New Conglomerate Interview with Matt Higby

[Hamma]

http://www.planetside-universe.com/news-new-conglomerate-interview-with-matt-higby-2787.htm

[Gonefshn]

love these! very informative as usual!

[Pepsi]

Great interview! I'm liking the NC more every day. I can't wait to have the largest stick in the neighborhood.

[Akemo]

I can't wait to have the largest stick in the neighborhood.

Somebody's going to say something. You know someone will say something. Does this count?

The New Conglomerate was initially formed on Earth, as a mega-collective of civilian corporations who worked alongside the Terran Republic government on virtually every project throughout the solar system.

And yet... in the backstory that was put out at http://www.planetside2.com/news/nov092011backstory, I am proposing bringing business, unions and, well, yes, even the mercenaries together in sort of a new conglomerate.
This, after they had gone through the wormhole.
Not important to the gameplay in the slightest, and the gameplay definitely trumps backstory in my book, but...

What I mean is, great interview Mr. Higby; I'm glad you're on the project!

[p0intman]

Great interview! I'm liking the NC more every day. I can't wait to have the largest stick in the neighborhood.

Our jackhammers bring all the boys to the yard... ours is bigger than theirs!

Somebody's going to say something. You know someone will say something. Does this count?


Done.

[Virulence]

Pretty cool stuff. I've always liked looking at your average NC soldier as a pissed off unioneer.

[Pepsi]

Somebody's going to say something. You know someone will say something. Does this count?Well, damn. Didn't even notice that. :lol:
Our jackhammers bring all the boys to the yard... ours is bigger than theirs!Dat triple-shot.

[CuddlyChud]

Somebody's going to say something. You know someone will say something. Does this count?



And yet... in the backstory that was put out at http://www.planetside2.com/news/nov092011backstory,
This, after they had gone through the wormhole.
Not important to the gameplay in the slightest, and the gameplay definitely trumps backstory in my book, but...

What I mean is, great interview Mr. Higby; I'm glad you're on the project!

Actually they go through the wormhold in 2638, so this predates the expedition by 8 years.

[GreatMazinkaise]

Marshall should be martial, which is of course MMORPG.com's fault and not Hamma's.

[The Kush]

Love my NC can't wait to destroy all the pathetic VS and TR opposition that stands in our way.

[Hatchak]

That picture in the interview pretty much resumes everything, NC unloading onto that poor VS on the ground, made me lol

[Envenom]

Rebel scum

[FPClark]

Love my NC can't wait to destroy all the pathetic VS and TR opposition that stands in our way.

How very totalitarian of you...Strange comming from a freedom fighter :rolleyes:

[cBselfmonkey]

Rebel scum

Imperial dog


How very totalitarian of you...Strange comming from a freedom fighter :rolleyes:

*shrugs* Freedom always needs room to stretch its legs :P

[Geist]

NC are as boring as ever it seems. Was kind of hoping for some kind of "evil" alliance of several megacorporations that was using the good intentions of people who want to make a difference to become the dominant power on Auraxis. Need moar grey!!!

[Graywolves]

Need moar grey!!!

What's up?

[capiqu]

The NC terrorist and the Vanu fanatics will not see a Planetside 3. The Tr will crush them and bring peace and unity to humanity once again.

[Graywolves]

The NC terrorist and the Vanu fanatics will not see a Planetside 3. The Tr will crush them and bring peace and unity to humanity once again.

Planetside 3: Reenactments of the Terran Victory

[cBselfmonkey]

The NC terrorist and the Vanu fanatics will not see a Planetside 3. The Tr will crush them and bring peace and unity to humanity once again.

The Auraxian TR forgot how to make peace a long time ago. Fortunately the NC will be more then happy to remind them and their grandpa tech how to make war ;)

[capiqu]

The Auraxian TR forgot how to make peace a long time ago. Fortunately the NC will be more then happy to remind them and their grandpa tech how to make war ;)

With DuckTape?

[cBselfmonkey]

With DuckTape?

Its the handyman's secret weapon. Don't besmirch it!

[capiqu]

oh yes this game will be fun again:)

[Zekeen]

With DuckTape?

