Official: 2008 Goals - Year-end Update · on 12/20/2008

[thefarmer]

>Previously announced highlights

Magic, Combat, & Technical Systems
Monks/Minor Mentalist spells/unarmed combat Progress ongoing, expected mid-2009 play-testing
Alchemy: Phase II 75 new recipes released; remainder ongoing
Premium homes upgrade Delayed due to staffing changes; expected for mid-2009
Mining/Smelting Delayed due to staffing changes; expected for late 2009
Archery/Thrown weapons update Expected late Spring 2009
New spells & spell upgrades Ongoing
Lore skill reviews Minor Spirit, Major Spirit, Cleric, and Empath circle reviews complete; non-native lores updated; Minor Elemental, Major Elemental, and Wizard circles currently under review


Towns & Communities
CHE updates Ongoing (highlights include upgrades to Aspis theatre, Twilight, Paupers, Willow Hall, Obsidian Tower, & White Haven.)
MHO updates Ongoing
Ta'Illistim Cleric Guild Released in January
Ta'Illistim Library Tabled due to mid-year guru change
Cysaegir lockers Released in February
River's Rest town and hunting area expansions Completed
Zul Logoth hunting area and town updates Ongoing; hunting area delayed until 2009
Teras expansion & updates Ongoing
Glaesen Star updates Released in June
Gladiator Arena Delayed due to staffing changes; expected for Spring 2009
Historical/racial documentation Ongoing
Events, Promotions, and Platinum
Wonders of Elanthia Released in April
Ebon Gate (ticketed) Released in October
Highman Games Delayed until late 2009
Mist Harbor expansion & hunting area In progress; hunting area delayed until 2009
Premium Contests/raffles/events Ongoing
Plat-only storylines Ongoing (see below for releases to date)
Custom titles Ongoing
Platinum Contests/raffles/events Ongoing


CE Systems
Player Mail Delayed due to staffing changes, but in progress
Instanced Uber Quest Tabled
Many command upgrades Always ongoing

[thefarmer]

Instanced Uber Quest Tabled

This made me ROFL

[Jahira]

So monks will be played-tested in mid 2009 and released late 2050

[Stretch]

I think Simu deserves to get bailed out.

[Jahira]

Simu needs more than a bailout

[Fallen]

I confess myself disappointed. There is nothing to look forward to for quite some time.

[Makkah]

Yea, I think this does it for my account. As of the 29th, I'll be out for a while.

[Methais]

Monks/Minor Mentalist spells/unarmed combat Progress ongoing, expected mid-2009 play-testing

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/ha-ha-ha2.jpg

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Well all three mage circles are being reviewed... not sure if that's good or bad.

I agree though, anything worth looking forward too is mid 2009. What a shitty year.

[Methais]

Well all three mage circles are being reviewed... not sure if that's good or bad.

I'm sure it'll be bad. They'll probably nerf immolate so that having 202 ranks makes hit like it does now with no fire lore, and make loreless immolate just be fluff messaging.

[diethx]

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/ha-ha-ha2.jpg

I dunno man, GS4 HappyTimez has GM word that it's coming soon omg srsly!

[Seran]

I wonder how many folks have just signed up for Warhammer.

[Renian]

Archery/Thrown weapons update Expected late Spring 2009

This still fucking scares me.

[Drew]

What GM just quit because he was pissed at management?

[Mathari]

This still fucking scares me.
Me too.

[Stretch]

A lot of the people who were cranking out a lot of the mechanic releases have left staff or drastically reduced hours over the past few years.

Luckily, they were replaced by people who have a very strong penchant for playing Gemstone Barbie, so the Gemstone community can continue to be treated to things like updated documentation and room description changes.

[Stretch]

This still fucking scares me.

Ranged has been due for a nerfing for some time now. It will get beaten with a bigger nerf stick than DC.

I'm guessing Thrown will be improved slightly to make it viable without buying a 40m bandolier. There is absolutely 0 reason to do Thrown as it is now.

[GS4_HappyTimez]

I dunno man, GS4 HappyTimez has GM word that it's coming soon omg srsly!

Funny you should mention it. The GM in charge of and plugging away hard at monks (not MnM, but monks and unarmed) was practically pushed out because not only of creative differences, but because of trying to shift him to other areas of the game. He was on track to have the profession out by the end of LAST month until they pushed him so hard, he said screw it.

