Noble Savage

I'd hate to spoil anything this early, but you'll DEFINITELY, without a doubt, want to check out the panel at SDCC. Definitely a lot more coolness to tell you guys about.

You make a compelling point, GG.

Heh heh heh. Thank you, but you ain't seen nothin' yet...

lol. But you know I work in 2D, right? You can thank character artist Cheryl Austin for giving Mother Mayhem actual 3D curves.

Thought she looked familiar. Yes, I noticed quite a few of those Easter eggs.

Fair enough, and you'll continue to see me posting on ATA and other threads of course. But I don't feel a need to say 'good idea' over and over, even though that's often how I feel. As much as I'd love to have a full conversation about every post, to talk through the challenges and merits of each, there's only so much time, y'know? And this concept art ain't going to draw itself after all.

One specific topic I'd like to hash out in the main ATA thread is a reaction to the Animal Pack. I'll go over there now, in fact...

Heh heh heh.

But of course! Since the system's pretty well set up at this point, I don't feel the need to comment unless something major comes up, but rest assured that everything is read, and we certainly note the great ideas.

Sidenote: we had a project TODAY, in fact, that specifically benefited from going back to some of the earlier ATA posts. There was a sub-topic that was suddenly relevant again, and I remembered reading some excellent suggestions. Now they'll be put to use. Coincidence, but a great illustration of how these threads have been helpful.

The main ATA thread was up to 83 pages of suggestions when I collated it all into a spreadsheet for the team. (Ack!)

This is pretty accurate actually. I started these threads to create an open dialogue with you guys about future art planning, and I think it's worked out incredibly well. Whenever we have an art conversation internally, I often find myself referring back to a solid point made here on an ATA thread, so in terms of making players' voices heard in-house, I'd say it's mission accomplished.

As Bubba points out though, there's a certain incubation time between an art decision and something big turning up in game. So even though we've taken a lot of your suggestions to heart and worked them into our ongoing pipeline, you won't necessarily see them all right away. Sometimes, it even requires brand new tech to make some of these ideas work correctly. Rest assured though, every ATA thread has helped us queue things up for maximum fan joy.

The even better news is that we're already starting to see specific, major player requests come online--right now in fact. Take the Animal Pack for example. If you total up all the various requests on the ATA: Super Boosters thread (which I have) you'll find that it's the most popular. Well, ask and you shall receive! As one of the first non Origin-themed boosters, this one's all about popular demand, so if you dig it and want to encourage more of the same, make sure to vote with your wallet.

I won't let the cat out of the bag here, but I think some of you have an inkling about the next set as well...

Cheers,
NS

Jim leaving was probably the first sign that the end was nigh. These days, he's in charge over at the HERO initiative and doing great work.

I remember the request, and I have a copy on my desk right now. *wink*

Definitely a great season. The show keeps surprising me, and as long as that's the case, I'll keep on watchin'. And I suppose they try to discourage quitting just to keep the drama high--if everyone just walked out, there wouldn't be much of a competition. Can't wait for Redemption Island.

Heh.

I'm thinking of two in particular that'll knock your socks off. ;p

*giant LOL spit-take* You owe me a new keyboard, Arcanaville.

Grr. Argh.