Simutronics CEO David Whatley on Putting the MUD back into MMOs2009-10-24Simutronics founder and CEO David Whatley sits down with Steve to discuss the finer points of HeroEngine, as well as some updates on the status of their upcoming original MMO, Hero’s Journey.
The MMO Gamer: First of all, for those among our readers who may be unfamiliar, could you please introduce yourself to us and tell us a little about what it is you do at Simutronics.
David Whatley: I’m David Whatley, the President and CEO of Simutronics, which means I don’t get to do much anymore. People just kind of come to me and tell me to sign things at this point. I’m also basically the chief architect of our technology, so that would be HeroEngine at this point.
The MMO Gamer: HeroEngine is, of course, the reason why we’re here. Unless, of course, you’d like to give me some world exclusives on Hero’s Journey, in which case by all means, feel free!
If not, the reason I’m personally interested in the HeroEngine is because I’m an old MUD guy, as I’m sure you are.
David Whatley: That’s how I got my start!
The MMO Gamer: Those were the days, let me tell you.
David Whatley: They were, but it’s still the days for us, we still do it. We’ve got three sides to our business, one of them is still the text-based game stuff. It’s about a quarter of our revenue.
The MMO Gamer: And now you’re trying to bring some of that MUD flavor back into MMOs?
David Whatley: Not just the MUD flavor, but the technology that we used to give it that flavor, the fact that the game can be evolving while you’re playing it, because it’s all live and collaborative.
The MMO Gamer: You know what would really win me over? If there were a little check box in the settings for “Text Only Mode,” and it just went to a blank screen with white text that said things like, “You are standing in a green, verdant field. There is a tree. Obvious exists are East, North.”
If you guys could pull that off… game of...
Teenage Alpha Tester!2009-10-15An young Alpha tester from Blizzard inner circles, sends out his story which is filled with information and class info as well as the dread subject: PvP.
Not much new, but an extraordinary well written article.
What World of Warcraft IS Today
Let's start with the first one. It's fun. It's a LOT of fun. Remember that magic you felt the first time you clicked with EverQuest? It's back, and it's back in huge buckets full. The first time you hear the snow crunch under your feet in Khaz Modan as your breath steams in the air, or the first time you ride a wyvern across the Barrens of Kalimdor or the first time an NPC shouts out your name, celebrating you saving the day at the end of a long quest, you'll feel that magic...
