Comments on: A New Beginning http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/ Thoughts on MMOs, gaming, social spaces, development, and whatever else interests me in a day. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:32:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Online Gaming Radio » Blog Archive » New Attitude http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-520 Online Gaming Radio » Blog Archive » New Attitude Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:22:22 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-520 [...] It appears that the Florida States Attorneys office agrees with Mr. Smedley.  It appears that the “Florida Attorney General’s Office of Economic Crimes issued an investigative subpoena for records to IGE U.S., a.k.a. Affinity Media” as reported by www.igeclassaction.com.  The subpoena is reported to have been issued “pursuant to the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act in the course of an official investigation”.  For those of you who are unaware, IGE is, by there own estimation at least, the worlds largest seller of virtual in game currency.  More about this issue and Mr. Smedley’s comments in “Gnomercee, no prisoners”…  Scott Hartsman we hardly knew ye… Last month we bid goodbye to Scott Hartsman, Senior Producer for EQ2.  Before becoming a producer he was a technical director.  For those of you who may be interested in an interview with Mr. Hartsman from back in 2004 when he was a technical director it can be found here  at gamespy.com.  He was on the team that brought us “highly detailed, photorealistic characters and environments” that were “bleeding edge”. As for me, I will remember him (like he’s dead right?) as the producer that brought us the Echoes of Faydwer – the expansion with the “oh wow” look that brought me back to Everquest after playing EQ1 before there was an EQ2.  Scott  Hartsman has a blog site entitled “Scott Hartsman – Off the Record” that can be found at hartsman.com.  Here is an excerpt from his letter entitled “A new beginning” where he bid goodbye to us all.  The entire letter can be read here. [...] […] It appears that the Florida States Attorneys office agrees with Mr. Smedley.  It appears that the “Florida Attorney General’s Office of Economic Crimes issued an investigative subpoena for records to IGE U.S., a.k.a. Affinity Media” as reported by www.igeclassaction.com.  The subpoena is reported to have been issued “pursuant to the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act in the course of an official investigation”.  For those of you who are unaware, IGE is, by there own estimation at least, the worlds largest seller of virtual in game currency.  More about this issue and Mr. Smedley’s comments in “Gnomercee, no prisoners”…  Scott Hartsman we hardly knew ye… Last month we bid goodbye to Scott Hartsman, Senior Producer for EQ2.  Before becoming a producer he was a technical director.  For those of you who may be interested in an interview with Mr. Hartsman from back in 2004 when he was a technical director it can be found here  at gamespy.com.  He was on the team that brought us “highly detailed, photorealistic characters and environments” that were “bleeding edge”. As for me, I will remember him (like he’s dead right?) as the producer that brought us the Echoes of Faydwer – the expansion with the “oh wow” look that brought me back to Everquest after playing EQ1 before there was an EQ2.  Scott  Hartsman has a blog site entitled “Scott Hartsman – Off the Record” that can be found at hartsman.com.  Here is an excerpt from his letter entitled “A new beginning” where he bid goodbye to us all.  The entire letter can be read here. […]

]]> By: Meryddian http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-519 Meryddian Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:16:41 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-519 Awww... was so disappointed that you left (Fan Faires and EQ/EQ2 just won't be the same). But you're so dynamic that I know you'll have great success wherever you go! And I'll think of you every time I see a bandana on a pirate... :) Best of luck, wherever the road may take you. Cheryl/Meryddian Awww… was so disappointed that you left (Fan Faires and EQ/EQ2 just won’t be the same). But you’re so dynamic that I know you’ll have great success wherever you go!

And I’ll think of you every time I see a bandana on a pirate… :)

Best of luck, wherever the road may take you.

Cheryl/Meryddian

]]> By: SG_01 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-513 SG_01 Sat, 29 Dec 2007 13:14:32 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-513 I know I'm late, but hey, better late than never. Was fun meeting you at Fan Faire, and definitely sad to see you leave the EQ2 team. Anyhow, I wish you the best out there. Glad you're at least keep being on the MMO development front. Anyhow, hope you find a great new job out there! - SG_01 Lunarchild aka Andriella ( http://eq2.mmo-league.org - Antonia Bayle Server ) I know I’m late, but hey, better late than never.

Was fun meeting you at Fan Faire, and definitely sad to see you leave the EQ2 team. Anyhow, I wish you the best out there. Glad you’re at least keep being on the MMO development front.

