Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
"It comes the 20th May, guaranteed."
Rohh
Member Posts: 87
According to a new Norwegian TV interview. Someone translated it on the official forums here.(scroll down to the middle of the page)
Also a callender at 14:00ish with some interview dates and release shown.
27-28 March: "GS-visit?"
1 April: (I can't read what it says)
8 April: "GOLD"
18-20 April: "Gamespot weekend"
1 Mai: "IGN: "Open Beta" (13)
12 Mai: "W.MON."
16 Mai: "Pre-order launch"
20 Mai: "LAUNCH"
Beer?
Beer?
Beer?
Ya! beer
Comments
Just saw this myself, nice find.
Im gonna post the translation of the interview as it also has some other nice info in :P
Have to excuse spelling mistakes!
Gaute is the Game Director, 500k forum sign up and like 15 mods!
Gaute: "Yes this is probably one of the first games we made in Funcom. It is about 15 years since we started the enterprise, and then we made this. This you can run on your mobil. This was super hightech back then of course."
Interviewer: "Can you tell us about how funcom started?"
Gaute: "We were a gang of game enthusiasts, 4-5 people that started and we quickly became 10-15 and no one were educated in games. We were just very much into it and we didn't know how difficult it was to start an enterprise and then it was done. In the beginning we pretended we had an enterprise and we got many American publishers to come and visit and we just sat down around the tables and pretended that we could a lot about this. And they gave us money and then we learned what we had pretended that we could earlier. And that was the enterprise grew really fast, we became 100 people after just 2 years."
Den Lengste Reisen - The Longest Journey screen cuts in
Gaute: "And obviously be knew very much, because it has gone really well.
From The Longest Journey: "Do you mean that my dreams are real?"
Interviewer: "Can you tell us about how well it have gone?"
Anarchy Online Screen cuts in
Gaute: "Yes, it have gone very well in terms of the size of the enterprise."
Dreamfall screen cuts in
Gaute: "We have 270 employees we have a department in China and in the USA, but we haven't earned a lot of money. So we are hoping that that is going to happen, the reason for most enterprises to exist is of course to earn money, so we hope we will manage that with Conan, to get a chance to earn something for all the money that have been invested in us throught the years."
Interviewer: "How have the gaming business changed since you have started?"
Gaute: " The gaming business is very entertaining because it goes in a cycle. It repeats itself after a while and the same things come again."
Pochahontas screen cuts in
Gaute: "But the trend is that what we make the games on, it be PC or consoles, they become stronger and stronger and can preform better and better."
Screen from some racing game cuts in
Gaute: "Better graphics,"
Age of Conan screen cuts in
Gaute: "better sound etc. and it has become much more difficult to make the game on these different consoles. In the beginning the different games costed 7000-8000 NOK (ca. 1400-1600 $ with todays currency) today it costs several hundred millions to make the largest games and you need much more education and team, the Conan Team is 130 people today. it takes much longer time, it takes several years, 5 years. In the beginning it took about 5 months to about a year to make a game. So everything is more complex and much larger and more expensive but it's about the same things we do when we create entertainment for people based on eye-hand coordination, or that you must think and solve tasks.
Interviewer: "We who grew up with Legend of the Red Dragon and Monkey Island felt like we were in those games, is it really necessary with so realistic graphics?"
Gaute: "It is like it is with TV, is it really necessary to have HD TV? Is it necessary to have 1008 P or colours for the sake of that, there are many who thinks back to the days with black and white and think that it was back then it was good programs but in reality when you get a taste on the new you don't want to go back and that is how it is with all technology and the games follow that technological evolution. I want to challenge you who have played Red Dragon and Monkey Island to try to play it today, you won't be able take it, I garantee you. Don't do it let the memmories stay there as something you can think back on and talk about with your grand children."
Interviewer: "You are the only one left of the 5 who started, why did the others quit?"
Gaute: "That is for a bit different reasons, but the main reason I have remained even thought we didn't have the economical success is probably because I just want to make games, so I have been the product man and have focused on what I have made and had a lot of fun on the way and therefore have had fun even though we haven't had a big economical success.But it is really complex why people dissappear in the course of a start like that. For example the enterprise grows away from you, the reason that you started the enterprise is because you were really good at something but then there were someone who were a lot better than you and then you have to evolve and change position and in a way give up on something to allow the enterprise to live instead of that you live and control. And there are people who change interests and a bit conflicts and fights and such connected to earlier mentioned issues."
Interviewer: "Have you ever thought about quitting?"
