NCsoft Brighton more trouble?
By
3dent,
Posted on: 2009-02-11 11:33 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
Look on the bright side... just be glad you're not in the Sir Viv Richards' stadium in Antigua.
Thelonious Monk
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they cant make announcements that suggest the situation is a feta compli
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It's really cheesy to say that... course I may not have understood you properly - after all, it's all greek to me. 
But more seriously, I've already stated that NC must have an idea what they're going to do with us EU players and EU boards/servers. It shouldn't be reliant upon individuals employment or a roles geographical location - so consultation periods should have nothing to do with the current silence to us.
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
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What really interested me about the financial highlights were the revenue projections. Now unless I'm reading it wrong the revenue for CoX in 2008 was 23,227m Won but the projections for 2009 fall drastically to 15,000m Won. I wonder what their analysts know that we dont.
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Your reading it wrong, that's Guild Wars, the cyan block on the graph.
CoX 2008 is 24,218 with a projection for 25,000 in 2009. The Purple block on the graph.
Unless *I'm* reading it wrong 
Well there were many players of whom PvP was big endgame content, in fact some players all they seemed to do was both PvE and PvP in Sirens, Warburg and RV.
When it was changed without acknowledging those who used it most...well, You know the rest.
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Look on the bright side... just be glad you're not in the Sir Viv Richards' stadium in Antigua.
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It's kind of the same effect as lag, I think.
Is it time for the dance of joy yet?
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What really interested me about the financial highlights were the revenue projections. Now unless I'm reading it wrong the revenue for CoX in 2008 was 23,227m Won but the projections for 2009 fall drastically to 15,000m Won. I wonder what their analysts know that we dont.
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You are reading it wrong. Those are the GW figures. CoH/V was 24,218 and is projected to be 25,000.
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What really interested me about the financial highlights were the revenue projections. Now unless I'm reading it wrong the revenue for CoX in 2008 was 23,227m Won but the projections for 2009 fall drastically to 15,000m Won. I wonder what their analysts know that we dont.
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Your reading it wrong, that's Guild Wars, the cyan block on the graph.
CoX 2008 is 24,218 with a projection for 25,000 in 2009. The Purple block on the graph.
Unless *I'm* reading it wrong
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YOu're right, they think CoH will continue a nice steady line on sales, players, unlike GW that will continue the 'steady trend' of ups and downs and slowly loosing players untill release of GW2 (this was already confirmed by A.net).
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
To be perfectly honest setting aside the loss of jobs (which is truly sucky) and the loss of the EU community (also sucky) the best thing they NCWest could do is to lump the EU and US together I've never seen the point of creating these borders for online games all it serves to do is dilute your users.
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they cant make announcements that suggest the situation is a feta compli
[/ QUOTE ]
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It's really cheesy to say that... course I may not have understood you properly - after all, it's all greek to me.
But more seriously, I've already stated that NC must have an idea what they're going to do with us EU players and EU boards/servers. It shouldn't be reliant upon individuals employment or a roles geographical location - so consultation periods should have nothing to do with the current silence to us.
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It's the HR laws of the UK. You can't just say I'm making someone redundant. You have to go through a process. If you don't the employee has a very good chance of getting substantial rewards for a) constructive dismissal b) sueing because the company isn't being compliant with the law.
NC cant make a formal announcement until the process is complete becaus they would be prejudicing themselves.
Don't get into a flap. It's only my opinion and I'm thick
Arc 56763 Lord Anarchys heaven
2 mission arc. Bring friends cause Lord Anarchy means business...
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What really interested me about the financial highlights were the revenue projections. Now unless I'm reading it wrong the revenue for CoX in 2008 was 23,227m Won but the projections for 2009 fall drastically to 15,000m Won. I wonder what their analysts know that we dont.
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You are reading it wrong. Those are the GW figures. CoH/V was 24,218 and is projected to be 25,000.
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The other thing is the number crunchers have got to be considering the impact CO and DC (not to mention Star Trek) is going to have on the vulnerably low numbers of this game.
