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October 15, 2004
I'm going back to cali...(again)
Well, I'm sitting in the United terminal in Narita, getting ready to head back to my home, and my family, whom I've missed a great deal. I doubt if Trinity will even recognize me...
This trip has been extremely productive from both a work and personal standpoint. I learned a hell of a lot about China in general and Shanghai specifically. Shanghai is an amazing place going through an amazing time of growth and opportunity. China Joy was an eye opener in terms of how online games are percieved so differently than they are in the "western world" or even Japan. It felt a lot like the mid-90's did in America. And it was very nice to know that UO is not only recognized there, but almost revered, even though it was never formally launched there, it was the first only game to become popular in China...
And I suppose that's the amazing thing about UO...it has this universal appeal that crosses cultural and geographical boundaries with disarming ease.
I look forward to going back to China one day.
Japan was a huge success in terms of promoting UO, but also in reconnecting with the Japanese UO team. They are such dedicated people, and I'd forgotten what a difference face-to-face meetings make. The 4 hours of being unable to sit in a Samurai Kimono and 5 hours of grueling back-to-back interviews weren't exactly "fun" per-se, but they got the job done. UO will remain the best selling online PC game in Japan, even in the face of stiff competition from Final Fantasy and soon Star Wars Galaxies. I've got a huge list of things to accomplish when I get back to work, but the team seems to be doing well without me. I'm returning with a a renewed focus on next year's work.
Oh, and if you thought my Samurai photo-op was embarrassing, just be glad you didn't hear me Karaoke last night. Oh yeah, John LeCraft and I singing Olivia Newton John....yikes.
So, I'll leave Japan at 4PM and arrive in California 9 hours later, but 5 hours earlier. Neat-o.
Kim kept me sane on this trip by sending me pictures of the girls, some just everyday pictures, and some from their trip to the zoo. I can't believe I left you guys for 2 weeks.
See you on the other side!
Posted by SunSword at October 15, 2004 11:08 PM