Producer's Letter: December 2007. Part 1: Coda

**Gallenite** · 12/14/2007 11:35:50

I've never been a fan of saying goodbye, but it's time. Today is my last day here at SOE.

In addition, I'd like to say thank you.

Thank you all for playing in these worlds that I've had the chance to touch over the past years.

Thank you for your boundless dedication and passion to what it is that we've all created here.

To many of you, thank you for your friendship. A lot of you have been nothing short of an extended family over the past years.

I will miss you all.

The years of working on EverQuest and EverQuest II have been the highlight of my career, and have led to a significant personal milestone as well.

The release of EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark marks the 30^th online games product that I've been fortunate enough to ship. I sincerely hope that you've enjoyed what I was able to contribute to this amazing franchise as much as I've enjoyed being a part of it.

When asked what exactly I do for a living, I've referred to it many times as "having the greatest job working on the best teams in the world."

That's still true today. It's possible for that to be true as well as to know that I've done the best work that I can on a world, and that it's time to hand the reins over to others whose best is still ahead of them.

It's time for me to see what else is out there waiting to be built. It might even end up being something involving SOE. Regardless, I'm sure we'll get a chance to meet up again, whether I'm making new MMOs, continuing to play them, or talking about them on the internet.

I wouldn't be leaving SOE if I wasn't positive that the responsibility for EQ2 was being left in the right hands.

Taking over for me is Bruce "Froech" Ferguson. Some of you will remember his name from EQ2 beta, others of you may have met him at Fan Faires. If you have met him, you know he's one of the most straightforward guys you'll ever be lucky enough to meet.

A few important things to know about Bruce and why I think SOE made the perfect call here:

Up until shortly after launch, he was EQ2's live producer. This move is more of an overdue homecoming than anything else.
Before his production days, his background is also originally in working very closely with online communities as far back as text MUDs. This community deserves nothing less.
He knows that with respecting communities comes respecting the worlds they've grown to love. He's not the kind of person who's going to come in and start re-envisioning the game wholesale.
He has long standing relationships with all of the leads and production staff on EQ2. In a number of cases, even longer than mine.

In short, Bruce is the perfect person to help this team continue to succeed in their mission of producing what we all know is the best MMO out there.

For my part, know that I count myself exceptionally fortunate to have been a part of such great endeavors, and I remain thankful for having been given the opportunity.

Until next time,

Scott Hartsman
Senior Producer Emeritus, EverQuest II

**Cyanbane**

Thank you for helping to make EQ2 the great game it is today. You were a huge variable in that.

-Cyan

**interstellarmatter**

Good luck to you!

**Swordmage**

I for one will miss your presence in the forums and Fan Faires.

Will you be leaving a memorial head scarf in the SOE office lobby?

Good luck going forward.

**Bunion**

Good luck with your future adventures, you will be missed.

Here is an old one, but a good one from original EQ when I had my 45 minute linkdead adventure captured by none other than Gallenite himself.....

**NorrinRadd**

I'd like to wish you well in all you do & Thank you for helping to develop the game I enjoy.

**Tstorm**

Sorry to see you go, Scott. One of the things that always impressed me about you was your sincere desire to listen to what was on the minds of players, and that is far from an easy job with a game this large.

I wish you well in whatever you do next!

**Morgrimson** · 12/14/2007 12:16:53

Wish you well in all your future endevers. Thanks for putting up with our crap for so long!

**gm9**

Good luck Scott with whatever your future brings.

And thanks for all your help and for what you did to the game. It was a pleasure.

-gm9

Wilin

You did some good work here. I know you'll carry that with you to your next adventure in life.

Best Wishes and Thanks for all the fun. SMILEY

Kaif

Good luck to you and thank you for all you have done for us.

-kaif

**Gethani**

*hugs* Scott. I will miss you.

Welcome back Bruce!

Gethani

**Winter**

Scott, I would wish you luck but I know that whatever you do will impress. SMILEY

Take care, don't be a stranger. SMILEY

**Spaceweed**

I beta tested this game many moons ago.

I hadn't played EQ1 at the time, but it was reading about your hopes and visions for EQ2 that initially tempted me into the world of 'Norrath'. I didn't regret my decision.

See my sig - you should be rightly proud of what you achieved SMILEY

Good luck, Scott.

**naladini** · 12/14/2007 13:01:01

Best wishes for future success Scott. Your contributions to EverQuest 1 and 2 over the years were appreciated by many, and the same goes for your enthusiastic devotion to supporting the communities around your games. I can tell the folks around these communities have always appreciated your involvement, honesty and enthusiasm.

Seeing how positively EQ2 has evolved since release, I'm looking forward to seeing what you can accomplish if you actually start on a project from "Day 1".

PS. You're not leaving to take a job as a vocalist somewhere are you? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHisHKDwJAE

Thanks, and Happy Holidays!