VirginWorlds MMORPG News Host: Brent VirginWorlds is a weekly news podcast covering Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs) such as World of Warcraft, EverQuest, Guild Wars, City of Heroes, Eve Online, Vanguard, Lord of the Rings Online and many many more. The VirginWorlds MMORPG Podcast is the flagship podcast of the VirginWorlds MMO Podcast Collective found at http://www.virginworlds.com
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- Age of Conan - VivenActiBlizzarddiVision - Face of Mankind - GoonWorld - Warhammer Online - World of Warcraft - Flagship - Lively - More KOTOR - Runescape HD - DC Universe - Voicemails from Ron and Hoss
'Ron' by darrenl Submitted on 2008-07-16 09:12:38 CST Thanks very much for you comments on SUWT. Very kind, sir.
I'm happy you like the show.
'Thanks for the kind words.' by hoss Submitted on 2008-07-16 10:51:20 CST And yes that was Hoss in the second call (Rogers Wireless has is's moments).
I had a moment of fear when you mentioned my site (it's like having others look your garage that is completely in disarray, I should really do some cleaning up).
Anyway, Brent I know what you are saying about other people's code, when ever I start a new project I send to reinvent the wheel, however when it comes to web stuff I'm really not proficient enough to get anything done in any time frame. I have found that the drupal api (api.drupal.org) is quite well documented and versatile. but I appreciate where you are coming from on that.
After watching the DC Universe stuff during the Sony Press Event, I think I was more impressed with that showing over the small bit they showed of the Agency... but I was really impressed with Zipper Interactive MAG (Massive Action Game), perhaps not a strict MMO but sounds like it could be compelling as a FSP (at least for a noob like me).
Hey, and where are them Monday Night WoW Recordings :)
Anyway, as usual keep up the excellent work.
'Thanks for the kind words.' by hoss Submitted on 2008-07-16 11:04:17 CST And yes that was Hoss in the second call (Rogers Wireless has is's moments).
I had a moment of fear when you mentioned my site (it's like having others look your garage that is completely in disarray, I should really do some cleaning up).
Anyway, Brent I know what you are saying about other people's code, when ever I start a new project I send to reinvent the wheel, however when it comes to web stuff I'm really not proficient enough to get anything done in any time frame. I have found that the drupal api (api.drupal.org) is quite well documented and versatile. but I appreciate where you are coming from on that.
After watching the DC Universe stuff during the Sony Press Event, I think I was more impressed with that showing over the small bit they showed of the Agency... but I was really impressed with Zipper Interactive MAG (Massive Action Game), perhaps not a strict MMO but sounds like it could be compelling as a FSP (at least for a noob like me).
Hey, and where are them Monday Night WoW Recordings :)
Anyway, as usual keep up the excellent work.
'Hmm.. odd. ' by hoss Submitted on 2008-07-16 11:04:52 CST I refreshed (F5) and posted a second time
'Great Podcast: About SWG...' by Checksix Submitted on 2008-07-16 16:14:54 CST I have one word: SPACE.
The space part of the game is VERY good and always has been. I highly suggest it. I'm not a fan of the ground game but hey, there are some who enjoy it.
Also, message me with your character name, I'm Hess in the YaMB guild. I'm also playing Conan so if you'd like to team up send a shout. I'm currently playing on Stormrage but I can alt some where if you'd like to.
Checksix
'What No TwT Love?' by Shalimar616 Submitted on 2008-07-16 17:07:11 CST `What? Scott doesn't listen to Travels with Troy or EQual Perspective? I am bummed!!
Troy
'Thanks Ron!' by Shawn Submitted on 2008-07-17 12:32:15 CST I was so flattered by your comments about how I was the first podcast you listened to. Those are always my favorite bits of feedback, and I'm glad it was a gateway into VW, SUWT and all the others you now enjoy!
'FSS & HGL - what went wrong?' by Lostinspace Submitted on 2008-07-18 13:10:02 CST OK so HGL isn't an MMO, but the ripples left by what should have been a blockbuster launch is very likely going to sour the thoughts of financiers of future MMO projects!
