Savant?

[Pistashio]

Is this profession idea Dead or Alive? Has Simu given up on this profession completely? Granted there is typically only around 2-300 accounts running at peak times and during events so I don't know if the ROI would be worth it to Simu... any thoughts?

[Donquix]

RSN, due out 2004

[Elgrim]

RSN is correct.

I think Simu has given up on development as a whole. They just keep feeding the gerbils that keep the PC that runs the game powered.

Efforts are currently focused on any and all microtransactions to siphon more $$$ from the remaining players before they die of old age.

[Androidpk]

There is still plenty of development happening, they've just decided not to share details on anything until they actually release it. I do wish they would bring back the yearly goals list. Slackers.

[TheLastShamurai]

There is still plenty of development happening, they've just decided not to share details on anything until they actually release it. I do wish they would bring back the yearly goals list. Slackers.

I found the goal list misleading; now a list of what they're actively working on would be pimp.

[Donquix]

RSN is correct.

I think Simu has given up on development as a whole. They just keep feeding the gerbils that keep the PC that runs the game powered.

Efforts are currently focused on any and all microtransactions to siphon more $$$ from the remaining players before they die of old age.

I'm a pretty big critic but this has been one of the best years they had development wise in a long, long time.

[Kithus]

I found the goal list misleading; now a list of what they're actively working on would be pimp.

- Scripting Checks
- Pay Events
- Everyone in the office playing Pathfinder or TF2 instead of answering their e-mail according to Solomon (http://watchplayread.com/wpr-interview-with-eric-latham-producer-for-gemstone-iv/)


The fun thing about R.O.W.E. that I mentioned before, sometimes in the middle of the afternoon people just decide “It’s Pathfinder time!” and head to the big table and start playing or someone will fire up Team Fortress 2 and the next thing you know, everyone else is loading up Steam and logging in, too.

[Tgo01]

It costs Simu peanuts to run this game so anything they do to improve the game will almost always have a huge ROI.

[Astray]

I cringe when I see how long its been in development.

[Donquix]

I cringe when I see how long its been in development.

I love using it as an example though when I try to explain the incomprehensible nature of simu's longevity. "Like yeah, they announced two new classes at this convention. Then like 4 years later they put up an update on their website about how one of them was going to be released. Then it never happened, and they took the page down, and the class was released like 10 years AFTER THAT. The other isn't even whispered about. In that time, people came into young adulthood, went to college, graduated with CS degrees, formed startups with friends and released entire graphical games...before they added a single new class to their text based game"

[Astray]

Man that is pathetic.

[Taernath]

siphon more $$$ from the remaining players before they die of old age.

It's strange, but I don't think there are any other MMOs where that's a real concern.

People in their 20's and 30's during the AOL days are now in their 40's and 50's. Teenagers are now in their 30's. Fuck.

[Taernath]

I'm a pretty big critic but this has been one of the best years they had development wise in a long, long time.

You kind of touched on this in your second post, but it's only impressive when compared to their previous track record. In the time it takes for them to release a moderate-major mechanical update or class, other games have developed and released entire expansions. Granted, development team size, etc. etc. but still.

[Astray]

I can't imagine Gemstone being a difficult thing to develop for. Not on par with the average P2P or F2P.

[Gelston]

You kind of touched on this in your second post, but it's only impressive when compared to their previous track record. In the time it takes for them to release a moderate-major mechanical update or class, other games have developed and released entire expansions. Granted, development team size, etc. etc. but still.

Those other games also have full time staff. As far as I know, Simu only has a few full time staff positions in the entire company, and they mostly don't work on the text games.

[Astray]

I'll acknowledge that they don't have anywhere near the amount of staff but take a look at what people can do as a hobby, in their spare time. Then compare a couple of people working on a text game as a job.

Oh wait, they don't work on a text game... they work on other stuff that's pretty garbage.

[Tgo01]

I'll acknowledge that they don't have anywhere near the amount of staff but take a look at what people can do as a hobby, in their spare time. Then compare a couple of people working on a text game as a job.

Oh wait, they don't work on a text game... they work on other stuff that's pretty garbage.

Look at everything Tillmen has done for GS and he just does it for donations and he has often been credited with GS still being around.

[Astray]

Look at everything Tillmen has done for GS and he just does it for donations and he has often been credited with GS still being around.

Exactly my point.

[Thondalar]

Look at everything Tillmen has done for GS and he just does it for donations and he has often been credited with GS still being around.

I think GS would still be around, but I don't think it would maintain average numbers like it does. As long as Whatley makes just enough to keep the hamster wheels spinning with enough left over to buy another 8-ball, GS will still be here.

[Tgo01]

I think GS would still be around, but I don't think it would maintain average numbers like it does. As long as Whatley makes just enough to keep the hamster wheels spinning with enough left over to buy another 8-ball, GS will still be here.

True. I can only really speak for myself and I highly doubt I would be playing GS without lich so that's like 23 accounts right there.

[Thondalar]

True. I can only really speak for myself and I highly doubt I would be playing GS without lich so that's like 23 accounts right there.

Eh, I would still play it. I got along for 16 years or so without Lich.

This, in NO way, invalidates Lich in even the slightest...it has certainly enhanced the game in immeasurable ways, and has surely contributed directly to (conservatively) a third of the current player base being there that probably wouldn't otherwise.

[Viekn]

True. I can only really speak for myself and I highly doubt I would be playing GS without lich so that's like 23 accounts right there.

I don't know. If lich were never created, I'd probably still have my maps out going s,s,s,s,sw,sw,s,s. I think we probably got spoiled once lich did come out.

[Gelston]

True. I can only really speak for myself and I highly doubt I would be playing GS without lich so that's like 23 accounts right there.

I imagine it'd be the same numbers/near the same numbers as now. Lich is great after you've had it, but before it the game didn't seem all that bad either.

[Rallorick]

It costs Simu peanuts to run this game so anything they do to improve the game will almost always have a huge ROI.

ROI is calculated on incremental volume, which simu simply won't get on content development, unless you count core business defense, which they don't seem to really be concerned with. The only activity they can really justify with ROI would be their microtransactions... which, oddly enough, is pretty slack.