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Leaving SOEMarch 24th, 2006 |
So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE.
Why? Well, I’ve been here for gosh, almost six years maybe? It’s been a good ride, and I think we’ve gotten to do some really fun and interesting work. But I am getting interested in doing some stuff that is a bit off the beaten path — really, anyone who has been reading the blog can see that! — and while SOE feels it’s really cool stuff, it’s just not where they are at right now. My contract was up, and it was the right time to poke my head up and look around, that sort of thing. It’s all quite friendly, and actually, I hope that I’ll work with SOE again in the future, because there’s a lot of wonderful talent here and a lot of cool technology, and a lot of friends.
So, sometime soon here I’ll be off on my own. Nope, no announcements about plans or anything. I don’t have a new studio in my back pocket, I don’t have a job lined up, any of that. And… we’ll see what comes. I’m thinking sleeping in next week sounds good.
Oh — the old email still works, for now. You can always post a comment or use the email addy at the bottom of this page to reach me, too.
All sort of anti-climactic, huh? 
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[...] Bloggers Leaving SOE 51 min 47 sec old, Raph’s Koster Website [...]
[...] Raph finally weighs in. It will be interesting to see his next step. Perhaps another book?_________________Grimwell - Editor in Chief [...]
[...] [...]
[...] Officially confirmed. [...]
[...] http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24/leaving-soe/#more-404 [...]
[...] Link: Leaving SOEWeitere News zum Thema: Raph Koster verl�sst Sony Online Entertainment Sony Online Entertainment setzt auf EnterpriseDB Advanced Server 8.1 WHO: Hinter den Kulissen WHO: Umfangreiches Update der Homepage WHO: Erstes Video Preview und Concept Arts Diskussion im Forum:Raph Koster �ber seinen Weggang von SOE Dieses Thema wird verlinkt von: [...]
[...] Apprentice Member Registered: 5/24/05 Posts: 17 For those that don’t know and for those that do. Here it is straight from the man himself. http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24/leaving-soe/#more-404 [...]
[...] Raph Koster - Blog: Leaving SOE So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE. [...]
[...] Former UO and SWG designer Raph Koster updated his blog confirming that he has left SOE: [...]
[...] Raph Koster - Blog: - - - So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE.[...]
[...] Prior to joining SOE’s Austin studio, Koster was part of the Ultima Online team at Origin Systems. In addition to Galaxies, Koster was instrumental in the development of EverQuest II at SOE. Raph himself also talks about the departure on his own BLOG: Leaving SOE So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE. Why? Well, I’ve been here for gosh, almost six years maybe? It’s been a good ride, and I think we’ve gotten to do some really fun and interesting work. But I am getting interested in doing some stuff that is a bit off the beaten path — really, anyone who has been reading the blog can see that! — and while SOE feels it’s really cool stuff, it’s just not where they are at right now. My contract was up, and it was the right time to poke my head up and look around, that sort of thing. It’s all quite friendly, and actually, I hope that I’ll work with SOE again in the future, because there’s a lot of wonderful talent here and a lot of cool technology, and a lot of friends. So, sometime soon here I’ll be off on my own. Nope, no announcements about plans or anything. I don’t have a new studio in my back pocket, I don’t have a job lined up, any of that. And… we’ll see what comes. I’m thinking sleeping in next week sounds good. [...]
[...] kostner fired, SWG license gone soon SOE boss Koster is leaving , ?!! think Sigil will hire him so he does not take his ’skills’ to Bioware? Also rumors in place Lucas Arts is pulling it’s license for SWG from SOE ? PS anybody know what happened to EQ2 Creative Director Trost ?? Is he with Sigil now ! [...]
[...] Gamespot is reporting that Raph Koster, chief creative officer of Sony Online Entertainment (SOE), has resigned from his position at SOE "to pursue development interests outside of the company." Koster’s departure isn’t the only news involving SOE. There is also a rumor circulating that SOE would soon lose the rights to the Star Wars license. Read Gamespot’s take on it here, and read Raph’s side of it here. [...]
