Curse

FoxBat · Feb 08, 2008, 08:15 AM // 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by I pwnd U

The point was they only seem to listen WHEN enough people whine and moan, not that they completely ignore us.

Well, I'm sorry they aren't hanging on your every word! Why should they care what just a few people are saying?

Or on the other hand, let's say there are a handful of people saying things, like "blood magic sucks", and lo and behold we get an out-of-the-blue update. But seeing as it's only a few players who aren't very visible in the community, no-one in the peanut gallery makes the connection. Hence why it "seems" to take mass whining.

Basically I'm seeing again and again a strong bias of "well they aren't listening to what I've personally been saying, so they don't listen at all." I see them making constant updates based on user input. Hero AI fixes from the Wiki notes, fixes to party healing, even the maligned Victory is Ours idea was supported by a few on the forum. These may be bad decisions, but they are definitely based on people's input. You can't assume they listen to no-one when they by necessity happen to be ignoring you or some other random loner on a particular point.

strcpy · Feb 08, 2008, 09:03 AM // 09:03

Of course they listen - there are VERY few companies on this planet that do not listen. They may answer "No" many times - but that is still listening and giving an answer. Heck, they may even give a horrid answer to what you are saying but that is a far cry from not listening.

For anyone old enough to hold a job for a few months I can guarantee you that you have had several customers that have complained in a way that is unreasonable. You listened to them, you even knew what they were talking about - and yet you didn't turn around and do exactly what they said. I'm sure they went away thinking you didn't listen when you did, just your answer was "no".

JR · Feb 08, 2008, 10:22 AM // 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

Sadly doesn't matter how much he listens, Andrew isn't the one making the changes.

It is not really a designers job to read threads on official forums, let alone on a fansite. It's far too easy to just get half the story or a scewed perspective, or just get frustrated at ranting trolls.

It is Andrews job to keep tabs on important threads, and have a solid general overview of the PvP community. He can then give designers the short and dirty on what the community is saying, and advize any changes he feels might be neccessary.

It is also an expected part of the community role to watch key threads around the clock to see how they develop. If you left it all to when you were in the office from 9-5 then you would never be able to keep up.

Numa Pompilius · Feb 08, 2008, 10:31 AM // 10:31

It's known that ANet does listen. They have people reading these boards and other boards, they have people playing the game, they have direct contact with some guilds. There's nothing new about that, they have since the release of the game.

They're listening to the players. Just not always to the right players.

lakatz · Feb 08, 2008, 02:52 PM // 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosyfiep

I read lots of threads, but I dont do much about the information I read..lots of people read threads and just forget what they have read....why would Andrew (or Gaile) be any different?

Because they're Community Relations... and reading the fan forums is reading one part of the community.

Sha Noran · Feb 08, 2008, 03:00 PM // 15:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by You just got tomahawked

I mean thats going above and beyond your job descrition to be browsing forums late at night.

Actually, Public/Community Relations people for game companies likely have it in their job descriptions to keep an eye on certain forums and their generalized opinions on any given topic. That's a little like saying the teenager at McDonalds went above and beyond his job description because he was actually polite to you while taking your order... you might not be used to it, but it is certainly in his job description.

Avarre · Feb 08, 2008, 03:06 PM // 15:06

Enough browser crap. They display websites, the same websites, stop acting like different ones are the second incarnation of Jesus.

Winterclaw · Feb 08, 2008, 03:09 PM // 15:09

You know, just because he was reading it doesn't mean he wasn't laughing at all of our responses instead of writing them down.

Lonesamurai · Feb 08, 2008, 03:10 PM // 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterclaw

You know, just because he was reading it doesn't mean he wasn't laughing at all of our responses instead of writing them down.

probably was

Painbringer · Feb 08, 2008, 03:23 PM // 15:23

How many do you think read and join forums and do not tell anyone they are from A-net? Then when official response is needed they log in with the designated a-net account for that forum?

Numa Pompilius · Feb 08, 2008, 03:25 PM // 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Painbringer

How many do you think read and join forums and do not tell anyone they are from A-net? Then when official response is needed they log in with the designated a-net account for that forum?

I think those authorized to give Anets official word on anything don't have any "undercover" accounts, the risk of backlash would be too great.

GrimEye · Feb 08, 2008, 04:09 PM // 16:09

I have the feeling ANET listens, they just don't reply by post most of the time. Perhaps they have little time, not worth the time, or their replies would serve no purpose but merely feed the flames on the issue.

After all, there will always be sides to the issues, and those sides will most always disagree. Sadly, many thinks to disagree is to be disagreeable, and many argument ends up not on the issue but who can defend an ego with the best one-liner wisecracks or gimmicky pictures.

And ANET, with all its powers beyond god-like, cannot settle or solve clashing egos.

Maybe ANET is trolliest of them all!

My take.

Buster · Feb 08, 2008, 07:45 PM // 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by StormDragonZ

It's quite obvious. GW2 is more important than GW1 now.

Exactly! Some just still haven't figured that out yet.

Josh · Feb 08, 2008, 08:59 PM // 20:59

Just because you don't get what you want people; doesn't mean they don't listen. They can listen, then approve or disapprove. They have listened consistantly for almost 3 years and always do, and take our input and value it - I witness that every week when I check the Game Updates release notes. I have played Guild Wars since the release of Prophecies from day 1 and they have always valued input and taken it into major consideration, and made serious changes from player discussion.

Give it a rest.

Inde · Feb 08, 2008, 09:22 PM // 21:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius

I think those authorized to give Anets official word on anything don't have any "undercover" accounts, the risk of backlash would be too great.

Anet employees do have accounts on these boards. Quite a few actually. I'll reveal to you, because I don't think it really risks their job and the fact that they are listening and responding... that most of their accounts have posts in our Technician's Corner. They're helping and listening to you and you don't even know it!

Painbringer · Feb 08, 2008, 10:21 PM // 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

Anet employees do have accounts on these boards. Quite a few actually. I'll reveal to you, because I don't think it really risks their job and the fact that they are listening and responding... that most of their accounts have posts in our Technician's Corner. They're helping and listening to you and you don't even know it!

And that is a perfect way… Personally I do not wish to know who they are. Just that they are there is enough for me. Finger on the pulse one could say. They can address the major issues thru Gail etc.. As said before they listen, and I am sure they have weekly maybe even daily meetings that have a lot of suggestion we bring up talked about. I would bet a lot of what we suggest will be seen or has helped in the molding GW2.

Tyla · Feb 08, 2008, 10:53 PM // 22:53

Confusing....
Hmmmm....

Numa Pompilius · Feb 09, 2008, 01:51 AM // 01:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inde

Anet employees do have accounts on these boards. Quite a few actually.

Yes, I know. But not multiple accounts, one of which is an "anet speaks" account, and one which is an undercover account. Which was what I was reponding to.

Snow Bunny · Feb 09, 2008, 02:03 AM // 02:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by holymasamune

It'd be a little better if it was Izzy reading it. But whatever.

Izzy is busy playing TF2