With the news in late February 2004 of the Origin Systems Studio being shut down in Austin, Texas, and the Dev Teams from both Ultima Online and Ultima X: Odyssey being relocated to Redwood City, California, we also have the unfortunate news of some Dev Team Members deciding not to continue on with the projects for varying reasons (often because of the inability to move).
With that in mind, Stratics has decided to create this Development Team Hall of Fame Section, dedicated to honoring the original Ultima X: Odyssey Development Team Members that have moved on to other opportunities. The section includes their Farewell Speeches (including links to the original posts), Links to Original Team Comments, and other pertinent information.
As much as we wish that the Dev Teams could work on the projects forever, time always does mean change. Stratics would like to make sure that the incredible dedication these people showed to our games over the years is never forgotten. As we hear from more Dev Team Members (hopefully there will be very few), we will add them to this section as well. At this point we have added the following Dev Team Members:
Jonathan "Calandryll" Hanna - UXO Lead Designer
Rick "Stellerex" Hall - UXO Senior Producer
Amy "Morgaine" Sage - UXO Designer
Jason "Wolfen" Spencer - UXO World Builder
Kevin "Jalek" Saffel - UXO Client Programmer
Christian "BuffDigits" Lange - UXO Senior Software Engineer, Database Programmer
Blackhands - UO & UXO Web Designer
Jonathan "Calandryll" Hanna
UXO Lead Designer
(Complete Developer Profile)
Original Team Comments/Interviews:
PART I - August 22, 2003 - San Francisco Event
PART II - August 22, 2003 - San Francisco Event
The Virtue System
Team Comments - August 8, 2001
Team Comments - April 13, 2001
Estimated Leaving Date: March 4, 2004
Projects With Origin/Electronic Arts: Ultima Online and Ultima X: Odyssey
Next Project:
Sent to UXO Stratics on March 27, 2004:
I just wanted to let you know that I have taken a position with Sony Online Entertainment here in Austin. The job involves both community and game design for a currently unannounced project. I can't talk about the project or my exact role at the moment, but hopefully you'll be hearing from me again soon.
PARTING WORDS (posted to Avatar's Corner Forum Thread on 3/4/04):
Over the past five years I’ve written countless posts, but this one is by far the most difficult as it will be my last as a developer for UXO.
Today was my last day at Origin Systems. It’s been a great ride filled with wonderful memories and unforgettable experiences, but all good things must come to an end. While the decision to close OSI certainly pains me, my reasons for deciding to stay in Austin are mostly of the personal kind and I leave happy to know that UXO's development will continue.
I know for the most part that I have written the majority of developer posts here, but I want you all to know that there is a great team of designers, programmers, artists, world builders, marketing professionals, and executives behind UXO. Without their tireless work I literally wouldn’t have anything to post about. I’ve had the privilege to work alongside some of the most talented people in the industry and I hope wherever my travels take me next I get the chance to work with them again someday.
I don’t really have much else to say, other than I’m sorry, and to say thank you. Thank you for all of your support over the years, both towards UO and UXO. Thank you for letting us into your lives and for believing in us. Thank you for taking the time to read our posts, designer diaries, and interviews. And most importantly, thank you for your participation on the boards, e-mails, and IRC chats helping us create and improve these games. I also want to say thank you to the website operators and moderators for all of their wonderful support for UXO. I consider myself truly blessed to have had the opportunity to share UXO’s development with all of you.
I look forward to the time when I can share whatever I work on next. Until then, take care and thank you again.
-Jonathan "Calandryll" Hanna
Rick "Stellerex" Hall
UXO Senior Producer
(Complete Developer Profile)
Original Team Comments/Interviews:
UO STRATICS INTERVIEW WITH STELLEREX - November 17, 2001
Team Comments - November 7, 2001
Team Comments - September 5, 2001
Team Comments - June 11, 2001
Team Comments - April 20, 2001
Estimated Leaving Date: March 4, 2004
Projects With Origin/Electronic Arts: Ultima Online and Ultima X: Odyssey
Next Project: Unknown At This Time
PARTING WORDS (posted to Avatar's Corner Forum Thread on 3/4/04):
I'm not anywhere near as eloquent as Calandryll, and many of you have commented on how "quiet" I traditionally am. But please believe me when I say that participating in the Ultima legacy and the UO/UXO communities has been the finest, happiest time in my career in the gaming industry. I have always enjoyed reading all of the great posts here and on other boards, all of the PMs and emails, and especially meeting so many of you at our San Francisco event this past August.