[...] Creative boss departs; SOE says strategic goals of company and man “don’t match.” Raph Koster, chief creative officer of Sony Online Entertainment, and one of the leaders behind the development of Star Wars Galaxies, has left the company, SOE reps confirmed today. Based in Austin, Texas, Koster is widely considered an expert when it comes to the design of massively multiplayer online games. He often participates in event panels and maintains an active blog that focuses on the nuances of the genre. Koster is leaving his post of six years “to pursue development interests outside of the company,” SOE said. “Although his current interests take him into areas that don’t match SOE’s strategic goals, we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.” Prior to joining SOE’s Austin studio, Koster was part of the Ultima Online team at Origin Systems. In addition to Galaxies, Koster was instrumental in the development of EverQuest II at SOE. Koster’s departure wasn’t the only piece of scuttlebutt making the rounds today, but it was perhaps the most accurate. There was also a rumor circulating that SOE would soon lose the rights to the Star Wars license–and suffer the fate of having to delete or otherwise retire the “Star Wars” component of its Galaxies MMORPG title; SOE called that speculation “completely untrue.” And in related news, industry sources confirmed to GameSpot that Sony Online vice president of business development Cindy Armstrong would soon assume a high-level role at Webzen America, the stateside outpost of Korean giant Webzen. Noting that the US subsidiary has no CEO, it is likely Armstrong will take over in that capacity. A Webzen rep told GameSpot the company “doesn’t have a contract with her” and emphasized “there are no formal announcements, and we cannot confirm [speculation].” http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24/leaving-soe/#more-404 [...]
[...] single player games, but MMO developers had better watch out.ReadPermalinkEmail thisLinking BlogsComments[0] [...]
[...] Referential Integrity Raph KosterJohn Smedleylong winded blog postsRaph is sleeping in next week [...]
[...] Raph leaves SOE confirmed. Looks like the rumors of SOE “losing” SWG are false, but it does appear that BioWare Austin is doing something in the MMO field and is getting cozy with LA._________________ HoriZons Clan | My Blog | My Space [...]
[...] irascignavojo (irascignavojo) wrote in myraworld,@ 2006-03-25 22:20:00 Entry tags:virtual world Raph Koster left SOE, but not to join Myra yet Raph Koster, who put major creative input into Everquest2 and StarWars:Galaxies (and is known for giving insights to the gaming industry and MMOGs in his blog and his “A Theory of Fun in Game Design” book), is leaving Sony Online Entertainment. [...]
[...] Krones follows this up with more information and an excellent summary of what this means. Gamasutra then officially announced Raph’s Departure, and finally, Raph posted on his blog. [...]
[...] General News The rumours circulating earlier this week that Star Wars Galaxies designer Raph Koster has decided to leave Sony Online Entertainment. A post of his weblog today confirms the rumour.Why? Well, I’ve been here for gosh, almost six years maybe? It’s been a good ride, and I think we’ve gotten to do some really fun and interesting work. But I am getting interested in doing some stuff that is a bit off the beaten path — really, anyone who has been reading the blog can see that! — and while SOE feels it’s really cool stuff, it’s just not where they are at right now. My contract was up, and it was the right time to poke my head up and look around, that sort of thing. posted by cro on 25/03/2006 at 19:10:13 link Older News [...]
