Once again we have to say good-bye to a member of the Lineage 1 Austin team. Sadly, Artic Sun is leaving us and heading back up north; As the sun sets over the hills of Texas for the last time for our content writer & editor, we speak to him about his time at NCsoft.
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[Read on] for the full story...
 Rooella |
Well... How was it? |
 Arctic Sun |
It? Texas, it? Austin, it? City of Heroes, it? James McMurtry, it? The Exteel beta, it? The new episode of Heroes, it? Oh, you mean Lineage, don’t you?
Actually, the whole experience – heading down from snowy Canada to hot-hot-hot Texas, and joining the NCsoft family, and being apart of so many great games – especially Lineage – was a tremendous experience. I’ve learned a great deal, and hope I helped out where and when I could. |
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Rooella |
Yeh, it's a pretty crazy crowd back there!
What did you find most challenging? |
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Arctic Sun |
Two things – one was being part of so large a company (previously, the company I worked for topped out at about 7 people). And the Community. All communities have their challenges, of course, and I had to learn to dance quickly with each one. I would say the Lineage folks are the hardest to please, but that’s OK because they are hardcore gamers, and when you do something right by them, it feels really good. And when you fail them, they let you know fast :) But if you’re honest and hard working, they’ll give you another chance. |
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Rooella |
The guys can be total goofs... It must have been fun! What good things are you going to take away with you? |
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Arctic Sun |
Fracas’s music, Nomad’s books (books, not boots, dammit), Mistryl’s kindness, and Impact’s patience, and Roo’s chocolate…
A really good working experience, and some great friends, both in game and out of game. |
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Rooella |
Funny... Roo thought Fracas ate all the chocolate... So tell us, is he just as nuts in person? |
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Arctic Sun |
Fracas? Honestly, no. He’s far worse. Like a fruit bat. |
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Rooella |
What about Mistryl? She as hot as they say? |
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Arctic Sun |
Hah. Mistryl was the second person I met at NCsoft, after Tsirin, and she has been wonderful to work with. She’s quiet, although Nomad claimed Mistryl would curse like a sailor on occasion, but she’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. And she’s a cutie, all right. |
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Rooella |
Of all the staff who've come and gone over the years, who did/will you miss the most? |
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Arctic Sun |
This is a tricky question, as I was in Austin for only about a year and a half, and spent most of my time on City of Heroes. So if I say I really miss working with Awry, you’ll probably have no idea what I’m talking about. I think as far as L1 is concerned (and I know it’s all you care about! :) ), CaptSturm’s departure is the biggest void. But I think he did a great job mentoring Fracas, and I think Fracas’s return to L1 will be even more passionate and inspired this time around.
But the person I’ll miss most by leaving Austin will be CuppaJo, the former CoH (and now on TR) Community Manager. Definitely one of my best friends in Austin. |
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Rooella |
Yeh... Roo's heard good things 'bout CuppaJo... but Roo would much rather have a CuppaTea o.o Milk, two sugars ty v.v
What advice would you offer to your successors... other than to run away? |
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Arctic Sun |
I think you need to be honest with the players, and develop a level of trust with them. You have to be able to take criticism without flipping out, but you also need to stand your ground when they are asking too much of you.
And play the game. Play the game. Play the game. |
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Rooella |
Well, I know you played when you got the chance, how did you find it? |
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Arctic Sun |
I did. Never as much as I wanted, but y’know, I was on Lineage, Exteel, Dungeon Runners, and City of Heroes. That’s a lot of ground to cover. |
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Rooella |
Yep, all those "Busy!" IM's qq
You were possibly, the worst Knight I ever met when ya started tho... That said, I didn't make a very good heal-mage either. Running away from mops on talking island was too funny o.o You played other classes too, right? |
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Arctic Sun |
Well, I started with a Dark Elf, but didn’t get very far. I then switched to a Knight and played that whenever I could. Oh, and I also had a GM character with the form of a Mambo Rabbit – that bunny was *great!* |
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Rooella |
hehe - yeh bunny rocked... He could squish GMFracas with his bare feet o.o
If you could single-handedly change something about Lineage, what would it be? |
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Arctic Sun |
Well, two things – I would magically make the bots disappear, because, well, that would be the thing that so many players want most of all. But unfortunately that’s magic, and bots are a daily fight.
The second would be that I would make the level grind less cumbersome. I know that as a GM I can magically make myself whatever level I want, but I don’t think games need to be work, and sometimes that level grind sure feels like work. I also know that some people really like that, and without it it wouldn’t be Lineage … just personal preference, y’know? |
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Rooella |
Yep. While yer at it, get me to 55 plz ty :P I actually hate the whole levelling thing... for me the game's all about the folks in it... and we have a great laugh.
That said, I know it's why folks get sooo mad about the bot problem. We spend years making our characters, only for those bozo's to cheat their way up >.< makes Roo mad! |
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Arctic Sun |
Yep, bots are evil. |
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Rooella |
Well, it's almost time to say goodbye! |
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Arctic Sun |
Man, I thought you talked a lot, but apparently it’s all me. |
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Rooella |
Heh. Well buddy, thanks for all of your hard work over the past year-and-a-bit, and for stopping by to talk with us! |
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Arctic Sun |
Thanks to all the people who helped me on the Lineage project, very much including Kyzah, Scout, Sylvia, and Mary. And thanks a ton to you, Roo, for all the time you’ve invested in L1 and the community. And a final big thanks to all the players out there – first and foremost, we do this work for you guys. |
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Rooella |
Yeh, those folks rocked! Thanks again man & goodluck with the future! |
Thank you Arctic Sun and
Thank you Arctic Sun and goodluck with the future ^^"~ !
(and nice interview roooo!!)
~ http://www.upsaid.com/elvorith ~
Good luck, arctic :)
Good luck, arctic :)
GOOD LUCK!!! Roo ur the
GOOD LUCK!!!
Roo ur the greatest! v.v
All the best of luck
All the best of luck Arctic!
Wish we could have had you for longer ='(
Nice Interview Roo !! (as
Nice Interview Roo !! (as always ^^ )
And Best of Luck an Wishes to you Arctic!
Hope you have as much Fun an Luck as you did here!!
Beer Me !!
Tikies' Blog
The blessing of Aden are
The blessing of Aden are with you on your way out! Good Luck in the future!