Webzen taking on too much at once?

[Kard]

Are they taking on too many games? Will they support each of them to the fullest? Are the release dates all going to be pushed back due to this workload?


Is anyone else concerned about Webzen's line-up of games? SUN was supposed to be out 1st quarter this year, now its backed up to 3rd quarter... that will put its release right around where Huxley's is.

Then you have APD coming out 1st quarter 2007. They supposedly have different studio's working on each of these titles, but is it too much at once? Will Webzen be able to fully support 4-5 MMO's?

I'm a huge Huxley fan, I can't wait for it to be released... but part of me is thinking we will be extremely lucky to get our hands on this game before 2007.

SUN is also posted for a Korean release for 3rd quarter 2006... which means they'll be busy getting it ready for a North American release soon after.

I'd rather a company dedicate its time and resources into one or two games, and then support those few games. Does anyone else have concerns about this?

You wouldnt think a company would create multiple games in a genre that will most likely compete with each other. I think APD will draw a lot of people from SUN + Huxley. Are they going to announce another game after APD??

If they do, part of me doubts their sincerity in fully supporting each of those games, even as they become obsolete because of new games being released.

No doubt Webzen is hitting the MMO genre hard, and they're creating a lot of commotion. I just hope they follow through with each game... and from past experience, that is often the most important part of any MMO.

[Nishua]

It's definitely a concern we should all think about. Hopefully, there wont be a delay with the release of Huxley. With that being said I also hope that despite Webzen various projects they release Huxley on time and more importantly finished. The lack of content in the beginning stages on an MMO launch can be devesting (ie: RF Online, I would say WoW but Blizzard got lucky hype helped them succeed) to the games core. :?

[chillinvillain]

i'm more concerned about it because SUN has recieved the majority of press. MMOFPS get's limited spotlights early on it seems, and more press towards release. I also see them working more on SUN it seems, but that might just be bias on my part, as i think they have about as much info/screenshots of SUN up as they do Hux.

It also worries me that MU is still up, and i know people are still playing that. That sucks up resources as well.


Why i'm not as worried though, Webzen has several dev teams. SUN and Hux are on two TOTALLY seperate dev teams, working independantly of eachother, which is promising (S-studio/H-studio respectivly), atleast thats what i get out of it. Might just be wishful thinking but hell, i need this game so i'll latch onto any bit of promise i can find.

[Kard]

Originally Posted by chillinvillain

i'm more concerned about it because SUN has recieved the majority of press. MMOFPS get's limited spotlights early on it seems, and more press towards release. I also see them working more on SUN it seems, but that might just be bias on my part, as i think they have about as much info/screenshots of SUN up as they do Hux.

It also worries me that MU is still up, and i know people are still playing that. That sucks up resources as well.


Why i'm not as worried though, Webzen has several dev teams. SUN and Hux are on two TOTALLY seperate dev teams, working independantly of eachother, which is promising (S-studio/H-studio respectivly), atleast thats what i get out of it. Might just be wishful thinking but hell, i need this game so i'll latch onto any bit of promise i can find.

and Wiki is W-Studio, and I don't believe APD has a studio yet, but they'll probably be A-Studio... you get the point. I think there are different teams for sure, but who handles things after release? And I would assume there is some central group that has a large influence on what direction the games are taking.

Also I agree about the SUN press thing, but that may be because SUN is geared towards a Korean release, and Webzen is a Korean company.

SUN was supposed be out 1st quarter, it is now 3rd quarter and they still don't have a site out for it... Realistically, I see information being released at E3 for Huxley, but not much. I see beta starting Q3, game being released Q2 2007. If SUN actually comes out Q3 (after being pushed back from Q1) I'd stick with this... but if they push back SUN again, Huxley may be delayed until mid 2007.

I think they took on too much personally... If they had consolidated their efforts, they wouldnt be pushing the dates back.

I'm already a Huxley addict, but I'm not getting my hopes up for a beta after E3, nor a release before X-mas.

EDIT: and this S/H/A/W Studio thing is irritating... I'm sure Webzen has one large Dev team, who they've segmented into teams for each project. This leads to my concern about the quality, and also the support after release.

For example... H-Studio, will no longer be around after Huxley is released. Those devs will move onto another project. The problem is that they know Huxley the best, but the support is passed off to Webzen who does not understand the game design as well as the original programmers did.