Ducktape and cement!!!....... and a long pier with a great ocean view!!!!

[Pyreal]

From Interview:

The New Conglomerate was initially formed on Earth, as a mega-collective of civilian corporations who worked alongside the Terran Republic government on virtually every project throughout the solar system.

The N.C. was formed for the sole purpose of infiltrating President Connery's expedition to the Moon Belt, as can be seen here (http://www.planetside2.com/news/nov092011backstory).

This entry is of particular note:

Date: July 10, 2630

From: Terrance Mattherson, CEO Genudine Multiplanetary

I’m not sure if becoming a political party in opposition to the T.R. is the best way to go, but I am proposing bringing business, unions and, well, yes, even the mercenaries together in sort of a new conglomerate. Without engaging our services, Connery won’t be able to get to his rooftop penthouse, let alone the Moon Belt.

Time Line:
As we can see the early plans for the N.C. were first brought up in 2630, one year before Connery's expedition to the Moon Belt in 2631. And only ten years before entering the wormhole [the fleet entered the wormhole on October 20, 2640], hardly enough time to work alongside the Terran Republic "on virtually every project throughout the solar system.".

Purpose:
The main goal of the N.C. was to infiltrate Connery's expedition to the Moon Belt and reap the benefits of any findings there. As Connery wanted nothing to do with these businessmen, the N.C. was formed as a clandestine organization.
The N.C.'s stated aim was to gain control within Connery's expedition through his finances, fleet works, and guardian services without Connery's knowledge.

The notion that the N.C. was a quasi-government contractor working shoulder to shoulder with the T.R. is incongruent with the necessities of their purpose.

Interview:
After arriving on Auraxis, the New Conglomerate continued to work along with the Terran Republic on shaping and building up the new world.

Lieutenant Commander Brent Waterson:
“The majority of that ‘small fraction’ we’ve been throwing into Explorer-5’s jail have connections to that New Conglomerate group. ... There were half a dozen casualties in that housing ship just last week. What happens when your daughter ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time? The N.C. is going to tear this fleet apart.”

As we read here Lt. Commander Waterson is fully aware of the ongoing and escalating danger that the N.C. posed to the fleet. Not only that but from the following excerpt it is clear that Waterson, who became the provisional commander after the murder of Connery, intended to blame the N.C. for the act:

“ Who would question us if we pinned it on some of Mattherson’s starving N.C. cronies? We’re calling the shots here, remember? I trust that you’ll comply, given the terms of our agreement, correct?” Waterson said, grinning at his victory.

The leadership of that time was at mortal odds with the N.C., and it is unbelievable that the people who blamed the N.C. for the murder of a beloved figure would be willing, or able, to work with them.

:evil: Ain't I a stinker? :D

[starshine]

NC can be summed up like this: All (wo)men are created equal, but some (wo)men are more equal than others.

you're awesome if you get the reference.

[Irish]

I would like to see a personality type study done on the members of each faction. like intellectuals obviously going VS, big thunderous ogre smash thugs go NC. and bandwagoneers that choose the mindless propaganda filled lemming approach go TR.

HA but if we could get a legit psych profile test to determine what type of person goes which faction, that would be cool.

[xXGumpXX]

are voice macros and character chants in ?

[Higby]

From Interview:



The N.C. was formed for the sole purpose of infiltrating President Connery's expedition to the Moon Belt, as can be seen here (http://www.planetside2.com/news/nov092011backstory).

This entry is of particular note:

Date: July 10, 2630

From: Terrance Mattherson, CEO Genudine Multiplanetary



Time Line:
As we can see the early plans for the N.C. were first brought up in 2630, one year before Connery's expedition to the Moon Belt in 2631. And only ten years before entering the wormhole [the fleet entered the wormhole on October 20, 2640], hardly enough time to work alongside the Terran Republic "on virtually every project throughout the solar system.".

Purpose:
The main goal of the N.C. was to infiltrate Connery's expedition to the Moon Belt and reap the benefits of any findings there. As Connery wanted nothing to do with these businessmen, the N.C. was formed as a clandestine organization.
The N.C.'s stated aim was to gain control within Connery's expedition through his finances, fleet works, and guardian services without Connery's knowledge.

