As I stated in my earlier posting, I intend to spend a great deal of time and effort over the next few weeks/months thanking the people and companies that I’ve been fortunate enough to work with over the years. The first of these posts is to a collection of individuals and the company that they are part of that has played a very important role in my life. So, without further ado, let the games begin.
Over the past fifteen years I’ve been fortunate to work with some great partners whether it is in terms of licensing IP, technology or on joint ventures. Without taking anything away from any of them, I really have to give a special thanks to the men and women at Games Workshop.
From the day we first met many years ago, they have been nothing but open, honest and direct with me in terms of every aspect of our dealings. We started off first as friendly competitors, transitioned to friends and then to true partners. They trusted Mythic and I with one of their most prized possessions and we did everything we could to deliver on a private and personal promise I made them 4 years ago. I hope that they are happy with the results and everything that Mythic and I have done for them up to now and I hope, and expect, that they will be happy with the work being done going forward even though I am no longer at Mythic.
I will never forget the kindness that they showed my family and I, when we all came for a visit a few years ago. They were gracious, accommodating and treated us as long-lost cousins. My son became a lifetime GW convert on that day and he stills talks about his visit to Nottingham in a manner that is a cross between adoration and hero worship. For that kindness, as well as the trust they showed in me personally, they have my undying gratitude.
My brainstorming sessions/discussions with Allen (please forgive me for introducing you to my favorite vice, Cherry Twizzlers), Rick, Erik, Andy, etc. were one of the joys and highlights of my career. You all were generous with the license, open to suggestions, forthcoming with your own thoughts/input and you participated heavily in the early coalescing of the ideas that became the game vision document (not a game design document as that is an Orc of different color) I wrote for Warhammer. Whether it was in a conference room, Bugman’s Bar (I really felt at home there) or at dinner, I felt privileged to be treated as more than a licensee. I enjoyed my times in England more than anywhere else I’ve been in the world so far and Nottingham will always occupy a special place in my and my family’s heart. I’ve always felt at home in England and your efforts, kindness and generosity of spirit and deeds made me feel even more welcome.
So, a special thanks to them and to everyone that I met and that I was privileged enough to work with over this time. I hope this will not be the last time we get together and to Tom, Mark, Andy, Rick, Allen, Erik, Robin, Hugo, Jo and everyone else that I was so fortunate to get to meet and to know over the years as well as to all the people that make GW what it was, is and will be, thank you so very much.
With my deepest respects and admiration,
Mark
Filed under: Entertainment, MMORPGS, Technology, Warhammer, games, mmos, online games
Stunned Mark… I know I’m not alone, guess I should have seen the writing on the wall when official forums were announced but it didn’t sink in.
Stay safe and keep us updated on your future plans man… you are a gamer’s game developer (or whatever hat you’re wearing that week) in my book and always a class act.
:respect:
[...] over to it and read his stuff.. Today he thanks Games Workshop and by reading it you can get a glimpse of how he must feel at the [...]
Mark.
It is great to see your appreciation to those you have worked with. That is hard to see in the game world now, and I really enjoyed this post, and the one before. And I’ll be reading future posts.
Oh and just a side note, name is Steve Havill. We have met I believe on facebook, or email or something. Name probable doesn’t ring a bell, was a while ago, when I still was an immature noob.
But again, thanks for being appreciative to those you have worked with, and those who we still see great things.
-Tags
–Steve
Nice post, Mark. I’ve heard good things about the folks at Games Workshop.
Most of us really do not understand why you just didn’t make DAOC2.
Why go in a new direction that clearly did not work when you had a winner in you’re back pocket.
Everything that was great in DAOC was missing from Warhammer, enough said.
they are fine folks indeed in nottingham. most i loved their urgent sense of humour. amazing that people like tom, rick and even the ugly redhead are still going strong and with clear thought.
and nice of you mark to applaude them when it is easy to condemn them, too.
Mark, sad to see you go. I’ve been playing mmorpgs for years and I can say that DAoC is the only one I truly, truly miss. I hope to see some of your work in the near future.
Always a fan.
Sad to see you go man. I would have to say that I followed you and Mythic since way back when Dark Age was released. Never had the pleasure of coming across someone that was so passionate about their customers and line of work.
Any plans on where you are going next?
You should resurrect Shadowbane Mr Jacobs. I would myself, but I do not have the funding, and UBIsoft has a firm lock on the game’s IP for whatever reason. I know people who sent official letters written by lawyers offering real money for the games IP and never getting anything back. You, being a famous and successful individual, may be able to go further. Hopefully you would keep to the “play to crush” concept and find a way to make it work. The market for that style of game is there (look at AoC’s sales at launch), nobody has done it right.
I like it how you didn´t just get lost Mark, I am a big fan of yours and wish you all the best.
With that said, I hope to see you under the SBG tag combining their resources with yours, creating the ultimate PvP game.
Voice from Hong Kong: Thanks Mark for all the things you have done for DAoC and WAR. Back in the prime days for DAoC, I used to call day-off to participate in relic raid! WH is also my favourite IP, man I was so depressed when the 1st MMO project for WH is cancelled. When I knew WAR is coming I was so exciting and told all my gaming buddies about it. Please continue to bring us excitment and fun in the mmo world.
How about you come work for free for a MMOFPS that will hopefully be in pipeline in a few weeks? Hmm sounds good doesn’t it!
But in all seriousness, I would love to see you stop by for some suggestions, let me know.
You rock, with honesty in your blogs.
Mark,
I was pleased to hear you’d reactivated this blog and intended to keep posting. It is a pleasure to see an employee leave a company (especially one he helped build with his own hard work) and not lambaste it in his goodbyes. It’s a rare thing, but I’m not surprised to see it in you – you always were one of those rare kinds; a CEO who talked to his gamers.
I hope that too continues throughout your professional career. I also hope you will keep us updated on the future to come.
All our best.