[...] So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE. Why? Well, I’ve been here for gosh, almost six years maybe? It’s been a good ride, and I think we’ve gotten to do some really fun and interesting work. But I am getting interested in doing some stuff that is a bit off the beaten path — really, anyone who has been reading the blog can see that! — and while SOE feels it’s really cool stuff, it’s just not where they are at right now. My contract was up, and it was the right time to poke my head up and look around, that sort of thing. It’s all quite friendly, and actually, I hope that I’ll work with SOE again in the future, because there’s a lot of wonderful talent here and a lot of cool technology, and a lot of friends. So, sometime soon here I’ll be off on my own. Nope, no announcements about plans or anything. I don’t have a new studio in my back pocket, I don’t have a job lined up, any of that. And… we’ll see what comes. I’m thinking sleeping in next week sounds good. Oh — the old email still works, for now. You can always post a comment or use the email addy at the bottom of this page to reach me, too. All sort of anti-climactic, huh? http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/2…g-soe/#more-404 __________________ "Computer games don’t affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we’d all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." — Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989 [...]
[...] Voodoo Extreme » News » story Koster on Leaving SOE document.write(”"); document.write(”"); March 24, 2006 - Former UO and SWG designer Raph Koster updated his blog confirming that he has left SOE: So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE. [...]
[...] So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE. Why? Well, I’ve been here for gosh, almost six years maybe? It’s been a good ride, and I think we’ve gotten to do some really fun and interesting work. But I am getting interested in doing some stuff that is a bit off the beaten path — really, anyone whoWarhammer Online von Mythic Entertainment. has been reading the blog can see that! — and while SOE feels it’s really cool stuff, it’s just not where they are at right now. My contract was up, and it was the right time to poke my head up and look around, that sort of thing. It’s all quite friendly, and actually, I hope that I’ll work with SOE again in the future, because there’s a lot of wonderful talent here and a lot of cool technology, and a lot of friends. So, sometime soon here I’ll be off on my own. Nope, no announcements about plans or anything. I don’t have a new studio in my back pocket, I don’t have a job lined up, any of that. And… we’ll see what comes. I’m thinking sleeping in next week sounds good. Oh — the old email still works, for now. You can always post a comment or use the email addy at the bottom of this page to reach me, too. All sort of anti-climactic, huh? Link: Leaving SOE 150)?150:this.scrollHeight)”> __________________ The tools suck! — Raph Koster [...]
[...] Raph Koster leaves SOE Reply Quote This was mentioned somewhere in another post but here is Koster’s blog confirming the news: http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24/leaving-soe/ [...]
[...] Comments [...]
[...] mich interessiert ja nun wirklich, wo Raph Koster als nächstes hin geht. Mein Tip ist Bioware Koster war Creative Director bei SOE. Ob er für die Katastrophe NGE auch verantwortlich ist, weiss ich nicht. Mir fällt da nur ein Zitat von Koster ein: “Cross plattform games are the future” … und das jetzige SWG sieht sehr nach solch einen Versuch aus. Aber schauen wir mal, was so die Tage passiert … achja, Koster’s Blog: http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24/leaving-soe/#more-404_________________hab ich nicht … [...]
[...] Leaving SOE [...]
[...] I know its been widely reported everywhere, but in case you missed it, Raph Koster is leaving SOE. Koster himself has made a comment on his blog. Im surprised he lasted as long as he did, not because I disagree with what he does, but the sheer volume of faeces flowing his way over the internet over the years has been truly phenomenal. I coudlnt have done what he does and stayed sane. I doubt very much we have seen the last of Mr Koster._________________AusGuard: The ANZAC Vanguard Community The Raids of Southern Armada [...]