The notion that the N.C. was a quasi-government contractor working shoulder to shoulder with the T.R. is incongruent with the necessities of their purpose.

Interview:


Lieutenant Commander Brent Waterson:


As we read here Lt. Commander Waterson is fully aware of the ongoing and escalating danger that the N.C. posed to the fleet. Not only that but from the following excerpt it is clear that Waterson, who became the provisional commander after the murder of Connery, intended to blame the N.C. for the act:



The leadership of that time was at mortal odds with the N.C., and it is unbelievable that the people who blamed the N.C. for the murder of a beloved figure would be willing, or able, to work with them.

:evil: Ain't I a stinker? :D

I guess I could have better said if as "the new conglomerate is made up corporations which worked on projects throughout the solar system, those corporations continued to work with the TR Government once on Auraxis" the clandestine "rebel" elements within the civilian population were part of those corporations in one way or another, either as executives, private security, workers, etc. The TR is a civilian government, and the fleet was under civilian control... until...

[Toppopia]

I guess I could have better said if as "the new conglomerate is made up corporations which worked on projects throughout the solar system, those corporations continued to work with the TR Government once on Auraxis" the clandestine "rebel" elements within the civilian population were part of those corporations in one way or another, either as executives, private security, workers, etc. The TR is a civilian government, and the fleet was under civilian control... until...

Now we just need a interview about the TR, or has that already been done?

[Higby]

Now we just need a interview about the TR, or has that already been done?

Yep, that was the first one. NC was last this time so people would stop calling me biased!

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/599/feature/6392

[Toppopia]

Yep, that was the first one. NC was last this time so people would stop calling me biased!

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/599/feature/6392

Thank you. And have you been combing the Idea threads lately?? Seen any good ideas??? Like a certain anti-tank grenade thread or the crash landing thread?? :p

Wait a minute... isn't it like early in the morning right now in America? You should be asleep preparing for a full day of Planetside 2 developing. Screenshots and videos don't make themselves :lol:

[Revelator]

NC can be summed up like this: All (wo)men are created equal, but some (wo)men are more equal than others.

you're awesome if you get the reference.

Planet of the Apes reference?

[bullet]

Yep, that was the first one. NC was last this time so people would stop calling me biased!

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/599/feature/6392

Oh Higby, we're all biased. It just sucks to see we have an NC leading the release of content. Should have been T-Ray or PurrfectStorm, then it would be ok. :groovy:

[sylphaen]

Yep, that was the first one. NC was last this time so people would stop calling me biased!

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/599/feature/6392

Let me try something:
HEY ! WTH !!!! Why did you put NC last so that it would look better than all other factions ?
:mad: :mad: :mad:


:rofl:

[ringring]

Planet of the Apes reference?

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Animal_Farm#Quotes_about_Animal_Farm

Animal farm by George Orwell.

"All animals are created equal but some are more equal than others"

And also:- "The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."

[Alderego]

Wait a minute... isn't it like early in the morning right now in America? You should be asleep preparing for a full day of Planetside 2 developing. Screenshots and videos don't make themselves :lol:

with E3 coming up I'm not sure if poor highles is sleeping a lot, let alone that he gets a weekend off :p

[Slib]

Yep, that was the first one. NC was last this time so people would stop calling me biased!

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/599/feature/6392

Best for last.

Hail, glorious leader!

[RovingDeath]

Marshall should be martial, which is of course MMORPG.com's fault and not Hamma's.

And "descent" should be "dissent"

[Kromag]

Some BABOON spelled 'Marshall' Law wrong. It's MARTIAL LAW. Jesus!

[Pyreal]

I guess I could have better said if as "the new conglomerate is made up corporations which worked on projects throughout the solar system, those corporations continued to work with the TR Government once on Auraxis" the clandestine "rebel" elements within the civilian population were part of those corporations in one way or another, either as executives, private security, workers, etc. The TR is a civilian government, and the fleet was under civilian control... until...

... could have better said the truth!
WE WANT THE TRUTH! We earned the truth, Mr. Higby.

