Development Cycle Archive
Thread: Great Expectations, Major Schedule Changes and making SWG the finest MMORPG ever
Xifera
Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:58 pm
#495
I misworded what I just posted.... and since I cannot edit.... .... (...)
"I think you need a new public relations person, because they were a moron if they said we'd be happy with this."
TH is the messenger, and I would hope that he's been conveying what the community has been repeatedly asking for. Which begs the question: do the devs listen to TH? Because if the developers have listened to TH, then something is seriously wrong here, because this is not what we've spent hours making posts containing suggestions for new updates wasfor.. However, I think if TH changed his name to $$ then the developers might begin to even read or hear what he has to say.
Solution: fire the decision makers, because they are obviously inept.
Then again if SOE was really concerned about money, they would be listening to the community and attempt to appease them, instead of throwing resources off of making new content, fixing in-game problems, and from the GCW; to an expansion pack.
Fred_Skinner
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:00 pm
#496
/agree
Shin_Shodei wrote:
I say... bring jump to lightspeed first.. i need to get off the ground that is this game.. and i need somthing gOOD.... while i wait for the revamp to fix the ground game..
Lord-Maximus
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:00 pm
#497
Thunderheart wrote:
Meplorium wrote:
TH please do convey to the higher ups that the customers are very pleased with the job the few people working on this project are doing but are very displeased that there are few people working on this project.
I have. I've been going over the details, the history and the effect this announcementis having on the community for some time now. I've spent more than a couple of sleepless nights in the past couple of weeks thinking about this post. It's not easy for anyone involved.
Seems you got to be a brown-noser to get the Devs to respond to the real issues.
-Nazgull
KittenofDestiny
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:05 pm
#498
TH.
So , if your going to use the dev team to work on JTL to get to live... then regroup the team for the core game revamp.... please answer this question...
If you don't have enough resources to concentrate on both .. how the hell are you going to deal with the patches / bugs / game breaks of a newley released JTL and still have resources to visit the combat revamp in the core game!!!
The resource issue isn't going to change... but after JTL you will have 2 major projects to work on with the same staff..
I just don't buy your reason... I think the true reason is that sony would rather put effort in the new release and getting more money in the coffers than fix the current paying customers. ... say it isn't so?
K.
So , if your going to use the dev team to work on JTL to get to live... then regroup the team for the core game revamp.... please answer this question...
If you don't have enough resources to concentrate on both .. how the hell are you going to deal with the patches / bugs / game breaks of a newley released JTL and still have resources to visit the combat revamp in the core game!!!
The resource issue isn't going to change... but after JTL you will have 2 major projects to work on with the same staff..
I just don't buy your reason... I think the true reason is that sony would rather put effort in the new release and getting more money in the coffers than fix the current paying customers. ... say it isn't so?
K.
Curgenven
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:05 pm
#499
Can't Lucasarts go crwaling on their hands and knees to Blizzard? You know, get some people in who know the difference between their arse and their elbow
VemaGara
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:06 pm
#500
I am not a cynic. I am a practialist. I can read between the lines:
- Subscriptions are down.
- The inventors are concerned.
- They want JTL to bring the subscription numbers back up.
- JTL is falling behind, so they want more manpower on getting JTL out on time.
- JTL *must* be out for the Christmas season
- Other concerns can be put aside.
For JTL to hit the Christmas season, it must go gold no later than October, then be shipped by mid November.
Remember, he who has the gold makes the rules.
- Subscriptions are down.
- The inventors are concerned.
- They want JTL to bring the subscription numbers back up.
- JTL is falling behind, so they want more manpower on getting JTL out on time.
- JTL *must* be out for the Christmas season
- Other concerns can be put aside.
For JTL to hit the Christmas season, it must go gold no later than October, then be shipped by mid November.
Remember, he who has the gold makes the rules.
Lord-Maximus
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:07 pm
#501
I think you gave them too much credit with that. We don't even think that much of it.
Serenius wrote:
How does it feel to condemn your company's coffers to losing at least half of its subscription base to Blizzard?
Your smoke and mirrors have lost their power, Magician Thunderclout.
Fix the existing game, then worry about JTL and Jedi.
Here's what the majority of your subscribers think of your "Great Expectations" ----> .|.. ..|.
Redfenril
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:08 pm
#502
I'm going to take a neutral stance here and lash out at all parties involved.
First, the Devs: You people should be ashamed at yourself. Giving us promises after promises and failing to live up them. This is UNACCEPTABLE. You guys created the game, so you guys are accountable for these delays.
Second, the Players: Each and every one of you would want to rip the heart of every Developer. There are those who are extreamly ticked off. Yet they are weathering the storm. If you want to cancel your account, then by all means do so. The game will be better off without babies like those who want one thing and one thing now.
Third, the Whiners of the Community: Take your avatars and delete them. Take your account, and cancel it, and get the hell out of the game. You people make me sick! Wanting EVERYTHING right here and RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what, it is virturally IMPOSSIBLE! The Devs are human beings just like we are. You want something, you wait for it. The more you wait, the better off it will be.
