Introducing the new Community Director

Heya folks!

My name is Jonathan Hanna (aka, Calandryll) and I am the Director of Community Relations for Turbine, Inc. Before I get into what that means, let me tell you a little about myself. I’ve been in the games industry for over 7 years now as a Community Relations representative and game designer for a variety of MMOGs. Before getting into games I was in Marketing for products such as blank audio tape and home alarm systems. But I left the “glamorous” life of selling 10-packs of audio tape and infra-red motion detectors behind when I took an opportunity to work in the marketing department for a start-up gaming company. Needless to say, I’ve never looked back.

I’ve been a gamer all my life, starting with pen-and-paper games and then moving to computer games when I got my first Commodore 64. I still joke with my dad who used to tell me to do my homework instead of play games all day. “You can’t get a job with the high score in Asteroids!” Of course, now he tells all of his friends how he’s the one who bought me my first computer and started me on my way in the gaming industry. Funny how that all worked out.

So what does a Director of Community Relations do? Basically it means I’m responsible for the Community Teams for all of Turbine’s games and will be helping to set policies and start initiatives that will make our communication with all of you even better. Much of my work will be behind the scenes (I get to go to lots and lots of meetings and read endless reports) although I do hope to post sometimes. Either way, I can promise you I do spend a lot of time reading the boards. Keep in mind that I am responsible for four MMOGs, so the Community Managers for each game will still be your main source of contact since they will always know the games (and all of you) better than I can.

I’ve been with Turbine for a week now so I am still getting up to speed. Plus, having lived in Texas for the past six years I have to get used to all of this white stuff falling from the sky. Thankfully I already have an amazing OCR team here and I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with all of you to continue to create the best MMOG communities on the internet! As we start working on new community initiatives (newsletters, fansite kits, etc.) I’ll probably post updates from time to time as well.

Oh, and for those of you still in school…do your homework.

__________________ -Jonathan "Calandryll" Hanna Director of Community Relations Turbine, Inc.

The Stratics Network is excited to announce the Grand Opening of our newest site, TABULA RASA STRATICS! Dedicated to NCSoft/Destination Games’ Tabula Rasa, TR Stratics will feature the latest news, game information, screenshots, and more for the Tabula Rasa Community.

To prove it, we invite you all to read more about those behind the game in our Exclusive Interview with Paul Sage, TR Lead Designer, from May 2004, as well as an Original Video Interview with Richard Garriott (the “Lord British” of Ultima fame) talking about Tabula Rasa in its infancy over 2 years ago! Both of them share very unique perspectives on not only their game, but on the Massively Multiplayer Online Gaming industry as a whole.

Tabula Rasa is the latest massively multiplayer entertainment experience to come from the legendary creative mind of Richard Garriott and the all-star team of industry professionals at Destination Games. Developed from the ground up to be stable, fast and fun, Tabula Rasa™ represents a refreshing new approach to the design of multiplayer online games.

The character development process provides the novice player with an ability to explore and discover the game universe at their own pace without committing to a specific play style. Seasoned gamers will appreciate the challenging strategy and complex depth found in similar games.

In order to celebrate this new addition to the Stratics Network, we will not only hold one contest, but will in fact launch with TWO great contests! Read on for more:

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Tabula Rasa Stratics Wallpaper Contest

Consider yourself a graphic artist? Then this one is right up your alley! So what is the "Tabula Rasa Online Wallpaper Contest"? Basically, we are looking for Desktop Wallpapers that focus on the themes found in Tabula. Themes can range from the abstract to specific themes or anything else you feel is appropriate.

• Guidelines:
  
  
  • Wallpapers need to be created in either of two sizes - 800x600 or 1024x768 (or both).
    
    
  • It is VERY IMPORTANT that entries be created in BMP format (for people to use as a wallpaper), then e-mailed to Teich Dragon in a WinZip condensed file. If you do not have WinZip already, then please visit their site HERE for a free evaluation version. NOTE that any submissions not in this format will not be accepted.
    
  • No advertising (such as website links) in the artwork, please.
  
  
• Entry: No purchase necessary. Limit one entry per person. The contest begins July 9, 2004 and ends August 1, 2004. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on August 1, 2004.
  
