[AsheMan]

They hand a bad check over at 5:00pm? What are they thinking? Let's give them the check at the end of the work day and they won't discover it's bad until tomorrow?!

This just seems absurd. And missing payroll for your employees? This company is toast.

[Vordox]

Gamebreaker Video

http://www.gamebreaker.tv/pc-games/3...bling-kingdom/

[Vordox]

Oh so now they release some info! To funny. Looks nice though

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...v=m9nvnrP0j8U#!

[AsheMan]

Look what released today: First Video of Copernicus

[Vordox]

Originally Posted by AsheMan

Look what released today: First Video of Copernicus

I beat you by a few seconds evidently lol

[AsheMan]

Originally Posted by Vordox2

I beat you by a few seconds evidently lol

Bah! Your post didn't even display after I had submitted mine. I call shenanigans!

Maybe they are trying to drum up some interest in the MMO with the hope that SOE or some other company will buy it from them.

[Vordox]

LOL!!!

Yeah they had to do something it was sink or swim. A launch date was announced as well june 2013. So we shall see.

[Fozzik]

I was talking over on the 38 Watch forums, and mentioning that I thought it was backfiring a little that they hadn't released any info at all about the game, because there was nothing positive or reassuring to offset the bad news coming out this week. People know nothing about how far along they are, so when they hear about financial troubles, they automatically assume it's vaporware and write them off.

So...here's a little something to offset the bad news...a little.

To be honest, that video looks like a very early sample...like probably from 3-4 years ago in terms of their development. I certainly hope so anyway. It needs anti-aliasing really badly, the textures are relatively low-res, and there's no "life"...no characters or NPCs or animals or anything. It looks like the kind of engine test that companies put out about a year into development...so I wonder if they just grabbed something old and threw it out there (which could mean they want to continue being secretive, or could mean they are REALLY behind).

It sounds like the latest news is that Rhode Island is going to provide tax credits as if 38 Studios was making a movie in the state...which supposedly will keep them afloat for the time being. The governor also announced that they plan on releasing Copernicus in June of next year.

My guess would be holidays next year...and I'm not sure they will be able to hang on that long and finish.

With all that said, I like some things about their art style...some stylistic elements are definitely carried over from Reckoning. I like the ambiance and colors, I like the style of the architecture and the dense feel of some of the areas. I think it could be a very beautiful game.

Oh, and the music reminds me of EQ... it's a great song, but it sounds really low-tech with all electronic instruments... in other words, it's sounds like a good composer recording music like 12 years ago. That's probably not a good thing.

[Vordox]

Yeah they just put that out to say we have something. Yeah you are right though it does look like a early sample. Still looks nice as far as architectural design.

Will this be enough to make it to next June I doubt it. They need a more substantial viewing for sure.

Would I pre buy this like GW2 just to be in beta ummm that would be a resounding noooo. Not that they would show their hand like that anyway.

I'm still hung up on a supposed Conservative (Curt Shilling) taking Govt money. It is hypocritical and unethical in my eyes. It is the entire reason Countries are going broke. Including ours (U.S.A.).

[Fozzik]

Hey, with Guild Wars 2 coming out this year, we're in a fairly unique position compared to the last decade...I actually feel fairly secure. We've got an awesome game to play, and I can just sit back and watch Copernicus to see if it turns out to be something great.

I agree that I've lost a lot of respect for 38 Studios, and Curt Schilling in particular, and it's going to take quite a bit to earn it back. I feel like there must be some serious issues with the game or the company, or this wouldn't have happened. I can't have much confidence in their abilities as game developers. The proof will be in the pudding.

But I'll be comfortably enjoying another game, so it's really no skin off my back if they crash and burn. If it turns out to be a super awesome game, that's great. It'll be something to enjoy alongside Guild Wars 2, or perhaps as my next game after I'm done with GW2. I don't have to sweat their design and spend the next two years being a forum warrior on their boards trying to get them to make a good game.

What a relief.

[Vordox]

AMEN to that! Now if GW2 will just release and lets get on with it! I'm excited to start!

I'm also glad to see you mellowing Fozz. It is good to see you relaxing a bit.

[Loampounder]

Originally Posted by Fozzik

It looks like the kind of engine test that companies put out about a year into development...so I wonder if they just grabbed something old and threw it out there (which could mean they want to continue being secretive, or could mean they are REALLY behind).

Yes, either it is old (which is bad news because they still are unwilling to open up) or it is current (which is bad news). Things look interesting, but disturbingly lifeless.

