You know, despite whatever is going on at OGPlanet’s office, I’ve been kind of entertained by the mass hysteria in the community. I mean, I know that sounds pretty cruel but I can’t help it if it’s true. If you don’t know then you probably don’t play on the US servers. Basically OGPlanet hasn’t updated in the past three weeks. We’ve seen a whole month go by without an update in the past, but many people are freaking out about this being the end. Let me be realistic here, it probably is the end of OGPlanet controlling Albatross 18, but until they actually tell us then we have no idea. Many of you are aware that the contract for OGPlanet needs to be renewed around May. From my own sources, they have not renewed and when contacted about Season 4 a while ago, they ignore Ntreev completely.
While I have no proof of what is said above, let’s analyze that for a second. Ntreev is a fully functioning company that releases many popular games and even has a subsection called NtreevUSA. With the success of the servers in Korea, as well as the amazing servers in Japan, I highly doubt that Ntreev will let a game they know makes money here simply die. What’s sad is I’ve said this before twice. Once on the Into The Rough podcast where we speculated that NtreevUSA would eventually take over back in August of 2008, and literally in my last post. Regardless, I felt that I would like to explain about this a little bit more.
Let’s just theorize a little what would happen if NtreevUSA began a version of Pangya here. Well, they have four full months to not only make the server, but to get the database that contains all of the current player information from OGPlanet. I am not aware in their contract if there is any talk of such a thing, I highly doubt anyone but the GMs or the person who wrote it knows. Despite that, let’s say that there is no obligation that OGPlanet has to give NtreevUSA the database for the new version of Pangya.
As I’ve stated before Ntreev seems like a pretty smart business considering their accomplishments. So, let’s take that in and try to figure out what they could do to help you, the player. There are many options here:
- They could pay for the database, a bit desperate but still an option. Everyone loves money, OGPlanet included.
- They could sue for the database, whether I know if this is a wise legal action or not, I couldn’t tell you as it would depend on what’s in the contract signed by both parties.
- Another option is to ask for your account username and password, if the OGPlanet database is still up, and logging into your account to see what was previously in your account. A little far-fetched, a little annoying, but works all the same
- The last option I can think of is asking us to take pictures or video of our inventory, money, score, and sending it off. This has a few holes in it as people can lie about what they own, and things can be photo shopped; however, it’s an option all the same.
Now, say NtreevUSA doesn’t put up a new Pangya by May. What then? Well, perhaps I’m wrong or perhaps they need to wait a few months to sort things with OGPlanet. Their previous transfer has been pretty much flawless. A good example of this is their game Trickster, which amazingly I came back to one day to find all my information and a ton of free stuff. They have one other game entitled Grand Chaser which I believe was released in June of 2008.
In all reality what is the point of letting your game die if you created it? It’s not a good decision and it’s not wise. Even if you’re forced by contracts and bindings to start back at Season 1 where no one has anything currently available. If this happens many people will leave, and I’m sure NtreevUSA can foresee this to an extend. I’m sure even more people will be hesitant on spending money. I think about it and I absolutely dread it. I’m afraid of losing my rank, my money, and all the eCard items I’ve thrown cash at to get. Then I go back and I remember something that we should all remember. This is a game, and all of this was digital items. It was our choice to spend money on it, to work to gain that level, to make that community the way it was. There’s no reason to regret it or even ask for a second to get your money back. Hell, if NtreevUSA does take over and it’s a complete restart then I might actually put as much thought, time, and money into it as I have for the Albatross 18 in existence today. However, I think if we’re in Season 4 with none of our previous information… well, I don’t really wanna be apart of that.
I can’t predict the future, but I can say that people are over-reacting quite a bit. I know a lot of people love this game. I do myself, in fact if I didn’t I wouldn’t have created a blog to worship it while playing on five different servers (this number has been reduced in the last year). I also wouldn’t give it so much of my paycheck. In many ways I can understand, it’s a little frustrating to think that there is an end to something you love (can we say Metal Gear Solid 4 anyone?). The point to this whole article though is the fact that you can still have hope. The US servers might not be dead, they might just be changing hands.
If you really want your Pangya fix then you can switch to another server, but be mindful those servers are not meant for you! If you’re going to try and go to Korea, for god’s sake, don’t talk! If you’re heading to Europe, then please don’t be an asshole. We have enough of those on the Albatross 18 servers. Respect where you play because you know how it feels to be annoyed by those who don’t speak your language or beg you for items. So please think before you speak~
Popularity: 15% [?]
January 29th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Can i get like 10 high fives on all of this i just read!