[...] Koster Departs SOE I first read this rumor on Plaguelands which linked to Kotaku. Only it isn’t a rumor anymore according to Gamespot. Raph Koster and SOE have parted ways. And here’s Raph’s own post on the news.While I suppose you can take this as a negative for SOE in losing what is definitely a well-known name in the industry, I wonder if they feel that way internally. To the best of my knowledge, Koster was no longer working on SWG. So what exactly did he do from 9-5 at SOE? Upcoming games, perhaps? I honestly have no idea. But I imagine he drew a larger salary than your average game designer. And, on the other side of the coin, he was probably frustrated or bored without a game to have a direct impact on. So I have to think this move makes sense for both parties.As for Raph Koster, people are clearly divided on their views of him. Many basically idolize him and view him as a great games philosopher of sorts. Then you have those who blame him for SWG’s faults and think his reputation is largely undeserved.Since I haven’t really played all of the games he worked on, I’m going to stay out of that fray for now. I did read A Theory of Fun and that was certainly an entertaining and enjoyable book I would recommend to people curious about basic game design concepts. I have the book on my coffee table and even non-gamers love to pick it up and browse it. So for putting together a book on fun that is, itself, fun to read, I do give Raph credit. But I’m not going to connect being a good author and illustrator with being a great game designer. I’m not saying he isn’t either.If Raph is going to start his own game development studio I will let him stand or fall on his own merits. If that happens, there will be no real outside influences to blame or to take credit. If the game is great I will praise it. If not I will trash it. I do wish him luck because I want to play great games so I hope he makes one. If he goes to another game company (Bioware rumors abound) then it will be a bit harder to tell whether his impact is positive or negative.The rumors which preceded the announcement also had SOE losing the Lucas license for SWG and Bioware (KOTOR remember?) getting a license to make a Star Wars game. I don’t think those rumors are worth commenting on. I honestly don’t believe them though I may just be naive. But there’s now an official denial.***Quick Note: Aggroculture and EQ2Daily’s Brownie Troop had their first staged battle on the PvP server along with some friends from United Alliance. It was a great time and I’d like to thank everyone who attended. Unfortunately, Aggroculture definitely lost the war but did stage a stunning upset in the final battle. I was also defeated in a solo match by Leko, the leader of the Brownie Troop but Aggroculture’s Falik (aka Quylein the Mage) managed to down Rotacidare in their bout. It was all a great example of how fun PvP can be. Screenshots here and here. [...]
[...] end up, Raph.See the full post with links at The Dust Forms Words. http://amongthedust.blogspot.com(Post a new comment) Log in now.(Create account, or useOpenID) [...]
[...] Part of the feeling was undoubtedly because so few online game developers showed up. Damion Schubert and Raph Koster were there, but few other people were. Raph spent most of his time doing business (so it was a bit of a surprise when he announced he is leaving SOE). But, without at least Scott Jennings and Dave Rickey it wasn’t the same. Of course, most of them will be at the Austin Game Conference. [...]
[...] http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24/leaving-soe/ So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE. [...]
[...] Un minuto di silenzio prego… La notizia dopo essere rimbalzata nella rete, ha avuto una conferma ufficiale. Raph Koster lascia la SOE. http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24…-soe/#more-404 Per molti di voi questo nome non avrà nessun siglificato, permettetemi quindi di spendere qualche parola su questo game designer (che insieme al più famoso Lord British Richard Garriot) ha cambiato il mondo dei MMORPG. Raph Koster proveniente dalla cultura dei MUD ex uomo Origin (oggi fagocitata dalla Electronic Arts) è stato il lead Designer di Ultima online, egli è colui che ha creato questo capolavoro da molti ritenuto ancora oggi come il miglior Massive Multiplayer Online Role Play Game. Dopo aver creato il capostipite di tutti i MMORPG, lo vediamo assunto alla SOE in qualità di direttore