Sillirrion leaving AO for AoC, as Gaute quits. Means new GD

[Chrisax]

Let's make it simple.

Gaute Godager, former game director of AO and one of the founders of FC 16 years ago, went to work on AoC years ago.

After two other persons, Silirrion (Graig Morrison) became the game director of AO.

Gaute got unhappy with several things in AoC, and finally decided to leave the company.

Silirrion was appointed game director of AoC.

This doesn't question AO in itself.

Means (the mobs maker and Lead Designer ) will become the new AO Game Director.


(The above is also partially related to some Dragoncon stuff I talked about on the private forums.)

[Chrisax]

It's done.

Letter from the Game Director – Passing on the torch
There isn’t any easy way to start this letter to the community. For me personally it’s definitely a little sad to be here writing this to all of you that have made my time as Game Director on Anarchy Online so very special. As many of you will already know it has been announced today that I have been asked to take a new role leading up the team on Age of Conan.

Leaving Rubi-Ka in this capacity is certainly not an easy thing to do, I owe the world created for Anarchy Online for my profession now, and the game will always have a very special place in my life. I have though also been involved in Age of Conan from its early development in one form or another and it’s also an exciting opportunity to challenge myself further.

I couldn’t be leaving the game in better hands though. I have always maintained my pride in the team we have built up on the project, and I have every confidence that they will continue to provide you with great updates and fantastic content for years to come. Colin ‘means’ Cragg and his content team have been finding creative ways to kill…sorry I mean ‘challenge’, you all for some time already and I couldn’t think of anyone better to be handing the reigns over to.

I’ll be sure to not loose track, so you might see me dropping by now and again. For now though I hope you extend the faith, support and feedback you have given me to Means and his team. The entire team here has a little piece of Rubi-Ka in their souls and I am sure you are only just starting to see the fruits of that dedication.

So to everyone that has taken part in this community down the years you have my eternal thanks for providing the incentive and motivation for everything we do here. Without you, our community, Rubi-Ka wouldn’t exist or continue to thrive as it does. I have enjoyed my time working on Anarchy Online as both Community Manager and Producer more than I can easily put into words. Suffice to say I am proud of everyone that has put the blood, sweat and tears into Anarchy Online to make it what it is today, and that goes for developers, the wonderful and hard working volunteers at ARK and players alike. Rubi-Ka is your world.

I hope to be enjoying it with you for years to come!

Craig 'Silirrion' Morrison
Game Director - Anarchy Online

http://forums.anarchy-online.com/showth ... p?t=537176

[Chrisax]

Official FC's press release

Funcom appoints new Producer and Game Director for Age of Conan
Craig Morrison has been appointed as the new Producer and Game Director for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. Craig Morrison has served as the Producer and Game Director on Anarchy Online for several years, as well as working as the Funcom Community Manager prior to that. Funcom believes he is the perfect candidate to take Age of Conan to the next level. Mr. Morrison will replace former Producer and Game Director Gaute Godager.

Prior to starting at Funcom in 2004, Craig Morrison worked as an Operations Executive at the Telegraph group, the respected UK newspaper, taking care of operational aspects related to IT and Customer Service. Due to his passion for MMO games he simultaneously worked as an Associate Editor at IGN’s Vault Network, managing dedicated websites for several MMO games. He has extensive experience in managing various sized teams and complex projects across large media based environments. He has also played, written about, managed, produced and directed MMO games for over a decade by now. With his passion and unique skill-set he brings proven MMO experience to his new position, and during his years as Producer on Anarchy Online he has shown a unique ability to tailor development according to the needs and requirements of the players.

“Taking on the position as Producer and Game Director on Age of Conan is a great challenge but also one I welcome. I have a clear conviction I can lead the further development in a good way, evolving Age of Conan into something even better. My main priority now is therefore to listen to, and act on, player concerns, while ensuring we add additional great content to the game,” said Craig Morrison. “At heart I will always be a gamer, and the coming changes and additions to Conan will always be done with the gamers in mind. Together I am certain we will shape an amazing future for Age of Conan.”

Former Producer and Game Director Gaute Godager has chosen to resign from Funcom after working on Age of Conan since the initial conception, and he leaves the company after 16 years. Godager was one of the original founders of Funcom, and leaves a large legacy, having contributed to making Funcom the largest MMO company in Europe. “I have done my very best making this fabulous game, but I have concluded there are elements which I am dissatisfied with. I have decided to act on this, and as a result I have chosen to leave Funcom. It is time to get new, fresh eyes on Age of Conan, and I wholeheartedly support the appointment of Craig. I have had a fantastic time these last 16 years, and I am very proud of the many things Funcom has achieved. Funcom and Conan will always be a big part of me, but as I now look to new ventures outside the gaming industry I am certain Age of Conan’s future is in the best of hands.”

http://forums.anarchy-online.com/showth ... p?t=537177

[Chrisax]

reserved

[Alphacenta]

This just in:

It is difficult to find words to express how I feel at the moment. The overwhelming support and drive provided by Sil over the last few years has been an incredible experience. It has been amazing what we have been able to accomplish together...and I can't say I am not going to miss working with my friend every day on a project we both love. Lucky for all of us Sil is only a few floors away and I take comfort in knowing that should I ever wonder "What would Sil say?" all it takes is an elevator ride to find out. Sil will continue to be there for us when we need him...and I look forward to many unhealthy lunches together in the near future.

Every new Game Director brings their own flavour to AO...my first implemented design here on AO was the BioDome encounters...many many years ago. I have been completely involved in every single one since. I look forward to helping make more. While some things will change with the departure of Silirrion...some things will not.

Not Changing:

1. An ongoing strong partnership with our community in identifying and implementing improvements. It has been amazing what we can accomplish with clear communication and trust. Thank you to all of you who have taken time out to explain your ideas to me. Your feedback has often made crucial difference in what we produce to the benefit of all.

2. Continued stubborn refusal to accept "old" issues. Just because an issue has been present since launch doesn't mean it is "right" or will be left alone. We have taken great risks in tackling these problems under Sil's leadership and I have no intention of stopping or even slowing down now.

3. The new graphics engine initiative. I am looking forward to this upgrade more than anyone else. This is going to get done if it kills me or preferably someone else.

4. Pushing new boundaries. Just because it doesn't exist in AO right now does not mean it will not be coming soon. The highly anticipated raid interface should be live September 22nd. I look forward to introducing player based fear and knockback in the near future.

5. Sense of humour. AO has a special charm that I don't believe exists anywhere else. The story, the NPCs, and the items all have a love and care put into them that made me fall in love with the game. As icky as it is, Thong-wearing troxes will always be a part of this game and a point of AO pride.

In this spirit:

The now "signed" broken PSP from Sil's old desk is being shipped to your home address as soon as I can confirm your address and get it to a post office.

I look forward to the new challenges this position brings, and I know I have the right dedicated people around me to make great things happen.

PS. Macrosun demands more drama.

[Chrisax]

Alpha was faster!

[Hyde]

The thing that disturbs me about all of this is that, in his own way, Means was as much of an influence on gameplay as Sil ever was. Here's hoping they replace Means with someone close to as good.

[Chrisax]

Good point, Hyde. Means will need a new Means...

[Rulzern]

As icky as it is, Thong-wearing troxes will always be a part of this game and a point of AO pride.

You know it baby!