NS2 Goes Offline July 1, 2009

[The House of Sinanju]

I'm really surprised that there isn't any discussion about this yet. Am I the only one who recieved this email?

Extended Downtime in July‏
From: noreply@nationstates2.com
Sent: Mon 5/18/09 7:38 AM
To: nunya@damn.biz

Dear Rulers As you know, NS2 launched in beta several months ago and has suffered from intermittent stability issues, mostly relating to the growing in-game economy, diplomatic networks and Alliance complexities. On July 1st, we are going to be taking the game down in order to perform substantial work on its architecture and features. This will not be a simple process and we are not able to give a definite timeline for when the game will return. To ensure that players do not lose out because of this interruption, we will be turning off new registrations and payment options this week. We regret having to take such extreme action but unfortunately, the underlying design of the game has several major flaws which must be addressed otherwise it will become irreversibly broken. As soon as we have new information, you'll be informed. In the meantime, perhaps we could interest you in Utopia Kingdoms? It's a game which is heavily based on the management of a kingdom and its associated economy and military. Certainly not a carbon copy of NS2 but hopefully something to get involved with until NS2 returns.

This is a link just for NS2 players: http://www.utopiakingdoms.com/?utm_s...mpaign=NS2news

Regards

The NS2 Team

[ECC]

I was working backwards through a weekend's emails and notice the subscription cancellation first. I thought wtf?

We've known for some time that there are 'problems' with NS2s design. It seems to have grown in a disorganised, rambling way and could do with a 'ground up' rebuild. Several DB queries seem to produce weird results and the trade system is screwy and defies the expectations of players.

I hope that the downtime is not too long (and I'm happy with the timing because I'm going on holiday then). What concerns me most is whether the game rebuild will invalidate the current game data and will require a nation restart?

Once again though the OMAC team are once again hiding in the darkness and not taking part in dialogue with us: the supposed Beta Testers. I wish we could get decent feedback and transparent updates.

[Lydias]

I don't know any more currently - when we do I will pass it onwards.

[hai]

Once again though the OMAC team are once again hiding in the darkness and not taking part in dialogue with us: the supposed Beta Testers. I wish we could get decent feedback and transparent updates.

Feedback? Apparently one-sided communication isn't enough for them as the feedback link has been removed. Now they don't even want to hear anything except possibly though Lydias (who apparently is also greeted with one-sided communication) -- such a trooper.

[The House of Sinanju]

Well before it even starts heading down that path, I would remind posters that Lydias is NOT the bad guy here. He has been the sole means of communication for us. So think twice before jumping all over him. He's not a developer, but the method we reach them, so show him a little courtesy for the patience and effort he has given us.

[.Pistonopolis.]

My concern is the aforementioned reset of nations. I may have been silly with having Ambassador status since September, but to have the trophies and commendations (either given or received) deleted as well would really, really irk me. Just thought I'd say it...

But I like this; it's about time. Definitely a step in the right direction!

[jkbuster]

I concur with what is above. I'm glad they are taking the time to do things right. However, I have unused jennifers that I've yet to spend and I don't really want them to just disappear.

[The House of Sinanju]

I don't want to burst anyones bubble here, but I think you folks are getting a false sense of security here. The key words used here are indefinite timeline. As an IT professional, I'm going to wave the BS flag. OMAC is a company doing business. They took peoples money and did not provide the product that was promised. I'm no attorney, but I would HIGHLY recommend that the folks at OMAC put out some kind of reasonable timeline (which CAN be done) or refund those people their money before someone (either gets an attorney or is one) starts feeling litigious.

Lydias, since you have their ear, I'd pass that one on. This isn't a threat on my part (as I never paid into NS2) but a strong recommendation from someone who has worked in IT for 15 years and understands a little bit about how e-commerce works.

As it stands, OMAC has made no solid commitment to bring NS2 back in a functioning state. Instead, they imply that the concept is flawed and have taken no responsibility for the poor coding, undelivered promises, and all the while collecting advertising funds from ad banners that on several occasions were sending users to known Malware and adult content sites. And then they top off the whole thing off with a very loose implication that they MIGHT, at some point, some day... maybe come back with a product.

In short, they need to commit to a reasonable project plan with clearly defined goals and a timeline, or they need to start the wheels moving on returning people their money. Otherwise, its tantamount to theft.

The End.

[Tilooka]

...did anyone else notice that they're pushing us towards Utopia Kingdoms? It was a little subtle in the first email, but much more obvious in a follow-on email they sent:

Hi there

We've recently launched a game which, as someone who registered for
NationStates2, you might also be interested in (or not!). Utopia
Kingdoms is a much more graphical game than NS2 but is still focused
on the economic, military and political management of a settlement
within the world of Utopia. There are monthly competitions for both
players and clans, and the community is growing pretty quickly (we're
going to be opening another server shortly).

If you think it sounds like your thing, why not check it out? You'll
find it at URL REMOVED BECAUSE OF STUPID FORUM SOFTWARE

See you soon

The Jolt team

Combined with an indefinite downtime associated with NS2, and the fact that NS2 has been orphaned by Max, I'm going to make the prediction that NS2 is going down and not coming back.

[Luthercordia]

I would be surprised indeed if NS2 comes back after July 1.

[Luthercordia]

... OMAC is a company doing business. They took peoples money and did not provide the product that was promised. I'm no attorney, but I would HIGHLY recommend that the folks at OMAC put out some kind of reasonable timeline (which CAN be done) or refund those people their money before someone (either gets an attorney or is one) starts feeling letigious...

Really, litigation would get nowhere. People who bought in did not purchase a product. They donated. (Check it out; you can still find that language on the site.) You don't get back a donation, even if you're not pleased with the "free gift" you receive with your donation.

[ECC]

I am an optimist and I say it will be back.

Let's be positive about it and take OMAC at their word that they''ll strengthen and repair the underlying code, hope that they'll take everyone's suggestions into consideration (even if they decide to pass on them) and return a new, improved game in mid-late July.

[Luthercordia]

I am an optimist and I say it will be back.

Let's be positive about it and take OMAC at their word that they''ll strengthen and repair the underlying code, hope that they'll take everyone's suggestions into consideration (even if they decide to pass on them) and return a new, improved game in mid-late July.

I would love to do that. However, I have seen zero evidence since I began playing this game (before it was even a public beta) that the developers are responding in any way to our comments and suggestions. As I've said before, the simple statement from Lydias that our comments are being passed along, while appreciated, is not enough. I want a response. Any response. Even confirmation that "We're not going to be changing that." That's how Betas work.

Sorry, friend, I have to be realistic here and go with what has proven to be true until I see evidence to the contrary.

[Luthercordia]

You all seriously need to read the post that Max Barry, creator of NationStates, posted on the original NationStates site today. Here's the link.

This confirms what I had long suspected.

[Arkayn Stretenby]

I just read it before coming to NS2.