Curse

El Presidente · Sep 22, 2009, 02:46 PM // 14:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

UPDATE. I just spoke with Linsey. The event ending time listed in the message of the day login screen was a typo. The event was not intended to last beyond what was scheduled in the automated system, and according to the automated event system, the event ended on-time and as scheduled. Therefore, the International Talk Like a Pirate Day event will not be extended or re-run. We're sorry about the error, confusion, and inconvenience.

I see my post was removed that questioned why Linsey didn't reply to this, though she had viewed this thread prior to Regina's (above) reply. It wasn't to personally trash Linsey. It was to point out the lack of communication and/or the misinformation amongst the Anet personnel. Linsey could have taken the few seconds to claim the "typo" excuse. She didn't and this thread was filled with more questions on (initially) why the event ended.

Regina is the messenger here. Being such, she gets the brunt of our wrath even though she stated she was told it was a "typo", to which that immediately raised another red flag.

If Anet chooses to state something on these forums, then it's only fair that members should be able to refute their statements, when need be...but without personal attacks (which I did none of).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Swift

It is the same kind of lack of communication and lack of planning which has plagued GW's response to customers for some time.

If they would just admit it and apologize, there would be hope of fixing it. but since they don't, I don't see the customer relations with ANet improving any time soon.

The first time can be forgiven as an oversight; someone forgot to tell someone else...as in the case of Gaile denying the polar bear from the Wintersday chest; however, it is indeed a sad pattern Anet has/is showing to their customers by trying to pacify all with any lame excuse, then not owning up to their "mistake". Trust, credibility and respect are earned, not implied due to the position someone is in...

Nerel · Sep 22, 2009, 03:06 PM // 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by A11Eur0

Go outside, the sun is not something to be afraid of. Buy sunscreen.

It's a GIANT BALL OF FIRE! What's not to be afraid of about that?... besides, there are bears out there!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

What happened was that the information about Talk Like a Pirate day posted on the login screen was taken from last year's text, but it did not reflect how long the event was programmed to last in the in-game event files, which run automatically. This resulted in the event ending early, according to the in-game message.

"the event was programmed to last in the in-game event files, which run automatically"

Automatically? I was under the impression that the live crew had to manually implement such things as in game events, and were just now working on automating the process? Or does that not apply to these 'drop only' type events?

As for the copying last years text thing... even though we didn't get a login screen announcement last year, that doesn't mean one wasn't planned and typed up... hell, the text in question might have even been from the GW website... "Taken from last years text" doesn't give any specific information about WHICH TEXT, so it's very unfair to be calling people liars at this stage.

Karate Jesus · Sep 22, 2009, 03:55 PM // 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerel

"the event was programmed to last in the in-game event files, which run automatically"

Automatically? I was under the impression that the live crew had to manually implement such things as in game events, and were just now working on automating the process? Or does that not apply to these 'drop only' type events?

They have stated numerous times that these types of events are not automated, so I'm having a hard time figuring out how this one is.

I know they said they were working on automating more stuff, but now they're saying that last year's event was automated as well. Wtf? They complain about man time on the end-side of updates because they "aren't automated", but this stuff is?

Ridiculous.

jray14 · Sep 22, 2009, 04:58 PM // 16:58

Remember that the Live Team suffered an AoE blast of swine flu a couple weeks ago (five including Linsey... hope you're all doing better!). So it's not too surprising that things are going especially awry right now. I just wish it was an exception to the norm... but we've been seeing more and more disorganization and reduction of resources for several months now. It sure feels like we're being kicked to the curb. In this computer game market they can get away with that with hardly a dent in their future GW2 sales, so we oughta get used to it

. As much as the Live Team cares, which I believe they do, their hands are probably tied.

Let's have some fun while the ping is still in only 5 digits

.

Martin Alvito · Sep 22, 2009, 07:16 PM // 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by jray14

In this computer game market they can get away with that with hardly a dent in their future GW2 sales, so we oughta get used to it

.

There you're mistaken. If the longtime players get turned off by ANet support, switch to a different game and tell their friends not to buy, GW2 sales will suffer regardless of the quality of the end product. Computer gaming is still an elite-opinion-driven business. A lot of buyers aren't sophisticated gamers, and rely on the opinions of others to separate the wheat from the chaff.