The last part (lifeless) makes me think it's another case of good people, bad management. Perhaps they underestimated the work to get mechanics built.

Originally Posted by Vordox2

I'm still hung up on a supposed Conservative (Curt Shilling) taking Govt money. It is hypocritical and unethical in my eyes. It is the entire reason Countries are going broke. Including ours (U.S.A.).

<shrug> money corrupts. I am sure he has convinced himself that it's just like any other investor and the government will get its money back.

[Vordox]

Originally Posted by Loampounder

<shrug> money corrupts. I am sure he has convinced himself that it's just like any other investor and the government will get its money back.

Well if your principles work like that then you deserve what comes with it. In his case Failure.

I really could care less about the game at this point. I'm caught in between if the game succeeds and the money is repaid it promotes more of this bad behavior. If it fails the poor taxpayers suffer. Actually taxpayers suffer both ways. The taxpayer never really sees the profit in the off chance things do work out,Yet they are the first to be burdened with the tab if things go wrong.

My point is if Countries keep trying to live like theres no tomorrow at the cost of the people don't be surprised if there isn't one.

[Loampounder]

Originally Posted by Vordox2

Actually taxpayers suffer both ways. The taxpayer never really sees the profit in the off chance things do work out,Yet they are the first to be burdened with the tab if things go wrong.

The intention is that the company brings stable high-tech jobs to the state, and the taxpayers win because of that (direct jobs and indirect jobs). Yes, I agree that it's an inefficient way to promote job growth, considering the overhead and risk.

[Vordox]

Oh I Totally get the premise and the intention But as you said it is totally inefficient. There are many ways to promote business without giving away taxpayers money.

Lets face it if people are working they are paying taxes. So if you make your state, business friendly and you make it easy to start up a business. People will have jobs and pay taxes. (Look what Puerto Rico is doing as an example)

If we continue this Govt picking a business because they are fans of the Baseball guy and his business dream at the taxpayers expense. You get what we got here now in the U.S. and other countries.

I think we are both on the same page here. I'm just a little more hotter about this rampant mishandling of funds since the whole MF Global shit went down.

[Loampounder]

Originally Posted by Vordox2

I think we are both on the same page here.

Truely. What pisses me off the most is that the government has (in theory) bottomless pockets. MS pulled the plug on Sigil because they decided that the ledger was full and they would not sink any more in. There were real world issues (someone had to pay the bills and stand accountable for a number on a ledger) Rhode Island will probably let the whole thing float in hopes of making up some money. They will just take more money from the taxpayer trough.

But we are getting off topic. If I am to have any expectation for this game, I would need to see some gameplay. Until then, it's just vaporware.

[Fozzik]

Looks like we guessed correctly. Here's a 38 Studios Developer Quote from the 38Watch forums:

Originally Posted by EndfinityJon

This "trailer" IS old. There's much more I wish I could say, but I'm hoping you guys will get something more official from someone soon. We appreciate you guys hanging in there for and with us (we really need it), and hopefully we can give you guys a better look at the updated world soon!

SOON (tm)

Yeah, we haven't heard that before.

[Vordox]

Originally Posted by Fozzik

Looks like we guessed correctly. Here's a 38 Studios Developer Quote from the 38Watch forums:



SOON (tm)

Yeah, we haven't heard that before.

Yeah there are a couple devs on the FOH page as well spouting the old wish we could say more. One even said he plays the game everyday and can assure it is not vaporware. I mean it is shit you would expect them to say. Yet there is the cloak of secrecy.

I mean they can't even give classes in game for a game that is a year out?! Not buying it.

He basically said what is on this site http://www.amalur.com/ is basically the game. While being discreet. So go there and glean the bits that is going to be the game. Not real impressive seriously.

[Loampounder]

Originally Posted by Vordox2

Yeah there are a couple devs on the FOH page as well spouting the old wish we could say more. One even said he plays the game everyday and can assure it is not vaporware. I mean it is shit you would expect them to say. Yet there is the cloak of secrecy.

I cannot imagine why a rational person would hand out an old video to counter the PR problem of not paying a $1M payment. In VG-gate, a lot of irrationally was explained when rumors got out that Brad was never in the office. I wonder if 38's management issues are just as bad.

[Vordox]

Well they aren't spending the money on marketing lol. Unless you can see the 38 Studio spending spread sheet who is to know where the money is going.

You have to assume their issues are worse. I mean VG had a game that was at least in beta. 38 has an old flyby thats it?!

You are right they are irrational and bordering on idiotic.