Curse

R.Shayne · Aug 15, 2008, 03:46 AM // 03:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Age

NcSoft would sell ArenaNet to some other publisher stay some what aflout.

Nope I would guess something else. NCSoft would streamline (more layoffs), determine where the market is going, develop a plan of action, put together a team, outsource it, and publish it.

I have never heard of a publisher selling a studio, mostly they just close them down and find/create a new studio. Hopefully no one signed a no-competition contract. I always loved these, “This way you can’t take what we teach you and use it with one of our competitors.” Funny thing is none of them have ever taught me anything; I had to do that on my own time. I liked it better when Studios were not owned by publisher; of course development cost killed most of those off.

GW2 will make it to the market or not make it to the market based on earning projections. The fact that GW1 is still profitable makes me happy.

draxynnic · Aug 15, 2008, 04:00 AM // 04:00

It seems to me that the problem may be that they're trying to compete with themselves. Lineage 2 and the CoH/CoV franchise are both subscription-based, and GW is a good alternative to subscription-based games. Even without considering WoW, it seems that each new subscription-based game they try to put on the market is going to be a demonstration of the principle of diminishing returns.

wilebill · Aug 15, 2008, 04:56 AM // 04:56

Yes, ArenaNet is part of NCSoft Corporation. The GW series is successful enough that I would think that another buyer would pick ANet up if NCSoft really needed the cash to stay afloat. I do not think either GW or GW 2 is threatened.

Another recent example. Blizzard is now a division of Activision-Blizzard. Nothing has changed at Blizzard, progress on their existing and other games in the pipe as usual. Studios changing hands often leads to improvement rather than otherwise.

The example of how things can go completely wrong is Flagship Studios (Hellgate London and Mythos) which seems to be either out of business or in hibernation at the moment. But there, the game itself was floundering and had lost its value as an asset with high potential future revenue.

Wrath of m0o · Aug 15, 2008, 06:22 AM // 06:22

They can lay off the whole company if Anet keeps pissing off their player base with the Nurf Bat!
No one is going to want to play GW2 by the time everyone leaves this game from being pissed the #$%@ off.

Angelic Upstart · Aug 15, 2008, 07:20 AM // 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crimso

I'd pay for the hero cap removal(for PvE), I think lots of people would purchase it if it was available.

I wouldnt, who the hell, in thier right mind would pay to reply the game that they have already paid for once and completed just so they could do it all again with seven heroes.?

enter_the_zone · Aug 15, 2008, 07:48 AM // 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zahr Dalsk

I bet they could have made a lot of money selling an account upgrade that removed the hero limit. Say, 20 dollars to avoid henchmen and get to do elite missions? Sure.

I do wonder how this might affect ArenaNet, though.

That's a frigging genius idea. They can definitely have my £40 for that (i have 2 accounts)

Abedeus · Aug 15, 2008, 07:57 AM // 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by enter_the_zone

That's a frigging genius idea. They can definitely have my £40 for that (i have 2 accounts)

Not mine, lol. It's ALREADY possible to have 6 heroes, using 2 accounts or with a help from a friend. But if it was $5, I'd buy.

JupiterStarWarrior · Aug 15, 2008, 09:34 AM // 09:34

The fact that Zahr keeps saying that the Hero Cap should be removed is annoying, otherwise it could be an interesting idea.

Nonetheless, that sucks that the offices at Austin were laid off.

I hope those people find good jobs in the area soon.

distilledwill · Aug 15, 2008, 09:37 AM // 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by upier

I am pointing the finger of blame towards all the people that didn't buy the BMP and at least 10 extra slots!

/points finger of blame towards you

OMG! *Buys one more character slot*

That'll pay for one game designer for another few months, right?!

FrAnt1c² · Aug 15, 2008, 09:40 AM // 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by KZaske

Heres the article link: http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=19834.

Here is the meat of the story:

I find myself wondring if this will have any effect of the server farm. Yeah I know they say it related only to un-announced products, but honestly considering how many half truths we have heard from them recently do you really believe it? For me, It is my hope we don't see an increase in lag.

Edit: More NCsoft news
Source: http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/new...hp?story=19817 NCsoft loses money.

Well, its been a while since NCsoft released a new game succesfully ( the order or succes compared to gw ). Basically, GW1 does not yield new revenue anymore, and only requires fresh capital to sustain. ( servers, employees,... ).
They will propably keep losing money and see their revenues go down some more, untill they release another big game, like gw2 is expected to be.

No big deal imo...

Buster · Aug 15, 2008, 01:12 PM // 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by draxynnic

It seems to me that the problem may be that they're trying to compete with themselves. Lineage 2 and the CoH/CoV franchise are both subscription-based, and GW is a good alternative to subscription-based games. Even without considering WoW, it seems that each new subscription-based game they try to put on the market is going to be a demonstration of the principle of diminishing returns.

Pretty much agree. They feel that mass producing mmo games is the way to go but obviously that is not working. They spread themselves too thin. They should be more concerned with making their most profitable games even better just like Blizzard does.

Though what do I know right ? I'm just your average gamer here. I can tell you though that when Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 hit the shelves just about everyone will be playing them. I remember watching an interview with Rob Pardo and he explained the difference between Blizzard and everyone is that they cancel the misses. Well NCSoft should have cancelled Tabula Rasa, Dunegeon Runners and Exteel. Apparently Mr Pardo is 100% correct.

Oukanna · Aug 15, 2008, 02:02 PM // 14:02

Quote:

Though what do I know right ? I'm just your average gamer here. I can tell you though that when Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 hit the shelves just about everyone will be playing them. I remember watching an interview with Rob Pardo and he explained the difference between Blizzard and everyone is that they cancel the misses. Well NCSoft should have cancelled Tabula Rasa, Dunegeon Runners and Exteel. Apparently Mr Pardo is 100% correct.

I agree there, they need to concerntrate on their better games to make more money, not waste it on games that clearly will never be as big.
Sticking with gw1 a little bit longer, and creating better new content, could of made a difference with profits. Nevermind they didn't and look what happened xD

As for the layoffs

I feel sorry for the poor guys. If Arena net doesnt pull their weight they might suffer the same too. Lets just hope that doesnt happen

lyra_song · Aug 15, 2008, 02:31 PM // 14:31

I had so much hope for Tabula Rasa too...

oh well...

Dont believe the hype.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASjH7X-jAY4 (not a rickroll)

As for AION, i think it looks really nice and I LOVE the idea of a "balancing" race controlled by the CPU to keep one side from owning the other side too much. They should have done this with GW: Factions.

Luxon, Kurzick, and Imperial (NPC)

On the Anet side, i dont think NCsoft will drop them. They should see the GW is profitable and invest more to make it better.

Painbringer · Aug 15, 2008, 03:17 PM // 15:17

Times are tough here in America we are finally starting to see what its like to buy gas at European prices Ouch

. It is not surprising to me to see the cuts. They are happening everywhere not just the tech sector, but industrial sector as well. The company I work for has seen increase in cost of raw material jump 60% since January. Hyper inflation if you want to call it. Low dollar value increased transportation and utilities costs do not help at all.

Jecht Scye · Aug 15, 2008, 05:10 PM // 17:10

NCSoft would be kicking themselves if they sold one of their most profitable subsidiaries. My guess is ArenaNet is safe from the tradeblock.

No_Burdens · Aug 15, 2008, 08:23 PM // 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow Bunny

i still dont understand how GW pulls in 4+mil a quarter.

They actually get kickbacks from Tiwaneese companies for selling gold, then the bust players for buying it and force them to buy new accounts... Instant cash flow!