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
Casey37
Jun 26, 2009 @ 20:02:57
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:
MS
Jul 15, 2009 @ 21:17:47
Mark,
Been playing mythic games now for many many years… started on AOL, moved I believe it may have been centropolis gc, and a couple others from there maybe? Volunteered as in in-game “OP” in a few of them, and had quite a lot of fun doing so. Any how, you mentioned looking you up on face book…. I don’t know how many pages of “Mark Jacobs” I’ve sifted thru now, maybe you could give an easier way to find it? =) Maybe entertain a couple questions I have, on a more private level?
Thanks!
Niche markets :How To Play Warhammer Online
Jun 26, 2009 @ 21:12:43
Steve Havill
Jun 27, 2009 @ 02:33:48
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
John
Jun 27, 2009 @ 03:35:36
Nice post, Mark. I’ve heard good things about the folks at Games Workshop.
Drew
Jun 27, 2009 @ 06:45:18
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.
H.Jay
Jun 30, 2009 @ 10:41:09
My thoughts exactly, Maybe we can get a answer to this ??
deusx
Jun 27, 2009 @ 10:38:51
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.
Tommy
Jun 29, 2009 @ 11:27:00
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.
Mattias
Jun 29, 2009 @ 14:54:55
yeah gotta love land of the dead. its name is kinda fitting because T3 – 4 ARE dead mostly now. exclusive zones ONLY work if theres 3 or more realms involved. not 2 because when 1 realm have access the other one is left alone with hardly anyone to fight.
you turned a game thats meant to be rvr into a freaking PVE FEST! because theres nothing but EMPTY keeps to attack now.
Slaynn
Jun 29, 2009 @ 17:26:49
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?
William
Jun 29, 2009 @ 21:52:10
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.
ZAR
Jul 01, 2009 @ 23:35:55
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.
Anthony
Jul 02, 2009 @ 02:59:13
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.
Steve Havill
Jul 12, 2009 @ 08:14:41
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. 🙂
Aaron Lewis @ GuildPortal.com
Jul 16, 2009 @ 14:38:43
Hey Mark,
We’re saddened by the news you’re leaving this market. There are very few that stick to their guns when it comes to RMT. Actually, you may have been the last. Your example inspired us at GuildPortal to resist the obvious economic allure of bedding with RMT companies.
We were there when DAOC launched, and your people (I assume at your direction) have always been extremely helpful and accommodating when it came to requests from the gaming community to share in-game data via XML. In fact, Mythic was a pioneer in this regard. Imagine my surprise at receiving a cease and desist from Blizzard for parsing their XML — though they haven’t gone after other companies that are doing the same thing; many of whom, incidentally, are owned by or advertise for RMT companies ! Mythic spoiled us. =)
I hope you’re not entirely leaving the MMO market. It’d be a bleaker landscape, by far, were you not in there somewhere.
Votan
Jul 19, 2009 @ 05:41:24
I am sure Mark is going to take a much deserved break from the gaming world for a bit.
As for GWS I am sure they have a lot of great people, and by your comments it was a great experience. However from my point of view all be it just as a gamer getting PB in the deal, I will leave it as wtf was anyone thinking giving him a position that allowed him to speak in public let alone be the “face” of WAR…sorry I know you will take the high road, but from my point of view he did more harm to WAR and Mythic than I think you all realize.
Any way good luck Mark wish you the best and I am looking forward to seeing something in the future from you. Thanks for DAOC. Would follow more closely but I do not do the facebook thing, so post more here!
JHB
Jul 22, 2009 @ 18:57:52
When you take your next plunge into the world of online entertainment, I will be there ready to purchase your product.
I can say this because I trust you. You and your teams have given me some of the most enjoyable times I have ever had online.
Mark, thanks for the many hours of enjoyment.
Best wishes for the future!
Daez
Jul 24, 2009 @ 05:29:54
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.
marty
Jul 30, 2009 @ 03:29:49
Not too sure on the “reactivating” bit, its been over a month and no follow up posts. Pity.
Mezzaerin
Jul 31, 2009 @ 21:34:55
The one thing I would like to express to you, Mark, is admiration. Admiration for the way you have conducted yourself through this entire affair – from launch and beyond – and held up to scrutiny and some harsh criticisms; admiration for the respect you’ve shown not only your fans but your fellow developers and former co-workers. You have been magnanimous.
That said, I would like to say that I will continue expecting great things from you. You are not the sort of person to fall aside or be overcome by the turbulence life often (sadly) presents us.
Once more: I expect great things. I will look for your name in headlines.
Good day, sir.
Jason
Aug 06, 2009 @ 20:01:41
Hey mark! what is your facebook link?
Porter
Sep 10, 2009 @ 00:49:29
Sounds like you had some good times working with them. I personally hope that my development career has as many close members as you’ve wrote about above, it sounds great. Good luck with the future, I’m sure you’ll do well.
Matt
Sep 17, 2009 @ 20:51:10
What’s next? You mentioned the best way to follow was on Facebook. Link your profile?
Jocuri Gratis
Dec 30, 2009 @ 14:19:15
It’s nice that you are grateful to those who helped you!
Jocuri Online Tari
Dec 30, 2009 @ 14:20:11
There are so many people who influence us and sometimes we forget about them. Good for you that you know who deserves your attention!
Jocuri Online Tari
Jan 08, 2010 @ 12:05:44
Great post! It has lots of information in it and can be useful for many of us! Thank you very much!
Flashgames
Feb 18, 2010 @ 18:33:17
You need a shiny thumbnail of polished in-game graphics. For some games, a thumbnail from the menu art will look better.
Stephen
Apr 29, 2010 @ 05:21:03
Where are you Mark?! We need DAOC2, even if you have to rename it and juggle some things around a bit.
kostenlose MMORPG
May 28, 2010 @ 14:13:17
Hope the Games Workshop is available here in our country, southeast asia. We have so many online games fans here. 🙂
Paul Evans
Jun 21, 2010 @ 09:42:15
this is a very informative post.. i enjoyed reading it.
Aaron Linder
Jul 04, 2010 @ 09:16:04
I hope you don’t give up making games. I just picked up daoc again after a 5 year hiatus and I’ve played every mmo out there. DAOC and darkfall are really the best games out there, and there’s so many concepts of fighting in daoc that nobody has even copied I don’t understand why its seriously the best non-fps combat system out there still to this day. Great game still thanks!
tekidude
Aug 06, 2010 @ 21:54:01
Mark,
I loved DAoC, I thank you for Keeping UO going. I enjoy WAR. Keep up the great work. Remember, you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.