• Winner Selection: Winners will be selected by the TR Stratics staff. Each entry will be evaluated by the staff and after careful review, the top selections will be awarded. Winners will be notified via email and an announcement will also be made on the TR Stratics web site.
  
• Prizes: Official Tabula Rasa Posters (provided by NCSoft) for all Winners.
  
• Eligibility: This contest is open to all worldwide 18 and older. All Stratics Team Members and NCSoft not eligible. Void where prohibited by law.
  
• Conduct: By entering this Contest, you agree to be bound by these rules.
  
• Winners List: The name of the prize winners will be posted on the TR Stratics site.

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TR Stratics Fan Fiction Contest

TR Stratics is celebrating it's launch with another fun contest for the Tabula Rasa community. This time around we are focusing on the writers out there and asking for Player Written Stories. Do you enjoy writing fiction about the characters that you play? Do you find yourself telling stories more than actually adventuring in games? If you find that most of your friends would sooner call you a Scholar than a Warrior, then this is your chance to shine! Themes can range from anything we heard about Tabula Rasa so far. Basically, whatever you feel the other players of Tabula Rasa Stratics would enjoy reading. Here are the specifics of the contest. Make sure to read through it all carefully to ensure that your submission will qualify:

Guidelines:

• Fan Fiction needs to be submitted in either an MS Word document or a plain Text Document. Please NO pictures, screenshots or artwork.
  
• It is IMPORTANT that entries be e-mailed directly to Teich Dragon with "Fan Fiction Contest" in the Subject Field. It isn't necessary to condense the files since they will be text only, but if you do, please use WinZip.
  
• No advertising (such as website links) or Guild Recruitment in the story, please. Incidental mention of your guild is appropriate if it furthers the story though.
  
• All entries will be judged on a) Originality and b) Matching the atmosphere of Tabula Rasa from all we heard and have seen so far.
  
• Grammatical accuracy (spelling and editing) will be VERY important! If you want to have other players review your work before you submit it, then please post it to our fiction forum, The White Stag Inn, for discussion.


• Entry: No purchase necessary. Limit one entry per person. The contest begins July 9, 2004 and ends August 1, 2004. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM EST on August 1, 2004.
  
• Winner Selection: Winners will be selected by the TR Stratics staff. Each entry will be evaluated by the staff and after careful review, the top selections will be awarded. Award winners will be announced on August 8, 2004. Winners will be notified via email and an announcement will also be made on the TR Stratics web site.
  
• Prizes: 1st Place will receive either a) A copy of "Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicles" plus a 60 Day Game Card (see Lineage Stratics for more details of game) or a copy of "City of Heroes" plus a 60 Day Game Card (see CoH Stratics for details of game); 2nd and 3rd will receive either a) A copy of "Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicles" or a copy of "City of Heroes".
  
• Eligibility: This contest is open to all worldwide 18 and older. All Stratics Team Members and NCSoft employees not eligible. Void where prohibited by law.
  
• Conduct: By entering this Contest, you agree to be bound by these rules.
  
• Winners List: The name of the prize winners will be posted on the TR Stratics site.

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Disclaimer Legal Stuff: By placing material on or communicating with the Stratics bulletin boards, forums or submitting material for publication you hereby grant to Stratics and their affiliates and related entities the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and license to use, copy, modify, display, distribute and reproduce all such materials in any form, media, software or technology of any kind now existing or developed in the future. You also agree to indemnify, defend and hold Stratics harmless against any claims or costs, including attorneys' fees, arising from the use or distribution of those materials. You further grant Stratics the right to use your name in connection with the reproduction or distribution of such material.

SWG Stratics is pleased to announce this month's House of Commons chat with the Dev Team of Star Wars Galaxies! The Dev Team will be waiting on Stratics IRC Thursday, July 15th to answer your questions on live issues.

The time is 4 PM PST, 7 PM EST, 12 AM GMT.