Trust me, they area far enough along to see clips of, but not far enough for someone to just pick them back up and finish them. Life sucks, I guess.

[thefarmer]

Proof?

[diethx]

Proof?


Who needs proof?!?! His word is gold!!!!!!!!!!!1111

[That Jay]

What GM just quit because he was pissed at management?

I give up. Who?

[Rocktar]

Yeah, just fucking sad. I have seen volunteer organizations with far less staff produce much more in less time. Want to fix GS, then maybe look at the people at the rudder and toss them from the boat and not the folks that have been busting their fucking asses for years turning our loads of the best and most popular stuff.

Morons!

Oh, and Disney has a place, it is in Florida, get it the fuck out of GS.

Rocktar the Fucking Scumbag

[Danical]

Funny you should mention it. The GM in charge of and plugging away hard at monks (not MnM, but monks and unarmed) was practically pushed out because not only of creative differences, but because of trying to shift him to other areas of the game. He was on track to have the profession out by the end of LAST month until they pushed him so hard, he said screw it.

Trust me, they area far enough along to see clips of, but not far enough for someone to just pick them back up and finish them. Life sucks, I guess.

Coase left, as I understand it, because his life is srs bsns and didn't have the time.

[Danical]

Also, I'm more than a little upset about no 110 area.

I was hoping for the 110 area to be out before StarCraft2 and/or DiabloIII.

Once those games come out, NO MOAR GS.

[Tea & Strumpets]

Funny you should mention it. The GM in charge of and plugging away hard at monks (not MnM, but monks and unarmed) was practically pushed out because not only of creative differences, but because of trying to shift him to other areas of the game. He was on track to have the profession out by the end of LAST month until they pushed him so hard, he said screw it.

Trust me, they area far enough along to see clips of, but not far enough for someone to just pick them back up and finish them. Life sucks, I guess.

Everyone tried to explain to you that were an idiot, but all you had to say is that everyone would be sorry when you turned out to be right.

Anyway, apology accepted (even though your whole post is once again filled with bullshit).

[Askip]

Monks/Minor Mentalist spells/unarmed combat Progress ongoing, expected mid-2009 play-testing

Premium homes upgrade Delayed due to staffing changes; expected for mid-2009

Mining/Smelting Delayed due to staffing changes; expected for late 2009

Archery/Thrown weapons update Expected late Spring 2009

Minor Elemental, Major Elemental, and Wizard circles currently under review

Ta'Illistim Library Tabled due to mid-year guru change

Zul Logoth hunting area and town updates Ongoing; hunting area delayed until 2009

Gladiator Arena Delayed due to staffing changes; expected for Spring 2009

Highman Games Delayed until late 2009

Mist Harbor expansion & hunting area In progress; hunting area delayed until 2009

Player Mail Delayed due to staffing changes, but in progress

Instanced Uber Quest Tabled

Simu does not like to list projects on their to-do list unless they are fairly certain of completion, yet that's a fairly long list of things that did not get done this year. Seems like there is a MAJOR staffing problem, tsk.
:D

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

Sirina is running the ship and I am sure she'll get some awesome stuff done - with one big assumption being that she has the power to do so. My guess is that Gemstone is just a cash cow and true resources and staff for it are not planned for, nor will they ever be.

Without advertising, Gemstone is doomed to die. Just a matter of time before the core player base is reduced enough that long term players stop coming back.

[Skeeter]

looks like the major accomplishments of 2008 were holding pay events.

[Silvanostar]

if whatley is too cheap to actually hire gms instead of driving volunteers into the ground, then fuck it, whats the point of continuing to support the game.


I wonder how many folks have just signed up for Warhammer.

i actually went back to vanguard b/c they're having another free month promotion as well as a free 14 day trial.

[Seran]

Honestly, the game has reached a saturation point where even hired GMs aren't going to get rid of the bad taste in everyones mouth. To be honest, the game fills a niche that will never completely evaporate due to those of us with nostalgia.

There will always be population swings based off of in-game releases, but on the same coin people will always leave just as soon as a new non-Simu title comes out.

I know alot of people got disenchanted when the GS4 convert came around, and those of us who're still around are the meat and potatoes of the game. But what they need to realize is that each price increase drives another nail into the perverbial coffin.

[Rimalon]

Who wants to join Gnimble and I's StarCraft 2 Guild?!

