Yes, it is true that I have moved back to Austin. At the end of the last school year, my wife and I made the decision to go back, mostly based on the relative merits of the school systems and the housing markets between Silicon Valley and Central Texas. Fortunately, Darkscribe decided that he wanted me to continue to work on UO, so we worked out an arrangement where I could telecommute. Naturally, I am no longer serving as Lead Designer; that would be pretty impossible in a remote capacity. I am presently doing design and engineering on the upcoming UO:KR expansion.
Note that this does not imply any of the following:
The UO team moving back to Austin. Most of the people working on UO nowadays are from the Bay Area, and wouldn’t move even if given the option.
Mythic moving to Austin. What I’ve heard from folks in VA: "Not just no, but hell no."
EA opening a new studio in Austin. We’ve talked about renting office space for the couple of us on the UO team that are there now, and I wouldn’t rule out EA having a bigger presence there in the future. But a new studio? No.
I also want to be clear that this was a personal decision, and in no way a vote of no-confidence in UO or the team; UO’s future has never been brighter. In many ways, it’s difficult for me to be geographically removed from the hub of development JUST as all the things I’ve worked toward for so long seem poised to come to fruition. But it was my choice, and I stand by it, and any complaining about it would just be sour grapes, so that’s the last you’ll hear about that from me.
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= Tim "MrTact" Keating =
10th November 2006, 01:14 PM
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