creativo, il suo lavoro di game designer è rivolto alla creazione di Star Wars Galaxies. La quasi totalità delle idee innovative e forse visionarie presenti a suo tempo in questo gioco sono sue. Il mitico SWG come piaceva ai veterani è opera sua, classi open ended, niente livelli ma abilità, professioni sociali che davano un aspetto nuovo al mondo dei MMORPG, player cities, e tutto ciò che non era “ammazza il mostro e sali di livello” è opera sua. Koster fu contrario al Jedi come PG giocabile, fu contrario al rilascio prematuro di SWG voluto dalla LucasArts con tutto ciò che ne derivò, spesso la sua figura si oppose a molte delle politiche discutibili della SOE, Koster era uno che sapeva ascoltare la comunity, famosi sono stati i suoi post di discussione (sotto il nick di Holocron) e le infinite diatribe sulle scelte di design. Dopo qualche mese dal rilascio di SWG, Koster viene “promosso” dalla SOE a direttore creativo dei nuovi MMOG in sviluppo, ma di fatto dopo aver profondamente collaborato al positivo lancio di EQ2 viene messo dalla SOE in naftalina. Non si sa di preciso a che cosa abbia collaborato in quest’ultimo anno, si sa solo che la sua figura (come fu a suo tempo con Richard Garriot) è stata messa da parte dalla stessa azienda che lo ha assunto. Fatto resta che tutto ciò che veramente di buono e innovativo c’è stato a suo tempo in SWG lo si deve in gran parte a quest’uomo senz’altro visionario ma capace di inventare un genere di videogiochi. un minuto di silenzio…grazie. __________________ ________________________________________________ Lehmus - Barbarian - Dungeons & Dragons Online (active) Xeles - Wizard - Dungeons & Dragons Online (active) Ossobuco - Undead Warlock - WOW (active) Filosofo dei MMORPG Gran cazzaro a tempo pieno disperso nelle realtà virtuali dal 1998. Ultima modifica di lehmus : 27-03-2006 alle 15:48. [...]
[...] Un minuto di silenzio prego… La notizia dopo essere rimbalzata nella rete, ha avuto una conferma ufficiale. Raph Koster lascia la SOE. http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24…-soe/#more-404 Per molti di voi questo nome non avrà nessun siglificato, permettetemi quindi di spendere qualche parola su questo game designer (che insieme al più famoso Lord British Richard Garriot) ha cambiato il mondo dei MMORPG. Raph Koster proveniente dalla cultura dei MUD ex uomo Origin (oggi fagocitata dalla Electronic Arts) è stato il lead Designer di Ultima online, egli è colui che ha creato questo capolavoro da molti ritenuto ancora oggi come il miglior Massive Multiplayer Online Role Play Game. Dopo aver creato il capostipite di tutti i MMORPG, lo vediamo assunto alla SOE in qualità di direttore creativo, il suo lavoro di game designer è rivolto alla creazione di Star Wars Galaxies. La quasi totalità delle idee innovative e forse visionarie presenti a suo tempo in questo gioco sono sue. Il mitico SWG come piaceva ai veterani è opera sua, classi open ended, niente livelli ma abilità, professioni sociali che davano un aspetto nuovo al mondo dei MMORPG, player cities, e tutto ciò che non era “ammazza il mostro e sali di livello” è opera sua. Koster fu contrario al Jedi come PG giocabile, fu contrario al rilascio prematuro di SWG voluto dalla LucasArts con tutto ciò che ne derivò, spesso la sua figura si oppose a molte delle politiche discutibili della SOE, Koster era uno che sapeva ascoltare la comunity, famosi sono stati i suoi post di discussione (sotto il nick di Holocron) e le infinite diatribe sulle scelte di design. Dopo qualche mese dal rilascio di SWG, Koster viene “promosso” dalla SOE a direttore creativo dei nuovi MMOG in sviluppo, ma di fatto dopo aver profondamente collaborato al positivo lancio di EQ2 viene messo dalla SOE in naftalina. Non si sa di preciso a che cosa abbia collaborato in quest’ultimo anno, si sa solo che la sua figura (come fu a suo tempo con Richard Garriot) è stata messa da parte dalla stessa azienda che lo ha assunto. Fatto resta che tutto ciò che veramente di buono e innovativo c’è stato a suo tempo in SWG lo si deve in gran parte a quest’uomo senz’altro visionario ma capace di inventare un genere di videogiochi. un minuto di silenzio…grazie. __________________ Lehmus - Barbarian - Dungeons & Dragons Online (active) Xeles - Wizard - Dungeons & Dragons Online (active) Ossobuco - Undead Warlock - WOW (active) Filosofo dei MMORPG Gran cazzaro a tempo pieno disperso nelle realtà virtuali dal 1998. Ultima modifica di lehmus : 27-03-2006 alle 15:48. [...]