I'm still totally baffled by the financials. Where did the all the money go - consider that the preorder was popular ($5) the box flew off the shelves at ($50) at launch they also sold and untold numbers of ($150) founders accounts like hotcakes. Does anyone have the final total figures between launch and end of Q1 2008? Heck, they were putting out news bulletins of massive Asian sales right up until only a few weeks ago.
It certainly had all the appearance of what would traditionally be considered "massively successful". The founders accounts were strong but the regular subscriptions were going to be a stretch given the limited in-game events/content incentives until Stonehenge.
So what went wrong? Did all the financiers of the 4 years of development call in their markers, suck the well dry and spit out the carcass? Then Bill had to go secure evergreen funding by selling a creating marketing plan to a bank - methinks that was the start of the death spiral :(
----------------- This should have been the first warning sign --------
Flagship Studios, creators of Mythos (PC) and Hellgate: London (PC), announced today that it has secured financing with Texas-based Comerica Bank to support the continuing development of its franchises.
Comerica Bank stated that it is using an independent film financing model as the basis for a multi-million dollar financing package, which is backed by the sale and distribution rights for Hellgate: London.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So Bill Roper and the other FSS principals sets up a deal with a bank in a seriously down market seeking a cash injection against the future potential sales of the IP for all media types. What was he (and for that matter the bank) thinking? I suspect that this deal perhaps was not as "secured" as the news report suggests :(
I suspect this will poison the funding well for future MMO projects for some time to come.
Hmm - time to dust off the old MMOs - maybe back to UO or SWG for me!
Lostinspace
'Hold the bus on FSS! Things aren't as dire as first thought?' by Lostinspace Submitted on 2008-07-23 14:08:43 CST Seems that HGL continues, patches and game enhancements are continuing - the forums are returning to normal though the subscriptions are stillon hold I believe. Sure there were layoffs and we woudl expect that former FSS employees would be somewhat miffed over the redundancies - but the lights are still on and there's life in the ol HGL still!
'Latest FSS - is Namco Bandai a White Knight?' by Lostinspace Submitted on 2008-07-23 19:04:14 CST A post from Zach Karlsson from NB in the HGL forums indicates a bail-out. This is consistent with one of their major business drivers of porting HGL to the 360 and PS3 consoles. Looks like the 2.0 and 2.1 "Abyss" content patch will come out.
'Ron' by darrenl
Submitted on 2008-07-16 09:12:38 CST
Thanks very much for you comments on SUWT. Very kind, sir.
I'm happy you like the show.
'Thanks for the kind words.' by hoss
Submitted on 2008-07-16 10:51:20 CST
And yes that was Hoss in the second call (Rogers Wireless has is's moments).
I had a moment of fear when you mentioned my site (it's like having others look your garage that is completely in disarray, I should really do some cleaning up).
Anyway, Brent I know what you are saying about other people's code, when ever I start a new project I send to reinvent the wheel, however when it comes to web stuff I'm really not proficient enough to get anything done in any time frame. I have found that the drupal api (api.drupal.org) is quite well documented and versatile. but I appreciate where you are coming from on that.
After watching the DC Universe stuff during the Sony Press Event, I think I was more impressed with that showing over the small bit they showed of the Agency... but I was really impressed with Zipper Interactive MAG (Massive Action Game), perhaps not a strict MMO but sounds like it could be compelling as a FSP (at least for a noob like me).
Hey, and where are them Monday Night WoW Recordings :)
Anyway, as usual keep up the excellent work.
'Thanks for the kind words.' by hoss
Submitted on 2008-07-16 11:04:17 CST
And yes that was Hoss in the second call (Rogers Wireless has is's moments).
I had a moment of fear when you mentioned my site (it's like having others look your garage that is completely in disarray, I should really do some cleaning up).
Anyway, Brent I know what you are saying about other people's code, when ever I start a new project I send to reinvent the wheel, however when it comes to web stuff I'm really not proficient enough to get anything done in any time frame. I have found that the drupal api (api.drupal.org) is quite well documented and versatile. but I appreciate where you are coming from on that.