The single largest problem with GW is ANet's continual underestimation of the importance of its community. It is clear that they are unwilling to devote sufficient resources to keep the community satisfied. When your service isn't meeting basic standards of quality, integrity and responsiveness, sales suffer and company morale flags. In repeat business industries, service issues are the #1 issue that people quietly go elsewhere.

Apparently ANet wants to sell you one car, not five over fifty years.

jray14 · Sep 22, 2009, 08:50 PM // 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Alvito

There you're mistaken. If the longtime players get turned off by ANet support, switch to a different game and tell their friends not to buy, GW2 sales will suffer regardless of the quality of the end product. Computer gaming is still an elite-opinion-driven business. A lot of buyers aren't sophisticated gamers, and rely on the opinions of others to separate the wheat from the chaff.

The single largest problem with GW is ANet's continual underestimation of the importance of its community. It is clear that they are unwilling to devote sufficient resources to keep the community satisfied. When your service isn't meeting basic standards of quality, integrity and responsiveness, sales suffer and company morale flags. In repeat business industries, service issues are the #1 issue that people quietly go elsewhere.

Apparently ANet wants to sell you one car, not five over fifty years.

Yeah, could very well be. I was really just shooting off the cuff. But I figure that all the big MMO's have enough picky and complainy players and enough glitches that most people will just shrug if they hear about all this GW1 sloppiness and say it's the status quo anyway.

KZaske · Sep 22, 2009, 08:58 PM // 20:58

At this point, I am just glad they actually did the event and that the game is still up an running.

Nerel · Sep 22, 2009, 09:08 PM // 21:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karate Jesus

They have stated numerous times that these types of events are not automated, so I'm having a hard time figuring out how this one is.

I know they said they were working on automating more stuff, but now they're saying that last year's event was automated as well. Wtf? They complain about man time on the end-side of updates because they "aren't automated", but this stuff is?

Ridiculous.

Actually, in all fairness to Reggie (sorry, Regina)... she never said that the event roll-out was 'automated' (the very problem that the live team are said to be working on for the larger events) merely that it's end period was, i.e. the time the grog stops dropping. There is no contradiction between her statement and that of the live team. Though any clarification would be welcome, of course.

Pookster · Sep 23, 2009, 12:05 PM // 12:05

How many of us planned our farming/playing around the event still being
active Mon/Tue.

Anet has set a precedent for these sort of things

/cough Redux /cough

Shasgaliel · Sep 23, 2009, 12:56 PM // 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin Alvito

There you're mistaken. If the longtime players get turned off by ANet support, switch to a different game and tell their friends not to buy, GW2 sales will suffer regardless of the quality of the end product. Computer gaming is still an elite-opinion-driven business. A lot of buyers aren't sophisticated gamers, and rely on the opinions of others to separate the wheat from the chaff.

The single largest problem with GW is ANet's continual underestimation of the importance of its community. It is clear that they are unwilling to devote sufficient resources to keep the community satisfied. When your service isn't meeting basic standards of quality, integrity and responsiveness, sales suffer and company morale flags. In repeat business industries, service issues are the #1 issue that people quietly go elsewhere.

Apparently ANet wants to sell you one car, not five over fifty years.

I agree with your logic but I do not think the mechanisms you describe apply here to such an extent. Regardless how good WOW support would be and how bad Anets I will still be playing GW over WOW and get GW2. I think quality and specifications of the product matter more but this is just my impression. I agree that people indifferent between two products may chose something else over GW due to support. However I think it will be rather marginal.

I have to say that I was actually expecting grog to end of Sunday as in usual event. Probably I did not read the entry message carefully. Anyway I do not think it is such a big deal at least for me. Events like this make it a farming game so good to see some pvp weekend coming.

N E D M · Sep 24, 2009, 12:43 PM // 12:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

UPDATE. I just spoke with Linsey. The event ending time listed in the message of the day login screen was a typo. The event was not intended to last beyond what was scheduled in the automated system, and according to the automated event system, the event ended on-time and as scheduled. Therefore, the International Talk Like a Pirate Day event will not be extended or re-run. We're sorry about the error, confusion, and inconvenience.

You are going to want to speak with Linsey again.
You are making an enormous PR error.
This is the exact type of thing that makes me hesitant to think about buying GW2.