I agree with you 1000000% Percent Nobody didn’t say we were closing and besides if you wanna move to KR Or anywhere else SHUT THE HELL UP! DON’T SPEAK!
that’s what i do I’ve been Playing JP games (fanta tennis) and i Kinda play Kr as well i dont talk unless somebody knows enlgish
January 29th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I only talked on Japan in Japanese. I told all my friends not talk to anyone or play the “no talking” games only (or ghost mode). Not everyone listened but most did. Even if they talked it was in romanji at least to try to be respectful.
Unfortunately you can’t stop the ignorant players from other countries who think they’re entitled to any server they play on.
January 29th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
May I just say with all humility….
WE CALLED THAT $%#! HAHAHA! We had just a handful of barely legitimate clues and guesses, and we put it all together, and we called this! we so called it!
All the way back in August! Kibs, Me, and Kana! in da house!
January 30th, 2009 at 7:00 am
GOD (or NtreevUSA) pls hear this little girl <3
January 30th, 2009 at 8:47 am
About a week ago I had emailed Ntreev USA asking them to please pick up Pangya and how awful OGP was as a company. I wonder if it worked
January 30th, 2009 at 11:18 am
@Sandgolem
Congratulations! You’re still a loser tho!
January 30th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
lol why thank you. Although isnt that a bit harsh calling someone a loser when your username is Lollerskates :P
January 30th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I’m actually looking forward to NtreevUSA a little. I wouldn’t mind letting them buy the license, but of course considering we get the database and all. i’m no expert when it comes to all this licensing and database (etc.) but the way Kana put it, Ntreev doesn’t seem like a company that would let it it’s peeps down, or let a money maker like pangya slip away. It doesn’t seem like OGP and Ntreev really communicate much, so i doubt Ntreev will have to sue anyone for a database. and NO pangyaUSA will not just DIE. Thanks Kana for the optimism :D
p.s. Even if we lose all our info, i’m STILL playing “Super Swing Golf 2″, and it’s still fun. I can live off the console games, and i might play my KR account more then once a month XD (don’t worry guys, my mouth is shut)
January 30th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Yeah, until anything is said or May rolls around we have no idea, just rumors that are simply rumors.
Speaking of, I heard from a very reliable source approx. two months ago that NtreevUSA was in the shitter regarding their financial status and would not last before 2009. Not surprisingly they are still around.
When you think about it, it is a bit far fetched considering that NtreevUSA is a very tiny localization company who doesn’t have near as much costs as OGP does. Throw in random irresistible cute things or various objects some people might obsess over that are only available via Gacha or MyShop and are not guaranteed but a luck of the draw thing and they can make a pretty penny off of it.
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:59 am
[…] country)? I haven’t been playing A18 or GOA because well I’m convinced A18 is closing (despite some positive thinkers), and on GOA I could never find any English speakers to play with (mostly due to time zone […]
February 5th, 2009 at 11:48 am
http://www.ntreev.net/News/AnnouncementsView.aspx?no=32
February 7th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Let’s see if we’re having valentine event this febuary.
If there is no valentine update this year, then the apocalyptic signs is imminent.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Hello Kanashimi,
From what I have just read on the OGPlanet forums, an Admin has just posted a message saying that they will be stopping the US Albatross 18 service on March 10th. From what I have read in your article, you state that NtreevUSA will own the game again when OGPlanet does not renew their contract.
Here is my question: Do you still think that NtreevUSA will be able to host their own servers for Alba18 by May, as stated in your article, or do you feel that Alba18 will not come back, or, well, even better:
What do you feel is the future of Albatross18 in the USA after reading that forum post?
http://newforum.ogplanet.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=93669
Link to forum post by ogp_admin.
February 10th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
@ Bullx: Actually, I was about to make an entry on this. I’m still confident that Ntreev will take over. iCon himself has stated that they’re speaking with Ntreev about the future of our accounts. What’s really hard to say though is if Ntreev will get up something by May, if anything after the legal stuff is out of the way I’m sure they’ll post a notice or a hint somewhere. Maybe even add to their updates we’re adding a new game, or making room, something to that extent.
I’ll go a bit more in depth in my next entry, thanks for the comment.
February 10th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
You know, all legal things aside, it doesn’t take a genius to get a server going. They could have that server up and running by mid-March (heck, by next week if they wanted so) - the point is, nobody knows what they have in mind.
Should they release Season 4 like speculated, then they MUST take over the OGP accounts database - otherwise they are forced to release every past item, rare, etc for everybody to get.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:27 am
I think they are taking our account database, it’s at NTREEV’s pangya annoucement.
Now everyone can buy cookie. >:3
(beer)