Gaute: "I have thought about quitting, but as long as I have a good time and as long as I are allowed to do what I love to do and feel like I evolve and have fun at work everyday, then I will choose to continioue and of course I am proud of what I have been working on as well."
Interviewer: "What are your relationship to the stock exchange?" (Taken directly from tritrans.com *cough cough*)
Gaute: "That is a complicated relationship, but the best thing that have happened to funcom is that we was notated in the stock exchange." (God if someone knows what "Børs" is in english, tell me)
Gaute: "and was allowed to get so much investor money as we have, have allowed us to make those games that we always have wanted to make, so I love the stock exchange for that. What is incredibly difficult is what you can't say and what you must say and how you shall react to something and how much screaming it becomes when I do my job, my job is to make the best game possible and that can delay your project and suddenly there are someone who have lost 2-3 millions."
stock exchange chart appears
Gaute: "So on the topic of my relationship to the stock exchange, it is really good to get investor money and it is very difficult with expectations and marked and the information they must have and the rules, it is a nightmare without equal. But it is good."
Interviewer: "How big will funcom become?"
Gaute: "I think that funcom will keep growing and evolve as long as we have ideas and visions about how we shall do things better and different. Currently it doesn't look like there is any limitations to that we have incredibly many people who work here, incredibly many people in Scandinavia who wish to work with gaming and people that let themself be inspired by making computer games. And we like making online games which we began doing very early, we have been doing that for over 10 years and it is very few who have done that and gives us an edge on the competition and because of that I think we will reach success and then we can continioue to evolve and grow for those reasons."
Interviewer: "How many do you hope that will buy that game?"
Gaute: "Now we are back on the problem with the stocking exchangem that is information that I cannot comment. The amount of people that we think will buy the game will affect the course of the stockings and it is based on information that I maybe got but other don't have so I can't comment that. Of course we hope that it will be several houndred thousand players that will buy Conan and play it and I think that based on the interest that the pre-ordering sale have that it looks like it will become good, but I don't want to give any more accurate answers."
Interviewer: "There are many people that already have signed up on your forums."
Gaute: "Yeah, beta testers and fan club members which is the two numbers we have made public together with the forum is over half a million. That is really funny and it shows that we make something that people like, if only on the paper and we will see how thinks goes when the game comes out."
Interviewer: "Why are there so much interest for Conan?"
Gaute: "For the first is Conan a massive multiplayer online game, and there it is such that the largest game in that category ever is World of Warcraft it is a social movement that the sociologists will talk about in a houndred years, it is the first time in history that people from all over the world was in one movement around a game. Conan is such a game but we do things different."
Screen from the December trailer cuts in
Gaute: But we do things different, we do things more mature, we appeal to other groups within the gaming community which mmogs not have appealed to yet. So to combine things from other games with the mmorpg we have managed to make something which is unique and new in a way and we have worked hard with the advistment and have managed to be recognized for what we are doing. But of course it is many stones on top of each other to manage that."
Interviewer: "You have worked with it for 5 years now, and you don't get any money for it until it is done of course, how have it been possible to keep it going for those 5 years?"
Gaute: "First of all have we had incredible visionary investors that were with us before we went to the stocking exchange. We owe them a lot, that they have seen funcom as a possibility all the time, even tho we haven't earned a lot of money and then we got noted down in the stocking exchange and then we got inverstor money which has allowed us to keep on going even tho we don't earn a lot of money. And of course we have other games that we earn money on, Anarchy Online, Dreamfall, The Longest Journey which still gives us money, so we aren't entierly without earnings."
Interviewer: "What games are Funcom going to create in the future?"
Gaute: "We are going to focus almost only on mmogs, mostly mmos but some online games too. Mainly because when you make a pc game for about every copy you sell, so is it created 10 pirate copies. And because of that, Funcom has choosen to focus on a genre without any pirate copying, which is online games because when people buy our game are they only getting half the game, the engine is on our servers and we control them so that when people play the games, we know that they have brought and payed for it. Which means that there are larger possibilities for growth than it is within traditional pc games and it is PC games we can, but in addition to that we want to work more with making console versions of our online games."
Interviewer: "Can you tell us about some of the games you are working on?"
Gaute: "Yes we have the secret world, in addition to Conan. It will be the biggest game that we will be working on after the release of Conan, it will be released 2-4 years after Conan.
December trailer cuts in again
Gaute: "When Conan is released, for us that is just one milestone on a long journey, we think that Conan can live 5-10 years after it's release. But then we will no longer be in the production phase but in operation. And then it will be a service we deliver and then it will be about giving the players the feeling that it is fun every day, and then we will make a few changes and upgrades and then we recive feedback from the players depending on what they want to see, so it will be more comunication with the players and I think that is just as fun as making the game, then you are sort of like a politican on a election and every day people vote by wheather they close their account and go somewhere else and that is really entertaining to be in such a discussion with the players to give them what they want.