As some of you know, I have also opted not to make the move to San Francisco. As with Cal and Morgaine, this is for personal reasons. At this stage of my life, that move just isn't right for me. Additionally, Cal is one of my better friends, and we've made such a great team together on this game that I would have a hard time continuing onward without him. (and yes, Cal, that's a "thank you" for everything you've done for me and the UXO project. You're a great friend and comrade, and I will truly miss the great fun of our game design debates.)
I feel priviledged that I was briefly allowed to walk in the footsteps of Richard Garriot and his truly unique universe of Ultima. I have learned more about making games in my four and a half years at Origin than in my previous nine years in the gaming industry combined. Part of that was from being able to observe firsthand some of the industry's best innovators at Origin, and part of it was from you, the players. Thank you for all you have given me, and thank you for helping to improve me at my job and as a person.
And...
CrazyJoe, I remember you, despite my fondness for scotch. Strangely it never registered on me that you lived so nearby, though. I'm glad I got to meet you, the other stratics folks and so many great players in San Francisco last August.
And speaking of that, I wanted to just make a last point or two, if I may. I must admit that it's heartwarming to hear all of the support from our beloved community. It's like having an enormous big brother to stick up for us. You have no idea how much that means to all of us on the UXO team.
But before we all get too carried away with the negativism, I want to emphasize that EA truly does think UXO has great potential, and they want to continue the project. They extended some very generous offers to a good number of the Austin devs. It's sad and unfortunate that such a relocation doesn't fit for some of us. But nonetheless, some of the UXO content team was already in California, and EA will find replacements for those of us who are unable to move.
I know some of the people who we'll be handing the baton off to, and they are fine developers. I think we've handed them some great work to build upon, and they are determined to finish the game in style. Perhaps with a new perspective, they'll find ways to improve it and make it even better. So before we start boycotting the game or hating EA, let's give them a chance.
Personally, I feel like I've invested so much of my life into this game that I'm going to continue to root for its success. And maybe if I'm lucky I can pull some strings and still get myself into the beta.
Amy "Morgaine" Sage
UXO Designer
(Complete Developer Profile)
Original Team Comments/Interviews:
Team Comments - October 26, 2001
Team Comments - August 20, 2001
Team Comments - July 10, 2001
Team Comments - June 15, 2001
Team Comments - May 16, 2001
Estimated Leaving Date: February 25, 2004
Projects With Origin/Electronic Arts: Ultima IX: Ascension, Ultima Online 2, Ultima Online and Ultima X: Odyssey
Next Project: Unknown At This Time
PARTING WORDS (posted to Avatar's Corner Forum Thread on 2/25/04):
Thank you all so much for this thread, and the others like it. Being on the UXO team was a real privilege, and I'm sure that those who continue on to California will do you well. Even after moving onto the project just last year, I've grown attached to the UXO community, and I'll be watching eagerly to see the game's progress.
Thanks for a great and rewarding five and a half years,
Amy Sage (Cynthe/Morgaine)
Jason "Wolfen" Spencer
UXO World Builder
Estimated Leaving Date: March 6, 2004
Projects With Origin/Electronic Arts: Ultima X: Odyssey
Next Project: Unknown At This Time
Worlds Created: Felgoll, Ruined Mines, Cragen Drylands, Heeligoth, and Forests Edge
PARTING WORDS (posted to UXOO Forum Thread on 03/06/04):
First. Straight to the point. I will unfortunatly be declining EA's offer to move to California for personal reasons. Unfortunatly EA was not able to help me out with what I needed to make the transition.
Please bare in mind, that EA is being very fair and honest about the offers and has in no way made a negative impact in my eyes for how they are handling this situation. I also consider it a great honor that they felt I was good enough to come along with them. For that I thank EA.
This was my first mmorpg project, and the experience I had working on it for nearly a year and a half was my second greatest adventure in this industry.
The team I worked with was chalk full of talented, intelligent, and friendly people, and I hope that one day I will have the honor of working with any of them again.
To the community. I want to say thank you for your support you gave all of us. You have all been a fantastic group of fans. The forums have been filled with fun, friendly and bright individuals.
I have confidence that EA will do whats best for them and the game. EA is a great company to work for. They help out there developers in ways many companies would never dream of doing.