Those clandestine "rebel" elements were formed by the very businesses that they inhabited. Those businesses formed, supplied, funded, and controlled these anarchists to the detriment of society for their own gain.

I work for the betterment of all mankind through the technological teachings of Vanu. A fundamental aspect of those teaches is truth. Without the acceptance of truth one cannot move forward, and thus it is necessary for the N.C. to be realized as the backstabbing, money loving, baby killing, untrustworthy traitors that they are.
They are traitors. They are traitors to a totalitarian government. The fact that the government was pushed into a totalitarian state by the actions of the N.C. must not be overlooked.

The truth of the matter seems to be that the N.C. manipulated the government into a morally questionable position in order to enshroud itself in a popular and oft seen "Justice for the People" mantle, all for the purpose of fulfilling its ultimate goal of overthrowing their government.

They fight to free the people from the iron grip which they themselves forced into being.

They are cunning traitors, to form an atmosphere where their attempted coup would be positively viewed by the populations as a 'rebellion against tyranny', but traitors nonetheless.

Yep, that was the first one. NC was last this time so people would stop calling me biased!

http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/game/599/feature/6392

You sir, are biased :nono:


:D
It's all good, Shags.. except for your obvious infatuation with the N.C. which is blinding you to their true nature; a cunning traitor.
They will betray you one day, for that is the very nature of its mother: a betrayer.

I really enjoyed the Backstory pieces, and intend to write my own character's story as I move along with him clearing Auraxis of the pestilence known as the T.R. and N.C..

[cBselfmonkey]

... could have better said the truth!
WE WANT THE TRUTH! We earned the truth, Mr. Higby.

Those clandestine "rebel" elements were formed by the very businesses that they inhabited. Those businesses formed, supplied, funded, and controlled these anarchists to the detriment of society for their own gain.

Fair enough. I would however point out that to say this is all the NC is would be like saying that the current Auraxian TR are the same as when they first went through the wormhole. They spent decades traveling in the fleet and two centuries living/terraforming Auraxis. All the Empires have grown and changed in that time, in good and bad ways.

I work for the betterment of all mankind through the technological teachings of Vanu. A fundamental aspect of those teaches is truth. Without the acceptance of truth one cannot move forward, and thus it is necessary for the N.C. to be realized as the backstabbing, money loving, baby killing, untrustworthy traitors that they are.

Truth...now that is an interesting concept when applied to the Vanu. The actual aliens not the Empire in this case. What were the Vanu? Who were they? What did they stand for? What were their politics like? Why was literally all the technology, from the first proto-Beamer to their immense cities, just left behind for anyone to find? To my knowledge noone ever found a Vanu Constitution or Bill of Rights or any kind of documentation that actually tells anyone what these beings thought and believed on...well anything. Like the Forrunners in Halo they're practically a blank slate.

So with that in mind where the heck does the Sovereignty get off telling people that the Vanu tech, that following the Vanu's 'path' is a road to enlightenment and evolutionary progress? Their technology is certainly impressive but that could come about from a myriad of different reasons. None of them requiring that they be somehow higher, better beings then humans. Its pure speculation and pretty poor speculation at that with these scientists. Instead of trying to learn what the Vanu were actually like they seem more focused on humanizing this long dead alien race into something that they would find respectable. They were peaceful, they were enlightened, they set a trail that all should follow... Blah blah blah.

They are traitors. They are traitors to a totalitarian government. The fact that the government was pushed into a totalitarian state by the actions of the N.C. must not be overlooked.

People are responsible for their own actions. The NC did push first and the TR responded in kind. Neither is 'better' then the other in that regard.

The truth of the matter seems to be that the N.C. manipulated the government into a morally questionable position in order to enshroud itself in a popular and oft seen "Justice for the People" mantle, all for the purpose of fulfilling its ultimate goal of overthrowing their government.

Speaking on truth.

“Why are you doing this, G?” he asked her. “There’s no reason you have to join the military. There’s no reason you have to take sides. They’re both insane, you know, the Terran Republic and New Conglomerate alike. They’re going to kill each other and take down a lot of innocent bystanders.”