Joining is easy! Just connect through our handy Java client, which may be found right here. You must have Java installed to use this, which can be downloaded from the Java website. Or, if you prefer the old fashioned way to connect to Stratics IRC, please log onto to one of the following servers using your favourite IRC client:

• irc.stratics.com, port 6667 (connects to a random server on our network)
• stratics.frws.com, port 6667 (USA, Colorado)
• irc.epaxsys.net, ports 6667, 6668, 7000 (USA, Colorado)
• irc.glowfish.de, ports 6667, 6668, 7000 (EU, Germany)
• stratics.afraidyet.net, port 6667, 7000 (USA, Georgia)

Once you've logged on, type /join #StraticsHoC. In case of difficulties, please visit chat.stratics.com for more information on how to connect to the chat.

If you'd like to chat with other players before, during or after the SWG HoC, please visit our official SWGS chat channel, #starwars, which is open for discussion 24/7, 365.

As Jedi is a huge live issue currently, we've obtained some exclusive shots from the Dark Jedi Enclave. Be sure to check them out!

Stratics is now the exclusive destination to register for the beta of Meridian 59: Resurrection! This significant upgrade features a new interface, new graphics as well as a myriad of new game content. In addition to being one of the oldest retail MMOs in the world, Meridian 59 features a focus on Player vs. Player combat which remains unique to this day.

You can register for the beta here. You do *not* need to be an existing M59 subscriber to take advantage of this offer.

Greetings Ultima X: Odyssey Community,

I wanted to give you a status update on Ultima X: Odyssey.

We’ve decided that in order to focus more resources on upcoming Ultima Online projects, we will permanently suspend the development of Ultima X: Odyssey. We understand that you may be disappointed by this news, but let me assure you that this decision is in the best interest of the franchise.

Members of the UXO development team will be moved to other Ultima Online projects, including an upcoming expansion pack that is due out this winter, as well as another unannounced project.

The overwhelming response to our recently released 7th Anniversary Edition and upcoming expansion pack convinced us to focus more of our development efforts on the future of UO. There are some amazing things in store, and I have never been more excited about what I’m seeing in development for Ultima Online.

“I’d like to thank the fans for their support of Ultima X: Odyssey. It’s that kind of passion that has fueled Ultima Online’s success for seven years and will continue to drive it for years into the future,” said David Yee, Producer of Ultima X: Odyssey.

I have attached the post from David Yee (which will live here: http://www.eagames.com/redesign/games/pccd/uxo/home.jsp) for your review.

Thank you for your support.

I’ll see you in Britannia!

Chris “Binky” Launius
Online Community Manager
All Things Ultima

Stratics Server Relocation

Greetings!

With the merger between Caster’s Realm and Stratics moving full steam ahead, we will be experiencing some downtime as our primary web servers are being relocated to a new data center. This move is scheduled to begin mid-afternoon on Thursday, June 17th, 2004. The servers will be unplugged, boxed and then shipped to the new data center.

This means that all of our web sites and message forums will be offline during this time. So please note that our web sites and message forums will be unavailable starting on Thursday, June 17th, 2004 and back online sometime before Monday, June 21st, 2004. Our IRC network will remain online and it will be fully available during this move.

We regret the need for any down time but there was no way around it at this time. We appreciate your patience as we begin to consolidate our servers and services.

Regards,

Jhariden

ChumpMonkey posted this on the sticky exclusive screenshot thread, but since it's the first new stuff we've seen for a long time, I though it deserved it's own thread.

Liquid Development has posted over 20 MB's of renders of the many models and landscapes they've created for UXO.
On the creature side there isn't really anything we haven't seen before, but a lot of the landscape renders show locations we haven't seen much of before, like the Pixie village and a few other unknown locations.

Just a few examples:

Throne Room with Serpent Crests on the wall.
Pixie Village main street.
The Library.
Outside the Frost Giant Citadel?
A nice little stream.
A lecture hallor something.


I'm only posting the links because they're a bit big for a slow connection...

June 4th, 2004

Click here to download!

Click here for more info and screen shots!

Post!
Hype!
Create!
Do your part today!

The Epic Journey Part 1 Wallpaper
by ConerVallore

1280x960
1152x864
1024x768
800x600

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The Guardian Visits
by Derrin

That night, when the others fell asleep, Kojak took the first watch. All the hill giants slept with no watch. They had no enemies here. About halfway through Kojaks shift he heard something. He stood up and walked to the gate of the fort. That is when he saw it.

