Tag: Electronic Arts

Ultima Online Producer: Support Ultima For Ultima 2


It’s easy to forget sometimes that Ultima Online is still with us. After all, the game enjoys a healthy but quiet community, and the idea that Ultima Online 2 could be a reality was mostly given up on some time ago. Still, the reveal of Ultima Forever, the remake of Ultima 4 as a free to play game, has some fans worried about the future of the ancient MMO they love. In order to quell these thoughts, Jeff Skalski has posted a Letter From The Producer on the Ultima Herald. In the letter, he assures players that Ultima Online will remain stead in its tracks, and that neither Ultima Online or Ultima Forever have had an affect on the development of each other.

Finally, Skalski made a point of Ultima Online 2:

Lastly, for those interested in seeing a UO2.  No surprise announcements on that today, but what I will say by everyone continuing to support UO and Ultima Forever this is the kind of ammunition I need to convince the high level execs that the market is ready for more Ultima.

So fans of the much anticipated and oft-cancelled sequel can take solace in knowing that they aren’t they only ones who would like to see the franchise continue. If you want to see an Ultima Online 2, I suggest making your desires known to the executives at Electronic Arts.

(Source: Ultima Online)

The Old Republic Free To Play, Subscriptions Plummeted


Normally when I open an article with “to the surprise of absolutely no one,” I am exaggerating slightly. However, the announcement today that The Old Republic is heading to a free to play model should come as a surprise to absolutely no one with an internet connection and a finger on the pulse of Electronic Arts. Later this fall, The Old Republic will make its transition, allowing players to experience everything* that a galaxy far, far away has to offer. Players will have access to all eight classes, the complete story content, but will be limited in warzone and flashpoints, as well as space missions, travel functionality, and extremely limited access to the galactic trade network.

So why is Bioware suddenly choosing free to play? Well as the announcement puts it:

We feel that flexibility and choice in playing our game is important for all current and future players. For that reason, we began the exploration of expanding the game to include a Free-to-Play option.

Also, at the investor call today, Electronic Arts announced that subscription numbers dropped below one million (from the last reported figure of 1.3 million in May) but “well above” half a million. More specific subscription figures were not made available. Bioware heralded The Old Republic back in December as “one of the greatest and most ambitious achievements in video game history.”

(Source: The Old Republic)

Bioware Laying Off Employees, Executive Producer Departs


The video game media just loves a doom and gloom news story. With the launch of The Old Republic far in the past, Bioware began laying off staff in May. The layoffs are continuing with the recent restructuring Bioware Austin and the departure of Richard Vogel, Executive Producer. Vogel departs Bioware after joining in 2005.

EA released a statement describing the layoffs as rather expectant.

“As with the launch of any MMO, the size and skillset of the teams needed to maintain the game is different than the ones that built it. Starting in May, there have been staff reductions in the BioWare Austin studio. Some people have been platooned to other projects at BioWare Austin and EA SPORTS/Austin. Others have been released – qualifying personnel receive severance and outplacement assistance.”

The annual shareholder meeting will be taking place soon for Electronic Arts, which will hopefully offer more insight into The Old Republic’s activity. As always, we wish a speedy job search for those affected by the layoffs.

(Source: Massively.com)

Bioware Hit With Layoffs, The Old Republic


Discussing layoffs after a game launches is akin to beating a dead horse. I should know, as the Human Resources director in my old company had brought in a live horse and a baseball bat to give the saying more meat (or to be blunt about it, depending on your flavor of pun). The Old Republic is one of the largest, most stable launches in MMO history. So large and stable in fact, that Bioware laid off an unnumbered amount of staff to keep the system from being too balanced and stable.

Of course this is all conjecture. Layoffs following an MMOs release are to be expected as the game’s requirements shift downward in scope. There isn’t any more detail than what I’ve pointed out here, but if you are interested in some marketing lingo, you can check out Greg Zeschuk’s statement at the Old Republic forums below.

Best of luck to the recently laid, and in case you are still looking for jobs, Turbine is hiring.

(Source: SWTOR Forums)

Rumor: Nexon Making Offers To Purchase Electronic Arts


File this one under pipe dream, Yahoo News is reporting that Nexon has contacted Electronic Arts with an offer to buy the company.

Japanese online game company Nexon reportedly contacted Electronic Arts (EA) about making an offer, according to Bloomberg, citing a South Korean newspaper.

The contact is still a rumor, and even if it holds true does not mean Electronic Arts will respond. EA’s stock has seen a steep decline, down almost 40% since this time six months ago. Also, to clarify: Nexon is primarily a South Korean company, but its headquarters is based in Tokyo, Japan.

