Here are some posts from Mark Jacobs...
QUOTE (Mark Jacobs @ 10-08-2007, 08:10 PM)
Folks,
One potential read of the situation is:
<Mythic closes beta, as expected (so they say)>
<A voice shouts> Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, no, it's the sky falling!
However, here's what I read into Mythic's announcement:
1) They got lots of feedback, some of it saying great things, some saying not so great things, again, as expected. Anyone who has played in an early beta for any MMO has experienced exactly the same thing.
2) They wanted time to iterate, again *as expected*, on the feedback without having to spend time dealing with lots of lots of beta testers and at times, things like bad/inaccurate reports.
3) They wanted to take (1) and (2) into account and really look closely at the final pairing before it goes out to the beta players.
4) Overall, they wanted time to prep before the big guild beta where things really change (numbers wise) to be sure that when their beta goes "wide" that those players have the best impression of the game.
5) They wanted to focus all their resources, which are not unlimited, on (2), (3) and (4) over the next two months (though it could be less if things go extraordinarily well).
OTOH, what do I know? I may be reading too much into their announcement. People never, ever do that do they? Just like a certain Mythic guy never tends to be a tad sarcastic at times, especially at these times. http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif
Mark
P.S. For those that say that Betas of games (online or not) never shut down for periods of time have either (a) never been in a lot of (or any) beta tests; (http://war.magnitudeweb.com/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif a problem with truthfulness; © just looking to cause a stir; (d) all of the above. As someone who has been in lots of beta tests (including our own), this is an expected part of the process. Heck, we even told our beta testers that we would be doing this.
P.S.S. The time to worry is if you ever hear us say something like "We're re-examining the game's core design" or stuff like that. Until then, we'll simply do what we've been doing for the last two years, trying to create a great game based on a great IP for a great community in not a great deal of time (did I work in enough greats in that?????). http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif
P.S.S.S Why are you reading this far down in the page?[/b]
QUOTE (Mark Jacobs @ 10-08-2007, 08:44 PM)
Folks,
I will answer a question (and give you guys some news) though that was asked about crafting in the beta version. As of today, it's not in the current version of the game. OTOH, as of today as well, the system that we are putting in is very cool and just different enough from the other games out there to, I hope, provide lots of fun for the players. I made some changes to the design that the usual crew (Rob, Paul and Jeff) liked a lot and so I'm going to begin talking about in after we open the next stage of beta. I will tell you this though, it is not designed to be a carpal tunnel inducing system and it is not DAoC Rev. II. http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif It's a system I look forward to playing myself.
Mark[/b]