Fourth: Those who are staying put: Do not worry about the delays. From everything I've heard, SOE seems to be overextended in manpower. Why don't SOE tap into failures like EQ and the future EQ2 and allocate Developers from those pieces and see what they can do. The world can wait a few days or so for the release of EQ2. It'll probably get elminatedby WoW.
TechBoss
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:10 pm
#503
Some comments:
- Pistoleers have been broken since RELEASE - wait for the combat balance
- Carbineers have vampiric weapons - wait for the combat balance
- Pikeman have no defenses and can't hit the broadside of a barn - wait for the combat balance
- Commando is a waste of skill points - wait for the combat balance
- Smuggler does not justify it's pre-reqs. - wait for the combat balance
- CHs were nerfed into uselessness - wait for the combat balance
- Mind is the end all be all of combat - wait for the combat balance
- Stun weapons rule PvP - wait for the combat balance
- All armor except ubese & composite are worthless - wait for the combat balance
- The executioner's hack is worse than the scythe - it's post combat balance adjusted
- Lightsaber damage is horrendous - it's post combat balance adjusted
- Manadlorian Armor and RIS suck for resists - they are post combat balance adjusted
- Rifleman is the fastest ranged profession - wait for the combat balance
- Jedi are vulnerable to melee, while immune to ranged - wait for the combat balance
- Some combat professions own, others get owned - wait for the combat balance
- DW bunker is a waste of time - *crickets*
- Corvette is a waste of time - *crickets*
Notice howA LOTof theissues in the game is linked in some how to the combat balance.
Hey DEVs I have fewmore points for you:
- 2x accounts will NOT be renewed.
- JTL will NOT be purchased
- Another SOE game will NOT be purchased
Comyn
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:10 pm
#504
TH, this isn't your fault and I certainly don't blame you. I can try toimagine how hard it was to postyour message to such a huge community, as the person who knows best what the reaction will be... that being said, it is a big let down.I'm looking forward to the ground game being fixed. I'm looking forward to more immersive content. And, I'm looking forward to space. However, now I am being told that SOE as a company is prioritizing those three things in the complete opposite order - completely contraryfrom what has been promised (yes promised) to the community.
The first rumblings of the combat rebalance were at the beginning of this year. We have allfaithfully stuck with the game for over six months expecting a major overhaul toa system that effects *every* character in a manner that is MUCH more significant than Jedis. Now that rebalance is not going to happen for at least a year since its inception. Despite what explanations you can provide, there is a larger issue here, and I hope you relay to the SOE execs that the larger issue is known to the customers and it will effect their opinion of the game.
While you explain the issue within the context of what you have to work with, the larger issue is that SOE is not dedicating enough resources to JTL. They shouldn't have to sacrifice customer expectations and customer experience for the expansion pack... yet they choose to. It shouldn't be a zero sum game, and I have no doubt that this is a financial decision solely designed to increase margins. Itwas made either (1) without appreciating the impact on the customers, or (2) just not caring. Well, I hope the margins look nice, but in case any of those execs don't have anypractical business experience, there is a phenomon best avoided called "customer churn". That is exactly what this kind of decision yields.
I've been a part of this community for over three years. I've never taken a shot at SOE before. But, I am in business, and I see this for what it is, and it sucks. Time to take a break I think. Will I cancel, no probably not right now. But if JTL doesnt come out perfect, and the ground game isn't fixed, don't think there aren't a lot of competitors out there chomping at the bit. This was a stupid decision - suck it up SOE and put more resources on this money-making machine before your diehards quit.
/venting off
-C
Omry
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:12 pm
#505
TH,
I know this is a huge upset to the community and space is a big deal for everyone. But dont you think that before you guys add another entire dimension to this game the current game needs to be fixed. I am just afraid that if the core features of this game are not corrected in a timely manner that you will start to have a huge decrease in players. I know many people are waiting to play some of the other games that are in development and are just hanging out in SWG till release. I for one would love to see you guys put space on hold for a bit and fix what we have now then release a whole new system that is going to need to be tweaked. I know the big wigs are looking at the Cash flow from JTL but it will be a flop if you guys dont get in gear and fix what we want now.
microunityexclusive
Thu Jul 15, 2004 5:17 pm
#507
I unlocked my force sentive slot the 13th of this month and was expectingpublish 10 to come out some time around the 8th next month. First I grinded6 months to unlock now your delaying patch 10 and will have to wait one and half months before publish 10 comes out. Even more wait for me and others who have unlock in between publish 9 and 10. This piss me off a lot because now I have to wait about anthor month and there is nothing interestingin the game at moment. Since this was unexpected it would be nice to allow people who unlock this month to play there jedi char early next month like planned before patch 10 was delayed. Honestly I was cool about not being able to play my char until patch 10 but with the delay I probably will only be able to test it out due to school, which start on october. Its also more unfair people who unlock early this month or right after patch 9 came out those poeple will now have to wait 2 months to use there jedi. Honestly I don't think I can wait that long thas about17 percent of time it took me to unlock possibly more if its even more delayed.