Interviewer: "Why has it taken 5 years to make it?"
Gaute: "Because what we makes is a world it takes very long time to build every little rock, it's only god who does that on 7 days, we others have to use several years to make something so complex, all the large cities, all the caves, all the beautiful sand beaches and waves." (Note: The devs have stated that nothing in AoC is auto generated.)
Calendar countdown:
27-28 March: "GS-visit?"
1 April: (I can't read what it says)
8 April: "GOLD"
18-20 April: "Gamespot weekend"
1 Mai: "IGN: "Open Beta" (13)
12 Mai: "W.MON."
16 Mai: "Pre-order launch"
20 Mai: "LAUNCH"
Beer?
Beer?
Beer?
?
Interviewer: "Now it is 2 months till the release of Conan, can you promise that there won't be any other delays?"
Gaute: "It comes the 20th May, guaranteed."
Good stuff!
As long as the game as delayed, they keep getting a pay check.
Watch the latest episode of "The Guild" and other Pwnage videos from around the net--also post your own: http://PwnerTV.com
I think ppl will realise how good this game is. It got something special and with the right mix it can become one of the giants in MMOs. I belive Funcom is doing some really intresting stuff. But we still are pretty far from the finishing line.
Im exited. And its long time since I was exited last time around. But I also have my doubts about few aspects of the game and Funcom will have to prove me wrong on those
But if anyone can do it - Funcom can !
I would say børs is a scandinavian name for the stock exchange market.
Like Wall street is for Americans.
___________________________________________
Interesting read. I wonder how they can still be getting money from TLJ, though, after all this time?
As for 'gold' (CD's stamped) and 'release', I still shudder to think about how big the first 'patch' will be when ppl install the game on May 20th.
~\_/~\_O
Bingo!
I know several desingers that are dragging their projects out (*Cough* Mythic *Cough* ) becuse they know two weeks after Live the pink slip is included with the check and in this economy there is a damned good chnace your next gig will be at Home Depot. It's sad that folks thinks things are actually being polished.
They don't get paid until the game starts earning money as far as i know... so delaying it means no pay cheque
Oh yeah! I'm sure they WANT to take a long time, so they can get paid! They don't care if it takes too long and people start to lose hype! If the company doesn't make money by finishing the game, they still get paid right??
That sure makes alot of sense. /sarcasm off
--------------------------------------
A human and an Elf get captured by Skaven. The rat-men are getting ready to shoot the first hostage with Dwarf-made guns when he yells, "Earthquake!" The naturally nervous Skaven run and hide from the imaginary threat. He escapes. The Skaven regroup and bring out the Elf. Being very smart, the Elf has figured out what to do. When the Skaven get ready to shoot, the Elf, in order to scare them, yells, "Fire!"
Order of the White Border.
Id say the inversors will get nothing until the game goes out but the staff get paid every month.
They don't get paid until the game starts earning money as far as i know... so delaying it means no pay cheque
? While I don't buy the tin foil hat folks thinking they delay for no reason other than getting paid , you think developers work for 5 years without a paycheck ?
Milestone payments. You get your next installment if you reach an estimated progression in the project. If you don't reach that, then you better be good at spinning when it's time for milestone payment evaluation.
So yes, they do get paid, *as long as they are within budget and not over board.*
It's the hype that is helping the payments come, and it's showing in the recent quality improvements in the project.
You'll find me in Hyboria, that's for sure. I'm excited as well.
May 1st IGN? Open beta? Has this been confirmed anywhere else?
Hmm.....
Not much time to download a huge client and actually get to see more than a couple levels of the game prior to the pre-release people already starting to play for real...
I was suckered by Funcom on AO's launch... don't make me regret this one Funcom. If you need the time to make the game complete, take the time. Its less than 2 months to release, but it isn't too late if you need to... unless EIDOS is breathing down your necks and wants their money back.
IGN Open Beta? What does that mean. Will it be open to everyone or do you need some sort of IGN thing?
Gaute: "It comes the 20th May, guaranteed."
Ya, this coming from the guy who had "no clue" a few months ago that Funcom's top management was going to swoop in and delay AoC to May 20th the day AFTER Funcom had a world wide press event saying that AoC was launch March 25. I don't believe a word Gaute says because top management has made him look like a fool before and they can do it again. When the game launches, then I believe no more delays.