(Source: Yahoo News)

TOR Subscribers Will Decline To 1.25 Million In March 2013


Cowen and Company, market analysts, are suggesting that The Old Republic peaked shortly after launch and has begun its decline. The analyst group suggests that Bioware’s announcement of 1.7 million subscribers marks the MMO’s peak, and that by the end of the current fiscal year, The Old Republic will boast 1.25 million subscribers. The current fiscal year ends in March 2013.

A 450,000 subscriber loss over the course of a year? That doesn’t sound too bad. At the very least, the issue Cowen and Company attributes the subscriber loss to sounds simple enough to rectify before the year is out:

“While the game got off to a good start, the relatively light amount of end-game content does appear to be taking a toll.”

Despite this prediction, Cowen and Company goes on to predict that EA will outperform the market by 20% year over year, thanks to The Old Republic and a number of other titles.

(Source: Gamasutra)

Play The Old Republic Free, March 15th Through 19th


You know you’ve been wanting to try out those Old Republics that the kids all seem to be getting into these days. But you don’t want to spend sixty bucks on a game client for a title you might not enjoy? Well, Bioware has your back. Starting March 15th and going through March 19th, you will be able to play The Old Republic absolutely free of charge. There are restrictions: Level is capped to 15 (40 for trade skills) and bound to origin/capital worlds. Weekend pass holders will also be restricted from general/trade/pvp chat, cannot send or reply to email, use the galactic trade network.

It is worth noting that this is not a welcome back weekend, and the offer does not extend if you already own The Old Republic. Prior subscribers who have allowed their payments to lapse are not included in this weekend. If you purchase The Old Republic during this time, the start of your subscription will cancel any remaining time in the weekend pass, so wait until the 19th to redeem your code.

Also, there is a small note that Bioware reserves the right to delete trial characters on abandoned accounts without notice, although there are no plans to do so at this moment.

No, there are currently no plans to delete characters created as part of the Friends of Star Wars: The Old Republic Trial. Should your friend decide to purchase the Game, their trial characters will still be on their account. We do however reserve the right to delete trial characters on abandoned trial accounts without notice.

(Source: SWTOR website)

[Humor] Bioware Permaban Over Meme Misunderstanding


Memes somehow end up being far funnier when the people who perpetuate them end up in trouble by people who don’t “get it.” Take, for instance, the user who was banned from The Old Republic (including the game) for using the meme on the forums “I’m 12 and what is this.” Like any other company operating under the Child Online Privacy Protection Act, Bioware is required to actively monitor their player base and weed out any players who may be under 13.

Still, the humor in Bioware mistaking a meme for an actual confession of age has not eluded internet users. Infuriating, this is not. At least not as frustrating as the users who were warned for posting links to how to cancel your subscription when the option went missing for a good number of users.

Continue reading “[Humor] Bioware Permaban Over Meme Misunderstanding”

Bioware Caves: Offers 48 Hour Grace Period


I hate to use the term “caved,” because it implies that Bioware is conceding to a less than favorable position. MMO launches are great in that when you preorder the game itself, you generally receive a preorder key which allows you access to the head start, and occasionally the beta. This key also tells the developer that you intend, or have, already purchased the game. The problem with ordering your boxed copy online, as people do, is that you can’t always be ensured that your copy will arrive in time for the game’s release. In response, many developers offer grace periods after the head start where players are able to play without requiring their final registration key.

Up until now, the official word from Electronic Arts has been no grace period, at all. Thanks in part to a very fanatical outcry from fans, Bioware announced on the forums that they have reversed their decision and will be allowing a two day grace period for players to enter their details.

While we’ve worked closely with our retailers in the launch territories to ensure copies of Star Wars: The Old Republic are available from our launch date of December 20th, we understand that for those of you who’ve pre-ordered, there may be a concern about getting your copy on time. We’ve heard you want a ‘grace period’ where you can continue to play without having to enter a final product registration code (AKA ‘game code’).

Your 30 days are not affected by this grace period, so technically you could submit your code at the last possible minute and enjoy 32 days instead of the prescribed 30. Now everyone say grace…period.

(Source: The Old Republic forums)

Jagex Looking To Lap Up The Guildford Unemployed


Back in September, Codemasters announced that it would be shuttering its Guildford studio, following the poor performance of Bodycount, the developer’s new first person shooter. Just last week, Electronic Arts announced that their Guildford Studio would be facing redundancy layoffs, or possibly a complete studio closure. On the one hand, EA did state that employees laid off at the studio would be considered for other positions at EA.

Not missing an opportunity to pick up the local talent, Jagex will be holding an event in Guildford to recruit the recently unemployed. The event will take place at the White House Pub on October 25th from 4pm. Last year, Jagex followed a number of other developers in picking up the ex-employees of Realtime Worlds after the studio closed down and APB went offline.