Asherons Call: Scenario's New Role

For over five years I have been, in one form or another, a part of this community. Many of you have helped me on quests (whether you know it or not). We've fought along side each other against the threats of Bael'zharon, the Virindi, and Gaerlan. I was fortunate enough to have been part of the team that has pitted you against the Olthoi, Burun, and Viamontians.

Asheron's Call brought my friends and me together through college and kept us together afterwards. It brought me here to Turbine and gave me some amazing opportunities to grow both creatively and professionally.

After being a member of the Asheron's Call Development team for two and a half years, I am moving on to another project within Turbine. I am happy knowing that I've left the team in good hands and that I have had the opportunity to work with them and work for this great community. It only took me two of those years to convince you all that I wasn't Sean Huxter (though I suspect that some of you still aren't quite convinced). :P

My decision to leave the Asheron's Call Live Team came several weeks before the announcement of the closure of the Santa Monica studio. I was in the middle of a vacation when the announcement was released, moving from Santa Monica back to the east coast, and had heard nothing of what had happened until I stopped by the office to visit early last week. I'm going to miss working on Asheron's Call, and I am looking forward to returning to the project that started my career here at Turbine as a member of the Lord of the Rings World Building team.

While the September event is my last Live Event, my presence will still be felt over numerous following months. I've left the Live team with a lot of brand new monster art that they will be filtering in over the coming months, starting with September. I will also remain available to the Live Team to answer their questions (and your questions), offer suggestions and lend them a helping hand if need be.

For September, those of you with an eye for dungeon exploration will get to see the first appearance of the second place Make-A-Monster contest winner. The Shallows Sharks, no longer content to look like their "land-lubbing" kin will have a brand new set of textures, just for them! In addition to that, we will also be introducing another brand new creature - the deep sea dwelling Remoran (some of you may recognize this creature; it has been a part of our data for years though it did receive a substantial facelift)! Lastly, numerous NPCs throughout our September content will be previewing some of the other new monster looks to come.

I look forward to being a player again. I'll see you in Dereth.

Matt "Scenario" Elliott