slartybartfass
26-09-2007, 09:11 AM
Hey folks, sorry that it take that long to post the interview, but here you are:
How long did you work for MA now?
MB: 6 years now.
What have you done before?
MB: I was in a company which developed paper role games at first. After a time the trend went to computer based role games and I changed to a company who was developing computer based role playing games. After some time I was in need of a change. I started to call computer companies in Gotheborg, where I lived. The one that called back was MindArk.
Do you enjoy it working for MindArk:
MB: Yes, it was absolute the right decision. Now I could not imagine to work for another company. For me it is a dream to work here and if you ask me I would like to work here up to the end of my time.
Let us talk a bit about the new cry engine, some fear that they have to buy new hardware to play Eu:
MB: In terms of graphic the game will be more scalable. So you will be able to use your existing hardware, but with some poorer graphics. Also we can expect new and amazing sound. But it will not look like the trailer from the beginning. As all other things it need some time for tuning and developing.
When do you expect to go live with VU9:
MB: We hope it will be end of September, but do not count on this.
A word about the banking licenses, there was a big hype about it. When we will see them in game:
MB: The system is running since half a year in our test environment and it works well. The problem is that some of the license owners are not ready designing there buildings. So the delay comes not from Mindark. But we hope to introduce the banks with VU9, but it depends on the license owners.
You heard about the problem with Ginko bank in SL. Could something similar happen in EU:
MB: Definitely not. Ginko bank was driven without any security. We offer security that the loaners need. The system we use is different than from SL. For example if you want do withdraw money you can simply do that. In Sl the way to return dollars is more complex and therefore not granted. You need people to buy your linden dollars.
About the deal with China, what could we expect:
MB: A lot, But I want go to much into details. But we expect a rapid grow of the universe, new planets new continents...
How often do you play EU:
MB: I try to play once a week for some hours to hear what is going on. I do not use the Marco Behrmann Avatar to play because I want to hear and to see what the community is doing. With Marco Behrmann this would not be possible. But we are restricted a bit because we are from MA. We have some rules to follow. When I'm online I mainly act as a crafter.
You are taking care about the community for example entropiaforum, do you like this part of the job, even if it is sometimes very hard:
MB: I appreciate it. Even when there are lot of complaints. But from time to time the postings a very harsh. Than it is no porfessional debate. It is more wining. And those people wining often loose track on what the game is about.
Marco, thanks a lot for this interview.
After the interview I spend some more time talking with the MA officials, especially with Justin, the event manager and some guys from the German Warlords. It was very impressive to see these people in Real life. As I already wrote I received lot's of gifts. distribution starts this week.
How long did you work for MA now?
MB: 6 years now.
What have you done before?
MB: I was in a company which developed paper role games at first. After a time the trend went to computer based role games and I changed to a company who was developing computer based role playing games. After some time I was in need of a change. I started to call computer companies in Gotheborg, where I lived. The one that called back was MindArk.
Do you enjoy it working for MindArk:
MB: Yes, it was absolute the right decision. Now I could not imagine to work for another company. For me it is a dream to work here and if you ask me I would like to work here up to the end of my time.
Let us talk a bit about the new cry engine, some fear that they have to buy new hardware to play Eu:
MB: In terms of graphic the game will be more scalable. So you will be able to use your existing hardware, but with some poorer graphics. Also we can expect new and amazing sound. But it will not look like the trailer from the beginning. As all other things it need some time for tuning and developing.
When do you expect to go live with VU9:
MB: We hope it will be end of September, but do not count on this.
A word about the banking licenses, there was a big hype about it. When we will see them in game:
MB: The system is running since half a year in our test environment and it works well. The problem is that some of the license owners are not ready designing there buildings. So the delay comes not from Mindark. But we hope to introduce the banks with VU9, but it depends on the license owners.
You heard about the problem with Ginko bank in SL. Could something similar happen in EU:
MB: Definitely not. Ginko bank was driven without any security. We offer security that the loaners need. The system we use is different than from SL. For example if you want do withdraw money you can simply do that. In Sl the way to return dollars is more complex and therefore not granted. You need people to buy your linden dollars.
About the deal with China, what could we expect:
MB: A lot, But I want go to much into details. But we expect a rapid grow of the universe, new planets new continents...
How often do you play EU:
MB: I try to play once a week for some hours to hear what is going on. I do not use the Marco Behrmann Avatar to play because I want to hear and to see what the community is doing. With Marco Behrmann this would not be possible. But we are restricted a bit because we are from MA. We have some rules to follow. When I'm online I mainly act as a crafter.
You are taking care about the community for example entropiaforum, do you like this part of the job, even if it is sometimes very hard:
MB: I appreciate it. Even when there are lot of complaints. But from time to time the postings a very harsh. Than it is no porfessional debate. It is more wining. And those people wining often loose track on what the game is about.
Marco, thanks a lot for this interview.
After the interview I spend some more time talking with the MA officials, especially with Justin, the event manager and some guys from the German Warlords. It was very impressive to see these people in Real life. As I already wrote I received lot's of gifts. distribution starts this week.