Here's the very rough Google translation of the interview. Note that responses seem to be from Calvin and Daisuke Maruyame (a publishing assistant in Japan?). I believe another EA employee was also at the interview--Shigeru Yoshikawa (an operations manager in Japan?).
UO development producer Calvin Crowner's interview to hit!
December 15, 2009 (Tue)
『MMORPG Ultima Online for PC (hereinafter, UO) the development of producer Calvin Crowner heard the rumors that he will visit Japan, suddenly Electronic Arts (EA) I signed up for an interview, you can simply get a reply OK Ta. Was officially launched in 1997 from 12 years since, now lined 』and『 EverQuest for PC MMORPG 『became synonymous with the future direction of UO』. Crowner also said the current PC and you have to analyze how the online gaming market, and many have heard. I just go ahead and throw things out of this opportunity rude questions, 『UO』 Zehi fans should have a look. And for my poor English The detailed explanations of the management team and the Japanese interpreter, Mr. producer Daisuke Maruyama assistant publishing company also appeared in an interview last Susumu Shigeru Yoshikawa's operations manager ask two people.
[page two]
- 『A』 UO fans are glad to see you develop producer. First an introduction for readers, thank you 』and『 UO history and role in your own game development team.
Mr. Calvin Crowner (hereinafter, Calvin):Longest service in the world winning MMORPG, has served as a producer 『UO』 Calvin Crowner is developed. What my job is to manage budgets and schedules, the idea has been mentioned about game design from the designer will 『Inquiry』 UO world view and in light of the development Go make a final decision on whether to sign. Besides, EA cooperation with Japan, listening to opinions from the players, that includes up to their real demands汲Mi取Ru.
Personal history is 10 games a year ago 『Asheron's Call (※)』 from 『Star Wars Galaxies,『 Dark Age of Camelot 』, speaking to the recently released World of Warcraft - experience each play is short You'll get. Ever Quest 『not』 but I only played once. UO 』and『 how that works better than them, I realized again (laughs). And Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 『I』 offline work is also concentrated in Cu Chi. We still play you could say.
The creators of the game came in the subsequent four years ago. 』To『 UO is involved in the development of two and a half years.
(※ 『Turbine Asheron's Call was developed』, 『UO』 『MMORPG EverQuest』 line up of one large one and three)
- Then does, please tell me the purpose of this visit.
Mr. Daisuke Maruyama (hereinafter, Maruyama):Can not talk much more, last visited Japan in the first place Calvin It's about one and a half years ago. E-mail or phone conversation, but often are, "What is one half years, just gotten a little?" I say, "Then let's go" and not writing ... .... Another reason is, there also had to go to my studio Mythic Entertainment development until recently, enhanced team collaboration Team Japan and North America. In addition to the Japanese proposal, the content 』and『 UO event, the idea of the new system is also intended as a producer have to determine.
- In Japan, the latest enhanced version of The Abyss Suteijian 』(hereinafter UOSA) from the first three months after that, I think around as one element of calm to try and players. Have also joined some patches already, the feedback from players invite you at this time?
Calvin:』To『 UOSA players seem really enjoyed the new element was added in, and fortunately got a good rating. But the new Gargoyle race, new skills Imbuing (Rensei), Mysticism (Magical Mystery) is about modify / improve from time to time, we will go. The developer made one for one big project to completion and is easy to forget, you tend to just stand up to the next project first. UO 』to『 been well supported, but also the content of the past does not forget to pay attention. Because it UOSA 『Previous』 released from our players and that is because we have promised. I promise always protects. Soremasu say something, but I myself have never actually in the game with Rensei. But I was so interesting skills. Created in me a weapon so Rensei friends on the team is really fun (laughs).
- Current 』with『 UOSA also successfully launched the first stage, then what's the challenge facing.
Calvin:I'm piled issues. Anti-hacking challenge right now is speed, the detection of third-party tools, preparing the annual holiday gift, the more we are now the focus is PvP activation. As former Ferukka, PvP will come back as a player in a faction, and is considering what to do. 『UOSA』 rest under development is neglected because it was a live event, and will also focus there.
- PvP focus that is said to be activated much care. Trammell made the world since, except for a small portion of the core players who go out to the PKK and PK Ferukka the purpose is quite rare there as Japan show Schaad. How do you recall how Ferukka player together now? Is there a secret or something?
Calvin:Japanese players do not like PvP much from the previous information. Customization is popular role-playing and house, that we know well. Concrete plan, but there are few, but now I can not comment yet.
- On the contrary, the PvP concrete measures to revitalize the, when did I tell you so flattered.
Calvin:Also still not say anything about the timing. The next "UO HoC" (to be held regularly, meeting fans and the public questions the developer) does, and I wish I can tell if you have something. What you may want to reverse. Ferukka players in Japan and how, and to revert to PvP Why?
- This is strictly my personal opinion ... pattern work, a lot of MMORPG players in Japan have played an in-game currencies and assets over the reservoir has been a long time, the very experience of losing hate. Not take the risk unless there is a choice, many casual gamers will choose to step back from the Trammell no. Strong PK / PKK players grow up in the matter have also been wrapping himself Even if all assets are missing from the bank because of insurance "I'd be in the game anyway. Be fine and spirit" and divides There is a strength. But casual gamers, "I have to play to play for fun, even in the game to stress感Jitakunai" I think it seems.
