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UO/EA layoffs
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:35 pm
by Red Squirrel
This is kind of scary in a way, and really don't know whats going on and what the future of UO holds.
Right on the heels of hearing from Chris Rabideau (UO Producer) that the entire Ultima Online Development Team is going to be shipped off to Virginia, we're now getting word from sources at EA/Mythic of significant layoffs that took place today too (October 24). Aaron Linde over at Destructoid has the most comprehensive story to date about it, so I direct you to a quote from his article titled Restructuring, layoffs forthcoming at EA, Mythic Studios:
Owing to sagging profits and and a less-than-firm grip on their once invulnerable spot at top of the third party heap, Electronic Arts is looking to make some changes in their corporate structure, starting with Mythic and their Redwood Shores studio. An internal email from a trustworthy source who wishes to remain anonymous reveals that John Riccitiello, CEO of Electronic Arts, has tasked every studio and company within the monolithic publisher with getting their rising costs in line with revenue, which in plain English means layoffs.
The email from Mythic VP Rob Denton was sent to all employees of Mythic and details some of the plans to reduce costs by cutting jobs as well as some actions already taken. Headcount will be managed through "attrition, performance management, stricter hiring guidelines and layoffs". Over the next two months, the Ultima Online team will be moving from EA Redwood Shores to Mythic's Fairfax, VA studio to streamline operations. Meanwhile, a number of employees at both studios have already been let go as of earlier today, with more to follow as EA tightens its belt in the coming months.
For more details, make sure to check out the complete article
As UO Stratics gains more information and details about these developments we will make sure to let you know. Stay tuned.
http://www.destructoid.com/elephant/index.phtml?a=1358
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:1540, old post ID:9719
UO/EA layoffs
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:37 pm
by Halios00
So, basically, let's start backing up the server files and let's take each update with major caution. I read from this article that they'll probably be attacking free servers next, for they're trying to cut costs and free servers are just taking away players that could be playing the paid version. If UO does shut down, can't we continue to run the server, but with no major updates basically from UO, right? It doesn't matter as long as we're cautious and it may actually benefit us, cause the paid players will still be looking for their fix and AoV will be right there with advertising and head off Demise as the leading server! AOV ROCKS!
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:1540, old post ID:9724
UO/EA layoffs
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:20 pm
by Death
Halios00 wrote:So, basically, let's start backing up the server files and let's take each update with major caution. I read from this article that they'll probably be attacking free servers next, for they're trying to cut costs and free servers are just taking away players that could be playing the paid version. If UO does shut down, can't we continue to run the server, but with no major updates basically from UO, right? It doesn't matter as long as we're cautious and it may actually benefit us, cause the paid players will still be looking for their fix and AoV will be right there with advertising and head off Demise as the leading server! AOV ROCKS!
If uo destroys free servers, we should code an ascii version of it. That would be kick ass. All the fun of uo, no lag.
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:1540, old post ID:9725
UO/EA layoffs
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:29 pm
by Red Squirrel
I already got the client part worked out, sorta.
Technically we could get away with that too, since its our server program, and our client, we just need to change the logo and call it something else.
But yes I would backup client data files very carefully, and before updating in case they decide to send off a poison update that trashes the client or something.
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:1540, old post ID:9726
UO/EA layoffs
Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 11:36 pm
by Nosferatu
Naw this has been coming forever its simple.. Origin couldnt stand the pressure that the powerhouse EA brought to them. Sell the game back to Origin and find a way to partnership with them and you will have more money than you will owning it 100%
They buttfucked UO as soon as they got it what did they honestlly expect.. i cant even belive they didnt see this flat out coming. Everyone said if KR releases we quit. Well guess what you force KR down the throats of millions and every game on the shelf has a meaning.
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:1540, old post ID:9728
UO/EA layoffs
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:58 am
by sliptongue69
These retards don't realize that change is and need to make another MMO to be on top again.
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:1540, old post ID:9761
UO/EA layoffs
Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:02 pm
by Dumples
Actually... it's not as big a deal overall. I see this kind of thing happen all the time. Basically, EA has been buying out little companies for a while, and they have a lot of redundancy coming up. With competition in the market, it just means they are trimming fat off the company and retooling there people to potentially work on multiple games instead of individual ones. As to the future of UO, it is pretty much the same. If this new version keeps enough peopleplaying to keep it profitable for a while then it'll stay. As soon as the game stops making money, it goes. With the new KR release and what I read about it, I think they kind of Doomed UO before all the company changes happened. We'll just have to wait and see.
Archived topic from AOV, old topic ID:1540, old post ID:9768