Draconi?

[Quenchant]

It is not unusual to be offered a package at layoff / termination. The package can and usually includes continuing benefits and compensation for x number of weeks. If you accept the package, you also accept certain conditions that apply.

It is not unreasonable to think that one of the conditions might preclude someone from discussing the layoff or personal situation for defined time period.

It has nothing to due with squelching 1st amendment rights. It has to do with most folks trading their ability to discuss certain things and getting a paid a few more weeks before the holidays while they look for a new job.

They will discuss what they can, when they can. Be patient. Tim has never been shy on the boards. Be patient. You might actually find out some real facts by listening instead of flying all around with conjecture and what if's.

Q

 

[kittykat]

This is a warning to anyone thinking of posting in this thread or anywhere on Stratics...

Despite the fact that Draconi was a public figure to us, his personal life is just that, personal. There will be NO tolerance of spreading rumors and conjecture about anything of a personal nature regarding him (and no, I'm not talking about the discussion of whether he is no longer with UO/EA or not, please feel free to go on freaking out...*coughs*).

...that is all...

 

[kelmo]

*freaks*

 

[GarthGrey]

If he were still with EA, he would have quickly said, "I'm still here". Common sense says, the fact that he hasn't responded means all of his paperwork hasn't been signed and dated yet, and therefore he probably can't reply, that he is in fact,no longer with EA.

 

[Salya Sin]

This is a warning to anyone thinking of posting in this thread or anywhere on Stratics...

Despite the fact that Draconi was a public figure to us, his personal life is just that, personal. There will be NO tolerance of spreading rumors and conjecture about anything of a personal nature regarding him (and no, I'm not talking about the discussion of whether he is no longer with UO/EA or not, please feel free to go on freaking out...*coughs*).

...that is all...

Holy cow! Did I miss the post that spoke of hiring a private investigator or tapping 4chan? THis just cracked me up... seemed sort of.. "Don't do what you have not done yet... carry on!" No offense intended Miss kittykat.. this just struck me as funny!

I do have to wonder though... the EA employees who do visit us on Stratics are probably reading some of what is being posted... errr... freaked out about... I wonder if they are flattered, disturbed, or pointing their fingers and laughing? I really have to go with Petra on this one... RELAX everyone... EA can't lay off 1500 people and NOT touch anyone with UO (though I think they should have taken the bulk out of Warhammer as it is a year old and seems to be failing) but more importantly... Laid off can and often does mean TEMPORARY! These much loved employees.. if they were laid off... can and hopefully will be rehired if and when EA gets back on track.

Whereas I'm sure your screams of support are encouraging... take a deep breath.. don't hire investigators to stalk and take photo's of EA employees in the efforts of posting real information about the current situation on the boards for everyone who is "freaking out"... and yeah.. there it is.

edit- And for everyone who is sure he would post "I'm still here!" if he were indeed not laid off... think of it in these terms. How selfish and inconsiderate would it be... were he to start posting "Whew.. I'm still here.. don't fret all.. I'm not laid off!" When so many others were... some who were most likely his co-workers or friends... perhaps his wife (one poster said she worked there). TO me that would be rude and just in poor taste in light of the current situation that some may have found themselves in. He escaped the chopping block... they didn't... perhaps he cares more about their feelings than jumping on stratics to reassure us of something we can patiently wait for.

 

[Mairut]

I think I posted this elsewhere in these forums, though I can't find it now...
Last I heard Draconi was on vacation...?

I hope these layoffs are temporary...that would be good news. Maybe extended vacation time?

If there was a poll for how EA employees feel about all this, I'd vote for "Disturbed".

They should be afraid....very afraid.

 

[Taylor]

"Don't do what you have not done yet... carry on!"

It was done and it went too far. The post was in this thread and it was appropriately deleted.

 

[Salya Sin]

It was done and it went too far. The post was in this thread and it was appropriately deleted.

Ahhh... that would be the reason I missed it. Different perspective.. SHAME ON YOU STRATICS!

 

[kelmo]

 

[five oclock]

Umm Kelmo when did Geiko become a sponser of Stratics?

see who gets the punn

 

[kelmo]

Somebody's watching you!

 

[Beastmaster]

It is not unusual to be offered a package at layoff / termination. The package can and usually includes continuing benefits and compensation for x number of weeks. If you accept the package, you also accept certain conditions that apply.

It is not unreasonable to think that one of the conditions might preclude someone from discussing the layoff or personal situation for defined time period.

It has nothing to due with squelching 1st amendment rights. It has to do with most folks trading their ability to discuss certain things and getting a paid a few more weeks before the holidays while they look for a new job.

They will discuss what they can, when they can. Be patient. Tim has never been shy on the boards. Be patient. You might actually find out some real facts by listening instead of flying all around with conjecture and what if's.

