Exit Interview: NCsoft's CaptSturm
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It's almost time for the infamous Capt' to shut-up-shop and move on, but before we let him out of the door, we (maybe) managed to snag him for interrogation. Read on for the [full article] |
Roo: It's been a long and crazy ride huh? You've been involved with Lineage for longer than I can recall... heck you've been involved with Lineage longer than most folks can recall... How long have you been around, and how has it been?
CaptSturm: I joined NCsoft in the summer of 2001. I was hired to simply liaison between the Seoul Dev team and the US support team. It was quickly apparent we needed someone to "take the wheel" and the rest is history. I love(d) working on Lineage and learned an awful lot about what I think is the "right way" to engineer an online game for longevity. It was the first job that I ever worked over 36 hours on (and I was an infantry soldier years back...), but I loved it.
Roo: What has been the hardest part for you?
CaptSturm: A few things. It was hard dealing with the financial realities of the product, it's got a limited user base here in the US and I'd have liked a bigger budget to do more. Missing a company holiday party or two because I was working late (someone always saved me cake though).
Roo: I'll bet you have some good memories too... can you share with us one of your "kodak" moments?
CaptSturm: Well, we have to use other companies to support our games. Sometimes a contractor may provide substandard work that impacts the user base. We don't call out the knuckleheads publicly, but once in a meeting I attended, one of our network managers tore into one of our vendors--it was awesome. It was great to see that guard dog protection of our service by our network guys.
Roo: You've always been the players "favourite" NC spokesperson, why do you think this is?
CaptSturm: I guess its because I make an effort and that I don't talk AT y'all, I talk WITH you. I listen and tell you the truth, good or bad. Worst case, I'll not answer something that just doesn't have a good answer. I respect you as people and I think most players appreciate that and return that respect.
Roo: Of all the staff who've come and gone over the years, who did you miss the most?
CaptSturm: Geez, most of them. I loved Kyzah to death, we were on the project together for a while. Mistryl is fantastic and is always so cheerful you can't help but smile around her. Fracas is great, if a little on the crazy side. I think Scout is one of the most capable people around as well. I've had a couple of supervisors leave that I miss a ton. Too many to list.
Roo: What advice would you offer to your successors?
CaptSturm: Be passionate about the game. Listen, but don't rush to action every time. Don't promise what you can't deliver. Get back in a quick publish schedule. Hammer on the bot users (since I'm leaving and can be a little less PC I'll say it: If you're a bot user, you flat out suck. And I hope you finally somehow understand what you are and how utterly pathetic that is. Finally, watch your temper and watch what you say in front of the players...
Roo: You're bound to miss Lineage. Will you still play?
CaptSturm: Yes.
Roo: What will you miss the most after you leave?
CaptSturm: I have so many things left undone on the LoA project--I'll miss working on that.
Roo: How many fingers am I holding up?
CaptSturm: Eleven
Roo: Damn, you celebrating already? O.o
CaptSturm: No, that was last night. Today I'm recovering...owwww...
Roo: Well dude, we all wish you the best of luck with your new path, and hope you'll stop by and see us from time-to-time?
CaptSturm: Perhaps--I need to let NC do their thing. Hopefully, you'll be hearing good things about CaptSturm at my new gig.
Roo: Heh, for sure! On that note, we'd better let ya outta here before something breaks *looks at Impact and grins*
CaptSturm: Thanks to everyone. I think you're an awesome player community and wish you all the best.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Lance "CaptSturm" Stites for his efforts these past years, and wish him all the best for the future.