Those storms ARE gonna hit.
Don't get into a flap. It's only my opinion and I'm thick
Arc 56763 Lord Anarchys heaven
2 mission arc. Bring friends cause Lord Anarchy means business...
They won't be considering DCUO or Star Trek as they are unlikely to go live in 2009.
LB is right about HR law though.
I really should do something about this signature.
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they cant make announcements that suggest the situation is a feta compli
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It's really cheesy to say that... course I may not have understood you properly - after all, it's all greek to me.
But more seriously, I've already stated that NC must have an idea what they're going to do with us EU players and EU boards/servers. It shouldn't be reliant upon individuals employment or a roles geographical location - so consultation periods should have nothing to do with the current silence to us.
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It's the HR laws of the UK. You can't just say I'm making someone redundant. You have to go through a process. If you don't the employee has a very good chance of getting substantial rewards for a) constructive dismissal b) sueing because the company isn't being compliant with the law.
NC cant make a formal announcement until the process is complete becaus they would be prejudicing themselves.
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You misunderstand me. I understand UK employment law regarding this - having seen my fair share of redundancies at companies I've been at.
What I don't understand is that the company will have decided what to do with the EU customers/boards/servers and should be able to give us some pointers rather than let doom run riot. e.g. stating that the EU boards are closing and that the EU players are being moved to the US servers would have no undue impact on any talks with Brighton staff as to whether or not their positions are redundant or whether they can be found an alternate role within the company.
Are you really suggesting that NC wait until the end of a 90 day consultation period to let the players know whether we're being shafted to the US servers or not? How many players will they have left at the end of such a period of non-communication?
Oh - and the first part was due to your using the phrase feta compli rather than fait accompli, given that feta is a greek cheese.
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
(Cut 'n' pasted from U.S forums):
IceScykle:
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Adam Martin, former CTO of NCsoft Europe, has some great points.
These retrenchments are the last stage of the general reshuffling of NCWest (as it is). No longer are ex-Origin people in charge; now it is ArenaNet people and they are finishing up in clearing house. It was badly handled because it should have come sooner and with better planning in his view.
The subtext I find scary is that the AN people aren't likely to care about CoH/V. Their focus will be on making GW2 work (which it has to succeed or else NCsoft Korea is going to potentially write a lot of future NA development as a bad investment) and to get the NCsoft Korean titles (like Aion) localised and successful because that is what head office will want. CoH/V probably sits at the back of this importance somewhat because it is a MMO that is chugging along fine right now, but doesn't have the player numbers to make it important to major decision making.
As for CoH/V Europe: I think that's over. Much cheaper to roll everyone into NA where all support and CS can be centralised.
If CoH/V is important to NCWest then we really should be hearing about a major expansion early in 2009. If it isn't important, then I think a lot of the 'major investment' diverted to CoH/V is going to be put into other NCsoft titles that are going to launch this year. CoH/V won't be shut down, but I expect a lot of the optimism about 2009 will be eroded from the devs.
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Another way of looking at it is that COH is a proven money machine for 5 years, they ahve been stung on pie in the sky with the excremental ego trip that was TR and in the current economic climate risk is not a good thing.
So that leaves us with investing more millions in games that may be live for just a few months or consolidating on a product that pulls in at least $1.5mill a month on subs alone and more "add on" packs coming out. I really dont see investment in COH being diverted, people REALLY want guaranteed income now and not another TR.
Given that the comic market has barely even been tapped by COH the potential to expand is there, there is little out there that outshines COH that is being released now and in many cases its worse (Mob AI in WAR makes coh seem like we are fighting an army of einsteins) The problem COH has is there is little to no product marketing out there, even World of Warcraft advertises on mainstream media.
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I've gotta agree, How the hell are people supposed to know about the product if its not marketed correctly, - Its hardly rocket science in these SuperHero-obsessed times.
I swear it really is like banging your head against a brickwall with NCsoft in this regard. 
