Author Topic: Lead Designer for SWG Killsself (Read 1875 times)

demi · « **on:** September 30, 2008, 07:25:30 PM »

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/86552-Jeff-Freeman-Former-SWG-Lead-Gameplay-Designer-Dies

Jeff Freeman, former Lead Gameplay Designer on Star Wars Galaxies, has tragically taken his own life.

Freeman had previously worked at Spacetime Studios as well as on Ultima Online, but is best known for his stint on Star Wars Galaxies, where he was unfortunate enough to become the public face of the "New Game Enhancements" update, one of the most infamous debacles in MMOG history. In a story from June 2007, Allen Varney detailed how Freeman became the target of gamer rage over the NGE, even though his role in its development was minor.

Despite the fact that he continued to suffer online abuse at the hands of Star Wars Galaxies players unhappy with the NGE changes even after leaving Sony Online Entertainment in late 2006, Freeman's brother clarified that his suicide had nothing to do with the game. "I want everyone to know that it was not SWG that led him to take his life," he said. "He has been troubled for some time. There were a lot of personal issues that tore at him."

A memorial service will be held for Freeman in his hometown of Austin, Texas, on October 2. He was 39.

WTF

T234 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2008, 07:27:59 PM »

Didn't manabyte formerly work at SOE?

demi · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2008, 07:29:40 PM »

I'm looking at his blog, and the latest post was Sep 24...

Eel O'Brian · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2008, 08:38:48 PM »

Quote from: Green Man on September 30, 2008, 08:34:17 PM

Sony kills another one!

and you had the nerve to get pissed over that crack about your dog

check yourself, kid

Phoenix Dark · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2008, 09:27:25 PM »

Green Man=PR? Oh hell no

Phoenix redeemed

RIP to the loss of human life

Smooth Groove · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2008, 09:39:03 PM »

Ban both PR and PD. Fuckers.

demi · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2008, 09:39:51 PM »

Quote from: Green Man on September 30, 2008, 08:34:17 PM

Sony kills another one!

Come on now, I defended you from what PD said... smh

y2kev · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2008, 09:40:08 PM »

Green Man

demi · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2008, 09:40:45 PM »

I dunno what Sony has to do with this. He was working at Spacetime Studios at the time.

Hitler Stole My Potato · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2008, 09:48:17 PM »

So someone fill me in on this "New Game Enhancements" and why it got these homos so fired up.

Eric P · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2008, 09:56:55 PM »

Quote from: Hitler Stole My Potato on September 30, 2008, 09:48:17 PM

So someone fill me in on this "New Game Enhancements" and why it got these homos so fired up.

Another major update called the "New Game Enhancements" (abbreviated as NGE) was implemented on 15 November 2005 and became available in retail on 22 November 2005 as the Star Wars Galaxies: Starter Kit.[38] Major changes included the reduction and simplification of professions, simplification of gameplay mechanics, and Jedi becoming a starting profession. Media outlets such as CBS News, New York Times, New York Post and Wired Magazine criticized the reduced depth and complexity of the game.[39][40][41][42][43], but John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment, defended the decision claiming it necessary to revamp the game in order to reverse the deterioration they were seeing in the subscriber base.[44] SOE offered refunds on the Trials of Obi-Wan expansion due to it being released two days before the NGE was implemented.[45] The development team affirmed this was their desired direction for the game and that they would modifying parameters to address player's concerns.[46] Features such as expertise trees were later added to the game to add complexity and differentiation to characters. After the announcement that SOE had acquired the game Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Smedley addressed that game's players about the perceived threat of major changes to the game:

We've learned a thing or two with our experiences with the NGE and don't plan on repeating mistakes from the past and not listening to the players.

Joe Molotov · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2008, 10:26:51 PM »

I hope this isn't how Dyack ends up. :'( We still love you here, Denis!

ManaByte · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2008, 10:27:38 PM »

Here's how the NGE happened...

Lucasarts: "We want WOW"

SOE: "SWG isn't WOW..."

Lucasarts: "Make SWG WOW."

SOE: "Uh, you can't."

Lucasarts: "Make SWG WOW or die."

SOE: "Uh, you can't."

Lucasarts: "Ok we made SWG WOW. Implement this or die."

demi · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2008, 10:35:31 PM »

Quote from: Joe Molotov on September 30, 2008, 10:26:51 PM

I hope this isn't how Dyack ends up. :'( We still love you here, Denis!

I'm friends with Denis on Facebook

ManaByte · « **Reply #14 on:** September 30, 2008, 10:36:02 PM »

Quote from: demi on September 30, 2008, 10:35:31 PM

Quote from: Joe Molotov on September 30, 2008, 10:26:51 PM
I hope this isn't how Dyack ends up. :'( We still love you here, Denis!

I'm friends with Denis on Facebook

Get him to come here.

demi · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2008, 10:37:52 PM »

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v321/88/104/778605370/n778605370_3792100_668.jpg

*squirt*

Positive Touch · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2008, 10:45:20 PM »

Shuri · « **Reply #17 on:** September 30, 2008, 11:59:47 PM »

Quote from: T234 on September 30, 2008, 07:27:59 PM

Didn't manabyte formerly work at SOE?

Manybyte says lots of things

Olivia Wilde Homo · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2008, 12:15:26 AM »

Quote from: demi on September 30, 2008, 10:37:52 PM

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v321/88/104/778605370/n778605370_3792100_668.jpg

*squirt*

He has some huge fucking man tits. C or D cup I reckon.

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2008, 02:46:28 AM »

this really sucks, and fuck anyone who jokes about it

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2008, 06:55:20 AM »

Quote from: demi on September 30, 2008, 10:37:52 PM

http://photos-e.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-snc1/v321/88/104/778605370/n778605370_3792100_668.jpg

*squirt*

Separated at birth?

My condolences to the guy's family, sucks.

ManaByte · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2008, 09:04:51 AM »

Quote from: Shuri on September 30, 2008, 11:59:47 PM

Quote from: T234 on September 30, 2008, 07:27:59 PM
Didn't manabyte formerly work at SOE?
Manybyte says lots of things

I worked at SOE from SWG launch, and then again from NGE launch until last year with some time at Blizzard in the middle.

Kestastrophe · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2008, 09:20:29 AM »

^I thought you drove semi-trucks?

Howard Alan Treesong · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2008, 06:02:40 PM »

Quote from: ManaByte on October 01, 2008, 09:04:51 AM

Quote from: Shuri on September 30, 2008, 11:59:47 PM
Quote from: T234 on September 30, 2008, 07:27:59 PM
Didn't manabyte formerly work at SOE?
Manybyte says lots of things

I worked at SOE from SWG launch, and then again from NGE launch until last year with some time at Blizzard in the middle.

as a GM

demi · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2008, 06:14:52 PM »

Would it turn you on?

WrikaWrek · « **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2008, 06:32:59 PM »

Too bad for him.

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Author Topic: Lead Designer for SWG Killsself (Read 1875 times)