Curse

KZaske · Aug 14, 2008, 08:52 PM // 20:52

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

Here is the meat of the story:

Quote:

"The developer-publisher, known for titles such as Guild Wars, Dungeon Runners and Tabula Rasa, told consumer blog Kotaku that widely-reported media rumors of layoffs at the offices were true.

"Primarily this is related to products which we have not previously announced and were in prototype phases," an NCsoft spokesperson told the site.

NCsoft said, however, that it's also cutting staff from the Dungeon Runners team following a decision not to port the client to other platforms "at this time.""

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.

Quote:

NCsoft's net sales increased by 7 percent on the previous year to 81.2 billion won ($78.1m), although this was 8 percent less than the last quarter. The publisher netted 6.1 billion won ($5.9m), in income, down 42 percent on the previous year.

upier · Aug 14, 2008, 08:59 PM // 20:59

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

Jetdoc · Aug 14, 2008, 09:01 PM // 21:01

"The company yesterday revealed that profits fell 42 percent in its second fiscal quarter due to a lack of new products in the last few months, in addition to higher advertising and outsourcing costs."

That's not so great. Good news: You can bet that they are going to pushing hard to get GW2 out there. Bad news: Testing, attention to detail, and additional features may go by the wayside in an effort to get it out.

SerenitySilverstar · Aug 14, 2008, 09:34 PM // 21:34

NCSoft != Anet

romeus petrus · Aug 14, 2008, 09:47 PM // 21:47

No new content = no meaningful profit.

Are you surprised?

slowerpoke · Aug 14, 2008, 09:48 PM // 21:48

nothing to do with Anet, they are based in WA, not TX

as for falling profits, dont forget the last new gw title was released a year ago. and those profits are only quarterly figures

Ultima pyromancer · Aug 14, 2008, 10:00 PM // 22:00

Bet there kicking themselves over eotn now

Elder III · Aug 14, 2008, 10:01 PM // 22:01

profit is related to new material released and extra sales of old material - it's pretty simple economics there nothing too surprising...

Jetdoc · Aug 14, 2008, 10:21 PM // 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerenitySilverstar

NCSoft != Anet

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowerpoke

nothing to do with Anet, they are based in WA, not TX

Anet is owned by NCSoft. The layoffs were done at NCSoft Interactive, another subsidiary of NCSoft that is dedicated to developing some of NCSoft's other titles.

Although Anet wasn't affected by the layoffs, there has to be a slight pause as to how NCSoft is doing and how it might "pressure" Anet in their development decisions/timelines.

Zahr Dalsk · Aug 14, 2008, 10:32 PM // 22:32

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.

BenjZee · Aug 14, 2008, 11:01 PM // 23:01

someone really want removal of hero cap

Im sure they'll find another way of making money anyways. I wouldn't be worried theyre still making money

Red Sonya · Aug 14, 2008, 11:13 PM // 23:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerenitySilverstar

NCSoft != Anet

actually it does as if NCsoft goes so too does Anet and GW2. Nothing is promised or guarenteed about GW2 it like many other games that never made it to sales is just another "work in progress". Also NCsoft pulled the plug on "Auto Assault" without hardly a note of warning so that too could happen to GW and GW2 just be forewarned.

Crimso · Aug 14, 2008, 11:14 PM // 23:14

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

Snow Bunny · Aug 14, 2008, 11:17 PM // 23:17

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

SerenitySilverstar · Aug 14, 2008, 11:58 PM // 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Sonya

actually it does as if NCsoft goes so too does Anet and GW2.

They're good business people. They'd find another publisher.

Not everything is dressed in absolutes.

King Kong · Aug 15, 2008, 12:07 AM // 00:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerenitySilverstar

They're good business people. They'd find another publisher.

Not everything is dressed in absolutes.

Pretty sure NCsoft owns them

http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/st...9/daily57.html

Age · Aug 15, 2008, 12:09 AM // 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Sonya

actually it does as if NCsoft goes so too does Anet and GW2. Nothing is promised or guarenteed about GW2 it like many other games that never made it to sales is just another "work in progress". Also NCsoft pulled the plug on "Auto Assault" without hardly a note of warning so that too could happen to GW and GW2 just be forewarned.

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

Dante the Warlord · Aug 15, 2008, 12:23 AM // 00:23

Eh I saw it happening, although i saw it coming a year sooner. Nonetheless I was right

Buster · Aug 15, 2008, 12:45 AM // 00:45

NcSoft made some bad decisions and this is a direct result of what happens. Profits fell to 42% because..

1. Tabula Rasa was a bust and I'm not even sure they are even close to breaking even on what it cost to make this game.
2. They spent money purchasing the rights to COH/COV.
3. Wasted alot of time and money on force feeding Dungeon Runners and Exteel to the public. These games had no chance of ever becoming very profitable games. Obviously it shows noone did their homework on the current gaming market to see what people actually like and want.

Instead marketing more proven games such as Guild Wars, Lineage 2 and COH?COV or perhaps even making these 2 games much better gameplay wise they wasted so much time and effort on games that never blossomed.

Oh and I wouldn't hold my breath for any GW2 news or showing anytime soon. They are going to promote Aion until they turn blue and then turn their efforts towards their new console project called Project M which by the way already has a (Ahem) gameplay video of the new game.

Well no matter how you want to slice it the fact remains that good talented people lost their jobs because of poor management. I know it is a part of life but it is still really sad to see happen.

Jetdoc · Aug 15, 2008, 01:12 AM // 01:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmithyBen

someone really want removal of hero cap

Zahr Dalsk can't make a post nowadays without mentioning it or linking to his thread that's on life support in Sardelac.

I agree that Tabula Rasa was a complete bust, and I'm not sure why NCSoft is wasting its precious resources on clearly inferior titles.