Katrina Structure Relief?

[Jabe Adaks]

Launchpad Announcement:

Hurricane Katrina Structure Maintenance Relief

On Friday, September 9th, 2005, all Structure Maintenance will be turned off indefinitely. When structure maintenance resumes, we will make an announcement 1 week in advance.

This relief includes all in-game player structures.

Thank you for your support.

The SOE Family

Seems kinda strange to me. Structures don't poof anymore right?

Jabe

[Keer]

I'm thinking that since so many people have been displaced due to Hurricane Katrina that they will be unable to play SWG much less make money for their characters in-game. Since Structures auto-debit player bank accounts a person could come back to the game to find out their bank balance has been sucked dry due to forces beyond their control.

Stopping the maintenace counters this until...whenever SOE feels the portion of it's customer base that was afflicted has been able to return to the game and be somewhat active and aware. That's my theory.

If this is the case, I'd have to applaud SOE on this move.

[Seret Sajet]

Wow, I have to say I'm impressed. That is very considerate of SOE. We gotta give them credit for this one.

[Hashum]

Wow, I have to say I'm impressed. That is very considerate of SOE. We gotta give them credit for this one.

I have to agree with that statement. Go SOE!

[Jabe Adaks]

I think its nice that they're doing this. I guess it was unexpected that relief could be offered in game, but now that I think about it - thats pretty damn cool.

Jabe

[IagoBoom]

Please Lend a Helping Hand In the Wake of Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina has left an incredible wake of destruction across the south. Sony Online Entertainment would like to ask you to take a moment to make a donation to the American Red Cross in order to help alleviate some of the suffering.

In EverQuest II we have added the /donate command, type in /donate to be taken to the American Red Cross's Hurricane 2005 relief page. For those members of SOE Communities in other games, you can contribute using this link, American Red Cross. The American Red Cross will process your donation and make sure that it is put to maximum use to help those whose lives have been affected by the hurricane.

Additionally, for our 13,000+ players actually in the affected areas, we will be suspending billing until such time as they are able to play again. In addition, any items or structures in any of our games, which decay over time, will be preserved until the user's next login.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.

The SOE Family

I think the last paragraph is much more impressive and meaningful for players affected by Katrina.

[Jabe Adaks]

I did not see that part... That is very generous of SOE. They went out of there way to update the game to suspend these tasks I am sure.

Jabe

[Sai'nu]

For as much gripe we give the Devs about the state of the game at times; This is, indeed, the coolest move I've seen by a business yet! SOE does care about it customers is the message this sends from my perspective.

Wish we knew who some of the players are on Gorath so we could wish them well due to this event.

[IagoBoom]

I pulled that from SWG.com's main page.

[xyryn]

Have you all stated these sentiments on the SOE forums., or directly to the Devs?

Also, does anyone know if any of us were directly affected by the disaster?

[Jabe Adaks]

Have you all stated these sentiments on the SOE forums., or directly to the Devs?

Also, does anyone know if any of us were directly affected by the disaster?

I don't post at SOE, so no. But I have wondered if anyone here was directly affected and I don't think so. Its very hard to tell though.

Jabe

[IagoBoom]

I detest the SWG forums. I believe 99% of my posts there are in defense of something or someone. I'll stay here where it's civil.