Anyhow, hope you find a great new job out there!

- SG_01 Lunarchild
aka Andriella ( http://eq2.mmo-league.org - Antonia Bayle Server )

]]> By: Kwill http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-511 Kwill Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:16:10 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-511 I know you went to follow wherever your frickin' whiteboard ended up. Best of luck wherever or whatever you do. EQ2 would never have been what it is without your leadership. You will be missed! Kwill I know you went to follow wherever your frickin’ whiteboard ended up.

Best of luck wherever or whatever you do.

EQ2 would never have been what it is without your leadership. You will be missed!

Kwill

]]> By: Manas http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-509 Manas Fri, 28 Dec 2007 05:10:06 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-509 Scott, Best of luck w/ the new venture! I can no longer say "hey the dude that runs eq2 was my guildleader" but likely youll be doing something even more grand! As Elycion said its a loong time since our days in lower guk, unrest etc. etc. I wish you all the best! Manas/John Scott,

Best of luck w/ the new venture! I can no longer say “hey the dude that runs eq2 was my guildleader” but likely youll be doing something even more grand! As Elycion said its a loong time since our days in lower guk, unrest etc. etc. I wish you all the best!

Manas/John

]]> By: Kyan Mehwulfe http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-426 Kyan Mehwulfe Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:24:05 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-426 Best wishes and good luck. Best wishes and good luck.

]]> By: Babs http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-357 Babs Thu, 20 Dec 2007 10:16:17 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-357 It's not goodbye, it's see ya later =) It’s not goodbye, it’s see ya later =)

]]> By: Kuro http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-326 Kuro Wed, 19 Dec 2007 01:57:49 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-326 Scott, you made EQ2 a lot better, and you really stepped up the standards of communication to the playerbase, thanks for all your hard work and I look forward to seeing your next game. Just hope EQ2 doesn't nosedive back with your absence :) Kuro Scott, you made EQ2 a lot better, and you really stepped up the standards of communication to the playerbase, thanks for all your hard work and I look forward to seeing your next game.

Just hope EQ2 doesn’t nosedive back with your absence :)

Kuro

]]> By: Ferrel http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-308 Ferrel Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:06:02 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-308 I just wanted to thank you for all the time you spent on EQ2 Scott. I view you as a major reason as to why the game was so exciting and endearing to myself and Iniquity. You always went the extra mile for us and I'll always be grateful. Good luck with everything you've decided to do! I just wanted to thank you for all the time you spent on EQ2 Scott. I view you as a major reason as to why the game was so exciting and endearing to myself and Iniquity. You always went the extra mile for us and I’ll always be grateful.

Good luck with everything you’ve decided to do!

]]> By: SpyderBite http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-307 SpyderBite Tue, 18 Dec 2007 05:26:28 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-307 I really wanted to add a "farewell" to you on my own blog this week but won't have a chance till tomorrow morning. So, here I am Scott.. good luck to you. I look forward to following your career as I have many other MMO producers in the past. Ironically, I wind up playing games they've developed and/or played and our relationships never seem to go different directions. I hope the same is true here. Keep us all posted on what you're up to! SpyderBite "Spyder's Twisted Web" - An In Your Face MMO Blog I really wanted to add a “farewell” to you on my own blog this week but won’t have a chance till tomorrow morning.

So, here I am Scott.. good luck to you. I look forward to following your career as I have many other MMO producers in the past. Ironically, I wind up playing games they’ve developed and/or played and our relationships never seem to go different directions. I hope the same is true here.

Keep us all posted on what you’re up to!

SpyderBite
“Spyder’s Twisted Web” - An In Your Face MMO Blog

]]> By: Sci Fi Massive http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-306 Sci Fi Massive Tue, 18 Dec 2007 04:08:35 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-306 Good luck with whatever you decide to do next. We will all be watching closely. You did a terrific job with EQ2, and your effors were appreciated my more folks that you will probably ever know. All I ask is that whilst choosing the next giant-step in your career, at least consider Sci Fi! Cheers mate, you deserve it! Good luck with whatever you decide to do next. We will all be watching closely. You did a terrific job with EQ2, and your effors were appreciated my more folks that you will probably ever know. All I ask is that whilst choosing the next giant-step in your career, at least consider Sci Fi! Cheers mate, you deserve it!