You have to not suck.

Also, I can't wait for them to post the 2009 Goals list. Or an updated Staff List. I will lol some more.

[Belnia]

I'll play your little game, rogue.

In the mean time you should come over to Warcraft 3 and have some AoS-y fun. Or we could all play Diablo 2 for nostalgia.

[Stretch]

The only thing more lame than Starcraft is Iron Maiden.

[Methais]

The only thing more lame than Starcraft is Iron Maiden.

You're a disgrace to all asians, calling Starcraft lame.

[Stretch]

I got a surprising amount of negative rep for bashing Starcraft (assuming no one cares about the Iron Maiden comment, which is almost assuredly true).

:(

[Belnia]

Starcraft is serious business, sir. (Not that I gave you negative rep for it, just pointing it out.)

[Ignot]

If you would have just said Starcraft was lame I would have foregone the neg rep but Iron Maiden? Why.....

[Danical]

The only thing more lame than Starcraft is Iron Maiden.

Eddie and I will fucking kill you!


I got a surprising amount of negative rep for bashing Starcraft (assuming no one cares about the Iron Maiden comment, which is almost assuredly true).

:(

AS YOU SHOULD. (i didn't do it).


If you would have just said Starcraft was lame I would have foregone the neg rep but Iron Maiden? Why.....

He's targeting me because I think both are awesome independently but together they rule on high (Aces High???)? NOTHING IS BETTER THAN LISTENING TO RUN TO THE HILLS WHILE RIMALON'S FORCES RETREAT (I have a 1 win - 2934809238409238409283 loss record against him).

[DontDieSteve]

I think 2008 was milking us for money time because Whatley wanted a new Lexus for Christmas.

I think they'll have monks rolled out by years end 2009. Next Christmas basically.

I also think that YES, Coase left due to creative differences with monks + a bit of no time for a game because of life factor.

I think monks + unarmed combat will suck hardcore. This is a repeat of GM Giacomo back during the 90's when he tried and tried and pleaded with management to make Warriors NOT SUCK and had all these awesome ideas ready to go but management shot him down quick and so he left.

For some reason this dumbshit game is entirely based around spellcasters.

Alchemy -- Management: WAY COOL!

Unarmed combat system with 9 different styles and Real Time combo movement action super deep system -- Management: BOO! It's not MAGICAL and thus doesn't support my/favorite profession!

And yes, w/o ads this game is digging itself into the grave.

[Renian]

Ranged has been due for a nerfing for some time now. It will get beaten with a bigger nerf stick than DC.

I'm guessing Thrown will be improved slightly to make it viable without buying a 40m bandolier. There is absolutely 0 reason to do Thrown as it is now.

If ranged gets beaten with that big of a nerf stick I'll cry man-tears. But at any rate, I don't think I'll mind if the DF of ranged gets nerfed...just the RT, really. I aim for soft spots as it is and have some awesome AS, so yeah.

What they need to do with thrown is just make it so all thrown weapon bases are auto-retrieved, and make it so non-thrown bases (the ones that are in the bandoliers) aren't, but have a higher DF.

[Enceladus]

GS lost a LOT of its coding backbone over the last year and a half or so. The (somewhat) good news is that the current crop of new GMs are currently in the middle of their training, and shouldn't have more than a couple of months before they're finally set loose.

That's the main reason, I think, why most things seem to be pushed to mid-2009, because that'll probably be around the time that all those "mostly finished" projects will have been reassigned to the new GMs and worked on.

That is, obviously, an optimistic outlook, and as we all know, having one of those in regard to anything Simu-related gets you little more than packed fudge and a lingering soreness in your posterior orifice.

[Senglent]

That is, obviously, an optimistic outlook, and as we all know, having one of those in regard to anything Simu-related gets you little more than packed fudge and a lingering soreness in your posterior orifice.

:lol2:

[Hecates]

Me too.same here

[Drunken Durfin]

I wonder how many folks have just signed up for Warhammer.

Pre-order box still sitting unopened on my desk.

[joehollywood]

Who wants to join Gnimble and I's StarCraft 2 Guild?!


ooooh me me me

[Shifted]

GS lost a LOT of its coding backbone over the last year and a half or so. The (somewhat) good news is that the current crop of new GMs are currently in the middle of their training, and shouldn't have more than a couple of months before they're finally set loose.

