Lance Stites, the Executive Vice President of the NCsoft West Game Production Studio, has written a letter for the player communities that I would like to share with you:
Hello to all,
I wanted to address the community to share some changes, and interesting news. It is with mixed emotions that I share the news of my departure. I’ve been with NCsoft for 8 or so of the last ten years, and have considered it my home; however, I’ve decided that it’s time that I hand the reins over. I’ll be taking a bit of a sabbatical, and spending time with my family touring some of America’s National Parks.
Looking forward, NCsoft has some great initiatives in the works. As you’re probably aware, the team is busy working on the localization, creative writing, and voice over work to prepare for the Aion: Empyrean Calling (2.5) update. In addition to this update, the community is focused on bringing you smaller “interest events.†On the strategic level, the company as a whole is looking further out to the next major update as the team works to deliver the “vision†of Aion that was shared last year.
Aion Producer Chris “Kinslon†Hager left NCsoft several weeks ago to explore other opportunities—I’m grateful to have had the chance to work with him and I wish him the very best. To shepherd the product through the game’s updates and ongoing live service, I’m thrilled to share the news that Sean Neil has been promoted to NCsoft West’s Aion Producer. Sean has been on the team supporting Aion since the beginning, initially working on the Localization team and then joining the Aion team as an Associate Producer last year. Sean displays a passion coupled with a healthy dose of common sense that’ll ensure a great performance in this role. Sean has a max level Asmo Asasssin, and dabbles with other alts. (If you knew Sean, you could believe the Asmodian part, but he strikes me as much more of a Gladiator—if you’re at the bus stop late at night, he’s a good guy to have waiting with you.)
As for Lineage II, we also have some team news: please join me in congratulating Marissa McWaters on her promotion to Lineage II Producer. As you may know, the High Five update was released last month—this was a positive update because it was simply a culmination of player requests all wrapped up to meet the player’s needs and desires. We’ll have more to share soon about the exciting things coming to the game. Later this year we’ll be releasing another major update that will offer some of the most significant changes Lineage II has seen during its life cycle.
Finally, the Lineage team is really hitting its stride and delivering specific content as requested from the player base in addition to frequent expansions. The recent events have been very popular and it’s great to see a climbing player base as the word gets out about the positive changes. We’re closing in on the 10th Anniversary of the product and it’s been a great experience to be a part of an MMO that’s seen such a long life.
NCsoft has a few other things in the works as well, including ArenaNet’s highly anticipated Guild Wars 2 which has already been touted as the “next big thing,†has been recognized for its excellence, including gamescom’s Best Online Game and PAX’s Best of Show last year. The lineup of products coming soon, and in development is incredible. It’s a great time to be an NCsoft fan. I know I always will be…see ya’ll in-game!
If you plan a major update for Lineage II this year, does it mean we will have GoD live at the same time as Korea ? =)
i dont think so,probably few months after korea
If you plan a major update for Lineage II this year, does it mean we will have GoD live at the same time as Korea ? =)
NCKorea feels that long discussions before the actual update take away from the impact that update should have on the players. Therefore it is their declared aim to get out the foreign versions very soon after an update has gone live in Korea: http://gametsg.yatta.com.tw/lineage2/index.php?view=article&articleid=315579&viewboard=1
(stanleyrei's translation)
Intresting. I wonder if they are anxious to make it before TERA hits western markets....
Why should the NCwest worry about, the TERA release on the western market?
Statistics shows, that the TERA don't mean danger to Lineage 2, Lineage and AION games. It can be mean danger to Guild Wars 2 and to Blade & Soul. Anyway I think the Goddess of Destruction just will release at us at second half of autumn while it will release in Korea August-September.
Well thanks, this letter! I hope your plans will be successful!
Why should the NCwest worry about, the TERA release on the western market?
Statistics shows, that the TERA don't mean danger to Lineage 2, Lineage and AION games. It can be mean danger to Guild Wars 2 and to Blade & Soul. Anyway I think the Goddess of Destruction just will release at us at second half of autumn while it will release in Korea August-September.
Well thanks, this letter! I hope your plans will be successful!
I am not sure what statistics you refer to. Can you link them please?
As for impact, just check the TERA forums and see how many clans from Aion are there ready to move (already recruiting for TERA) and you'll get my drift...
... Later this year we’ll be releasing another major update that will offer some of the most significant changes Lineage II has seen during its life cycle. ...
So they are going to update to Lineage III ?
Or GoD is just a new update like "High Five" , "Gracia" ,etc ?
I am not sure what statistics you refer to. Can you link them please?
As for impact, just check the TERA forums and see how many clans from Aion are there ready to move (already recruiting for TERA) and you'll get my drift...
Well, in the MMO world already be some idiot peoples who are always move to newest and newest MMOs. At this moment the TERA is one of newest MMO in the market.
I follow always the Korean netcaffee's results about this statistics shows, that the Lineage 2 and AION's results didn't decreased while the TERA is on the market.
The reason is simple the TERA got to itself a total new player base who still before didn't play MMO. This is why the TERA could get at the start time a bigger playerbase, but Korean magazines and websites already write about it, that a lots of players has started leave the TERA. You can get there max level under 1 week and after nothing interesting contents some instances, some pvp thats all. So Maybe under short time the TERA will successful longer time, but later really not sure.
Anyway first of all the important for us the Lineage 2 player base and I only heard 1-2 peoples who plans to try it. Next of them if the NCsoft will release the Goddess of Destruction at us with 2-3 months later as the TERA release here and the GoD will good Lineage 2 will can lure many ppls from TERA.