My one and only regret is that I could have stayed on this project to see it through to completion, and enjoyed playing the fruits of so many developers labor.
I wish everyone the best of luck, and I hope to see many of you around on the net.
Sincerely.
Jason Wolfen Spencer
Kevin "Jalek" Saffel
UXO Client Programmer
(Complete Developer Profile)
Estimated Leaving Date: March 8, 2004
Projects With Origin/Electronic Arts: Ultima Online and Ultima X: Odyssey
Next Project: Unknown At This Time
PARTING WORDS (posted to Avatar's Corner Forum Thread on 03/08/04):
Hello everyone,
It is with great sadness I have also declined the offer from EA to move out to California. With both my family and my fiance’s family living in Texas, getting ready for a wedding and her sister about to have her first baby, there is no way we can move. Plus, we love Austin. We couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.
I remember over 2 years ago when all we had was a prototype with the Dawn model running around throwing fireballs at orcs. I’ve watched this game from its infancy to what it is now and I wish I could be there when it hits the world. We have a great team here and I’ve enjoyed working with everyone.
It’s surreal watching everyone pack up their offices and saying their good-byes. I understand (and I hope everyone does) why this is a good business plan for EA. EA has been great throughout the whole process and their offers have been generous. I am also honored that they think of me as someone they want to be a part of their great company. It’s been a great 4 years working here at Origin. It’s truly been the best job I’ve ever had.
To the team: Good luck and hopefully we’ll get to work together again soon.
To Stratics: Thank you. Your enthusiasm and hard work have helped UX:O, the team and the fans more than you can imagine.
To the fans: Thank you. I’ve enjoyed discussing the game with you and hanging out with a lot of you at the San Francisco event.
Goodbye everyone, it’s been a great ride...
- Kevin “Jalek” Saffel
Life would be much easier if I had the source code...
Christian "BuffDigits" Lange
Senior Software Engineer,
Database Programmer
Estimated Leaving Date: March 17, 2004
Projects With Origin/Electronic Arts: Ultima X: Odyssey
Next Project:
Sent to UXO Stratics on April 3, 2004:
Well what do you know, I found a secret entrance into the neighbors lair about a stones
throw away from the now burnt out remains of some old dwelling, there is a sign that starts with
an Or.... cant make out the rest. Oh well looks like it was once a mighty structure and place of joy,
but no longer.
...Once inside this new lair I was greeted with open arms and welcomed
into the fold at a vast new empire that calls themselves NCSoft.
They gracefully informed me that my new duties would include such profound projects as, City of Heroes,
TR, Guild Wars and a few other unmentionables.
This new castle and its followers seem well founded and will hopefully withstand the grueling
times ahead. Wish me luck for my wandering has come to an end......... for now.
Christian "BuffDigits" Lange
Former Senior Software Engineer/Database Guru UXO
PARTING WORDS (posted to Avatar's Corner Forum Thread on 03/17/04):
I was the Senior Software Engineer, Database Programmer for UXO. I too will not be moving on to California. I don't have much to say other then my last 3 years at Origin was a great experience.The UXO team rocked and I wish them the best with their future endeavors.
Christian "BuffDigits" Lange
Senior Software Engineer/Database Guru
Origin Systems Inc
Blackhands
Web Designer
Estimated Leaving Date: March 31, 2004
Projects With Origin/Electronic Arts: Ultima Online and Ultima X: Odyssey
Next Project: Unknown at this time.
PARTING WORDS (posted to Avatar's Corner Forum Thread on 03/29/04):
This seems a bit silly given that I was probably the least fequent of posters, but I thought I'd say farewell given that I'd spent almost 6 years interacting with this community between UO and UXO marketing and community sites.
Anyway, I had to decline the offer to go out to California. It was a reasonable offer, but after a visit to look at the area I decided Redwood City is not for me. Leaving my recently purchased home, family, friends, and significant other is a bit too much even for a job I really enjoyed.
I've loved making websites for the community and have always gotten great feedback on any features we've added or content we've published. I really appreciated it all positive or negative. UXO was an especially fun site having created it from the ground up start to finish and I'm sure it will only get better given the resources EA has in their web development group. Also, good luck to the Westwood/EnB team on future development of UXO.
I want to thank Joshua, Stratics, and all of our fan sites. You've done a great job filling in where our site was lacking in areas and building a strong community that has really kept online games thriving.
Hopefully I will see you all around in the future.
Thanks!
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