Q

QFT

 

[Green Mouser]

I am sure there are more gone. We will not know the extent until a new set of items with names on them come out.

I guess the Holiday cards will have names.

I think the correct statement is "Holiday Card"

 

[Coldren]

im not sure if Draconi has been laid off or if he has just changed positions within EA....for those who dont use facebook!! here are the last things from his facebook posts..

Tim removed his job as Lead Designer at Electronic Arts

latest headline is- Tim Cotten
Been an absolutely lucky Friday the 13th for me - cheers! To rewriting reality

that is from his facebook account

Perhaps I can speculate for the better...

UO 2 - Lead Producer - Tim Cotton?

That would certainly qualify as a rewrite of reality for me. EA ACTUALLY making a sequel to a game that's been profitable for 12 years, as apposed to multi-million dollar sinkhole that lose over 60% of their subscribers (800k box sale) within 3 months of launch?

That would be definitively UNREAL for EA.

I hope for the best. For Tim's sake.

 

[Restroom Cowboy]

Mesanna is still there too, shes the Boss of all EMs !

She scares me in game. Being completely void of texture, color...with the ability to summon foul invulnerable beasts at a whim.

Yes, I run the F*** away.

glad she *appears* to be on our side.

 

[Silly Seadog]

Arrr, that do be soundin' like me ex-wife - and them beasts done come from within her!

 

[Green Mouser]

Can we please put all the speculation on hold until stuff like employment laws etc allow them to speak?

I thought this was a site for discussion. If "WE" cant discuss what we want. WTH is this site exisiting for?

 

[Saphireena]

I just think, from reading many of these posts, that people think Draconi was the only one who cared about UO. I'm not knocking Draconi. He was the face of UO on the boards for many of us and he did an awful lot for this game. But, speaking from my own personal experience, I'm sure there are many others left who care just as passionately about this game.

My heart goes out to everyone who got laid off and to everyone left to pull the pieces together. Those left have my support until they show me some excellent reason not to support them. Those laid off have my deepest sympathies and my most heartfelt best wishes.

For those of us playing the game in the world we love, it's time to support them while they transition and then see what the world looks like.

Just my two cents.

That was very nicely put Anne, and a good reminder for us all that even though there are devs in the team who are not in the spotlight as much, they probably care about and work hard for UO just as much. These are turbulent times all over the world. During recent months the majority of my ex-colleagues at one of the world's best known mobile phone companies were laid off - and these were the cream of the crop - the absolute best people in the industry. People you'd have never, ever expected to see go. So after witnessing all that happen right beside me, this EA stuff doesn't surprise me at all.

I hope those who were laid off find work with ease and wishing strength to those left in the team who will most likely have to work even harder now with some folks gone.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Based on this, I hope something really great happened for him.

He got laid off and never has to put up with us again except as a fellow player?

Assuming he has another job lined up, that'd be pretty awesome for him, just not for us.

-Galen's player

 

[Taylor]

Can we please put all the speculation on hold until stuff like employment laws etc allow them to speak?

I thought this was a site for discussion. If "WE" cant discuss what we want. WTH is this site exisiting for?

Relax. This sounds like a personal request, not an administrative regulation. Note that she hasn't locked any of the numerous threads on this subject.

 

[kelmo]

Chill people.

 

[Tomas_Bryce]

I'm not discounting anyone, just trying to figure out if anyone remains who handles storyline-type, event-type, in-game content.

I worry, you see, about an unpleasant pattern emerging in who was let go.

-Galen's player

I am pretty sure that the War of Shadows was largely handled by Draconi. However, there have been "mini events" done by Sakkarah such as the royal council murder investigation in the past, if I recall correctly.

Anyways, I am certain that she is fairly qualified to do storyline/events because she used to be one of the better Event Moderators and her player run events on Atlantic were legendary (sorely missed too). So, she is definitely capable and passionate in that department.

 

[Petra Fyde]

I thought this was a site for discussion. If "WE" cant discuss what we want. WTH is this site exisiting for?

Probably it's the 'carebear' coming out in me. I was concerned about people being nasty about them not saying 'goodbye' when it's highly probable that they'd like to, but can't yet.

Some people are quick to go for the jugular without taking into account there might be restrictions they are unaware of.

 

[LadyNico]

Arrr, that do be soundin' like me ex-wife - and them beasts done come from within her!

I does love ya, Silly Seadog.

@ OP I have little doubt Draconi will land on his feet. Even in this economic climate, he's too talented not to be snapped up swiftly. It will be interesting to see what the winds of fortune blow his way.

I like Sak/Regine. I'd be lying if I didn't confess to being curious about what her vision for UO might be.

Once we have Capt Cal_Mythic's crew list, I'll decide how curious I am.

