Add new comment

I think you forget the line where I wrote that imho SWG HAD flaws:

I do think that not only SWG was rushed out, but that it was also flawed. But this doesn't change the fact that the only one who could have fixed those flaws were you and noone else.

That's also the exact same thing I commented on brokentoys.

My opinion has always been very consistent about this. Even at that time I blamed Raph to have quit the project for the exact same reasons. He was the only one who could have brought it on, and the only one who had the responsibility to do that. Flawed or not there is no SWG without him (and this is an evidence). Then I have to say that I simply LOVE to see him working and discussing about something concrete, and make plans and projects that we could share and play. Instead of just abstract theories.

SWG hype and launch were GREAT for me because there was Raph behind as a guarantee of dedication, ambition and long term significance, you cannot deny that, you cannot deny that wherever Raph went you felt like something important and great was going to happen. It wasn't something you could easily ignore.

I loved it because he was there "among people", writing about game design and always having great plans. No space at all for mediocrity.

In fact I remember a post on Grimwell where I wrote that it would have been interesting to put beside Raph someone with opposite ideas, and then "let them fight". That's because I always thought that he needed some sort of counterbalance and "antagonism". But to obtain then a systhesis at the end, to have him sensitized on some core points. To have him reacting.

I always criticized some of his ideas on the various forums and here on this website. Nothing ever changed, I have often different opinions and always explained them. What I think about SWG and the critics I made on Grimwell or here are still valid because I don't remember to have changed my mind.

The abstracted puzzle-like unimmersive combat system, accessibility, technology, LFG systems, the "third wall", the decision to lock playstyles as an obligatory choice instead of opening them up for all players, forced interdependence, shantytowns type of housing, the choice to prefer character customization to unique animations for each race and so on. There's a VERY LONG list of things we discussed and criticized from SWG release till today. My opinion on all of them has remained quite consistent.

This still doesn't mean that the game could have existed without him. It was his creature. Noone could have replaced him. Work WITH him, yes. Being an antagonist to force a confrontation, yes. But he has the final word and noone should have ever "prevaricated" his authority.

Why I wrote all that? Because my goal was to challenge and confrontate with him. Because what I wanted was not to accuse him or rant. But reach an agreement, or at least find some basic different points of view (agreeing to disagree).

I kept putting the dirt under his eyes to obtain a synthesis, and not just because I enjoy to be a pain in the ass.