Lucasart to dump SOE over SWG?

[Acornia]

There is a post over at Gamersgod.com saying that is a rumor going around that Lucasart is very unhappy with SoE over the way they have handled SWG and the story line.

If this is true. One day after Jump to Light Speed goes live, Lucasart will announce the second expansion and that SoE will no longer have any part to do with SWG

If this does comes to pass. I don't think any of us can say for sure how this will effect EQ2 over the long run.

[Zendaken]

Didn't SOE actually code SWG? If so, there's no easy way to just "dump" them with any hope of being able to update and/or release expansions in the near future (like years). Code that big and complex just can't be picked up by another group with any hope of being able to do positive things to it in any short period of time.

(*shrug*)

Zen

[Homeslice513]

Yeah this rumor is going around a lot although I did see a job opening on Lucas Arts for a SWG manager or something to that extent.

It won't be anything that will be fixed in a short time but maybe Lucas Arts will take a new approach to the game. I am curious to see what they come up with :)

[Drucilla]

Is there a link? I'd love to see it.

[Homeslice513]

SWG Director (http://www.lucasarts.com/jobs/descriptions/?ID=director)

I figured this was more of the link you were looking for, everything else I have seen is just rumor talk on forums and such :)

[Grei]

Well, having played SWG during Beta and afterwards, I have to say that it wasn't as well handled as it should've been. Systems were being added all the way to the end of Beta, some without any real testing and there were even major 'balancing' changes made all in the final week that didn't leave any time for testing of those.

Now, as I recall from that time, there was a lot of fingerpointing going on as to who's decision it was to rush the game out. So I'd say the relationship between SOE and LucasArts was already strained back then. Add in the turnover in players (maybe it's higher than other games, maybe lower--I never have bothered to find the stats), the changes in goals and feel of the game (whatever happened to only one or two jedi a server?) within the first year, and so on...well, I won't bother going there.

Needless to say, although I loved the X-Wing and TIE Fighter series of games and I probably would enjoy the Lightspeed expansion just on that basis (though I'm sure within the first week or two, griefers will end up controlling the skies so no one else can get out there), going back to SWG is not in my plans at all--ever.

Grei

[Moonshade]

I wasn't in beta on SWG, but I tried it out and it bored me after only a couple months. I found the crafting a tedious grind, and the adventuring quite lacking. At first the quest machine seemed novel, but I soon bored of the endless 'run 5 miles and kill this hive of X critters' tasks. Also, being forced to sit and watch someone dance didn't help my enjoyment either. This is not intended to be a slam on either SOE or Lucasarts, but SWG just didn't do it for me.

[Oakraven]

SWG Director (http://www.lucasarts.com/jobs/descriptions/?ID=director)

I figured this was more of the link you were looking for, everything else I have seen is just rumor talk on forums and such :)

you have to realise that they also put up gag job offers.

that and they are looking for people with a minimum of 6 years experience developing MMOGs and


Must have successfully developed and managed people, resources and schedules with a world renown software entertainment company.


and


Proven track record of bringing successful online interactive products to market and maintaining flourishing online service.

in short they want to hire Arradune.

and he already has a job.

[Homeslice513]

SOE Pres Statement (http://www.mmgn.com/view.news.php?id=1758)

As rumors go :)

[Grei]

Of course it's in SOE's best interests to put a stop to this rumor, even if it is true. Now if LucasArts had also jumped in there saying that it wasn't true, then the rumor would be looking shakey.

Guess we'll see...maybe LucasArts has some long term plan that they're preparing for in case Lightspeed ends up being a bomb.

Grei