Genny laughed. “Unlike you Vanu lunatics? You believe in the magic powers of some alien God…”

“Not a God. Just an alien. We know they existed. We’ve excavated their cities. We’ve analyzed their artifacts. And ever since what happened to Briggs we’ve gotten sporadic telepathic feedback. Vanu and his people were real.”

- http://www.planetside2.com/news/2012-10loreorigin

'Sporadic telepathic feedback'? From the Vanu artifacts? From technology likely never intended to be used by anything other then a Vanu and could, indeed probably would, have unintended effects on a human mind?

Furthermore theres http://www.planetside2.com/news/nov282011backstory I wont like all the details, this is a big one, but there is one segment that really stand out for me.

I managed to convince Tom to let me keep the artifact for study, and to learn more about what I had felt that first time I had touched it. I studied the figurine for months while on the journey back to Earth. As time went on, I noticed more subtle changes about myself. Though the voices never returned despite all my attempts to conjure them, a purpose within me was crystallizing. A purpose that was stronger than any of my weaknesses. Maybe I should have questioned these changes more, but for the first time in my life I felt I belonged. I felt I knew why I was here.

Vanu. Vanu was my purpose; my reason for being.

His purpose for being? After touching the artifact once just triggering the visions once the guy in question was ready to commit his life, his entire existence, to what at that point was little more then a single word and a little statue? Thats not truth. Thats alien tech re-wiring his mind, his thoughts. Reprogramming him for a purpose. Either out of simple incompatibility or malevolent intentions I don't know. In the end I'm not sure it really matters.

They are cunning traitors, to form an atmosphere where their attempted coup would be positively viewed by the populations as a 'rebellion against tyranny', but traitors nonetheless.

And at this point the Sovereignty are starting to look more and more like unwitting slaves to a dead alien power. Their minds warped by the very technology they use into worshiping what they should be trying to understand and control. They claim that salvation can be found in their savior yet like all claimants before them their message has to be taken on nothing more then faith. And, fortunately or not, most of Auraxis population hasn't had the alien mind screw to make that leap of faith.

I guess what I'm saying is the Sovereignty aren't the 'good guys' here, no more then either of the other factions. Their rot is just more carefully hidden. But...like Cerberus in ME3 its still there. You just have to look past the fancy armor.

[Toppopia]

Hmm, so the scientists have been indoctrinated. My god... they have to be stopped immediately, and the NC is in no position to so this. So its all up to the might of the Terran Republic!!

[cBselfmonkey]

Hmm, so the scientists have been indoctrinated. My god... they have to be stopped immediately, and the NC is in no position to so this. So its all up to the might of the Terran Republic!!

Oh hush. You guys let the brainwashed eggheads get away in the first place. :p

[Toppopia]

Oh hush. You guys let the brainwashed eggheads get away in the first place. :p

Ahem.. Our doctrine only says to shoot protesters. Nothing about shooting scientists. So its not our fault.

[starshine]

Planet of the Apes reference?

yeap, as someone earlier said, it's from Animal Farm.

as for Vanu, wouldn't we all be happier in the Matrix?

[Kirotan]

And at this point the Sovereignty are starting to look more and more like unwitting slaves to a dead alien power. Their minds warped by the very technology they use into worshiping what they should be trying to understand and control. They claim that salvation can be found in their savior yet like all claimants before them their message has to be taken on nothing more then faith. And, fortunately or not, most of Auraxis population hasn't had the alien mind screw to make that leap of faith.

It's hard for bystanders to tell the difference between someone who has been changed by knowledge or by brainwashing. Is the Vanu Sovereignty acting with true self purpose after gleaning new information, or are they being mind controlled? Like the TR and NC, they're in a gray area. None of the 3 factions are wholly good or bad guys, and that's what I like the best. Vanu has both Dr. Light and Dr. Wily working side by side, along with Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As soon as we get SKYNET and GLADOS working, TR and NC are screwed.

[Dagron]

As soon as we get SKYNET and GLADOS working, TR and NC are screwed.
Not if "by the end of the experiment you will be baked, and then there will be cake."