Curse

Calista Blackblood · Feb 12, 2009, 05:33 PM // 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilraceangel3

*panics and throws herself off the balth statue in TOA* welcome to the train wreck we call an economy.

Probably the only post in this thread worth reading.

IlikeGW · Feb 12, 2009, 05:59 PM // 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by IlikeGW

It's not really recession proof. Tons of layoffs and company restructurings this year. We might see some big closures this year at this rate.

Wow, I'm psychic. It's too bad, but corporations are going to save themselves in this economy by cutting jobs.

Gigashadow · Feb 12, 2009, 08:15 PM // 20:15

This is an interesting take on what's going on at NCSoft. Read the comments too. Basically ArenaNet guys are now running everything in NCSoft that isn't in asia.

http://t-machine.org/index.php/2009/...-mmo-industry/

Gun Pierson · Feb 12, 2009, 10:12 PM // 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxBat

WTH is this protectionism crap?

Exactly my thoughts, what the hell. Even the German chancellor must be talking crap right. Play less games, follow the news more and on international level.

Question: Are people from NCsoft in Korea or USA getting fired? Not that I wish that ofcourse. At the same time Anet still has job openings, but you need to be or come to the USA.

I don't buy the ' all cr's should be in seatlle' thing. In today's world we have video conferences and what not available. They can even work from home.

Ow we are so shocked, they were such good employees and cool people and all. Now bugger off and find another job, gl.

But I'll play along. Yeah it's in the best interest of the company. Now gimme your euros.

Lonesamurai · Feb 12, 2009, 10:18 PM // 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Wow, that really sucks.

Does that mean the community day at the Troc is off, then?

Looks that way Kedric...

Martin had asked me to cover it with The Sanitarium.FM and give away some minipets and other gubbins, but that's not happening now

(I was even going to get him up on the stage and spin some tracks too, but oh well)

Regina Buenaobra · Feb 12, 2009, 10:37 PM // 22:37

The Austin offices, where we have web, localization, and QA teams, were also affected by the layoffs, so yes, people in the USA were let go as well.

The change was as much of a surprise to me as it was to everyone in Europe.

I think you all know by now that what I (or any other employee, not just a CM) is instructed to and allowed to say in public may be very different from my own personal opinions and feelings.

Lonesamurai · Feb 12, 2009, 10:44 PM // 22:44

Whats said in the pub, stays in the pub...

wait...

Gun Pierson · Feb 12, 2009, 10:44 PM // 22:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

The Austin offices, where we have web, localization, and QA teams, were also affected by the layoffs, so yes, people in the USA were let go as well.

The change was as much of a surprise to me as it was to everyone in Europe.

I think you all know by now that what I (or any other employee, not just a CM) is instructed to and allowed to say in public may be very different from my own personal opinions and feelings.

Ok when I'm wrong I'm wrong, but no people from NCsoft Korea were fired it seems.

Anyway, my apologies if my previous post may have hurt your feelings Regina. It just sux, I think we can all agree on that.

Esan · Feb 12, 2009, 10:58 PM // 22:58

I've always wondered why ArenaNet has (or had) so many branch offices all over the world. Surely just the overhead involved in running the offices would outpace their marginal benefits. MMOs that are not WoW are not exactly known for their high revenue, Guild Wars being no exception.

Lonesamurai · Feb 12, 2009, 11:12 PM // 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esan

I've always wondered why ArenaNet has (or had) so many branch offices all over the world. Surely just the overhead involved in running the offices would outpace their marginal benefits. MMOs that are not WoW are not exactly known for their high revenue, Guild Wars being no exception.

Its not ArenaNet that had loads of offices... they only have Belleview (or wherever it is in the sun)

NC Soft, Arenanet's parent company had three main offices... Euro, American and Asian... and its the Euro one that has closed

Karate Jesus · Feb 12, 2009, 11:30 PM // 23:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

The Austin offices, where we have web, localization, and QA teams, were also affected by the layoffs, so yes, people in the USA were let go as well.

One of my best friends worked at the Austin office and I'm really upset by several of the things he told me.

This layoff was not handled well by NCSoft West, and I can't expect many people in the GW community will take it well either. This is a travesty and I am still in shock over the way my friend was laid off.

