Auto Interview with Greg Fulton about removing Forge

Author: Liso1 August 18, 2023 0 Comments

It’s 11:37 PM Sunday evening. I should be getting off to bed, but I have surveyed the 3DO message board and feel now would be a good time to step in comment on all the insanity to have transpired over the past two weeks.

WAS THE FORGE A BAD IDEA?

We will never know.

WILL THE FORGE RETURN?

Perhaps, but not in its current form.

IS THE TITLE ‘ARMAGEDDON’S BLADE’ CHANGING?

No, but the story line is.

HOW FAR ALONG WAS THE FORGE TOWN?

A first draft of the town screen was finished and awaiting revision. We also had a first draft of each creature and its upgrade and were proceeding with revisions. All but one map for the campaign was finished.

WHAT WAS THE STORY LINE? (!! M&M7 SPOILER !!)

Armageddon’s Blade followed a story line set up in the forthcoming Might and Magic 7. In the M&M7 story, Archibald’s necromantic Advisors build a machine capable of creating high weaponry. In the Armageddon’s Blade campaign, these Advisors build Forge towns and set out to destroy Erathia. Catherine’s only hope to stop these hi-tech horrors is to obtain the fabled ‘Armageddon’s Blade’. In the end, Catherine finds Armageddon’s Blade and destroys all remnants of the Forge towns, concluding the Might and Magic 7 story line.

WHY DID YOU PULL THE FORGE?

Reason One: As much as I thought the actions of many fans showed a lack of vision and an inherent distrust for a company who have given them hundreds of hours of quality gameplay, I still didn’t want to fight our fans.
Reason Two: There wasn’t enough pro-Forge activity.

DO YOU THINK 50% OF THE HEROES FANS WERE AGAINST THE FORGE?

No. Total, the number of emails we received asking to remove the Forge were less than 100. I doubt 3DO received much more. As a series, Heroes has sold over 750,000 copies world wide. I would be surprised if more than 5% of the audience would have ‘boycotted’ the product. However, I still felt 5% was too high.

DID THE NETHER GOD’S POLL AFFECT YOUR DECISION?

No. The Nether God’s poll was bogus. I voted for all three options three separate times with a dynamic IP.

WE DON’T LIKE THE ELEMENTAL TOWN.

“You’ll get the elemental town, and you’ll like it.”

DOES SCIENCE FICTION BELONG IN HEROES?

Yes. Science fiction is the foundation of the Might and Magic universe. It is the reason the Might and Magic universe exists. At its core, the Might and Magic is about advanced civilizations who have descend into barbarism. If you disagree, your reasoning is emotional, not logical. Many people forget the Inferno is not populated by demons. It’s populated by aliens who look like demons. If I told you the origin of the Arch Angels I’m sure many of you would have a heart attack.

DO SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY MIX?

In the Might and Magic universe they do.

WHY DID YOU GIVE GAMESPOT THE TOPLESS NAGA TANK PICTURE?

We have no idea how Gamespot got a hold of the concept sketch. No one on the Heroes team gave it to them. We’re still tracking it down.

ARE ALL OF THE GAMESPOT GUYS YELLOW JOURNALISTS.

No. As a person who has access to all the information pertaining to this subject, I tell you the posted article was very objective.

DID PARENTS REFER TO THE LITTLETON TRAGEDY IN THEIR EMAILS ABOUT THE FORGE TOWN?

I personally do not remember such a reference. However, one person did argue shooting someone with a gun was more violent than hacking them up with a sword.

DID I RECEIVE POLITE MAIL ASKING YOU TO REMOVE THE FORGE?

Yes. I received some very polite email asking me to remove the Forge.

DID I RECEIVE HATE MAIL?

Yes. I received numerous truly hateful emails.

DID I RECEIVE DEATH THREATS?

Yes.

DO YOU READ THE 3DO MESSAGE BOARD?

More than I should.

DO YOU NEED IDEAS OF NEW TOWN TYPES?

No. Believe me when I tell you we have thought of most every good and bad idea for a town type. This doesn’t mean I won’t listen to any email suggestions. However, the Muppet town is a definite ‘no’.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH H4?

Find the sweet spot.

JEDDITE WANTS TO HAVE MY CHILDREN?

Pass.

HOW WAS YOUR WEEK?

Grrr….

WHAT’S YOUR TAKE ON ALL THIS?

Everyone who participated in this fiasco should get out more often. Myself included.

AND LAST…

Remember this… you purchase Heroes from a store. You pay $50 just like the next guy. You take it home. You play it. If you don’t like it, you take it back. If you like it, you keep it. In the end, your $50 isn’t worth more than the other guy’s $50… and it’s just a game.

BUT NOT LEAST…

Take care folks.

-GREG

Source: https://tcrf.net/Prerelease:Heroes_of_Might_and_Magic_III:_The_Restoration_of_Erathia