A creature in torn worn clothing, red skin and horns on its head. He knew it was the Guardian. Kojak strengthened his grip on his axe and walked forward.

Tell me why I should not kill you right here and save a lot of people the trouble of having you around? Kojak said.

Click here to read the rest!

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Power of the Magi
by gweizangguinivere

It would appear that everyone in Alucinor understood the powers of the Magi. Strong, powerful, and either a good friend or a deadly enemy. These powers are understood by those who hold the knowledge to do so. Although some believe so, there have been tales by the elders of such beings using the powers of Magi along with other great skills. Some say the foreign Barbarians hold powers of some Magi, or even the dark Necromancers, who roam the lands, feasting on as much power as they can; what does all this mean? Well, lets take a look into it and see what happened.

Click here to read the rest!

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The Madness of King Dagor Lhach Part 2
by Blond Knight

Snowstorm or not, reaching the Frost Giant Citadel was imperative. I stretched my naked body one last time and bundled up. I was determined to ward off tension and muscle strain. The last of the wolf meat was rationed and dried out. I let out a heavy sigh and began the ascent. Rowena flew right beside me. The whistle of the wind provided a lovely rhythm. Only a handful of beings have ever reached the Citadel and lived to tell their tale. The only known route was straight up!

Click here to read the rest!

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Community News!

The Silence Continues!
Not much happened this week in the land of UXO. The devs are still not updating the UXO web site and have not posted in over 3 weeks. The word right now is that the devs are working on a major revision of the game right now and do not want anyone talking about the game until the revision is finalized. At this time we do not know what specifically they are working on however the have said it will look ‘bad at first… but it will really be good’.

April Says Farwell
In other UXO new, April of UXO Vault gave up her position of site manager earlier in the week. She said it has nothing to do with the current state of the game and that she is leaving for personal reasons. She will be missed within the community. There is still no word on who will be replacing her in the weeks to come. Keep an eye out for updates!

Hot Community Topics:

Why can't we have this? Binky this one's all yours? – Stratics
Click here

So what if they nixed the UXO license and changed it? – Stratics
Click here

QotD – Avoiding another UO? – Stratics
Click here

QotD – The Good, The Bad and the Ugly – Stratics
Click here

Dear Friends of UXO General I Bid Thee Farewell – Vault
http://vnboards.ign.com/UXO_General/b22443/69811410

Top Ten Ways To Get EA To Talk About UXO (05/29 - 06/05) – Vault
http://vnboards.ign.com/UXO_General/b22443/69589766

New Poll Up & Comment Thread – Vault
http://vnboards.ign.com/UXO_General/b22443/69590136

Ultima X is still going on! – Ogamin
http://ultimax.ogaming.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1710&hl=

That’s it for this week. Keep an eye out for next weeks ‘UXO Weekly Fan Update!’

Tabula Rasa, the latest game in development by the legendary Richard "Lord British" Garriott of Ultima fame, is an MOG set in a science fiction world. As described on the official Tabula Rasa Website, Tabula Rasa is...

"A third person future-fantasy war adventure, Tabula Rasa is the latest massively multiplayer entertainment experience to come from the legendary creative mind of Richard Garriott (aka Lord British) and the all-star team of industry professionals at Destination Games. Developed from the ground up to be stable, fast and fun, Tabula Rasa represents a refreshing new approach to the design of multiplayer online games. Immerse yourself within a richly-detailed game world featuring beautifully rendered 3-D environments, unique alien creatures and characters, and imaginative technorganic fashion and architecture.

Currently, there is no support for voice chat. We are not using that version of Unreal.

While we are using the Unreal engine, the server back-end has had to change to prevent a lot of the hacking that goes on when you run server and client on the same machine.

As for player generated content, while it would be possible for Unreal experienced people to create, there are other issues to consider - Like serving the content across all of our players, checking and approving the content, and other content development issues. The volunteer programs that run events and change day-to-day content has never had to deal with adding large patches to getting their work into the game.

-InQWis