Maruyama
vP spec right now is to divide and expensive, fewer benefits, the novice is true that the threshold is too high.
- On the other hand, the game system has been implemented with zero risk losing any money or possession of the experience, siege warfare and states are very excited. The Travian browser games 』to『 Japan when the server is playing, who often saw the buckshot hit with a high around the villages that belong to the alliance as soon as large. And turn out to be low risk from a safe location, PK Japanese players are also actively strive to be active (laughs). Desupenaruti reduce the current Ferukka may be more popular back then reducing the amount of insurance. At the same time but does UO 』potentially destroy the view of the world.
Maruyama:Is strictly an option, under certain rules of the game if a little PvP, players can enjoy more as you may have a sport.
- 『You』 UOSA asked him about the new element, the implementation of new skills is a new kind of happy family and, of course, at the same time and felt that the UO 『come into the world of伸Bishi filed against Ro. Simple extension area, the item just hear them, I mean there is not enough excitement, I said to lack the potential impact to be felt ... something new.
Calvin:'ll Talk about it is your turn. 『First』 UOSA As we have discussed implementation of the first players with the promise was to be observed absolutely. Second, see the UO, by comparison have built this 12 years, there is a wonderful world and gaming systems. Now, as you say, not a simple area expansion, the location of existing clients and a system to get organized, we need to change something more refined. And third, two players during dormancy, if successful refinement of the second system is that you will surely come back to Britannia, and brought in new players and veteran players, to play together to find new you.
UO 』is the『 large walled garden. Players found to play himself, reportedly wants to adapt more interesting, we will continue to develop its foundations properly.
- New content rather than high-impact development is that it is not the main brush up existing content. To ask you now, so I get to talk about the client. 『A』 UOSA stuck in the development of 3D because the client will do.
Calvin:So that is not stuck. Now "the activation of the veteran's return game, pulling a new player" and said that the recent 2D MMORPG now people only know of him 』UO『 client, you will be surprised again? And it is also special operations. If you do the first online game, so I thought I'd transfer to the little people from other titles, or by providing an interface that can be played fairly straight forward, I wanted to create this great opportunity to enjoy MMORPG. Existing players to love the classic view of the world, 2D client, but not eliminating the idea, not only closed space sensational senior players at the same time, open wide the doors to the client is developed 『UOSA』 Ma****a.
- I see. Also in 3D as a new client was developed in the past UOKR 『I』 has already been abolished. Please tell me if you have 』UOKR『 learned something from the fiasco.
Calvin:That question has been asked many times before this, I do not like failure and a resident said. 『UOKR』 because many of the client engine and content in the form is improved 』from『 UOSA has been utilized. New UO players 』無Ku****ai『 feel a little barrier that has developed from a desire to believe and still did wrong. At the time, was told that the harsh things, UOKR 』to『 no challenge to the client, the client could 『Develops UOSA impossible.
- 『UO』 active player that is really 』to『 UO has dedicated many of you love, and check the official site of the North American beans to obtain reliable information quickly. Frankly, it is we who are many more than the media can be anything .... Dengeki Online readers, so one for each good, please tell us only read about the latest Uchi.
Calvin:It hard to say that (laughs). In only one .... PvP changes to have a major impact, concrete changes we have a little bit of insurance for the item. It can not say anything more than I'm sorry.
- By the way, the story has changed slightly in 2007 over the people like the EA Mythic and I had to move it. 『UO』 then the members of the development team, staff and former Mythic Please tell us the percentage of the original staff.
Calvin:I can not figure to answer the question that many people will not go in, you begin with the original development staff, Mythic does not mean much in itself, that from it. This industry moves so fast and people, members will change frequently, EA from the staff is really coming back in many unexpected opportunity after retirement.
In addition, all staff take part in the development and is playing 『UO』, 『UO』 with a high degree of freedom, the fun is poor grasp. So whether or not the original members in any way impact on the development and will not, there is no need to worry about. Rather Mythic designers 』from『 UO will be strong and stick type Datsu Rashi.
- Now, in North America Official site既出information is there before or had little effect on the EA development teams on large-scale restructuring, and thank you again for the Japanese players.
Calvin:First, not everyone of any effect on any player. Members are located in the Joseon Develops 『UO will continue as before, adjusted for previous updates, fixes will not cut corners. Not only to entertain the existing core players, former UO 『Return』 Entice suspend players who play in the作Rubeku compelling content, rather than our development team we are working vigorously than they I Masu.
[page three]
- Once your question 』to『 UO away from another on this occasion for the entire game market saw Calvin's eyes, I Ukagaitai a story. Niatari to expand overseas online games, according to trends and preferences of local players sure where some publishers to talk about the importance oflocalization. "Localization and translation of the language does not mean only" that is, it is a classic love story in the interview. So, North America, Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, Japan is among the Asia and the heterogeneity of each PC for the analysis of Calvin's online gaming market, I'd like to hear Zehi.
