Producer admits Tabula Rasa is starting slow [Updated]

by Justin McElroy { Mar 6th 2008 at 9:00PM }

Though it certainly looked promising pre-release, it has seemed to us that Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa isn't exactly taking off. We're not playing it, and as far as we know, we don't know anyone who's playing it. Now, in a "State of the Game" post on NCsoft's official website, producer Starr Long admitted that they haven't received the reception they would have liked, saying, "the game has not taken off as quickly as we had hoped."

The admission comes almost a month after reports of major financial trouble and layoffs for NCsoft caused by the game. That said, Long does have some good excuses, and he reaffirms that NCsoft is still devoted to seeing the game succeed. Meanwhile, Richard Garriott is training to go into space. ... We don't have a joke here, we just thought you should know.

[Via Eurogamer]

[UPDATE: Starr Long is, in fact, a male, not a female. We regret the error.]

Tags: ncsoft, richard-garriott, tabula-rasa

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Beatz @ Mar 6th 2008 9:11PM

Tabula Rasa's biggest problem is that it isn't called "World of Warcraft"

Kodros @ Mar 7th 2008 12:32AM

Actually, thats one reason why I would play it...

Pikachief @ Mar 6th 2008 9:11PM

I think Phantasy Star Universe is doing better than this game.

much better. in fact, im gonna go back to playing it RIGHT NOW. ^.^

Nushio (NDF - Blue) @ Mar 6th 2008 9:15PM

I'd probably play it if it worked natively on Linux.

We're itching for games, and will take anything you throw at us :P

kojo87 @ Mar 6th 2008 9:52PM

"Long does have some good excuses"

excuses are like assholes. everyone has one and they all stink

theclaw @ Mar 6th 2008 9:53PM

I think maybe having a required monthly fee wasn't too smart here. The art style going by that above picture, is amazing.

ApolloIV @ Mar 6th 2008 10:00PM

Starting slow and tanking often

Rask @ Mar 6th 2008 10:08PM

NCSoft used to be dedicated to Auto Assault.

They(NCSoft) need to change their billing structure. 20$ client, 10$ expansions and 7.50$ per game subscription/MO. 3 game sub for 15$/MO and lastly all NCSoft games sub for 25$/MO (with the clients for free at this last tier).

NCSoft doesn't have an MMO that is worth paying full MMO price for. They're mostly all uber-repetitive droll with a single hook stages ofer a tim of generic locales.

NACHO @ Mar 6th 2008 10:11PM

i bought it for $15 (the LE no less) and after reading articles like this, i'd rather sell it than open it ($70 at retail). Anyone want one :)

Bryan S. @ Mar 6th 2008 10:22PM

I bought the game at launch, and had a good bit of fun with it for a month. Couldn't bring myself to re-new my subscription though. I wanted to like it so much too--an MMO without a drop dead boring combat system and non-elves and orcs was everything I had wanted. Just didn't click with me (for $$ monthly anyway). And lol@Garriot going into space. There's a guy that does literally everything he wants to do.

Haniel @ Mar 6th 2008 10:31PM

"That said, Long does have some good excuses, and she reaffirms that NCsoft is still devoted to seeing the game succeed."

Starr Long is not a she- ever heard of 'Lord Blackthorn' from Ultima Online fame? Long was the real world counterpart for that character and, along with Richard Garriott, played a pivotal role as a developer in MMO's reaching the state they are in today.

As far as Garriott-in-space, the guy made enough money off of the UO franchise and Origin that I don't think he really cares too much if the current business is booming.

dustandechoes91 @ Mar 6th 2008 10:39PM

I was in the beta and i really liked it, and have been wanting to get it, but i dont want to pay a monthly subscription for a game i already bought.

ugg.tryptophan @ Mar 6th 2008 11:11PM

sci-fi themed guild wars please!

Emceay @ Mar 6th 2008 10:49PM

Does google have to make an MMO before the industry changes the pricing structure?

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Mar 6th 2008 11:12PM

Never go into business with a grown man who lives in a castle and calls himself lord british.

Tinman @ Mar 6th 2008 11:28PM

I've been playing TR since it released and I'm still having a blast.

And if the writer that wrote this actually read the release, instead of just looking for points to pick on, he/she/it would have noticed that Starr is a bloke (as someone has already pointed out). It's written plainly in the blog :p

Shawn @ Mar 6th 2008 11:35PM

All NCSoft has to do is sprinkle a little bit of that Guild Wars dust on it...and poof..instant success. Speaking of GW2...Can't wait.

I was in the TR beta, and while it was fun, I just didn't find it that exciting after a few days.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 6th 2008 11:36PM

There will be no boom for NCsoft until Guildwars 2 comes out.

driven2sin @ Mar 7th 2008 12:08AM

I think the only MMO that has a decent chance to make a small dent in WoW will be Stargate

depends if it will be fresh or just a series of copycat features... we will see

Lex @ Mar 7th 2008 12:13AM

Everything that is holding TR back from being a great game was already told, screamed, pleaded for, and asked for by the people in the closed beta of TR.

The fact that what was suggested wasn't done no one can blame on the public testers on this game.

ill trooper @ Mar 7th 2008 1:44AM

"Hey lady! WAR! Behind you... WAR! BEHIND YOU!"

gLitterbug @ Mar 7th 2008 7:55AM

Maybe it would've helped if they didn't make a boring half-assed game. It put me off faster than most other betas I have been in.

Oh and sadly, as great as their concept art is, the game comes nowhere close to having an amazing look.

I guess they hoped for people to remember Garriott enough to make the game sell more. Just proof to never trust a game if it says "Mister X's blabla".