 

[Aurelius]

I thought this was a site for discussion. If "WE" cant discuss what we want. WTH is this site exisiting for?

As I understand it, we can discuss pretty much what we want, although staying close to the topics relating to UO in the UO forums is advisable....

What we can't do is use 'discussion' as an excuse for rants, personal insults, or hopelessly uninformed speculation about other people's personal lives - unless we want comments to be deleted and our accounts shut.

Can't see much of a problem with that.

 

[Fizzleton]

Wait till facts are presented. Then we have a discussion.

Anyways; massive lay-offs in companies mostly are not the result of a logical, constructive approach. They are the resuslt of the short term need for cost reduction. You keep the people that are absolute necessary to keep (in terms of "we will crash for sure if you kill them"). Therefore, no-one can expect more than a core-team staying if something like this happens.

 

[Experimental]

Glad I got my Draconi carved pumpkin last night, finally.

 

[Mayadevi]

I just hope he's OK.

It'd be pretty cool though if whatever is going on with him he read this thread and knew that people were concerned about him and care what happens to him. I think a lot of the speculation comes from an honest concern about his well-being.

Sometimes just knowing people care enough to wonder or worry about you makes a big difference.

Oh, and I hope he had alot of cookies !

 

[Snakeman]

I think he knows how many of us feel towards him. He was one of the few Lead Dev's that would take what we said/tossed in the wind & could make it a reality & satisfy most of the UO player base. He listened & could see things we wanted to mix in & usually opened up that line of communication for discussion about them. Certain things are always out of their control, but for the most part if something was way off base he fixed it (even went out of his way many times to fix real old bugs). All we can do is wait to hear whats what. Possibly he has moved up a lil higher on the UO ladder of command , who knows. But sooner or later we'll know, until then all we can do is hope he's still associated in one way or another with UO. Lets all just sit & with a lil bit of mixed in.

 

[Potgut]

I think Draconi is still here; I was running through a crop field earlier today and came across his Jack O' Lantern, so at least his name still spawning.

 

[Cetric]

If Draconi is gone, i hope he hacks in and demolishes luna atleast =/

 

[mustafa]

If Draconi is gone, i hope he hacks in and demolishes luna atleast =/

LOL

 

[Mairut]

If Draconi is gone, i hope he hacks in and demolishes luna atleast =/

Hear hear!!

Arrr, that do be soundin' like me ex-wife - and them beasts done come from within her!

Your ex-wife must be related to my stepmother...

 

[XLaCeDX]

Yep
We lost Draconi and Chrissay for sure. Many others.
EA decided to cut costs by laying off it's most devoted people. Now they can hire low end people who will work for less without benefits and save a ton of money.
You'll have people working on UO, they just wont care as much about it.

"Now they can hire low end people who will work for less without benefits and save a ton of money."


That is exactly how Draconi, a UO 'player', and well-known Atlantic merchant, got his job at EA, skilled employees such as Hanse, the designer who created Malas, were let go and UO players were invited to fill their shoes.

It is the way of EA.

So far no invites have gone out for UO players to apply to replace those who were let go. Possibly because they let the community coordinator go (they always let them go first it seems).

I will remember Draconi for his fun Halloween shards in years past and for turning some cheaters houses to rubble, (though they now use boats to hold their illegal items), but I'm not sure why everyone else seems so upset that he's no longer with EA.

What else is he known for again?

 

[Zym Dragon]

What else is he known for again?

Simply put, putting "Ultima" back into UO. But if you want specifics, the Magincia event and SA itself are at the top of the list in my book.

If he's truly gone, it's sad to see someone with so much passion for the game we all love get let go.

 

[Trebr Drab]

What else is he known for again?

Simply put, putting "Ultima" back into UO. But if you want specifics, the Magincia event and SA itself are at the top of the list in my book.

If he's truly gone, it's sad to see someone with so much passion for the game we all love get let go.

When you think of the organization that was behind SA, the training of the staff, all the ideas, etc., then add on top all the things big and small besides SA that Draconi was responsible for, you have to marvel at the man.

I wasn't sold on him or any of the Devs. I'm not a fan. I think UO could have gone in better directions. But if you are going to go "gamey", they did it right. Very much right. Delightfully right. In fact, if UO ever did go in the direction I think they should, SA added a great deal to the foundation that it would be built on.

I have to give Draconi and staff props for some really good work, regardless of where UO goes from here. Just look at the depth of this game. Vets sometimes forget all the things that they've already done. Step back and think about what's in UO today. It's the deepest game, by far, that's ever been made (maybe with the exception of a select few, like Myst maybe).

 

[Deb]

Truer words were never spoken....the game is phenomenal.

