April 17, 2007, 23:48
|
#1
|
|
Apolyton CS Co-Founder
Local Time: 16:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 16,448
|
Soren Johnson Leaves Firaxis Games
 On April 2nd, the Co-Lead Designer on Civilization III and Lead Designer on Civilization IV began a new chapter in his gaming career. After nearly seven years at game developer Firaxis Games in Maryland, Soren Johnson has returned to the West Coast and (re-)joined California-based game developer/publisher Electronic Arts. He previously interned there as part of the programming team for sports titles Knockout Kings 2000 and 2001 for the PlayStation console.
Since 1994, Johnson has been immersed in the study of computer programming and design; his interest in the field began a student at Stanford University where he earned an AB in History with honors and a MS in Computer Science with a focus on Human-Computer Interaction. It was while at Stanford that he was an EA intern. Now, Johnson is working on the development of the cross-platform Spore title in what Maxis designer Will Wright has referred to as a Massively Single-Player (MMSP) game. It is anticipated to be released later this year.
Firaxis previously worked with EA prior to Johnson's arrival: Alpha Centauri and its Alien Crossfire expansion both released in 1999. Spore is anticipated to be released later this year.
|
|
|
|
|
April 17, 2007, 23:59
|
#2
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 14:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: of naught
Posts: 21,260
|
I wish him the best of luck.
Soren was a very good influence on Civ during his time.
Keep on Civ'in, Soren. 
__________________
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_(") This is Bunny. Copy and paste bunny into your signature to help him gain world domination.
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 00:12
|
#3
|
|
Emperor
Local Time: 13:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Henderson, NV USA
Posts: 4,166
|
Whine ... sob! I wish him well, but I also hope he sufficiently passed his knowledge of the code to other programmers at Firaxis.
__________________
JB
I play BtS (3.19) -- Noble or Prince, Rome, marathon speed, huge hemispheres (2 of them), aggressive AI, no tech brokering. I enjoy the Hephmod Beyond mod. For all non-civ computer uses, including internet, I use a Mac.
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 00:36
|
#4
|
|
OTF Moderator
Local Time: 15:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 13,009
|
I think that Firaxis is a lot more open about the code than it was in the days of Brian.
Jon Miller
__________________
Jon Miller-
I AM.CANADIAN
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 01:46
|
#5
|
|
Civ4: Colonization Content Editor
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,117
|
Bad news for Civ. 
Good news for Spore.
If MMSP means Massively Single-Player, what does the second M stand for?
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 01:56
|
#6
|
|
OTF Moderator
Local Time: 15:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 13,009
|
Think WoW but where there is no BG or Raids/Dungeons.
Jon Miller
__________________
Jon Miller-
I AM.CANADIAN
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 02:57
|
#7
|
|
Apolyton CS Co-Founder
Local Time: 22:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: Macedonia, Greece
Posts: 24,480
|
bad news for civ. i hope we hear from firaxis on who's going to be the lead designer of civ5 (yeah ok, it's not announced yet)...
awsome news for spore! i already planned to install windows for BTS in the summer, now spore has an added value. all i need is to find the time to play 
congrats Soren!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 02:58
|
#8
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 16:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 21,733
|
Wow. This is terrible news for civ
Congrats to Soren for getting to work on what looks like a fascinating game though
__________________
[Obama] is either a troll or has no ****ing clue how government works - GePap
Later amendments to the Constitution don't supersede earlier amendments - GePap
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 03:19
|
#9
|
|
Apolyton CS Co-Founder
Local Time: 22:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: Macedonia, Greece
Posts: 24,480
|
dont forget! you read it first on Apolyton! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 03:35
|
#10
|
|
Civ4: Colonization Content Editor
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,117
|
So will we get a Spore forum when it's released? I believe we owe that to Soren. And I propose DrSpike as moderator.
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 03:38
|
#11
|
|
Civ4: Colonization Content Editor
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,117
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally posted by MarkG
bad news for civ. i hope we hear from firaxis on who's going to be the lead designer of civ5 (yeah ok, it's not announced yet)...
|
Alexman! 
