My Dear Wizards,
I love this time of year! No, it’s not about the days getting shorter, or the temperature dropping. (Those are some of a fire Wizard’s least favorite things.) It is because the onset of winter is tempered by the fact that we've completed our last big release of the year. Please note, dear Wizards, that I did not say our last release of the year. We've got a few more surprises in store! As we breathe a big sigh of contentment, it is time to reflect and be thankful for another great year on Wizard101.
While I would be happy to take more credit for the sheer awesomeness of 2012, let me note that without two key components, Wizard101 wouldn't be the great game it is today. The first of these is our wonderful community. I’m thankful for the folks who jump on the test server and report bugs; run fan sites; contribute to Feedback Friday; post on the forums; send us fan art and stories; help others in game; and really, I’m thankful to anyone who has logged in to Wizard and enjoys the time they spend there! We love you guys and gals!
The second key component is the Wizard team, who has done amazing things this year. While I believe that simply remembering to say “thank you” is important all year round, I relish this time of year particularly because I can do something more substantial. Each fall, I get the privilege of updating Wizard101’s credits, and I get to look back and reflect on how the team has changed over the years. It warms my fiery heart to see team members become seniors, and seniors become leads. Not to mention the thrill in seeing the many names we've added since launch! It takes time to do properly, but it’s worth it to know credit is being given where it is due, and to see the team grow and evolve!
Speaking of credit where it's due, let me also share 2012’s glory with our new additions to the KingsIsle stable of games – Pirate101 and Grub Guardian! It takes me back to 2007 and 2008, when we had a small U-shaped office that would barely fit 1/3 of the team we have now. I remember helping to make the first version of our website and making the first cut of the design of our alpha discs (both of which were taken over by people who ACTUALLY knew what they were doing, thankfully); hand addressing, stamping, and packing hundreds of alpha discs; and most importantly, dreaming about what would happen once people could enter the Spiral and see it for themselves.
The processes used by the teams on Pirate101 and Grub Guardian were a lot more refined than our early days (no hand stamping and addressing discs for them!), but the magic and excitement and anticipation of launch day were just as powerful!
However, let me assure you we have not taken our foot off the gas pedal when it comes to creating new and shiny content for Wizard101. Rest easy knowing that we have big plans for next year!
To Review 2012…
(Sung to the tune of 12 days of Christmas)
On the first 2012 update of Wizard, the team released to thee:
-The Tag housing game
-And a whole lot of tidying up
On the second 2012 update of Wizard, the team released to thee:
-Avalon a-questing
-New utility spells for casting
-Quests for new class pets
-Wizards can now reach 80!
-Quicksell inventory management
-Second chance chests for lootin’
-Wands on your walls
-Gardening levels up
-Scavenger Hunt Housing game
-And a whole lot of tidying up
On the third 2012 update of Wizard, the team released to thee:
-Quest helper changes
-Hey – look there’s amber!
-And a whole lot of tidying up
On the fourth 2012 update of Wizard, the team released to thee:
-Mega pets a-plenty
-Two new pet games for playin’
-New potions and elixirs
-Finding friends with Friendfinder
-And a whole lot of tidying up
On the fifth 2012 update of Wizard, the team released to thee:
-Expanded decorating elixir
-And a whole lot of tidying up
On the sixth 2012 update of Wizard, the team released to thee:
-Walk the dinosaur in Azteca
-Wizards can now reach 90!
-Epic and astral spells for castin’
-New levels for the crafters
-A new combat tutorial
-And a whole lot of tidying up.
That’s not to mention all those CCGs…. (and, end music ::grin::)
We've enjoyed putting together each and every update for you this year, but Azteca held a special place in my heart. You see, I absolutely love dinosaurs, and it was fun to watch the team start to collect dinosaur toys on their desks. I purchased a “Dinosaurs are Dino-mite” t-shirt (that I absolutely wore with pride the day we went to Test); there were pictures of the Philoso-raptor on office doors. It was a lot of fun! I also had the opportunity to speak with the folks at
MMORPG.com,
Massively, and
Games.com and it was really cool to be part of the process of breaking the story of Azteca to the world! Dinosaurs, as you know, are very exciting stuff!
I’m also excited about the planning work we've done this fall for what’s to come in 2013. Let me tell you, I can't wait to start breaking ground on our first update for next year, and I think a lot of you will be extremely happy once the content becomes public knowledge! Vague, I know, but keep your eyes peeled for more specific news in the New Year.
I hope the holidays find you warm, safe, happy, healthy, and magical! Cheers to a fantastic 2012, and to the bright future of 2013!
See you in the Spiral,
Leah "Professor Falmea" Ruben
Producer, Wizard101
