*mourns Sanya*
She has truly pressed the issue of community management, and EA Mythic seems to have instantly unlearned all she and Richard did for the community. Truly sad.
*mourns Scott*
I shall follow him to whatever new MMO land he finds himself in! He's so enthusiastic, and a great leader, great passion for the industry. It's hard not to be excited for whatever he's going to be working on!
And of course, my hero Raph. Go Areae! GO!!
Why Do They Leave? Inquiring Minds Want to Know
In this industry, you'll see names and faces come and go like yesterday's weather. Some have more impact than others, and yet they still tend to leave us before we're ready to say goodbye. Why is that, I wonder? While I'm not entirely certain, it is still a question that needs to be asked. If for no other reason than in hopes of getting a response from someone, somewhere.
Considering the nature of our business, it's expected to see many changes in short periods of time. Game updates, expansions, changes, etc. It's not only expected, it's demanded by the players paying for their entertainment. But what many do not expect, and usually do not demand, is a "changing of the guard" in staff on the development teams. Or in our favorite journalists, editorialists, or comics. However, clashes of perspective, desires to do more, faster, and shiney things in the distance tend to take its toll on people.
While this article is not in-depth, nor is it earth shattering, I still felt the need to think about the people that have gone this last year, and hopefully in the process have you remember some that have impacted your lives as well.
People come, people go, but they never really disappear. Rather, you find them popping up somewhere to your left under a completely unexpected banner, and you're naturally overjoyed to be reunited with your long, lost buddy. And also just as naturally curious as to what they've been up to. So just where do they go when they leave their posts we've become so accustomed to seeing them at? Who knows, really... until they decide to tell us.
One of the more recent moves - completely unexpected ones at that - was the announcement of Scott Hartsman stepping down as the Senior Producer for EQII at Sony Online Entertainment. Now, while the title is definitely in good hands with the infamous Bruce Ferguson stepping up to the table, it is no wonder that the community is left wondering just what in the hell happened and why is Gallenite leaving them? Some say that this is a move that has been long in the making, merely because of Scott's desire to start on a project at its inception, and others say that there is some disgruntlement within SOE. However... all is rumor until one, the other, or both speak up.
Another sudden change recently was the much-discussed and volatile subject of Jeff Gertsmann and his separation from GameSpot. That particular topic resounded world-wide over the internet and was the topic of many news articles for up to two weeks after it occurred. Many people were curious as to what truly occurred and began to develop their own ideas. And, while much of what we know to be true is really just rumor, one fact is undeniable. Gamespot fired an employee with over a decade of service under his belt, with undisclosed cause, and there is a gag order on the whole deal which lends it a bit of an underhandedness that will find credibility in the hearts of some.
Regardless of the reasons why these individuals that are so influential in our lives just pick up and move, from a players' perspective the move being sudden, it is still common for individuals in the gaming industry to sit still for short periods of time. They come in, have an impact (for better or for worse), and then move on.
Look at Raph Koster, one of the most innovative developers of our time... a pioneer in the industry, whose vision and intelligence have created in many a sense of almost profound awe... has his longest tenure at one company being a period of five years. However, in his 11 years of work in the industry, he has paved the way for many innovators and thinkers to go beyond the bounds of what was at the time "the accepted norm". In other words, Raph shared his ideals and it turns out that he had some pretty good concepts. Yet, in late 2006, he decided to set out on his own, and established Areae, Inc., where we hope to see him continue his legacy in the MMO industry.
One of the other more shocking moves in recent times is Sanya Thomas, who was with Mythic Entertainment/EA Games for many years before moving on. And she held the title of "longest lasting", in her own words. According to Sanya, the parting was mutual... but once again, when you are as successful at she was, why do you leave? Some speculated she was leaving to join Areae, Inc., and she herself is not commenting on it at her blog (although no recent entries there have been made). Regardless, she has been missed by many - and her groundbreaking in the Community Management aspect of the industry will not soon be forgotten.
Why is it, then, that these people are so fluid in their positions? If they're good at something, and successful at it enough to be missed when they're gone, why leave in the first place?
