The Tattered Notebook: A moment with Dave Georgeson pt. 2

How do you feel about joining a live team instead of a pre-launch dev team?

You know, when I was younger, [live team] use to bug me. *laughs* I don't like to build sequels, if this comparison makes sense, except to my own projects. If I get to make a sequel to my own stuff, then it's great. I've made sequels in the past, and sometimes it's just not really rewarding. If you make changes to the sequel, your customers aren't really pleased by it.

But that's not the case with a live team. A live team is tinkering, learning, and researching. They're figuring out ways to create new entertainment for people on a regular basis and it's more like... I don't know... like television programming. It's more like television programming and not doing design. You're continuously trying to create something new, something fresh, and something that everybody will think is cool. That's a challenge you won't find anywhere else.

EverQuest II is trying to push the envelope in new and different ways, and that's why I accepted this position. Nobody needs another World of Warcraft — let's do something different.

So, does that mean you won't be introducing sparkle ponies into the Station Store?

Well... if someone wants to buy one... *laughs*

That actually leads into an interesting point. EverQuest II has had a microtransaction store run alongside its subscription for years now. What do you think about having microtransactions with a subscription?

Well [the store] is pretty well hidden, isn't it? *laughs*

But to give you a serious answer, microtransactions shouldn't bother anybody. They're completely voluntary — you don't have to play that way. It's one of those things that Americans have a problem with.

What people need to start realizing is that you're not buying virtual items — you're buying entertainment. If you don't think it's entertaining, if you don't think it's worthwhile, then don't pay the cash! But if you do, then it's still less money than going to the movies.

If you want to buy something that you think makes your character look cooler and it's worth it to you, then go ahead. It's just buying entertainment. If you want to buy a potion that's gives you 50% bonus exp for a few hours, then go ahead. It's your game, play it how you want to. We're just offering people the options.

Plus, the amount of stuff that you can do in EverQuest II for just the subscription price, never touching the Station Marketplace, is just astounding. One of the reasons I think people aren't offended about our marketplace is because what's in the marketplace is minor compared to what's offered in the game.

From a player's standpoint, I'd personally rather have microtransactions than anything else. Why? If a dev team is running on microtransactions and they don't do the right stuff that you like, they don't make any money. If what they're doing isn't fun, then they don't make any money. If it's not at the right price point, they don't make any money. The burden shifts from the old school style into a new, "What have you done for me lately?" kind of perspective for players. This makes developers become genuinely interested in giving you the things that you want.

So, in short, I don't see this as a loss from a player's perspective. I see this as a really cool thing.

So, ok, last question. If you could bring anything to EverQuest II, team and everything aside, what would you bring?

Ohhhh, I'm not going into that hole. *laughs* I have so much more to learn before I can commit to that.

But, I will say this: I want the beginning of the game to be such stupid fun that no one ever quits. After playing the beginning, everyone sticks around to see everything else EverQuest II has to offer. Whether that wish happens, I can't commit, but I'd like to see that. There's so much great stuff in this game and I want people to see it.

Thank you so much for your time, Dave!

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	Massively's dark elf reporter around town, Seccia Ravenloft, is a committed follower of the Overlord. When not adventuring, Seccia prefers a large ale and the company of kittens. She can be reached in Norrath via the Norrathian Express Mail (Server: Lucan D'Lere), or via her human friend, Seraphina Brennan, at seraphina AT massively DOT com.