Let's sign a petition. They have no choice but to listen to The People. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 04:06
|
#12
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Enthusiastic member of Apolyton
Posts: 30,340
|
Well I wish him luck, but leaving Civ for Spore? I mean, come on. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 04:33
|
#13
|
|
Apolyton CS Co-Founder
Local Time: 22:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: Macedonia, Greece
Posts: 24,480
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally posted by Sir Ralph
Alexman!
Let's sign a petition. They have no choice but to listen to The People.
|
sssssh! dont reveal the secret plan to put a Creek in charge of civ!! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 04:36
|
#14
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Enthusiastic member of Apolyton
Posts: 30,340
|
I don't understand how a stream can be in charge of a game. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 05:00
|
#15
|
|
Emperor
Local Time: 13:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: comming at ya, with banana breath
Posts: 8,459
|
good thing this news was not around april 1
sad for civ
great for Soren
many many thanks
good luck
__________________
You do know you can click on the pics and full size images will show in another tab......Krill
Indeed... when ever you have a culture issue, the solution is simple. Raze the city causing the problem ...Ming
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 05:10
|
#16
|
|
Civ4: Colonization Content Editor
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,117
|
By the way I saw Soren lurking yesterday. Not as "Soren Johnson FIRAXIS" anymore, but just as "Soren Johnson". I didn't know yet that is means he left Firaxis.
But since he continues to lurk Apolyton even though he doesn't have professional interest in Civ anymore makes me hope, that it may be he's seeing this site as platform for a potential Spore community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 05:14
|
#17
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Enthusiastic member of Apolyton
Posts: 30,340
|
I refuse to take your obvious bait.
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 07:14
|
#18
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 22:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: De Hel van Enschede
Posts: 11,700
|
I've been so busy I haven't even commented on this yet, shame on me. Anyway, this is a great loss for Firaxis and the Civ community (though fortunately thanks to Soren's efforts there's a couple of successors waiting in the wings), a great gain for Will Wright's team at EA and a unique opportunity for Soren
Few people can say they've learned from the best but I count myself among them as I've learned a lot from testing and working on Civ4 under Soren's lead  But Soren is in the unique situation that he can soon say he's learned from arguably the two greatest PC game designers in history (yes, I know most people here hate Will Wright because of the Sims but that's not how the industry or I feel about him). Lucky bastard
Congratulations, Soren, and best of luck! I know we can expect great things from you in the years to come, good to know Spore is one of them
Don't forget to check in here from time to time though, and thanks for all the fish!
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 07:22
|
#19
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 22:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: De Hel van Enschede
Posts: 11,700
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally posted by Sir Ralph
By the way I saw Soren lurking yesterday. Not as "Soren Johnson FIRAXIS" anymore, but just as "Soren Johnson". I didn't know yet that is means he left Firaxis.
But since he continues to lurk Apolyton even though he doesn't have professional interest in Civ anymore makes me hope, that it may be he's seeing this site as platform for a potential Spore community.
|
Well, we did break this story exclusively (you'll note there's no external source quoted in the news item as there always is for non-internal Apolyton news), that took some back-and-forth by PM. And I'm sure Soren will want to read our reactions now that this is public. But Soren came to Apolyton before he came to Firaxis, so I hope he'll keep checking in here from time to time -- although I understand enough of the gaming industry and its grueling schedules to understand that this is not likely
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 07:37
|
#20
|
|
Emperor
Local Time: 22:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Aarhus, Denmark
Posts: 3,618
|
Spikes will frown, of course, but I wholeheartedly support the motion for Spore to be covered by Apolyton.
It can in many ways be considered within the scope of this site (well if RoN was, then Spore sure as hell is) and as someone else said, it would be a great Tribute to Soren.
