MMO producer steps down to save floundering game.
Today was always going to be an interesting MMO news day, as the high profile Warhammer Online hits shelves. We’ve already seen Blizzard shout about the Wrath of the Lich King release date and start the public testing of the massive pre-expansion 3.02 content patch. But today is Funcom’s turn, with some unconventional noise making.
Firstly it has released the PVP system that was missing at the game’s launch. More specifically, it has released the first five levels’ worth of half of the PVP levelling system. Still to come is the gank-discouraging notoriety system, however, for now, players can access the start of the ‘PVP experience for kills’ part of Age of Conan. This opens up access to five levels of armour, with epic armour and more levels coming in a later patch.
More astonishingly, the game’s director (and Funcom co-founder), Gaute Godager, has fallen on his sword and quit not only the company but game development altogether. His parting statement is slightly depressing, but very Nordic.
“I have done my very best making this fabulous game, but I have concluded there are elements which I am dissatisfied with. I have decided to act on this, and as a result I have chosen to leave Funcom. It is time to get new, fresh eyes on Age of Conan…”
The situation has been clarified on GamesIndustry – he apparently had felt personally responsible for certain aspects of the game that were less than stellar. By handing the game over to ex-Anarchy Online producer Craig Morrison, there are hopes the game can now evolve into what it should be. Of course, there is a long way to go to turn the ship around, especially with the good beta reception to Warhammer Online and the irresistible force that is World of Warcraft.
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