Some have moved on to new titles, others to new aspects of the industry. And yet there are some that leaving the MMO work to others more entertwined with it, so that they themselves can return to goals they once had before they entered the realm of online gaming. Now, they enjoy it as a casual player rather than as a paycheck. But, if you ask them - I bet they'd say it was worth it.
Regardless of their reasons, I know that many of us will miss those that have moved on to adventures outside of the box. And for those that remain with us in our own little world, we hope to see you again soon, in whatever new story you have found!
Considering the nature of our business, it's expected to see many changes in short periods of time. Game updates, expansions, changes, etc. It's not only expected, it's demanded by the players paying for their entertainment. But what many do not expect, and usually do not demand, is a "changing of the guard" in staff on the development teams. Or in our favorite journalists, editorialists, or comics. However, clashes of perspective, desires to do more, faster, and shiney things in the distance tend to take its toll on people.
While this article is not in-depth, nor is it earth shattering, I still felt the need to think about the people that have gone this last year, and hopefully in the process have you remember some that have impacted your lives as well.
People come, people go, but they never really disappear. Rather, you find them popping up somewhere to your left under a completely unexpected banner, and you're naturally overjoyed to be reunited with your long, lost buddy. And also just as naturally curious as to what they've been up to. So just where do they go when they leave their posts we've become so accustomed to seeing them at? Who knows, really... until they decide to tell us.
One of the more recent moves - completely unexpected ones at that - was the announcement of Scott Hartsman stepping down as the Senior Producer for EQII at Sony Online Entertainment. Now, while the title is definitely in good hands with the infamous Bruce Ferguson stepping up to the table, it is no wonder that the community is left wondering just what in the hell happened and why is Gallenite leaving them? Some say that this is a move that has been long in the making, merely because of Scott's desire to start on a project at its inception, and others say that there is some disgruntlement within SOE. However... all is rumor until one, the other, or both speak up.
Another sudden change recently was the much-discussed and volatile subject of Jeff Gertsmann and his separation from GameSpot. That particular topic resounded world-wide over the internet and was the topic of many news articles for up to two weeks after it occurred. Many people were curious as to what truly occurred and began to develop their own ideas. And, while much of what we know to be true is really just rumor, one fact is undeniable. Gamespot fired an employee with over a decade of service under his belt, with undisclosed cause, and there is a gag order on the whole deal which lends it a bit of an underhandedness that will find credibility in the hearts of some.
Regardless of the reasons why these individuals that are so influential in our lives just pick up and move, from a players' perspective the move being sudden, it is still common for individuals in the gaming industry to sit still for short periods of time. They come in, have an impact (for better or for worse), and then move on.
Look at Raph Koster, one of the most innovative developers of our time... a pioneer in the industry, whose vision and intelligence have created in many a sense of almost profound awe... has his longest tenure at one company being a period of five years. However, in his 11 years of work in the industry, he has paved the way for many innovators and thinkers to go beyond the bounds of what was at the time "the accepted norm". In other words, Raph shared his ideals and it turns out that he had some pretty good concepts. Yet, in late 2006, he decided to set out on his own, and established Areae, Inc., where we hope to see him continue his legacy in the MMO industry.
One of the other more shocking moves in recent times is Sanya Thomas, who was with Mythic Entertainment/EA Games for many years before moving on. And she held the title of "longest lasting", in her own words. According to Sanya, the parting was mutual... but once again, when you are as successful at she was, why do you leave? Some speculated she was leaving to join Areae, Inc., and she herself is not commenting on it at her blog (although no recent entries there have been made). Regardless, she has been missed by many - and her groundbreaking in the Community Management aspect of the industry will not soon be forgotten.
Why is it, then, that these people are so fluid in their positions? If they're good at something, and successful at it enough to be missed when they're gone, why leave in the first place?
Some have moved on to new titles, others to new aspects of the industry. And yet there are some that leaving the MMO work to others more entertwined with it, so that they themselves can return to goals they once had before they entered the realm of online gaming. Now, they enjoy it as a casual player rather than as a paycheck. But, if you ask them - I bet they'd say it was worth it.
Regardless of their reasons, I know that many of us will miss those that have moved on to adventures outside of the box. And for those that remain with us in our own little world, we hope to see you again soon, in whatever new story you have found!
Tags: Editorial, GeneralNews