[...] alors la … http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24/leaving-soe/ ——————– SWG: Sekor - Elder Combat Medic - NGE JediCoV: Lady Kauket - Corruptor - Frost / ThermalWoW: Sekor - Dwarf Rogue [...]
[...] Raphaël Koster, directeur créatif chez Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) a quitté le développeur américain après six ans de collaboration. D’après le principal intéressé sur son blog, ce départ résulte du fait que son contrat est arrivé à terme. Raphaël Koster affirme avoir pris plaisir à travailler chez SOE pendant six ans et être prêt à retravailler avec le développeur américain à l’avenir. Mais dans l’immédiat, même si aucune proposition d’emploi ne semble se profiler, il mettra cette liberté retrouvée au profit de projets personnels. [...]
[...] CommunityNews - 9:10 PM PST | Posted By: RainStar From Raph Koster.com:So, by now people have seen the news. Yes, it is true I am leaving SOE.Why? Well, I’ve been here for gosh, almost six years maybe? It’s been a good ride, and I think we’ve gotten to do some really fun and interesting work. But I am getting interested in doing some stuff that is a bit off the beaten path — really, anyone who has been reading the blog can see that! — and while SOE feels it’s really cool stuff, it’s just not where they are at right now. My contract was up, and it was the right time to poke my head up and look around, that sort of thing. It’s all quite friendly, and actually, I hope that I’ll work with SOE again in the future, because there’s a lot of wonderful talent here and a lot of cool technology, and a lot of friends.So, sometime soon here I’ll be off on my own. Nope, no announcements about plans or anything. I don’t have a new studio in my back pocket, I don’t have a job lined up, any of that. And… we’ll see what comes. I’m thinking sleeping in next week sounds good.Oh — the old email still works, for now. You can always post a comment or use the email addy at the bottom of this page to reach me, too.All sort of anti-climactic, huh? [...]
Change is in the air
I’m in the middle of a local move, so I don’t have much time to chat after GDC. (I spend too much time wondering, “Where did we get all this junk? I mean, besides from our roommates.”) But, I wanted to make a quick observation.
Lots of money h…
after the fact? What’s for dinner? Won’t someone please think of the newbies? Let’s review the hyperactive game of Internet Whispers that followed. Is Raph leaving SOE? Yes, Raph has left his role of Chief Creative Officer after 5 years at SOE.Straight from the brain’s mouth. Is LucasArts pulling the Star Wars license from SOE? Despite the hopes of some ex-SWG players, and the wishes of it being given to BioWare’s new studio, the answer is no. Sure, most likely there are no pats on the back for a job well done on the
[...] Show Links: FanFaire News Raph Koster Leaves SOE Why Does EQ2 Not Have Capes? LarryElmore.com The Cover of Dragon’s of Autumn Twilight (Dragonlance Chronicals #1) that Cyan describes in the Larry Elmore/FanFaire segment (Click for Larger Pic): Kingdom of Sky Expansion In Root Plant Feeding Tips [...]
[...] Next, a less positive (for Apple) perspective on Mac games from Raph Koster,recently the creative director at Sony Online Entertainment and key player behind EverQuest II and Star Wars Galaxies MMORG’s – “Are Mac games about to die?”: [...]
[...] Re: hmm.. a little dream… For those behind on the news, http://www.raphkoster.com/2006/03/24/leaving-soe __________________ Gurthel, Necromancer (’99-’05), Circle of Legends, R.I.P. Cutting the paranoia with a smile. () <(== Press here to order your own deluxe personal tinfoil hat. [...]
[...] Leaving SOE [...]