Curse

Aniewiel · Jul 23, 2005, 12:22 PM // 12:22

I am taking some of Gaile Gray's comments regarding the 7-22-05 update that are pertinent to ALL updates and compiling them here for everyone's reference. As she continues to communicate with us, I will add more:

7-22-05

Or we could just slip in those updates and not say a word. I'm sure everyone is aware that in all honesty, we're not obliged to report anything. I'm pretty proud that we are, in fact, and are taking the time to make sure that we do so in six languages, too! If someone wants the development notes on every patch, well, unfortunately we're not going to be able to provide those. If we close an exploit and you wonder "Does it affect me?" then maybe we all ought to step back and take another look at you, huh?

We post honestly about updates, but details are not provided for a wealth of reasons. It would be super if, instead of our seeing the glass has half empty, we all saw it as half full. This is the first company I know of that is so studious about trying to outline every area in which updates or patches are made, and to call out the specifics of what is being altered. I've seen games that have been out a year that don't have a single "patch note" page.

So, in short, we're reporting what we can, and when we can, and will attempt to do that into the future as well.

It's a vicious cycle, and it's sort of sad, because we really do have a plan in mind, and a sure and certain path we're going to follow. I am afraid that at a certain point, a few players thought "He who shouts loudest will get the most attention."

If we ever gave the impression that the complainers were the only ones getting served, trust me, that's not the case. We don't get intimidated, and we don't pander.

To everything, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.

The truth is, there just aren't enough hours in the day for us to attend to the things that we want to attend to, and grow the game in the direction that we want to see it grow. There is so much that we want to bring you -- through the Summer Update, through Observer Mode, through the tournament, through future chapters. And there are things we know need fixing, or improving, in the here and now, too. We're sort of in that "making a list and checking it twice" situation, and working as quickly as we can to attend to the growth and the improvement in a sort of lateral pattern. Everyone should know there's no indifference to input, and a definite appreciation for those who make their contributions, particularly those whose input is clearly offered out of love of the game. We can definitely take the heated discussion. The worst possible thing would be no discussion at all.

Sometimes, there's a lot of ruckus about something so minor you have to scratch your head. Sometimes, there's only a small voice saying "Hey, there's this problem..." and it genuinely deserves much more of a view than the "topic du jour" that doesn't amount to a hill of beans in the overall picture. The essential thing is that we do hear from you -- comments, concerns, suggestions, input, reports... So keep 'em coming, and we'll share what we can, either in response or through improvements to the game, to which you can rightfully point and say "See that update? I helped with that."

But really, the decision to update or not update comes down to our feeling that we should update when we have an update of considerable worth. If you look at the last two or three updates (other than the little ones we have done for minor corrective measures) they have involved really major changes, and have been for improvement more than fixes, for the most part. Or if there have been fixes, they have resulted in improvements, if that makes sense. Anyway, that's the way we like to do things -- positively and proactively.

Can you honestly look at the Update Notes and not see literally hundreds of responses to player requests, including, just to name a few, faction, the restoration of PvP XP, improvements to AI for Henchies, upgrades to the GUI, the addition of new and unique armour art, an expanded Friend's list...I hope that most players will remain patient as we get to the issues of concern, and the suggestions of worth, in due time.

There are some things best left undisclosed. I'll bring up the idea of more specific information, but I do feel that an awful lot is being disclosed here.

I once wrote an entire fansite section based on undisclosed changes to a very popular game. The patch notes didn't have 1/4 of what the company was doing, each and every time. The notes were, in fact, a joke. I can honestly say that I don't know of any change we've made to Guild Wars that hasn't been noted, at least in a general sense.

Arcador · Jul 24, 2005, 11:26 PM // 23:26

Go go arena team! You can do it and we are with you!

I work with many people too (servers, community works, trade managment and so on) and often people do not understand thus they may speak in a haste without knowing the real situation but most of them are doing it with good intentions. Other people see only the *bad* side of the work - like you do 100 good improvements but one bug apears and they begin cry out loud pointing at it...but it is another story.

So keep up the good work cuz you are doing it great! And soon hopefully the lag issues will be gone

Weezer_Blue · Jul 25, 2005, 01:08 AM // 01:08

Giving information is an all or nothing sort of thing. If you're going to put in a minor update that no one will ever notice, then what's the point of vaguely saying "fixed armour exploit". When people don't know what this "exploit" is, they instantly jump to conclusions... like "does knights armour only affect it's location now?". Of course, we all want to know what you're working on, and we want to know the details of big updates, but either spare the 20 extra characters to tell us what the exploit was, or don't tell us there was one.

Lasareth · Jul 25, 2005, 01:28 AM // 01:28

Next update notes will include: "changed stuff"

Doesn't matter to me, though. All knowing would do is satisfy my curiousity.

Xeno Demachilo · Jul 25, 2005, 01:29 AM // 01:29

Ill tell you the exact spots they are going to change things in..

TYRIA!

Obsiedion · Jul 25, 2005, 12:48 PM // 12:48

I gotta say in A-net's defense, that i am glad they tell us what they do. They could keep us in the dark so a few people that reported the armour exploit notice its gone, or tell everyone. The business tactic which is being employed is a sound one. Either they speak up, and show that they are working, regardless of how insignificant the glitch may be or they shut up, and people that dont notice certain exploits, complain A-net do nothing as they never found the glitch in the first place therefore noticing no change in the game.