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stating that the EU boards are closing and that the EU players are being moved to the US servers would have no undue impact on any talks with Brighton staff
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That would affect the status of a post actually existing or not. It probably would have no influence on negotiations, but the lawyers would have advised them to say nothing anyway, as lawyers always err on the side of non-disclosure of information.
I really should do something about this signature.
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To be perfectly honest setting aside the loss of jobs (which is truly sucky) and the loss of the EU community (also sucky) the best thing they NCWest could do is to lump the EU and US together I've never seen the point of creating these borders for online games all it serves to do is dilute your users.
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But, as I understand it, part of it's always been down to tying the forum membership to the game account and the restrictions on data sharing between EU and US companies.
i.e. they've not been able to have both EU and US on the same forum if they're using personal account data (may be the address and financial info) to determine membership.
Pretty sure that without these external restrictions no company would ever really consider hosting seperate boards.
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
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Are you really suggesting that NC wait until the end of a 90 day consultation period to let the players know whether we're being shafted to the US servers or not? How many players will they have left at the end of such a period of non-communication?
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If they reply now, or later, in both ways it wont a) be good news or b) too 'vague' news that it sounds like yet another 'empty promiss'.
a - version one: EU gonna close kkthxbb. EU gonna merge.
b - No worry EU, we have huge plans this year for u guys, hang in and we gonna rock this boat!
But my initial question remains, who are actualy left at Brighton now? At least no one for us.
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
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stating that the EU boards are closing and that the EU players are being moved to the US servers would have no undue impact on any talks with Brighton staff
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That would affect the status of a post actually existing or not. It probably would have no influence on negotiations, but the lawyers would have advised them to say nothing anyway, as lawyers always err on the side of non-disclosure of information.
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THAT kind of statement could affect things yes, but there are still plenty of things they COULD say which wouldn't, such as "Please bear with us during the current ongoing transition period. More news will be forthcoming as soon as possible".
But they're not saying ANYthing. Even GR, who's been posting a little today mostly in defense of his soon to be former employer, is making absolutely no comment regarding what's going on. Almost certainly because he's been TOLD to make no comment. This silence is causing NC irreparable harm by the minute.
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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stating that the EU boards are closing and that the EU players are being moved to the US servers would have no undue impact on any talks with Brighton staff
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That would affect the status of a post actually existing or not. It probably would have no influence on negotiations, but the lawyers would have advised them to say nothing anyway, as lawyers always err on the side of non-disclosure of information.
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Why I said no undue impact. I'd guess that moving the players to the US would possibly help NC...
It can be hard to justify making staff redundant when expanding or keeping operations the same (other than staff loss). I'd have thought it a lot easier to do when making big changes to your operations - such as moving all customers from one subsection of the company to another.
It also lets the company look superficially good by offering alternate employment that you know most people won't take - yes you can move from Brighton to Texas... there's a similar role there, with only slightly lower pay/benefits and far worse working hours... but have it if you don't mind uprooting your family... we'll even help you with 10% of your relocation fees.
Still - them thar lawyers will have advised silence. Silence and, being lawyers, another $10000 for that advice.
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
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This silence is causing NC irreparable harm by the minute.
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Hyperbole very much?
I think you're all overreacting rather strongly to be honest.
What is surprising is how quickly some have switched from "Everything is rosey, stop saying there's less people on Server X" to "Ahhh. The sky is falling"
It's a reorg, it's most likely the servers will stay up for the medium term and then there may be some sort of switch / change. Until that's confirmed people should probably stop working themselves into such a lather.
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That would affect the status of a post actually existing or not. It probably would have no influence on negotiations, but the lawyers would have advised them to say nothing anyway, as lawyers always err on the side of non-disclosure of information.
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THAT kind of statement could affect things yes, but there are still plenty of things they COULD say which wouldn't, such as "Please bear with us during the current ongoing transition period. More news will be forthcoming as soon as possible".