 

[sevan]

I know I am late to the game... but just the same. I will miss ya man. Best of luck in your new job at EA or in your new endeavors wherever your path may lead. You will be missed. Who I am going to start FIRES with now!? Who is going to help me/us to rebuild Magencia?

Safe Travels old friend.

 

[gjohnson5]

If Draconi goes like this, you will never see another dime of my money.

Can I have your stuff if so?

 

[gjohnson5]

Can we please put all the speculation on hold until stuff like employment laws etc allow them to speak?

Employment laws??
Are you insinuating Draconi is filing suit against EA Mythic for Breech of Contract?

In general an employer can let employees go for any reason whatsoever. Layoffs are also non discriminatory as well so EEO isn't an issue. Employment contracts are basically wet toilet paper. They get broken with ease

What do employment laws have to do with this?
Either he was let go or he wasn't....

 

[lucitus]

Hope you have coded in a secret hidden command for you Draconi like /Draconi AlphaDraconiLucDeltaTeta and baammm you get a bank full of special things.

 

[Gawin]

I will admit that it was Draconi and a couple of his pet projects that caused me to finally leave UO for good and I was one of his biggest critics

I will also admit that if he is gone you had all better be worried. Not only was he one of the most passionate dev's in UO he was also one of the ONLY ones left that knew how to program the old as &*^(*$& server code and 2D client code. There are not many people left in the industry that know the code for that.

If you are gone then UO just suffered a huge loss bigger then a lot of peeps know.

And despite my criticisms over the years I do wish you well and hope you land on your feet before the holidays hit.

 

[Ahuaeyjnkxs]

This thread magnifisciently magnitudinalises posthumous declarations of passion... when I was a kid I remember that I didn't want to know who was what and what did who, the game is not only a game, it's a playground where people come heal their inner child by having communication, dream and hopefully musics...

Who dosen't marvel at the total abscence of the development of the music skill in UO.

It should come gold plated with a EA seal of thank you for 10 years of Ultima online ! Players should be able to record their own small music samples which after being aprooved by a double blind moderator can be added to the players choice in MUSIC. MUSICIAN SHIP, not din dingling. Draconi made me feel like something else was coming, something huge. Like Kanmare, and others have been making me feel like.

I liked those people efforts to be true, to seek truth. Or so it seems but I know I generalise. And poof, each time, methodically.

They get "moved" or "fired"...

Anyways, I don't know much Draconi as I been here only 6 months, but it seems to me that you are loved and a man that works hard.

I think even there should be a voting machine for UO, gigantic choose and pick your live designer of the week thing. With little white birds and custom trumpet players.

No... no naked angels. just no ok ?

 

[Connor_Graham]

This thread magnifisciently magnitudinalises posthumous declarations of passion...

Dude, if you're going to use big words....



Use Spell Check. It's that button in the upper right hand corner with "ABC" hovering above the check mark.


Oh, one last thing....





Stop getting smoke from Jamaica. It's obviously too strong for you.

 

[Ahuaeyjnkxs]

no no no... I'm intent on poorly plagiardizing the commercial english language, until we get out Thous and Thys back.

 

[Connor_Graham]

no no no... I'm intent on poorly plagiardizing the commercial english language, until we get out Thous and Thys back.

Thou art too stoned. Stoppeth thy hogging.

 

[Basara]

Only speculation, but...

1. He changed his Job status on Facebook, but....

2. He still has EA listed as employer (which would have been changed with the above, normally, had he been let go), and...

3. He's been sending in tweets/short facebook posts on a road trip across the US.


Perhaps, what has occurred, is that he has left Mythic for another EA job back in California? With all of the layoffs, it might be that they saw what he was able to do with UO, and put him in charge of one of the groups that they'd terminated the previous head of.

We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

 

[SchezwanBeefy]

3. He's been sending in tweets/short facebook posts on a road trip across the US.


Perhaps, what has occurred, is that he has left Mythic for another EA job back in California? With all of the layoffs, it might be that they saw what he was able to do with UO, and put him in charge of one of the groups that they'd terminated the previous head of.

We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

That would still be rather unfortunate, wouldn't it? We'd still be loosing a great Dev and someone who worked hard for this game and loved it. Loosing people who care so much for what they work on is hard to find and I don't think we'll see any good side effects. Sure, we may have a lot of stuff going on before, but that's happened in the past. The lay offs came, things seemed fine and then nothing really happened. It was a do as you will kind of place.

 

[kelmo]

There were others before Draconi... There will be others after. Each makes their mark on the game. Big D has contributed a lot. I do not follow the rumors, but I am pretty certain his time with UO has been noticed.

I have no inside info. I bet he lands on his feet running though.

 

[Ahuaeyjnkxs]

Who art thou to try to insult my alter-ego ? Thou most likely have no idea what is being stoned. Cast the first stone thou who art without sin.