Nin Online 2017 Recap

[Ueda]

Dear Ninja,

This new year marks a special time for Nin Online, as it'll be our first year of game service completed. For us, this is an important milestone, as for the previous 3 years of development, the game was running through alpha test cycles, where we could afford to be sloppy, mess things up, and wipe everything again and again. Thanks to @Seth, and with the help of @Suirad and @Robin, since Open Beta launched in April, we've kept the server online without any maintenance lasting more than a day, and we've avoided any hiccups that would require a wipe or major rollback.

Despite it being hard to balance both development and maintaining a game service. 2017 was a surprisingly good year for development. Starting with the launch of Closed Beta in January, which saw the released of Sand Village, Bingo Books, Reworked Masteries, Reworked Tutorials, an expanded world map and Daily Missions. We then took the server down a month, and launched Missing Ninjas, Takumi Village and fixed problems found in the Closed Beta. Throughout the remainder of the year, we released an Introduction Scene for both villages, RP Missions, ANBUs, Neo-Akatsuki, a new User Interface, support for larger resolutions, Rebindable Keys, 4 new sub-masteries, 25 new unique Jutsus, we've introduced NPCs which can use Jutsus which we've used to create ninja mobs, 50+ new Mobs & NPCs, 100+ new items, we've expanded old maps to work in larger resolutions and expanded the size of the world with a bunch of new areas, we've spent countless hours reworking features so that they scale with an ever growing player base. There's been so much smaller changes and new content that it's hard to list everything down. We also have a lot of content that's half-way in the works, and will eventually see the light of day.

I'd like to thank @Stephen for expanding the game's content through existing art and constantly giving his ideas and time to the game. I'd like to thank @Sezu for creating tons of new content and art with me and without me. I'd like to thank and welcome back @Akiro who've been a big help in taking care of the community since his return, our composer Justin West who has contributed a large amount of new tracks this year (some released and some not), I'd like to thank the rest of the staff team and lastly I'd like to thank all the Gold Ninja, and those who monetarily support the project regularly.

However, in all of this, we've not managed to spend enough time actively hosting events. We've only did one combined Chunin Exam, and one for the Sand village. We've had smaller events along the way, but nothing as grand as our live streamed spectacle of a salt fest. The reason for this has mostly been because of how rough the 3rd Chunin Exams went. Hopefully, in 2018, we'll have the time and resource to focus on running regular events as originally planned. I'm still thinking about how much of it I can automate while keeping the essence of what makes this big event what is is.

Regardless, Nin Online has been going strong, and I can safely say that this has been the most productive year of development to date and it couldn't have been possible without everyone's support.

My thoughts in closing.. Nin Online is an extremely niche game, made for Naruto fans who aren't content with the kind of games we keep getting, like the web game or mobile games. Online games in this shape and form, in general, are a dying breed. To game companies, the money has long moved to quickly developed auto-play games on mobile, which is why you will never see a real Naruto Online but instead get games like Ninja Voltage. Realistically speaking, a game like Nin Online should not be able to exist because Nin Online does not make enough money to justify it's existence. That being said, the game still exists thanks to everyone who has donated to the game, and everyone who is a positive impact on the community, and will continue to exist for as long as we have that!

Thanks everyone for listening to my rant! Look forward to lots more in 2018.

Regards,
Rory
 

[Ahiru]

[Kiyousei Mika]

Thanks so much Rory and Nin community! I love NinOnline.

[Booty Gang Pinku]

This really has been an amazing year it seems even though I joined very late but I wish the best for nin Online and I will keep playing until I die hehe don't overwork yourself Rory same goes for the rest of the team!

[Dart]

It was a lovely year. Thank's Nin Community and Staff, it is a pleasure to be here with you guys, and let's keep this train going!

[Fenyx]

Monetarily support. Who’s that?

Thanks for the good times! Even though I don’t do much anymore I still enjoy logging in and seeing the community. Can’t wait to see what 2018 brings to Nin!

[Setsuna D Otsuka]

Although I am quite new to the picture, rory you didnt have to say anything about the hard work, blood, sweat and tears you guys put into this amazing game, i could see it perfectly, you need to give yourself an team mates a applause because youve all have done a outstanding job 

[Bmore]

I joined august 11th and since then has been content and updates! Nin i my favorite naruto game as of right now!

[Leevi]

I just cant wait to say the "I haven't seen you since last year." statement on January 1st, but besides that, 2017 been a bumpy road but we still manage to keep on rolling. I hope big things come for Nin in the 2018 year

[Guest Glitch Yagyu]

Glad to be here for this community.

[TetsuHawk]

One thing I will say Rory is try to find new ways of staying motivated and inspired. Thats what will sustain you long term. It seems like people dont appreciate your work sometimes, but ultimately I think most people here want to see you succeed and the game succeed. I would say that no matter what keep at it. Stay positive and keep at it. I feel that the community that is here is a unique one. Id also say take stock of it and youll be able to push this game even further in a positive direction. Hope to see great things this coming year!

[Zoh]

you do a good job, we know that you spend a lot of time for this game. there will always be people ready to help, financially or by giving their time, 2018 will be a great year! 

[Itachi Uchiha]

When you listed all of the great many things that you guys have accomplished this year, I had to take a 5 minute break to contemplate just how much was actually done. So much was finished this year... which is ironic considering how many people were complaining about a lack of content (Myself included unfortunately). All in all, this was a great year for Nin Online. I had no idea just how hard you guys had been working until you compiled that list of things that you and your team accomplished @Rory.  Thank you for the effort that you all have put into producing this game and providing this service. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year~

[USA]

Thanks for all the work this year, Rory and team! Here's to many more! 

[Vaga]

nice

[Meids]

Progressions were made

Progressions will be made.  

[Meth]

Recent changes, updates and the activity from everyone in the team was a real nice sight to see, keep it going ; )