This may not be what happens, but it appears that way. I can't see one company having a studio stay on to support 4 different major MMO's. It doesnt make sense economically, nor does it to have their own games competing against each other.

[Udonis]

Originally Posted by Kard

Are they taking on too many games? Will they support each of them to the fullest? Are the release dates all going to be pushed back due to this workload?


Is anyone else concerned about Webzen's line-up of games? SUN was supposed to be out 1st quarter this year, now its backed up to 3rd quarter... that will put its release right around where Huxley's is.

Then you have APD coming out 1st quarter 2007. They supposedly have different studio's working on each of these titles, but is it too much at once? Will Webzen be able to fully support 4-5 MMO's?

I'm a huge Huxley fan, I can't wait for it to be released... but part of me is thinking we will be extremely lucky to get our hands on this game before 2007.

SUN is also posted for a Korean release for 3rd quarter 2006... which means they'll be busy getting it ready for a North American release soon after.

I'd rather a company dedicate its time and resources into one or two games, and then support those few games. Does anyone else have concerns about this?

You wouldnt think a company would create multiple games in a genre that will most likely compete with each other. I think APD will draw a lot of people from SUN + Huxley. Are they going to announce another game after APD??

If they do, part of me doubts their sincerity in fully supporting each of those games, even as they become obsolete because of new games being released.

No doubt Webzen is hitting the MMO genre hard, and they're creating a lot of commotion. I just hope they follow through with each game... and from past experience, that is often the most important part of any MMO.

Financial wise yes i belive they made 13 million in some transaction with China..... so yea they have the money to make them..... and in the eastern gaming markets they will make many times more than they spend becuase Eastern people love their MMO's.....and for the number of people go to webzengames.com look under press.... I dont remember where but i do remember them saying that they have like a large number of employees who work in diffrent departments for games like APB(all points bulletin) SOUL and of course Huxley... so dont worry they got this locked down most likely.

[Isurus]

on the flipside i havent heard anything about SUN. no ads, no vids... i could look but the purpose of advertising is to show people stuff so they dont have to dig for it.

if webzen has the right staff then no, they arent taking on too much. it seems they have their act together from watching the game confernce vid and seeing the ingame footage.

[Kard]

Originally Posted by Udonis

Financial wise yes i belive they made 13 million in some transaction with China..... so yea they have the money to make them..... and in the eastern gaming markets they will make many times more than they spend becuase Eastern people love their MMO's.....and for the number of people go to webzengames.com look under press.... I dont remember where but i do remember them saying that they have like a large number of employees who work in diffrent departments for games like APB(all points bulletin) SOUL and of course Huxley... so dont worry they got this locked down most likely.

I hope so... SUN being pushed back over 6 months to the Q3 (same as Huxley's) has me worried. I think its pretty impossible to get APD out Q1 2007, Im sure that will be pushed back to Q3 2007.

They should scrap all other games and focus on Huxley :P I'll try to remain optimistic.

[Backus]

Personally, I have no doubt that Huxley will be delayed. Its a new marketing tactic (which was started by blizzard in gaming) which build up fans and to ensures the "best" product. its rather smart actually. So anyways in my opinion hope for Q3 2006 but don't be shocked when with the fact that it'll actually release in 2007 Q2-3

[Udonis]

Originally Posted by Backus

Personally, I have no doubt that Huxley will be delayed. Its a new marketing tactic (which was started by blizzard in gaming) which build up fans and to ensures the "best" product. its rather smart actually. So anyways in my opinion hope for Q3 2006 but don't be shocked when with the fact that it'll actually release in 2007 Q2-3

Thast actually how you lose fans

check out Tabula Rasa youll see what i mean

mmorpg.com

[Addicted]

Originally Posted by Backus

Personally, I have no doubt that Huxley will be delayed. Its a new marketing tactic (which was started by blizzard in gaming) which build up fans and to ensures the "best" product. its rather smart actually. So anyways in my opinion hope for Q3 2006 but don't be shocked when with the fact that it'll actually release in 2007 Q2-3

HL2?

[Backus]

try any Vivendi owned gaming corporation. i.e. Blizz and Valve games

[Nishua]

^^ Stupid people vs a good product.