Calvin:If you say that about 4 single market, first in North America and Europe are overwhelmingly more likely to prefer PvP. It is a player in Japan and their opposite vectors. Japan's players such as fishing and housing tend to form a community. Non-Japan Asia is somewhat pro-community, but some sharp players who enjoy PvP as I feel. Communities, of course, but players will form North America, it will Deki上Gatsu through PvP. Japan, Asia & community of players, I I will mainly come from role-play.
As you say, something like the players are different by region and country. So when we do we also updated, either of whom is intended to update it? Always consider the contents of the update for some 70 percent of the community, 20 percent and if it is for PvP, with the next update will change the rate. But many can not have this part in MMORPG. It will enhance the PvE is just your quest, and any other element has not been implemented, such as community housing and gardening, and tend to be biased. Or community but outside of that game, for example, there are many SNS relies on such cases. UO 』to『 The groups exist in the game does well.
- And elements for the community proportion of PvP elements that update will have to adjust how each?
Calvin:Each with a professional development team, they are divided into finer teams, each team for each course, "you want to achieve in the next game to feature" a different focus points. Schedules and progress those priorities, we will decide based on the feedback from the players.
- I see. Is a little while ago, the expansion pack in jewel M. 』by『 time of the interview, access the account 』UO players across Japan accounts for 45 percent, and could talk with. Then the actual figures have not heard, I heard that still accounts for a high percentage. Analyze the market around the story as it was, but 』UO players generally little attention has so you can find the fun, the most common reason for the outstanding account do you think of Japan as a result .
Calvin:The obvious one as one of the reasons for the "principle of retro" Why not. Not a gamer in Japan, especially in Japan which players 『UO the classic 2D, there were many people I love the retro feel.
Maruyama
lease let a little supplement. Japanese PC game market about a year until 2005, mainly from Asia and South Korea have mainly flowed MMORPG lately. 『UO』 at that point in history is already seven years of service, other MMORPG online game called flexible and stable compared to the fact that great success has been to entrench the power of certain brands I think.
Calvin:Once again, Japanese players tend to prefer the role-play and community. And Hisashi Hisashi MMORPG title that is because from the dawn service, players in the community, see the UO, but also some that followed exactly the same as history. Both players spent a long time friend and is like a family. Other until there is no reason to move away from their families to MMORPG. Probably why a high percentage of Japanese account.
Maruyama:UO 『I』 is like a strange analogy soup, really anything that contains the function. How to play that well if you want to do what is MMORPG. Is still being carried out just Hausukasutamaizukontesuto (※ contest is now finished, the results have been announced), or in some other games you can make things stacked objects? High degree of freedom to play where I do not think 』to『 than UO. The service is also the beginning that there was no first-mover benefits other choice for those who say 『UO』 is the first online gaming experience, the other titles I may not be satisfied with a lower degree of soup .
- So here started the service three or four years in a MMORPG, Calvin says to look at, and then actually play or not 『UO, by comparison, the title had good things there ? Recent opinions and if there is something for MMORPG, Zehi thank you.
Calvin:Recent MMORPG in a short time is thought to play there is, "I hope it all sorts more』 to 『UO" It is (laughs). In Japan, some titles do not have a W 』services are quickly bored and I tried playing a few months. Another Korean-made famous by 『I』 R and A but also played a little bit 』... ...『 R-cooked飽Kima****a that there is. For 』's A is a good title would be the ideal you want to create a beautiful avatars. I did not feel the charm of the game, but it touched a few hours.
- 』's A is actually playing it myself, I enjoyed Kyarakutameikingu Deki上Gatsu certainly handsome beauty, but also how. If you look at the only game system, actually 』is『 EQ 』's A and The Lord of the Rings Online (LotRO)』 is very close to the building. But while this work is two good title, and graphics are hardly cute到底, was one of the factors one could not succeed in Japan. Western's A 』is because of the graphics industry until now has shunned the MMORPG players are, but that could be the ideal title.
Calvin:』Kyarakutameikingu's A is for Japanese than I do, and I indeed see a Korean-style design.
- It sounds like you are pressed for time now. Calvin's in your head is probably "the ideal images『 UO 』" I have something I'd call. In manpower, or technology now even more difficult to realize at some point we want to do this, just "a dream』 UO 『" I can say at first. Calvin says that the ideal, the real UO 『close』 How is far?
Calvin:『System and various skills such as UO』 content of the core ideals of the current exists already on the UO in 』. To reach the ideal part of the effort I think we need a little more interfaces, the client, it is the graphics. Make it more sophisticated here, I would like for everyone to MMORPG. The UO 』to『 stairs to ideal, we believe that it was definitely climbing step by step.
- And finally, thank you 『UO』 messages for fans and readers.
Calvin:『UO』 countries than any other player, the player feedback from the community in Japan 『UO University. And the PC is helping to improve so that the whole game more enjoyable. Thanks to the players as well as Japan, so we will continue our efforts to repay the nearest further.
- Today is a long time, thank you.
......I am a small shallow person and I am comfortable with that.