Fear not fanbois, we are not trolls, let's take off your tin foil hat and learn what VAPORWARE is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware
"Vaporware is a term used to describe a software or hardware product that is announced by a developer well in advance of release, but which then fails to emerge after having well exceeded the period of development time that was initially claimed or would normally be expected for the development cycle of a similar product."
I see where you are coming from, and like you, I have been waiting for this game for a while now. I think FunCom has gotten everyone riled up now to a point where they can't turn back though. I wouldn't complain anyways, because it takes time to construct a good game, but I have faith in this May 20th release.
I dont think it will come on the 20th of may.
If it does.. they will release an unfinished, unbalanced, buggy product cause they still have ALOT of work and it wont be done till 20th of may.
I dont think they want the next Vanguard on their hands and they will push it back.
Unless they have money issues they wont be forced with an early and crappy release.
100% true.
What makes you so sure?
What makes you so sure?
If AoC can release a game as good as WoW and a launch as smooth as LOTRO, then everything should be good to go. Yes, there will be bugs. Yes, there will be balance issues. But there better not be missing content like the Battle Keeps or we'll have issues.
Fear not fanbois, we are not trolls, let's take off your tin foil hat and learn what VAPORWARE is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware
"Vaporware is a term used to describe a software or hardware product that is announced by a developer well in advance of release, but which then fails to emerge after having well exceeded the period of development time that was initially claimed or would normally be expected for the development cycle of a similar product."
What makes you so sure?
If AoC can release a game as good as WoW and a launch as smooth as LOTRO, then everything should be good to go. Yes, there will be bugs. Yes, there will be balance issues. But there better not be missing content like the Battle Keeps or we'll have issues.
Battle Keeps have been in beta awhile just only available to GM's. (publically released info)
A crap load of Raid dungeons will be in for launch. Player Cities will be in. The only things that won't be are the things in the letter from the game director update few weeks back.
Anything else people will have to wait till you get in beta or open beta. Expect a Hyborian Insider video to show these before launch ~ especially the large scale pvp stuff.
What makes you so sure?
If AoC can release a game as good as WoW and a launch as smooth as LOTRO, then everything should be good to go. Yes, there will be bugs. Yes, there will be balance issues. But there better not be missing content like the Battle Keeps or we'll have issues.
Battle Keeps have been in beta awhile just only available to GM's. (publically released info)
A crap load of Raid dungeons will be in for launch. Player Cities will be in. The only things that won't be are the things in the letter from the game director update few weeks back.
Anything else people will have to wait till you get in beta or open beta. Expect a Hyborian Insider video to show these before launch ~ especially the large scale pvp stuff.
Awesome, then everyone (except crafters) should be happy.
Fear not fanbois, we are not trolls, let's take off your tin foil hat and learn what VAPORWARE is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaporware
"Vaporware is a term used to describe a software or hardware product that is announced by a developer well in advance of release, but which then fails to emerge after having well exceeded the period of development time that was initially claimed or would normally be expected for the development cycle of a similar product."
What makes you so sure?
Nobody said or asked anything perfect m8. and i think you know what i ment.Buggs that prevent a smooth decent launch and playtime, missing content in certain areas, heavily unbalanced in certain aspects. I wont give u examples as WoW or LotRo to but i guess i just did heh.
anyway when i said ALOT of work in many areans, should give a clue
beta...
I know
I think when Gaute goes on National TV and says its coming May 20th, its coming May 20th.
That last 8 week delay was announced when I was at the community event, just not publically, as the press had left. It was something talked Funcom with Eidos about.
When I saw the game there it looked finished the area's I played had the very basic of bugs nothing ground breaking or game breaking. In all honesty I thought it would go down well for a 25th march release. All thats happening is they are making use of the 8 weeks coming up to make parts better. How all the servers work upon launch... well I just hope they work under the stress!
Honestly i bet the game is coming out May 20th, there will be a few bits of bugs and some classes wont be finely tuned and balanced straight away but the game is setting itself up for a long future with the content I saw.
What makes you so sure?
Nobody said or asked anything perfect m8. and i think you know what i ment.Buggs that prevent a smooth decent launch and playtime, missing content in certain areas, heavily unbalanced in certain aspects. I wont give u examples as WoW or LotRo to but i guess i just did heh.
anyway when i said ALOT of work in many areans, should give a clue
beta...
So you break NDA to tell us all what you think of it? Why should we then believe the word of someone who cannot be trusted to KEEP their word? Why do all these untrustworthy scum get invited into closed beta while so many others who can actually BE trusted do not? It's just a shame. Your past posts show that you are a WAR Fanboy anyway so I will chalk it off as BS. I will be playing at launch either way.