News Room Contributor Posts: 8020 Joined: 12 Nov 2002 | Richard Garriott Leaves NCsoft
Tabula Rasa mastermind Richard Garriott has announced that his recent trip into space has inspired him to leave NCsoft to pursue other interests.
In a message posted on the Tabula Rasa forums, Garriott described his experiences developing and releasing the MMOG as "an unforgettable journey," even as he admitted that the game suffered through a "rough launch." He also took the opportunity to thank the fans who have supported the game thus far, as well as the development team's efforts to put out updates and new content every month, "a feat that I think is unusual in MMO development."
"Many of you probably wonder what my plans are, now that I have achieved the lifelong dream of going to space," Garriott wrote. "Well, that unforgettable experience has sparked some new interests that I would like to devote my time and resources to. As such, I am leaving NCsoft to pursue those interests."
"This news is difficult for me to deliver. I am honored to have worked with the team I've had and I'm grateful to the community who makes this game so unique and fun," he continued. "Thank you and farewell."
Observers more cynical than I could be forgiven for questioning the timing of Garriott's departure, which comes not only on the heels of his return from the void but also the news that Tabula Rasa is having a particularly hard go of it. The game was never the huge blockbuster NCsoft had hoped for, and the publisher was recently forced to issue a statement denying rumors that Tabula Rasa was at risk of being shut down. 1Up reported a few days ago that some retailers, including heavyweight GameStop, have stopped carrying the game altogether, while sellers on Amazon are offering new copies for as low as two bucks.
Despite that setback, Garriott still has more than enough cachet in the gaming industry to do pretty much whatever he wants. The only question, then, is whether he still wants to do anything with the videogame industry. Whatever "new interests" it is he's decided to pursue, the next chapter in the saga of Lord British will undoubtedly be mind-boggling, in every possible sense of the word.
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Gone Gonzo Posts: 1416 Joined: 18 Jun 2008 | "I've been inspired to make a first person shooter...about a MARINE, wait no...A SPACE MARINE, and he'll have some awesome armor...yeah yeah! And he'll be trapped in space WITH THE ALIENS! Billiant!" |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1809 Joined: 8 Apr 2008 | sparked some new interests? Unless it's Ultimate Space Frisbee, this could be scary. |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 1844 Joined: 7 Jul 2008 | Richard Garriott leaves NC Soft to attempt to travel to Mars as Grand High Ambassador to Earth British
And in future news, Richard Garriot is dead |
Red Guard Posts: 3558 Joined: 27 Mar 2008 | DeadlyYellow:
"I've been inspired to make a first person shooter...about a MARINE, wait no...A SPACE MARINE, and he'll have some awesome armor...yeah yeah! And he'll be trapped in space WITH THE ALIENS! Billiant!"
Corporal British?
-- Alex |
Gone Gonzo Posts: 4135 Joined: 6 Sep 2008 | Alex_P:
DeadlyYellow:
"I've been inspired to make a first person shooter...about a MARINE, wait no...A SPACE MARINE, and he'll have some awesome armor...yeah yeah! And he'll be trapped in space WITH THE ALIENS! Billiant!"
Corporal British?
-- Alex
No... Master Chief British |
Beat Writer Posts: 222 Joined: 23 Oct 2008 | Run for the hills ! His going to try to make another game! |
Anonymous Source Posts: 8 Joined: 3 Oct 2008 | I loved the old Ultima series...up to about 8.
Been a long time.
Been a long long time since this guy made a game worth playing. |
Copy Clerk Posts: 68 Joined: 29 Sep 2008 | Holy Crap! Lord British didn't age very well, did he? |
Time Lord Posts: 9923 Joined: 13 Feb 2008 | Richard Garriot leaves NCSoft just after Tabula Rasa was voted 'boring'.
So, no change there then. |
Richard Garriott Leaves NCsoft
Tabula Rasa mastermind Richard Garriott has announced that his recent trip into space has inspired him to leave NCsoft to pursue other interests.
In a message posted on the Tabula Rasa forums, Garriott described his experiences developing and releasing the MMOG as "an unforgettable journey," even as he admitted that the game suffered through a "rough launch." He also took the opportunity to thank the fans who have supported the game thus far, as well as the development team's efforts to put out updates and new content every month, "a feat that I think is unusual in MMO development."
"Many of you probably wonder what my plans are, now that I have achieved the lifelong dream of going to space," Garriott wrote. "Well, that unforgettable experience has sparked some new interests that I would like to devote my time and resources to. As such, I am leaving NCsoft to pursue those interests."
"This news is difficult for me to deliver. I am honored to have worked with the team I've had and I'm grateful to the community who makes this game so unique and fun," he continued. "Thank you and farewell."
Observers more cynical than I could be forgiven for questioning the timing of Garriott's departure, which comes not only on the heels of his return from the void but also the news that Tabula Rasa is having a particularly hard go of it. The game was never the huge blockbuster NCsoft had hoped for, and the publisher was recently forced to issue a statement denying rumors that Tabula Rasa was at risk of being shut down. 1Up reported a few days ago that some retailers, including heavyweight GameStop, have stopped carrying the game altogether, while sellers on Amazon are offering new copies for as low as two bucks.
Despite that setback, Garriott still has more than enough cachet in the gaming industry to do pretty much whatever he wants. The only question, then, is whether he still wants to do anything with the videogame industry. Whatever "new interests" it is he's decided to pursue, the next chapter in the saga of Lord British will undoubtedly be mind-boggling, in every possible sense of the word.
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