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Yes, they probably could say something along those lines. But it is risky for them. Their solicitors or HR advisers may well be advising them not to.
And to answer a previous poster, it doesnt necessarily have to take 3 months. But that is the prescribed period.
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But they're not saying ANYthing. Even GR, who's been posting a little today mostly in defense of his soon to be former employer, is making absolutely no comment regarding what's going on. Almost certainly because he's been TOLD to make no comment. This silence is causing NC irreparable harm by the minute.
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But, barring the kind of statement you just suggested they can't.
Don't get into a flap. It's only my opinion and I'm thick
Arc 56763 Lord Anarchys heaven
2 mission arc. Bring friends cause Lord Anarchy means business...
[ QUOTE ]
Even GR, who's been posting a little today mostly in defense of his soon to be former employer, is making absolutely no comment regarding what's going on. Almost certainly because he's been TOLD to make no comment. This silence is causing NC irreparable harm by the minute.
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GR is probably metaphorically biting his lip.
He realises that saying anything other than just plain factual corrections may not help him find future employment. Would you hire someone in GRs line of work who'd potentially embarassed their last employer on public forums?
By my mohawk shall ye know me!
my toons
Funny: Ee-Ai-Ee-Ai-Oh! #3662 * The foul-mouthed Handyman! #1076 * City of Norms #132944
Serious: To Save A Single World (#83744) * Marketing Opportunity (#83747)
[ QUOTE ]
GR is probably metaphorically biting his lip.
He realises that saying anything other than just plain factual corrections may not help him find future employment. Would you hire someone in GRs line of work who'd potentially embarassed their last employer on public forums?
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I absolutely don't expect GR to be able to say ANYthing about what's going on tbh. He needs to look after himself and it's absolutely right that he do so. You'll note that I've not actually asked him if he can tell us anything.
@FloatingFatMan
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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I think you're all overreacting rather strongly to be honest.
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NC is bigger then this forum. Along with Q4 reports, several fansites of Aion already expressed their 'feeling' about the ongoing delay, GW2 getting refered to Nukem Forever, and those are even confirmed to be delayed.
Aionsource, 1 of the biggest Aion fansites, have 1 of NC Brighton posting quite regular, also gave the 'news':
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A number of the people in our office's cut were offered similar positions in the US, but unfortunately not everyone. I'm still looking into solutions and alternatives (perhaps there will be unsimilar positions that end up appropriate) and wanted to wait with writing here until I knew more about my own future and path. Well, I still don't know exactly what will happen, except that my time working with you guys has come to an abrupt end.
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So this 'cleaning' alone might not be that big, but along with Q4 reports, damage is considering big. I think for NC, the DOOOM of friday the 13th may actualy be true.
50)Sinergy X/(50)Mika.
(50)MaceX/(50)Encore
Sign the petition, dont let CoH go down! SIGN!
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Even GR, who's been posting a little today mostly in defense of his soon to be former employer, is making absolutely no comment regarding what's going on. Almost certainly because he's been TOLD to make no comment. This silence is causing NC irreparable harm by the minute.
[/ QUOTE ]
GR is probably metaphorically biting his lip.
He realises that saying anything other than just plain factual corrections may not help him find future employment. Would you hire someone in GRs line of work who'd potentially embarassed their last employer on public forums?
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Only if they'd worked for the BBC, Sky or FOX. Then they'd be office heroes 
Is it time for the dance of joy yet?
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So cocking up the PvP aspect of the game seemed to put a bigger dent in the game than NCSoft were/are prepared to admit.
No surprise there then.
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I don't get this.
For a start I don't think it's that easy to distinguish a PVP player from a PVE player in this game, and PVP is a relatively small part of the game. I can't see how changes in PVP had such a massive impact.
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And wouldn't the USA have taken just as big a (pro rata ) hit as we did?
Don't get into a flap. It's only my opinion and I'm thick
Arc 56763 Lord Anarchys heaven
2 mission arc. Bring friends cause Lord Anarchy means business...