Bottom line, like gaile said

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aniewiel

I can honestly say that I don't know of any change we've made to Guild Wars that hasn't been noted, at least in a general sense.[/b]

So we are being kept up to speed. Simple logical question...would you prefer A-net's stance to be;

A: fewer changes but keep you all informed of the tiny efforts they make in megalithic reports that a large majority of the gamers dont read, or

B: keep us up to speed with changes they are making with concise reports, that enable them to get on with the important job...making the game even more super-wicked-nasty then it already is....

I know where my vote goes....

Obs

Aniewiel · Jul 25, 2005, 01:07 PM // 13:07

We are very aware of the problem, and have been responding to player-submitted reports with that assurance. The first place we look for reports of problems is, of course, through the Support Network. We're here every day, but truly it's much more efficient for you to write us when you have a problem (support.guildwars.com) than for us to scour 50+ fansite forums, thinking "Hmm, I wonder if the servers in Botswana are throwing fits today."

Please don't take my weak attempt at humour for a dismissal of the very-real problem that is going on in Europe. But are you guys reporting it? Are you submitting tickets to Support with the information that they need in order to narrow it down? This might include (in random order) date, time, server (Yes, I know, European most likely but I had to list it in a general sense), your ISP, your connection type (CM, DSL, Dial-up, etc), how long you've been experiencing the problem, and so forth.

From what I understand, there are issues beyond the game that are at the root of this problem, which, if you think about it, is sort of confirmed by the fact that it's exclusive to Europe, don't you agree?

We're very sorry about the situation. We take it seriously, and we're on the case of trying to resolve it as quickly as possible. Please do avail yourself of the opportunity to submit a report at any time, and the Support Team will give you whatever information they have available on each matter.

And European players who abandon the European server may find that they are quite sorry that they have. Trust me, there's a reason I say this, which will become clear to you very soon.

Snuk the Great · Jul 25, 2005, 02:35 PM // 14:35

Ah reason :O. I hope my hunch is right and there getting stuff on the servers so we can experience whatever they want to let us experience first before USA and Korea :P. And for the Americans and Koreans that will tell us that it is not fair, well it is not fair that we cant get the favor because we lagg like hell!

Ah well If its not I realy dont care, as long as they fix the lagging thing between now and a month or so I will be happy

Aniewiel · Jul 25, 2005, 08:52 PM // 20:52

Alex Weekes:

This one in particular I can comment on immediately. You will never be told the outcome when you report someone for an abusive name or behaviour in-game. Once you make the report further investigation becomes a private matter between our support staff and the individual who was reported.

Aniewiel · Jul 25, 2005, 09:01 PM // 21:01

Regarding European Server lag:

* We don't need screenshots of lag reports.
* We pay attention to every report, whether in massive numbers of just a single issue.
* If we need a log or a DxDiag, we'll be sure to ask for it. It doesn't hurt to send, but isn't a requirement for the initial report.

Please see above for the latest. I'm afraid we don't have a ready answer, but we are actively seeking one!

As previously mentioned, we are most definitely aware of the problem on the European territory and we are working hard to amend it. We're still at the diagnosis level, as I understand it.

It is a major commitment of ours to produce pleasant gameplay for everyone. We cannot sold ISP problems -- and there have provably been those. If our Support tells you that is the reason, you should believe them. I had a series of support notes forwarded to me and all of them came from the same country and we found that all six of them were using the same ISP. When no one else was having problems, should we consider it unlikely that it was the ISP? Of course it was!

But the current issue with the European territory isn't ISP related, from what I understand. Any of us can see it's broader than that.

Please bear with us, and accept our apology for less-than-acceptable gameplay right now. We'll get this fixed as soon as we can, and that's a promise!

Diomedes · Jul 25, 2005, 09:36 PM // 21:36

At the risk of a mod smiting me... a certain someone double posted O_o

-Diomedes

Aniewiel · Jul 25, 2005, 09:38 PM // 21:38

It's my thread and I'm allowed.

Gaile was busy today and, since the issues are very different, each warranted its own post.

And, actually, I didn't intend for it to be a "respond to" kind of post but...heck...oh well. ;p

*turns the Eye O'Smite on Diomedes*

Talesin Darkbriar · Jul 25, 2005, 09:45 PM // 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weezer_Blue

Giving information is an all or nothing sort of thing. If you're going to put in a minor update that no one will ever notice, then what's the point of vaguely saying "fixed armour exploit". When people don't know what this "exploit" is, they instantly jump to conclusions... like "does knights armour only affect it's location now?". Of course, we all want to know what you're working on, and we want to know the details of big updates, but either spare the 20 extra characters to tell us what the exploit was, or don't tell us there was one.

Your glass isn't half empty Weezer, it's nonexistent.
To paraphase for you in an easily readable format:

They aren't required to tell you anything.
They share some information as a courtesy service.

Now go troll somewhere else - as usual.

Tuna · Jul 25, 2005, 10:05 PM // 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talesin Darkbriar

Your glass isn't half empty Weezer, it's nonexistent.
To paraphase for you in an easily readable format:

They aren't required to tell you anything.
They share some information as a courtesy service.

Now go troll somewhere else - as usual.

And we aren't required to purchace any more of their games. However, I sense a fix that could make both parties happy...

Sagius Truthbarron · Jul 25, 2005, 11:03 PM // 23:03

Next week's update:

"Banned over 100 accounts for whining about stuff we already said we would fix!"
XD

=HT=Ingram · Jul 26, 2005, 12:15 AM // 00:15

As you guys can see they have a plan. lets let them finish it shall we? It is worth waiting for. Be patient...