That's the main reason, I think, why most things seem to be pushed to mid-2009, because that'll probably be around the time that all those "mostly finished" projects will have been reassigned to the new GMs and worked on.

That is, obviously, an optimistic outlook, and as we all know, having one of those in regard to anything Simu-related gets you little more than packed fudge and a lingering soreness in your posterior orifice.

Soon

Copyright 1987-2008 Simutronics. All rights reserved. "Soon" does not imply any particular date, time, decade, century, or millennia in the past, present, and certainly not the future. "Soon" shall make no contract or warranty between Simutronics and the end user. "Soon" will arrive some day, Simutronics does guarantee that "soon" will be here before the end of time. Maybe. Do not make plans based on "soon" as Simutronics will not be liable for any misuse, use, or even casual glancing at "soon."

[Martaigne]

Soon

Copyright 1987-2008 Simutronics. All rights reserved. "Soon" does not imply any particular date, time, decade, century, or millennia in the past, present, and certainly not the future. "Soon" shall make no contract or warranty between Simutronics and the end user. "Soon" will arrive some day, Simutronics does guarantee that "soon" will be here before the end of time. Maybe. Do not make plans based on "soon" as Simutronics will not be liable for any misuse, use, or even casual glancing at "soon."

Win.

[Lord Orbstar]

I wish Mr. Whatley would respond to some of these criticisms and a real picture of where they stand and their plans for the future. Not gaming tweaks...the plans for Gemstone and SIMU as an entity.

Whiners and Complainers can create a self-fulfilling prophecy of "this game/place/thing/situation sucks". Having said that, I have played off and on since GS3 went live on AOL. My reasons for joining were due to the fact the game was based on RoleMaster, which I enjoyed at the time. That game and era are long dead.

I would love for SIMU to actually give us a long term vision and reason to support the game and company as something more than an old game in a dead genre.

There are plenty of assholes here that would flame him and not give him a chance, but there are those of us that would like to hear an Honest assessment from the owner too.

Of course, some of those assholes would not be that way had SIMU as a corporation been mindful and respectful of their real assets: the customer.

-Richard

[Lord Orbstar]

oh and what the hell is reputation. I never clicked on that little scale of justice before...

[Carnivale]

I wish Mr. Whatley would respond to some of these criticisms and a real picture of where they stand and their plans for the future. Not gaming tweaks...the plans for Gemstone and SIMU as an entity.

Whiners and Complainers can create a self-fulfilling prophecy of "this game/place/thing/situation sucks". Having said that, I have played off and on since GS3 went live on AOL. My reasons for joining were due to the fact the game was based on RoleMaster, which I enjoyed at the time. That game and era are long dead.

I would love for SIMU to actually give us a long term vision and reason to support the game and company as something more than an old game in a dead genre.

There are plenty of assholes here that would flame him and not give him a chance, but there are those of us that would like to hear an Honest assessment from the owner too.

Of course, some of those assholes would not be that way had SIMU as a corporation been mindful and respectful of their real assets: the customer.

-Richard


This really hits the nail on the head for me.

The 30% production rate can be forgiven, but making your customers liaise with you via thankless, uninformed, and underpaid employees is Faceless Corporatism 101. Strategies like this end with everyone but the owner feeling powerless and under-appreciated, which explains the general sentiment of much of the player-base as well as the revolving door policy that governs the Simu workforce.

Customers should never be put in a position where offering constructive criticism is a matter of conscience.

[Drunken Durfin]

From the officials:

>I haven't run the numbers myself, but a thread on the unofficials pretty scathingly found that 30% of goals had been completed. - ALEXX1523

>>What? A thread on those boards being scathing and negative?!! I simply can't imagine! Who'da thunk it? What's the World coming to! - HILLMANM

>>>Yeah, it is pretty amazing what some people will point out and comment on when there is no fear of disciplinary action. - Me

Does this count as warn-bait?

[diethx]

I dunno if it's warn-bait, but it sure was funny. So then yes, probably.

[Carnivale]

You have half the customers sitting there confusing criticism of Simu Business with criticism of Thankless Simu Employees, and the other half of the customers defending themselves as well-meaning individuals, because they started off with a decent point but couldn't stave off the same confusion, or they've gotten caught up in the argument.

I'd say that this is clearly long-term business suicide... but... it keeps... working....