]]> By: lightbearer valorstrike & raiina valorstrike http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-305 lightbearer valorstrike & raiina valorstrike Tue, 18 Dec 2007 03:49:29 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-305 Scott what can we say.. We wish you the best and know you have plans ahead.. We are waiting to hear all about it! You still owe us drinks -- or maybe it was us that owes you those drinks.. ;-) Keep in touch! Adam&Jessica Rossi Scott what can we say.. We wish you the best and know you have plans ahead.. We are waiting to hear all about it! You still owe us drinks — or maybe it was us that owes you those drinks.. ;-)

Keep in touch!
Adam&Jessica Rossi

]]> By: Adele http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-301 Adele Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:33:50 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-301 I'm sure we'll see great things from you soon! Good luck! I’m sure we’ll see great things from you soon! Good luck!

]]> By: Almeric's Blog >> Farewell http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-276 Almeric's Blog >> Farewell Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:46:25 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-276 [snip]...Sir, my hat is off to you. You headed up an effort that took a game that was great at launch (I thought, at least), and made it about 10 times greater...[snip] [snip]…Sir, my hat is off to you. You headed up an effort that took a game that was great at launch (I thought, at least), and made it about 10 times greater…[snip]

]]> By: Almeric's Blog - Goodbye, Sir http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-275 Almeric's Blog - Goodbye, Sir Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:27:07 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-275 ...Sir, my hat is off to you. You headed up an effort that took a game that was great at launch (I thought, at least), and made it about 10 times greater... …Sir, my hat is off to you. You headed up an effort that took a game that was great at launch (I thought, at least), and made it about 10 times greater…

]]> By: Loading… » Blog Archive » MMOG Carols http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-274 Loading… » Blog Archive » MMOG Carols Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:53:56 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-274 [...] UP!: Scott Hartsman - EQ2 will miss [...] […] UP!: Scott Hartsman - EQ2 will miss […]

]]> By: RadarX http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-273 RadarX Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:43:28 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-273 Scott, you earned my respect long ago by actually "shushing" Coyote in a Fan Faire session. However, I've had the great fortune to see you in action and your honesty and passion were always inspiring. Good luck in your future endeavors and I'm sure we'll be seeing great things from you. Scott, you earned my respect long ago by actually “shushing” Coyote in a Fan Faire session. However, I’ve had the great fortune to see you in action and your honesty and passion were always inspiring. Good luck in your future endeavors and I’m sure we’ll be seeing great things from you.

]]> By: Mike Bolland http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-269 Mike Bolland Mon, 17 Dec 2007 04:07:54 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-269 Good luck with the future Scott! I look forward to the remake of EQ1 you'll be producing after the movie is released! Good luck with the future Scott! I look forward to the remake of EQ1 you’ll be producing after the movie is released!

]]> By: Tris’ Blog » End of a virtual era - Scott Hartman leaves SOE http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-246 Tris’ Blog » End of a virtual era - Scott Hartman leaves SOE Sun, 16 Dec 2007 22:39:18 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-246 [...] Now, one of the lead developers (and subsequently producer of EverQuest 2, has called it a day. [...] […] Now, one of the lead developers (and subsequently producer of EverQuest 2, has called it a day. […]

]]> By: Stan http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-233 Stan Sat, 15 Dec 2007 23:51:37 +0000 http://www.hartsman.com/2007/12/14/a-new-beginning/#comment-233 Well Scott, you and your "slaves" did a great job. We have better game than it was 2 years ago. Even if you burned out, you could say you at least did what you can. Prolly you had lots of more ideas, but higher management thinked otherwise. Thats most common thing of leaving anyway :D I can only say - good luck mate. Do not regret anything - you made lots of people happy by making EQ2 way it is now. Those you made angry quited anyway :) But who cares :D Take a year off, go visit old land in europe or take a shot in cosmos. Make something different. Don't push yourself into something you don't like. (Why I sound like chineese wise man reading from cookies, sigh). At least go have some fun! Take care. Well Scott, you and your “slaves” did a great job. We have better game than it was 2 years ago. Even if you burned out, you could say you at least did what you can. Prolly you had lots of more ideas, but higher management thinked otherwise. Thats most common thing of leaving anyway :D

I can only say - good luck mate. Do not regret anything - you made lots of people happy by making EQ2 way it is now. Those you made angry quited anyway :) But who cares :D

Take a year off, go visit old land in europe or take a shot in cosmos. Make something different. Don’t push yourself into something you don’t like. (Why I sound like chineese wise man reading from cookies, sigh). At least go have some fun!

Take care.

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