Ritualistic

badman · 12-05-2006, 06:11 AM

We don't usually post on people leaving Ritual, but I figure this one warrants a special mention. As of this week, Ritual's QA superninja Michael Russell is no longer with the company. Michael regularly kept an eye on not only our forums, but on message boards all over the interweb to help people with whatever technical issues they had with SiN Episodes: Emergence, while also handling email tech support and making sure Ritual's in-development projects got a proper QA treatment.

On top of that, he also set aside time to shed more light on the intricacies of game development and the often-overlooked part of quality assurance, which I'm sure was appreciated by many members of the community. There's no doubt Michael will be missed around here and we would like to thank him for his involvement with the community and wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours.

Related, Michael has generously allowed us to post the next three installments of his SiN / USK series that he's already written - look for the next one to go up shortly.

Riddled · 12-05-2006, 08:28 AM

Won't be the same, good luck for the future Michael!

DI_MeisterM · 12-05-2006, 12:06 PM

Smells for me like the end of SiN Episodes, maybe even Ritual...

ran93r · 12-05-2006, 12:26 PM

Was nice having him around these boards and a shame to see him leave (in his QA superninja capacity) but I wish him all the best.

shadeex · 12-05-2006, 01:05 PM

I just want to wish You the best of luck in the future Michael and thanks for all the help you have given to the comunity..

I hope youll stick around on the forum.. so we can hear what your up to now and then..

CommanderZx2 · 12-05-2006, 05:44 PM

Is this true?

Quote:

The following are the employees who have left in the last year, four of which in the last six months.

Doug Service, Director Of Technology Development.
Steve Nix, CEO.
Vitaliy Naymushin, artist.
Michael Russel, QA Manager.
John "HAL9000" Schuch, Level Designer.

It seems many are jumping ship...

FateOfTheWorld · 12-05-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderZx2

It seems many are jumping ship...

Breaking news:

http://www.firingsquad.com/news/news...searchid=13440

Grr. When one of the founders leaves as well, you tend to lose faith you'll EVER get any more episodes. They must give us some info, NOW. That Non-Disclosure Agreement I know Russel and probably everyone else is on is hurting the company more than it's helping. Not good.

EDIT: I suppose 'demanding' for news/media/info is not necessary a polite way of making a request, particularly when asked over and over again, but the only reason we're talking is because we care about Ritual and their games, which is why we need... info. We are, as one developer mentioned, their "bread and butter".

ertertwert · 12-05-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FateOfTheWorld

Breaking news:

http://www.firingsquad.com/news/news...searchid=13440

Grr. When one of the founders leaves as well, you tend to lose faith you'll EVER get any more episodes. They must give us some info, NOW. That Non-Disclosure Agreement I know Russel and probably everyone else is on is hurting the company more than it's helping. Not good.

EDIT: I suppose 'demanding' for news/media/info is not necessary a polite way of making a request, particularly when asked over and over again, but the only reason we're talking is because we care about Ritual and their games, which is why we need... info. We are, as one developer mentioned, their "bread and butter".

Oh great. Now I'm really worried. This sounds like the end of Ritual (or at least a new beginning). Either way, doesn't sound good.

Raveness · 12-05-2006, 11:00 PM

Michael_Russell · 12-05-2006, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raveness

Damn, you've got one hell of a collection of movie screencaps for just about any occasion.

ertertwert · 12-05-2006, 11:25 PM

I used to think that too, but now I am thinking she is making them from scratch.

FateOfTheWorld · 12-06-2006, 01:06 AM

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news...yees-Jump-Ship

"Ritual could not be reached for comment, all available email addresses listed on the official site for press and business relations have bounced."
----

Guess they don't want the attention.

EDIT: Actually something else occurred to me. Companies (specifically software, but could apply anywhere really) will often will lay-off a bunch of people once a project has been completed. Now that this is happening, maybe a certain game is ready for launch? I like that idea.

The MiMiC · 12-06-2006, 01:19 AM

Seeing as how Mike R. said in his blog something to the effect that SiN patch 1.12 (the widescreen one I think?) might not see the light of day, I'd say they went belly up and just aren't mentioning it at the moment. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I'm afraid not...

ertertwert · 12-06-2006, 02:51 AM

It would be a shame because Emergence was my favorite game all year. Easily.

12-06-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

EDIT: Actually something else occurred to me. Companies (specifically software, but could apply anywhere really) will often will lay-off a bunch of people once a project has been completed. Now that this is happening, maybe a certain game is ready for launch? I like that idea.

No product announcement has been made though. It would also be unusual for top management staff (including a vice-president/director of development and a CEO) to leave one after another at the end of a project.

So yeah, it seems that something is up.

Apprentice · 12-06-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

So yeah, it seems that something is up.

I wonder what it is then. There's got to be a reason why so many are jumping ship now . . .

deceiver · 12-06-2006, 04:01 PM

T minus 1 day.

All I'm going to say.

But woa now! Shawn Ketcherside left as well =0. No wonder the blog wasn't being updated on the site.

-edit-

It seems the press release has gone out:

Quote:

Ritual Announces New Studio Director
Ritual is excited to announce the appointment of long-time employee and industry veteran Ken Harward to the position of Studio Director. Ken is currently heading up business development studio-wide, leveraging over 16 years of managerial and technical experience in software development.

"I'm really looking forward to helping guide Ritual," said Ken. "2007 looks to be a great year as we finish up our current projects and start some exciting new ones. I'm excited to have the opportunity to expand my leadership role within the company, and I'm flattered by the huge amount of support everyone in the tribe has shown. There's a ton of positive energy in the halls."

"I had the pleasure to work with Ken Harward for more than 5 years," said Steve Nix, who recently took over as Director of Business Development at id Software. "He always led by setting a great example for those around him."

"The new direction Ritual is taking will be great for the studio. It's something we've talked about for a long time, and now Ritual has a perfect opportunity to reach their goals," Steve said. "I'm excited for the company and look forward to seeing the great games they develop."

Ken will be serving as the primary point of contact for business relations at Ritual. He can be contacted at business@ritual.com.

http://www.ritual.com/index.php?section=news/overview

I wonder what Mike has to say now. The t-minus referred to that.

Grandpapa · 12-13-2006, 06:15 PM

I might be a bit late with my post here, but, Michael, you really have done a great job here. My best wishes to your future.

Michael_Russell · 12-13-2006, 08:24 PM

Thanks a lot, guys. I found my time working with the community to be extremely rewarding.

Just so you'll know, I'm leaving the industry for a little bit to rebuild the warchest, but I'm not gone for good.

SHyx0rmZ · 12-31-2006, 06:47 PM

I wish you luck for your future Michael!
It's really sad for me to see you leave!