After watching the DC Universe stuff during the Sony Press Event, I think I was more impressed with that showing over the small bit they showed of the Agency... but I was really impressed with Zipper Interactive MAG (Massive Action Game), perhaps not a strict MMO but sounds like it could be compelling as a FSP (at least for a noob like me).
Hey, and where are them Monday Night WoW Recordings :)
Anyway, as usual keep up the excellent work.
'Hmm.. odd. ' by hoss
Submitted on 2008-07-16 11:04:52 CST
I refreshed (F5) and posted a second time
'Great Podcast: About SWG...' by Checksix
Submitted on 2008-07-16 16:14:54 CST
I have one word: SPACE.
The space part of the game is VERY good and always has been. I highly suggest it. I'm not a fan of the ground game but hey, there are some who enjoy it.
Also, message me with your character name, I'm Hess in the YaMB guild. I'm also playing Conan so if you'd like to team up send a shout. I'm currently playing on Stormrage but I can alt some where if you'd like to.
Checksix
'What No TwT Love?' by Shalimar616
Submitted on 2008-07-16 17:07:11 CST
`What? Scott doesn't listen to Travels with Troy or EQual Perspective? I am bummed!!
Troy
'Thanks Ron!' by Shawn
Submitted on 2008-07-17 12:32:15 CST
I was so flattered by your comments about how I was the first podcast you listened to. Those are always my favorite bits of feedback, and I'm glad it was a gateway into VW, SUWT and all the others you now enjoy!
'FSS & HGL - what went wrong?' by Lostinspace
Submitted on 2008-07-18 13:10:02 CST
OK so HGL isn't an MMO, but the ripples left by what should have been a blockbuster launch is very likely going to sour the thoughts of financiers of future MMO projects!
I'm still totally baffled by the financials. Where did the all the money go - consider that the preorder was popular ($5) the box flew off the shelves at ($50) at launch they also sold and untold numbers of ($150) founders accounts like hotcakes. Does anyone have the final total figures between launch and end of Q1 2008? Heck, they were putting out news bulletins of massive Asian sales right up until only a few weeks ago.
It certainly had all the appearance of what would traditionally be considered "massively successful". The founders accounts were strong but the regular subscriptions were going to be a stretch given the limited in-game events/content incentives until Stonehenge.
[IMG]http://hellgate.iahgames.com/Images/Uploads/Controls/Image/HL-073.jpg[/IMG]
So what went wrong? Did all the financiers of the 4 years of development call in their markers, suck the well dry and spit out the carcass? Then Bill had to go secure evergreen funding by selling a creating marketing plan to a bank - methinks that was the start of the death spiral :(
----------------- This should have been the first warning sign --------
Flagship Studios, creators of Mythos (PC) and Hellgate: London (PC), announced today that it has secured financing with Texas-based Comerica Bank to support the continuing development of its franchises.
Comerica Bank stated that it is using an independent film financing model as the basis for a multi-million dollar financing package, which is backed by the sale and distribution rights for Hellgate: London.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So Bill Roper and the other FSS principals sets up a deal with a bank in a seriously down market seeking a cash injection against the future potential sales of the IP for all media types. What was he (and for that matter the bank) thinking? I suspect that this deal perhaps was not as "secured" as the news report suggests :(
I suspect this will poison the funding well for future MMO projects for some time to come.
Hmm - time to dust off the old MMOs - maybe back to UO or SWG for me!
Lostinspace
'Hold the bus on FSS! Things aren't as dire as first thought?' by Lostinspace
Submitted on 2008-07-23 14:08:43 CST
Seems that HGL continues, patches and game enhancements are continuing - the forums are returning to normal though the subscriptions are stillon hold I believe. Sure there were layoffs and we woudl expect that former FSS employees would be somewhat miffed over the redundancies - but the lights are still on and there's life in the ol HGL still!
'Latest FSS - is Namco Bandai a White Knight?' by Lostinspace
Submitted on 2008-07-23 19:04:14 CST
A post from Zach Karlsson from NB in the HGL forums indicates a bail-out. This is consistent with one of their major business drivers of porting HGL to the 360 and PS3 consoles. Looks like the 2.0 and 2.1 "Abyss" content patch will come out.