day-to-day development of Guild Wars 2 since he left ArenaNet more than a year ago, and I don't expect his departure to have a direct impact on our studio or on Guild Wars 2. I continue to lead ArenaNet, and I'm not going anywhere. We have an amazing team here at ArenaNet, and we continue to work hard on Guild Wars 2, preparing for the day when we can first reveal it to the world. That day is coming very soon now. I'm confident that, when you see Guild Wars 2 for the first time, you're going to love what you see, and any worries you have about its development will fade away. --Mike O'Brien 01:56, 12 August 2009 (UTC) |
connor nightwind
Is it just me, or does that sound like they are going to announce gw2 release at Pax? God, please let it be so...
Konig Des Todes
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Originally Posted by fog_of_redoubt
Konig,
Do you have any idea what a wholly owned subsidiary is? Who do you think Linseys boss answers to? Who do you think looks at ArenaNets financial statements? Who do you think approves ArenaNets budgets for running the company and hiring people? Dude you have obviously not worked in the corporate world at any significant level if you don't understand these basic concepts. |
One can still work for Arena Net, while not directly working for NCSoft. Which is what I was meaning. (Though now I am getting more and more tired and am unsure if my thoughts are being correctly and easily conveyed).
Edit: But now reading Regina's post, I think it's time for me to sleep.