Mark Jacobs says EA wanted to kill UO, but he saved it

by Samuel Axon Oct 21st 2008 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, MMO industry, News items, Ultima Online

Mythic CEO and Warhammer Online lead designer Mark Jacobs is a man who speaks his mind in the face of opposition and criticism. In truth, it's an admirable trait, even if it might occasionally cause some trouble. In the face of criticism from forum trolls and Blizzard COO Paul Sams, he posted a super-long defense of his game and himself. That's interesting on its own, but there's a gem hidden inside. Jacobs claimed that EA wanted to shut down Ultima Online, but he saved it!

Jacobs was defending himself against the accusation that he has a thin skin to criticism by listing things he's weathered and done over the course of his career. Listing those, he said he was "blamed for the state UO is in," but went on to say that "EA wanted to shut down UO when they gave it to us but I convinced them to spend more money on the game."

While it's not surprising that EA wanted to can UO, we're not sure whether to believe he was solely responsible for UO's rescue -- but if that really did happen, well, uhh... thanks, Mark Jacobs!

[Via Kotaku]

Tags: canned, ea, ea-mythic, electronic-arts, forum, mark-jacobs, mythic-entertainment, origin, shut-down, ultima-online, uo, warhammer-online

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Leshrac said on 10:48AM 10-21-2008

Mark also told me that he invented the internet, right after he parted the Red Sea.

mko said on 10:50AM 10-21-2008

Do people still play at OSI? I mean UO shard emulation is pretty much perfected.

Mr Angry said on 11:00AM 10-21-2008

Today is all about EA's other big announcement, KOTOR Online!!!!!!!!!

Massively, have you got special coverage for us????

Leshrac said on 11:10AM 10-21-2008

Mark told EA to buy up Bioware btw, so thank Mark.

Lethality said on 11:34AM 10-21-2008

Every time this guy opens his mouth he looks like more and more of an idiot. Bordering on Brad McQuaid levels here.

JP said on 12:17PM 10-21-2008

Yet, if he didn't say anything, the cynical, irrate posters like the above would castrate him.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. I'm glad he speaks his mind and could care less about coddeling a bunch of whinning, self ritgous douche bags like most of the mmo community. 90% of us are dumb ass, lifeless vags.

Thanks god I'm in the 10% of "normal, emotionaly balanced, and objective humans.

KingJames said on 12:53PM 10-21-2008

The thing is, if someone who was a competitor of yours spouted off lies and tried to badmouth your product would you attack back or just ignore it where people would think it is true? If you say ignore it, you are most likely lying as anyone who is outspoken enough to flame someone on a forum is damn sure gonna do so if they are personally attacked at their job or livelihood. You can think what you want about the guy but bottom line he is in this for the gamers and not making his company so filthy rich that they think they don't have to listen to the players anymore.

Blizzard is far due for a reality check as yes they may be super successful in foreign countries who also support the new kids on the block but here in America people are leaving WoW for greener pastures. Hence, the pot shot at a company sponsored by the biggest gaming name in the business EA. Mark just did what 99.9% of us all would do and backed his game. Shame on Blizzard for publicly attacking Mythic and shame on anyoen who doesn't think Mythic is allowed to defend its position.