Hope they keep it balanced! *fingers crossed*
BUT that begs the question...
"build and sell their own items"
...what items specifically are we talking about?
And what will be the main tool used to build these items? Photoshop? Or will there be a proprietary application you need to download, like a WYSIWYG editor? My visual artistry is lacking hardcore, but if there was a tool like the latter, I'm in. Otherwise, I'll leave this to the photoshop pros (and seriously, they're so good at what they do...they make me sick) and drink my jealous into a dark oblivion.
Also, will there be a script or XML file used to give items stats (if indeed these "items" even have stats)? Will stats be assigned in a static way or allow the stats to be scaled so that a person who is 70 forever can use the item with Anguish-equal stats and a person who is level 100 has level 100 appropriate stats? I hate this element of "programming"; I will download someone else's UI file any day before making my own. But if I had a program that designed it for me, perhaps I'd be more apt to try.
The point in all this is if this is for everyone, use a program that allows simple "item" design but allow importing (and exporting, of course) to Photoshop and/or Notepad (*cough* Edit Plus*) as well to truly include the entire spectrum of talents.
Otherwise, I'll be just a consumer and not a producer. Exciting stuff, though.
*edit* should have RTFFAQ'd first. Still leaving this post here for discussion purposes, though.
Edited, Sep 9th 2012 1:51pm by Baeddon
Breaking: SOE Announces Player Studio
Players are invited to design their own in-game items to sell on the SOE Marketplace
Fancy yourself a designer? If so, SOE is opening the door for you.
We were being teased on twitter last night by John Smedley and now we know why.
It was announced just moments ago via a press release that SOE is launching their Player Studio:
"For the first time in SOE history, players will be able to build and sell their own items, truly creating a unique, customizable online marketplace within our games," said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. "At SOE, we believe everyone is a gamer at heart, and our goal with Player Studio is to provide a platform on which our players can further explore their inner gamer while showcasing their passion for the games they love. We are looking forward to seeing our players' creativity come to life in an entirely new way."
It was also announced that SOE will be sharing 40% of the net profits with the players when they sell their items on the SOE Marketplace, and that the profit will be paid by check.
Will that entice you to get your creative juices flowing?
In a recent interview with Gareth "Gazimoff" Harmer, David Georgeson, Director of Development, SOE had a lot to say about the reasons behind the Player Studio launch:
"We’re very serious about having the players as involved as possible, and able to succeed and be famous in as many different individual ways as possible. Just because raiders get loot doesn’t mean you like raiding. Some people really love raiding, but we know what the percentage of people that loves raiding, and it aint everybody let’s put it that way. For these games to be able to succeed, there needs to be ways for you to be able to participate and really get enjoyment out of it. It’s not necessarily the same as what [others] are playing. You do what you want to do, and that’s what we’re trying to set up.
"When we get into the players creating stuff, there’s a wild and woolly frontier out there that I can’t wait to push.
"There are a lot of obvious reasons for it. I’ve been a player for a long time; I would love to contribute to MMOs that I think are really good. To make my own stamp in it and realise that I did that - and it’s cool. Then you add the idea of possibly being able to make real cash out of it – that’s cool too. And then from our point of view, if you make an item, when are you going to quit? Probably never! (laughs) So as far as retention goes, it’s pretty cool too. So it’s win for everybody. When you look at something like that and you find that many wins on the subject, it’s like ‘Alright, we’re doing this.’
"We create methods in the game for you to be famous because whatever it is, whatever you’re playing, you’re playing so that you can brag. I defy you to show me a game where you’re not in it to be able to brag. That’s what a competition is about! Maybe you’re a cool guy and you don’t brag much, but you know that you’re better than the other person when you win. So when you’re playing these MMOs, we know that people have that itch that they need to scratch, and we need to be able to deliver mechanisms so that they can get fame and fortune."
Scott "Jarimor" Hawkes, Editor in Chief