Asmodean
__________________
Im not sure what Baruk Khazad is , but if they speak Judeo-Dwarvish, that would be "blessed are the dwarves" - lord of the mark
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 07:54
|
#21
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Enthusiastic member of Apolyton
Posts: 30,340
|
:frown:
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 08:13
|
#22
|
|
Civ4: Colonization Content Editor
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,117
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally posted by Locutus
And I'm sure Soren will want to read our reactions now that this is public.
|
If that is so, let me add my good wishes for Soren. May the new title you're working for become as much of a success as Civ4 was and still is.
|
Quote:
|
|
But Soren came to Apolyton before he came to Firaxis, so I hope he'll keep checking in here from time to time -- although I understand enough of the gaming industry and its grueling schedules to understand that this is not likely
|
Well, well... if there were an active Spore community in this forum (and there for sure is potential), his further visits might be even more likely. Apolyton needs new ways (hint, hint ).
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 08:14
|
#23
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 22:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 11,111
|
|
Quote:
|
Originally posted by Asmodean
Spikes will frown, of course, but I wholeheartedly support the motion for Spore to be covered by Apolyton.
|
DrSpike would love this
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 08:17
|
#24
|
|
Civ4: Colonization Content Editor
Local Time: 21:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 11,117
|
Oh and to Firaxis: Move your rear ends and hire Blake! Lump him together with Alexman and I'm sure Civ5 will be great! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 08:33
|
#25
|
|
King
Local Time: 16:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: USA - EDT (GMT-5)
Posts: 2,051
|
From what I've read here and elsewhere, it sounds like Soren deserves a lot of the credit for Civ4 being the great game that it is. Thanks, Soren, and good luck in the future.
Here's hoping Firaxis can live up to the standard set by Civ4.
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 08:43
|
#26
|
|
King
Local Time: 15:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Even if you don't believe in Jesus he believes in you!
Posts: 3,043
|
Wow, and to think I got to tinker around on his computer for a while when Trip smoked him at Apolycon 06. He's a great guy with a wicked machine.
As to SPORE, I've been following that game's development since 2005, it looked awesome then, with Soren I'm sure there will be all kinds of nifty additions.
I agree with others that there should be a SPORE section on this site, both for Soren, and so I can stop posting in non-Apolyton forums.
__________________
First Master, Banan-Abbot of the Nana-stary, and Arch-Nan of the Order of the Sacred Banana.
Marathon, the reason my friends and I have been playing the same hotseat game since 2006...
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 09:13
|
#27
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 23:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Latvia, Riga
Posts: 18,353
|
Soren's contributions to Civ are amazing. And he is, of course, the main person to thank for Civ4 being the great game it turned out to be. Soren is a great designer, and, on a personal note, the time I spent testing Civ4 under his guidance was a great learning experience - and great fun, too. Thankfully, Civ4 and the Civ series is now in some very capable hands.
I haven't really followed Spore's development because, frankly, it seems downright boring to me, but with Soren on it, I will at least now follow the development process. Who knows, maybe I'll even play it.
Good luck Soren
__________________
Solver, WePlayCiv Co-Administrator
Contact: solver-at-weplayciv-dot-com
I can kill you whenever I please... but not today. - The Cigarette Smoking Man
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 09:52
|
#28
|
|
Apolyton CS Co-Founder
Local Time: 16:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 16,448
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 09:56
|
#29
|
|
Apolyton CS Co-Founder
Local Time: 16:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Aug 1998
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 16,448
|
Now, I'll comment on this story myself.
I was saddened to learn that Soren had left Firaxis, but I wish him very well at EA. It was a pleasure to have worked with him over these past 7 years and to have met him at ApolyCon '06 last summer (autograph included ).
As others have already said, Soren: hope you'll be willing and able to drop by and visit us now and again. 
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 18, 2007, 11:01
|
#30
|
|
Deity
Local Time: 22:59
Local Date: July 29, 2010
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Bergen, Norway
Posts: 13,760
|
Soory to see that Soren has left "us". I wish him all luck in his new job though.
And who knows, perhaps Apolyton get some exclusives on Spore? :drool:
__________________
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. -Isaiah 41:10
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. - Zephaniah 3:17
Get The List for cIV here!
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is On
|
|
|
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 16:59.
|
|
