Be vewy vewy quiet!

[geoffhanna]

The buzz – or more specifically, lack of buzz – surrounding the update DDO update feels different. We just aren’t getting anything, not a hint, not a sniff, not a bacon puzzle, nothing. It feels unusual. They want us to be excited about the new release. But in this case … crickets.

Last week the devs hit the forums and myDDO, a nice change of pace after a month of virtual silence. But the sum total of information related to the new release: well, nothing really, two images that might be hot bar icons, or status icons, or really, who knows?

The producer is silent as well. Everything promised in Fernando’s last state of the game address has already released. The latest Fernando sighting seems to have been PAX 2010: an hour-plus rambling that included Mad Floyd but was 99.9% focused on Update 7. There was an offhand mention that we’ll see more on spells in Update 9. Otherwise a complete and thorough Cone of Silence.

Chief: "I want to talk about Update 9"
Max: "What?"
Chief: "UPDATE 9!"
Max: "WHY ARE WE SHOUTING?"
Chief: "WHAT?"
Max: "WHAT?"

The last time we got this much stonewall the result was Free To Play. A pretty big change! With hindsight it seems that the endlessly drawn out ”Vast and Mysterious” secrecy was necessary. And also, worthwhile.

So what is it this time? The potential is pretty awesome actually, there is after all a new sheriff in town: Update 9 is the first release designed since the Warner Bros purchase. *

* Proof: everything up to and including Update 8 is laid out here, announced in March 2010, and therefore must have been designed beforehand. The Warner Bros purchase is announced in late April 2010

One may speculate whether this portends well or woe. It seems unlikely that anyone would make too many fixes to something that ain’t broke, but it is the first opportunity for the new ownership to take DDO around the block and really kick the tires.Somewhere there is a new suit at Warner who is supposed to “manage” Turbine and DDO. It would be hard to resist making some kind of change even if only to “provide input” and “add value”.

Anyone with first-hand experience with a new manager “providing input” and “adding value” will understand why I keep putting those phrases in quotes.

Don't wook at me
I ain't sayin' nuffin

Is the lack of information something to do with a new WB policy? Does the new update contain something so “vast and mysterious” that the seeming secrecy will turn out to be appropriate? Are we all so winterbound and cabin-feverish that we are making up conspiracies where none exist at all? Will it be good? Will it be bad?

Here is one vote for “it will be different”.

Th-th-th-th-that’s all folks!

[cdbd3rd]

Don'd woog ad be
I ain'd zayin' nuvvid

I was right there with ya, til Elmer started picking his nose.

[geoffhanna]

Better question: one nostril?

<shrug>

[cdbd3rd]

Better question: one nostril?

<shrug>

Three fingers.

There were budget cuts that year?


Worse: His shorts seem to have a very DEmasculated smoothness.


Really really BAD budget cuts.

[Natashaelle]

... not to mention this is the point where Bugs "sneaks" up and starts playing a one-man band very VERY loudly freaking the bejeezus out of poor Elmer ...

AKA Lammania is going live with new stuff this afternoon

[eris2323]

... not to mention this is the point where Bugs "sneaks" up and starts playing a one-man band very VERY loudly freaking the bejeezus out of poor Elmer ...

AKA Lammania is going live with new stuff this afternoon

I'm thinking they want me to go play another game until they get their act in gear... and possibly fall in love with that game, cancel ddo, and start paying another company...

Just a guess though...

[zorander6]

Lets all sing...

"We're animaniacs, we've got pay for play contracts, so just sit back and relax, there is baloney in our slacks. We're animany, totaly insaney, were animaniacs....those are the facts."


I get to be Yako Warner.

[jwdaniels]

Three fingers.

There were budget cuts that year?


Worse: His shorts seem to have a very DEmasculated smoothness.


Really really BAD budget cuts.

Maybe they cut more than just the budget?

[Krell]

Looking at dev responses to similar threads, the gist of it seems to be - we are really busy because we lost a lot of time to snow and illness. We know things have been quiet and hope to have more details soon when Lamannia comes up.

There could be more to it than that, but it seems pretty straight forward to me.

[Loromir]

Thoon says we'll get something this afternoon.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...17#post3571517

[cdbd3rd]

Thoon says we'll get something this afternoon.
...

If I had a buck for every time the wife gave me that line...




...I could take my girlfriend out to dinner at a nice restaurant.

[Paddycolver]

Maybe the update is Druid but the animal forms are; bugs bunny, daffy duck and store bought only, TAZ the tazmanian devil

[junior_w]

Thoon says we'll get something this afternoon.

http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...17#post3571517

Starting to downloading Lamannia.

I'm hoping something amazing for Update 9.

[eris2323]

Starting to downloading Lamannia.

I'm hoping something amazing for Update 9.

Yeah i hate to be the one who gets peoples hopes up... but the lam client is downloading patchs now

[junior_w]

Yeah i hate to be the one who gets peoples hopes up... but the lam client is downloading patchs now

If I only had downloaded the client yesterday...

Well I can wait some hours until the download be finished.

[Xyfiel]

Got my money on crafting, was said long ago they were working on it. Was said recently there is a major mechanic change/add. What else could it be?

[geoffhanna]

Sorry Xyf but it appears to be not update 9 at all, but rather an Update 8 patch.

No druids.

But you can get a nifty pirate hat! And black armor kits.

Meanwhile the update 9 news search continues on ....

[MeliCat]

I've wondered this also. With all the new staff they announced the other month it's hard to believe they've given up on DDO with the new management.

The event is only temporary game content- even if very nice loot. It's not the new quests and classes we're hoping for. Come on guys! So much brilliant PnP content to draw from and such a big beautiful base already in play - bring it on!

/waits VERY impatiently

[Amoneth]

Well I'm very disappointed... I've read all of this thread and not a single wabbit in sight. Where's Buggs when you need him?

[Natashaelle]

Well I'm very disappointed... I've read all of this thread and not a single wabbit in sight. Where's Buggs when you need him?

He's far too busy questing to make an appearance in here.

Screenshot-or-it-never-happened-wise :