Letter from the Game Director – Passing on the torch

**Silirrion**

There isn’t any easy way to start this letter to the community. For me personally it’s definitely a little sad to be here writing this to all of you that have made my time as Game Director on Anarchy Online so very special. As many of you will already know it has been announced today that I have been asked to take a new role leading up the team on Age of Conan.

Leaving Rubi-Ka in this capacity is certainly not an easy thing to do, I owe the world created for Anarchy Online for my profession now, and the game will always have a very special place in my life. I have though also been involved in Age of Conan from its early development in one form or another and it’s also an exciting opportunity to challenge myself further.

I couldn’t be leaving the game in better hands though. I have always maintained my pride in the team we have built up on the project, and I have every confidence that they will continue to provide you with great updates and fantastic content for years to come. Colin ‘means’ Cragg and his content team have been finding creative ways to kill…sorry I mean ‘challenge’, you all for some time already and I couldn’t think of anyone better to be handing the reigns over to.

I’ll be sure to not loose track, so you might see me dropping by now and again. For now though I hope you extend the faith, support and feedback you have given me to Means and his team. The entire team here has a little piece of Rubi-Ka in their souls and I am sure you are only just starting to see the fruits of that dedication.

So to everyone that has taken part in this community down the years you have my eternal thanks for providing the incentive and motivation for everything we do here. Without you, our community, Rubi-Ka wouldn’t exist or continue to thrive as it does. I have enjoyed my time working on Anarchy Online as both Community Manager and Producer more than I can easily put into words. Suffice to say I am proud of everyone that has put the blood, sweat and tears into Anarchy Online to make it what it is today, and that goes for developers, the wonderful and hard working volunteers at ARK and players alike. Rubi-Ka is your world.

I hope to be enjoying it with you for years to come!

Zeephonz

Can I have your stuff?

Seriously though... kudos to you, and hope all goes well, I'm sure it will. Keep in touch.

Niles

WOW! Well, thx for being around the time you where here. I at least felt that you loved the game and the players.

Neuromotor

So long, and thanks for all the fix.. sh!

Neverest

You did a great job with AO, I hope you do an equally good job with Age of Conan. Thanks!

porter

Take some leets to AoC, will you, Silirrion?

Good luck Means!

**Mastablasta**

Congratulations on taking over such a high profile project

With all the good things that happened to AO under your leadership, I see only green fields ahead for AoC (which sorely needs them).

Hope you'll stick around our end of the internets still

Jarapinal

Congratulations on the new position, i wish you all the best with it. I'm sure you will be missed amongst the Anarchy Online community. Thank you for leading the project forward, and shaping the game as we know it today.

-Jara

Dhurdahl

Grats to the new job Sil!
Sad to see you go though.

Im sure that it will be real challenge for you to set you teath into

AoC sure need a "restart/rethink" and Im sure you can bring that.

So, good luck on the new job yes again.

Wagabunda

Gelanin

Gratz on your new position Sil

Hope you do as good a job with AoC as you did with AO.

Hastuur

You will certainly be missed around here. I hope this won't effect the development of AO negatively, as that would be a shame. I am looking forward to the graphics update very much. Good luck with AoC, they couldn't have picked a better team lead, and I'm sure it'll be fun... And by the way, I'll keep my signature in homage to you're time in AO... I am sure you're thrilled.

Koizumi

Soooo Means will be the new GD?

I dont envy him :S

TheJackal

Sad news Sil is going to AoC, however I think Means will do his job just as good. AoC needs some serious help. The good news in all of this though, is that Gaute Godager is leaving FC (according to some norwegian newspapers) \o/

irmo

were do i send my application as new game dictator?

**Mekh**

Dasm.... Oh well, gratz on your new challenge.. and a big one it is

I sure hope Means & Co. will be able to keep up the good work as we've seen it in the time you've been steering AO.

At the end of the day I really, really, really hope this won't have any negative impact on the work being done atm with regard to new gfx engine, patches, bug fixes and all that.

Good luck in your new job and thanks for the efforts you've put into AO.

**Mekh**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheJackal

Sad news Sil is going to AoC, however I think Means will do his job just as good. AoC needs some serious help. The good news in all of this though, is that Gaute Godager is leaving FC (according to some norwegian newspapers) \o/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarib

Former Producer and Game Director Gaute Godager has chosen to resign from Funcom after working on Age of Conan since the initial conception, and he leaves the company after 16 years. Godager was one of the original founders of Funcom, and leaves a large legacy, having contributed to making Funcom the largest MMO company in Europe. “I have done my very best making this fabulous game, but I have concluded there are elements which I am dissatisfied with. I have decided to act on this, and as a result I have chosen to leave Funcom. It is time to get new, fresh eyes on Age of Conan, and I wholeheartedly support the appointment of Craig. I have had a fantastic time these last 16 years, and I am very proud of the many things Funcom has achieved. Funcom and Conan will always be a big part of me, but as I now look to new ventures outside the gaming industry I am certain Age of Conan’s future is in the best of hands.”

http://forums.anarchy-online.com/sho...d.php?t=537177

ninst

Gratz to the both of you! Saving AoC will be great challenge and I am sure Sil is the right person for the job. Means is someone who loves AO and can listen to playerbase, he will be a very good GD.

Omutb

At least it wasnt a GD swap

Perhaps AoC might be made into something people want to keep playing now.

MachSchau

I will miss you the most Sil. Under your reign I have seen so many good changes in this game and many lines crossed with progressing this game and changing it for the better. You were very involved with the community and always addressed them in the forums and that is why I liked you the most. AoC is getting someone really grande and for that I am envious. I thank you for everything that will be in 17.10 for it is something the players have wanted for years and I feel it is something that you made possible. I hope the person who fills in your shoes does as a good job as you or better.

P.S. Your balls are still huge.