Good luck making this sound like a win for NCSoft, Regina. With all the doubt hovering around GW2 and the continued support of GW in the community, I can't imagine your job will be easy the next few months.

Regina Buenaobra · Feb 12, 2009, 11:56 PM // 23:56

These changes won't affect development on GW2. Even though I can't reveal anything, I assure you that production and development of GW2 continues. It's progressing. Most MMOGs take a significant period of time to develop. The game is on track and progressing.

I do know how you all feel. If I was in your shoes, I would feel the same way. There are a couple of MMORPGs that I'm eagerly looking forward to. Does it frustrate me that I haven't heard a thing from one of them in almost three years? Yes. However, I'm not going all doom and gloom on them, because I know the IP is strong and I know the company is proven. All I can really do is try and be patient. We hope for your patience, but I honestly do understand how frustrated you feel about the lack of information I'm permitted to give.

I have heard rumours of how it was handled. I can't comment on that.

As for the organization wide changes, yes, it will be a good thing in big picture terms. QA in-house, working side-by-side with the development team is a good thing. Having localization managed directly by ArenaNet will likewise be a good thing, because it puts the localization resources closer to the development team, and better communication flows will help our game and our website. This goes for all NCsoft West studios.

At the personal level, it's not something I'd discuss here. My heart truly goes out to everyone who lost their livelihoods, and I wish them all the best.

Lonesamurai · Feb 12, 2009, 11:59 PM // 23:59

Well hey, Regina is right and its NOT spin... As for the organization wide changes, yes, it will be a good thing in big picture terms, because we are in an economic crunch and as such any saving in one place is a life saver for any company/individual...

I think most of the community AND Regina are upset that these are FRIENDS and people we looked up to in the community that are now in a way gone, but never forgotten...

Kula · Feb 13, 2009, 12:07 AM // 00:07

Sorry to hear about what happened.

My thoughts are not on GW2 right now, but on the good people that lost their jobs. Hope they can bounce back in the job market soon so they can provide for their families.

Winterclaw · Feb 13, 2009, 12:17 AM // 00:17

So long, and thanks for all the fish...

Well it could be worse, the Earth could have been destroyed by a vorgon contrustor fleet for the purpose of building a hyperspace bypass.

FoxBat · Feb 13, 2009, 12:25 AM // 00:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

Ok when I'm wrong I'm wrong, but no people from NCsoft Korea were fired it seems.

Because they are actually producing successful games.

Gun Pierson · Feb 13, 2009, 12:57 AM // 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoxBat

Because they are actually producing successful games.

Yeah they're something.

http://t-machine.org/index.php/2009/...-mmo-industry/

HawkofStorms · Feb 13, 2009, 01:11 AM // 01:11

Well there IS this big global recession happening that the president recently referred to as the "worst thing since the Great Depression."
It stinks, but this stuff happens. Look outside your bubbles people. The economy is in bad shape and companies are going to do what they can to tightening their belts.

Age · Feb 13, 2009, 09:55 PM // 21:55

I thought it would have something to do with financing and yes the way the economy.

FoxBat · Feb 14, 2009, 12:12 AM // 00:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gun Pierson

http://t-machine.org/index.php/2009/...-mmo-industry/

TR tanked hard, so anything external to Seoul mothership (and therefore independent) that isn't GW is getting sidelined. GW 2 is a much safer, surer success and they aren't going to venture any other risks at this point, until perhaps they can recover from that disaster. As the article mentioned, there is theoretical potential for European-targeted development, but NCSoft is not in a position to take further risks right now after that last horrible risk. Their decision has nothing to do with Europe in particular, and indeed, they aren't any warmer to America at the moment, just letting Anet go on because they have a proven track record and are still bringing in good revenues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Protectionism is the economic policy of restraining trade between nations, through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other restrictive government regulations designed to discourage imports, and prevent foreign take-over of local markets and companies

The term doesn't make any sense in this context. They don't distrust Europe or America development because they are different countries, it's that they aren't trusting leadership and autonomy to unproven people outside a locality they can't control. I'm sure American and European cash has just as nice a ring for them as the Asian stuff, but they aren't in the position to risk more ventures at this time when they are still stinging from their last.