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NOW back to complaining...:p
He he oh goodie ( not that I need permission lol )
What is really sad, is that although it might not seem like it, I really do not want to be on the forum `complaining', I'd rather be playing my favourite game ;). The key point there is `playing', not `worrying' about bugs eating my troops, resources or giving a half thought through `re-balanced' reward for my efforts.
All of what you say Xibor is valid, I am merely a customer here and not a programming expert. However much of what you say could be construed, and after 2+ years here of seeing it, I have to conclude is being, used as an excuse not as a problem that needs resolving.
I'm not picking an argument with you in the post that follows, but each of your points allow me to show what is going wrong or needs looking at `seriously' if the problems are going to be turned around for the benefit of the game ( and indeed BB's reputation ;) )
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1) The game is free. While we are 'encouraged' in ways to invest real money, there is no requirement to do so.
It should not matter that the game is FTP, This is merely a business model that has proved to be a rather successful money earner for the company that implements it properly. It appears though that some companies forget this, and do not invest to get the return and only see the FTP title as an excuse not to invest in a timely manner ( Usually the perception of an accounting executive )
What appears to have happened in this game is there was a long period of under investment during its second year, and by the time it was realised, timing constraints were applied to the development process, which is why we were having new content thrown at us not properly tested. The consequence of this was bugs, both in the new content and creating bugs in existing content. These started to compound and without the resources spent fixing them rather than plastering over them ( short term fixes ). They remained in the background and then effected some new content as it was added, which is what we are probably seeing today.
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2) I have been in IT for more than 30 years, having written code, tested it, and even administrating the servers. I've seen a lot of resources devoted to testing and it's a very complex issue and extremely hard to get right 100% of the time.
I'm sure it is, and I like most of the players here understand that. What we do take issue with though, is the fact that many of us help on the `testing' server and report the issues only to be ignored....There is NO excuse for this, Even `verified bugs' have made it over to live servers. Anyone who is involved in `pushing' this content over needs a serious talking too, as they are effecting the companies name and reputation in a very negative manner!
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3) Even though it's a browser based game there are still a large number of variables that must be checked. All the different browser versions, various releases of Flash, innumerable video cards, different OS with different versions, tablets, smart phones, the list is endless.
Here I do sympathise with the developers, even I can understand how difficult it must be developing code and then have a third party change theirs and having to rework or test it. However this is one of the extra costs of browser based games, and should be part of their business model, and never be allowed to be used by the developers as an `excuse'. Browser game developers are after all `customers' of the browser companies, and should have good communication with them and be able to mitigate most adverse changes likely to effect the game.
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4) In most cases 'developers' just code what they are told to, what is to be done comes from somewhere else. And we all know management can have some -um- interesting ideas sometimes. Most people won't risk their job even if they know the request is a bad one.
Any company that curtails feedback from all its workers, is badly led. I agree that there are signs that senior managers either within BB or Ubisoft are dropping the ball here if this is the case. I deal with this type of thing as my day job so know how it can effect a business and the standard of work that business produces. Once recognised it can be fixed, if the company does not wish to acknowledge the problem, then its up to the customers to get the message across, which is why `constructive' complaining on forums can be worth while ;)
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5) I know it sounds impossible, but sometimes the users are the ones with the issue. This is known as PEBCAC (problem exists between computer and chair).:confused:
Ha ha, I've seen that here too, not only from chair to computer, but from eyes to brain to fingers to keyboard :) But it is good to see so many helpful players both in chat and forum in the TSO community giving so much back :) I'll include Mods and a special mention of Fexno here who does tireless work for the players :cool: And yes even the GM's and I do feel so sorry for them having to constantly change their posts, and take so much flax from disgruntled players. It does no harm in reminding players not to `shoot the messenger'...... aim higher :p
When those same people voice concerns or even leave the game because of how they feel the players are being treated by the Developers/management, someone needs to take notice of not just the way its being expressed ( and being dismissed as a rant ) but what is actually being said for the good of the game....and therefore the company ;)
