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Post by Tillian Panthesis on Sept 19, 2009 16:23:07 GMT 1
Today I was reading through an article the documents the daily grind behind the closed "marbled" doors of the million dollar office of Ion Storm and I've just realised how bad that place is. Alright, we know EA is really horrid back then and also our fears with BioWare and their recent blunders (the Pinnacle Station comes to mind.) However, despite all the bitching and complaints we did over here about BioWare's lackster in the minigame departments, the Sonic Game and some of the more questionable marketing and hype (Dragon Age, I'm looking at you!) I have to admit, at least BioWare are still competant and professional in their development... atm for now. Especially after reading through these articles about Ion Storm. www.dallasobserver.com/1999-01-14/news/stormy-weather/1archive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/index2.shtmlarchive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/index16.shtmlAll I can say this that... This is the only time I have to admit that despite some of the glaring mistakes that BioWare makes, they are small and dare I say... forgivable to this atrocious management mess that the Austin office have to put for. And to make this more glairing... let's see... two doctors who are passionate about games but not as experianced as John Romero, who is savvy (or used to) in the game industry at the time. And despite all of this... guess who last longer? Surprisingly... the good doctors. And I wonder why?
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Post by Zarsthor on Sept 19, 2009 16:36:33 GMT 1
I liked Pinnacle station and I still stand by that. lol Also I've seen all the trailers and such for Dragon age and it looks awful to me. From the clips I watched the acting seemed forced and dry the graphics were samey and it appeared to be nothing but a kill anything you see game with a little story. I might be proved wrong there by the actual game but the presentation I've been shown as deterred me.
Personally I like BioWare but they aren't perfect. EA is a pile of shit but you get some great stuff from them too. I'm just going to hope that what comes out of their partnership is more good than shit but they are both guilty of making their share of dung. We can just all hope EA fires some douche bags and employees some genius' and maybe BioWare sorts their life out and stops going kind of schitzo every now and then.
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Post by Tillian Panthesis on Sept 19, 2009 16:54:48 GMT 1
Yeah I do admit BioWare does a couple of blunder but as I've said before, after reading this artcle I cannot help but managed to shared some hope for them again. In otherwords despite all of their mistakes, I know it wouldn't be as bad as Ion Storm. Trust me, after reading through that article I cannot helped but apprisiate the professionlism, brains and 'dedication' to the company and it's workers' well being. Really I was kinda skeptical about them at first despite my hey days in NWN1 since due my experiance in human relationships when it comes to business practices but after seeing how bad the management in Ion Storm is, I have to say the good doctors are not a bad bunch and at least they probably know how to stop the drama and bitching before it went ape shit. And they don't fire people randomly due to personal egotism. I'd give them that. In Ion Storm... not only John Romero didn't quell down the drama in the office but also he fires people and promotes workers irrashionally. Not only it's shows how unprofessional he is (too much artistic mood swings and not enough level headed thought... a critical requirement to survive this voltiral industry) but also shows that he's one of those guys that are not SUITED to lead the team. Seriously, even a good captain knows that without the crew to drive the ship, bad things happen, which Romero didn't learn apprently. Also another thing... didn't Daikatana was pened to be a RPG shooter? if so, it's like the Mass Effect's evil bastard twin brother. Think about it, it's main feature is AI companions helping you and as I've said before... RPG elements... it's kinda freaky it mirrors Mass Effect in the gameplay element sense... Edit: Sorry I mean the Dallas HQ not the Austin Branch. My bad. The Austin Branch on the other hand are more reasonable and nicer. They also produce great games like Thief and Deus Ex. Pity they have shut down. Double Edit: Changing this before I've look like an ass. Daikatana is a just a straight up FPS not a hybrid RPG/shooter like Deus Ex and Mass Effect. So yeah... I'm not fucking comparing ME to that piece of tosh!
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Post by Mister Buch on Sept 21, 2009 14:11:13 GMT 1
About Dragon Age - from what I've seen, the story looks to be heavily involved. It always is with Bioware, anyway.
Can't say I've heard of the Ion Storm debacle, but I do remember the adverts for Daikatana... and then never hearing of it or them ever again.
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Post by Tillian Panthesis on Sept 21, 2009 14:23:14 GMT 1
The one that said "John Romero makes you his bitch"? If so, yeah... that's how the shit storm in Ion Storm started it... Another reason how dangerous to mess with your potential customers.
Kinda way worse than the other "Dragon Age" trailer
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Post by Mister Buch on Sept 21, 2009 14:29:16 GMT 1
"This is the New Shit" - lol at the subtle choice of song for the advert ;D
That trailer doesn't make it look good. It seems to consist entirely of cutscenes though so I'm not worried. I do like the quality of the acting though, and I'm very happy that they seem to be using exclusively British accents in a game set in the middle-ages. For once.
That trailer was really aiming for the lowest demoninator though. Lots of blood, war and a sex scene. And Marilyn Manson music.
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Post by Tillian Panthesis on Sept 21, 2009 14:35:20 GMT 1
I don't really this music... because it's kinda out of context with the game itself imo. I could be a snarker and predict the next shitty music for the next ME trailer but I'm not going to... that's over the line. But yeah, you're right... it's aiming for the lowest demoninator and marilyn manson fans. xD Rated M for manly indeed.
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Post by Mister Buch on Sept 21, 2009 23:38:43 GMT 1
Rated M for Manson.
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Post by Hodster on Sept 22, 2009 1:05:47 GMT 1
*Watches the trailer* Haven't seen this one yet... yet again very nice I want it!
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Post by Tillian Panthesis on Sept 22, 2009 6:48:48 GMT 1
Ok folks... imagine way back in 1997 where you're flipping through a games magazine and pretend you have no idea what the fuck is Ion Storm is, where BioWare were nothing more than a small ragtag amateur developers at the time and; then compare and contrast the DA "Violence" trailer and this: Now... explain your reaction to this...
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Post by Mister Buch on Sept 22, 2009 11:51:39 GMT 1
Ah there it is! I remember that all right. My first reaction was, 'Oh, is there going to be another zombie movie? Great!' Then I realised it was JOHN Romero, and I didn't know who that was. So I made a mental note to not buy whatever game it was advertising.
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Post by Tillian Panthesis on Sept 22, 2009 13:19:05 GMT 1
Let me guess... distaste with that ad especially at the idea of being his "bitch" You're not the only one. Many other gamers who first saw that add cringe themselves. As the result of it, that ad backfire the hype they needed to attract potential customers. Also it's what started the downfall as many gamers are watching with hateful eyes to see if that certain game that they are advertising are going to make them their "bitch" for Romero. EDIT: Found some new recent shit about the two ex-members of Ion Storm going into a catfight: John Romero smack talk about Mike WilsonThen a few days later... Wilson's Open "Personal" Letter to RomeroSeriously I know I'm doing the double standard kind of thing but... grow up will ya? I know, I know. Later on, John Romero did step down from the firestorm and did some sort of appologic post in his blog about smack talking Wilson and started to act more like an adult out of the two... but still...
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