Meh I need to eat something. I'm not thinking or writing clearly.

[Carnivale]

By the way... with all the PC bashing going on at the officials....

I'm sure that this is abundantly clear to everyone, but just so that -I- know that we're all on the same page...

We do know that the quasi-nude avatar's are 98% of the reason why the unofficials aren't taken more seriously... right?

Not that the unofficials should necessarily want to be taken seriously by the officials in an official capacity, persay, but the unofficials should officially acknowledge that at least, unofficially speaking, we know why we're not taken seriously on the officials. I'm speaking here, of course, in an unequivocably unofficial fashion.

EDIT: I should probably mention that I don't not enjoy looking at said avatars, it's just that when I see them I assume that their owners' opinions are as baseless and derivative as they are geriatric. I know that this is unreasonable and makes me a bad person. I also harshly judge people based on their taste in music, and decide whether certain human beings are worth saving in wildfires based on the movies they watch.

[Rimalon]

What the fuck?

[Drew]

By the way... with all the PC bashing going on at the officials....

I'm sure that this is abundantly clear to everyone, but just so that -I- know that we're all on the same page...

We do know that the quasi-nude avatar's are 98% of the reason why the unofficials aren't taken more seriously... right?

Not that the unofficials should necessarily want to be taken seriously by the officials in an official capacity, persay, but the unofficials should officially acknowledge that at least, unofficially speaking, we know why we're not taken seriously on the officials. I'm speaking here, of course, in an unequivocably unofficial fashion.

EDIT: I should probably mention that I don't not enjoy looking at said avatars, it's just that when I see them I assume that their owners' opinions are as baseless and derivative as they are geriatric. I know that this is unreasonable and makes me a bad person. I also harshly judge people based on their taste in music, and decide whether certain human beings are worth saving in wildfires based on the movies they watch.


Your posts aren't taken seriously because they are rambling and only semi-coherent. :love:

[thefarmer]

http://www.evolvefish.com/fish/media/T-NeverUnderestimate.gif

[diethx]

Oh noes my avatar has teh quasi-nude of OFFENDING DOOM. Oh, wait, nope.

[Drunken Durfin]

By the way... with all the PC bashing going on at the officials....

I'm sure that this is abundantly clear to everyone, but just so that -I- know that we're all on the same page...

We do know that the quasi-nude avatar's are 98% of the reason why the unofficials aren't taken more seriously... right?

Not that the unofficials should necessarily want to be taken seriously by the officials in an official capacity, persay, but the unofficials should officially acknowledge that at least, unofficially speaking, we know why we're not taken seriously on the officials. I'm speaking here, of course, in an unequivocably unofficial fashion.


I thought we were not taken seriously on the officials for much the same reason people were burned alive by the Church for claiming that the Earth was not flat.


. . . I also harshly judge people based on their taste in music, and decide whether certain human beings are worth saving in wildfires based on the movies they watch.

I did the same thing when I was a medic.

Me: "What is your favorite scene from Highlander?"
Patient with broken arm: "Which episode?"
Me: "Clear!"
~BRZZZAAAPPPTTT~
Me: "Time of death, 12:02pm"

[Celephais]

We do know that the quasi-nude avatar's are 98% of the reason why the unofficials aren't taken more seriously... right?
I have avatars disabled because I can't focus on posting with them enabled.

Oh noes my avatar has teh quasi-nude of OFFENDING DOOM. Oh, wait, nope.
Aww... I checked your profile to see your avatar. I WAS LET DOWN!!!

[Carnivale]

Your posts aren't taken seriously because they are rambling and only semi-coherent. :love:

It's true, I find the medium of message boards to be unwieldy. =(

But I do appreciate the sparkling love emoticon as a response to my awful condemnation of fellow human beings. =D

Here, you can have one...

:love:

There you are.

[Drew]

That almost gives me as much of a warm fuzzy feeling as the semi-nude avatars.

[diethx]

Aww... I checked your profile to see your avatar. I WAS LET DOWN!!!

Haha, my avatar, not my profile picture! IM ME MMKAY.

[Celephais]

Haha, my avatar, not my profile picture! IM ME MMKAY.
I have to view profiles in order to see avatars, and THEN I UNLEASED THE CAP LOCKS FUCKING FURY. Wait, was that Instant Message me, or I am me?

[Drew]

IM her just to be safe.