Development Cycle Archive
Thread: Live Issues Update Sept 3
OdiousEncounter wrote:
Glad to see drop shadows fixed, that was really bugging me. I still wish we could call pets and troids from the toolbar the same as vehicles
Thunderheart wrote:
Let me explain this again.
We do acknowledge and address things that are reported for test center. Just because you see them re-appear on live only means its a new and/or different instance of the bug. Database differences create changes from server to server that can cause things to reappear - - and we address them as quickly as possible. As always, we apologize for the inconvenience and we'll work to repair them as quickly as possible.
I believe by "acknowledge" he means that you actually tell the community that you see the bug, not just internal acknowedgment. I think this bug was still seen on TC the day before the patch went live (I'm not sure). In that case, communication that you are aware of the bug would be very helpful. If it did suddenly resurface after players had reported it fixed, then we definately can't fault you for that.
The missing drop shadow on text never went away on TC. It was never acknowledged as a problem, though many TC testers mentioned it was a problem. It still went Live as it was, and has successfully made this game look terrible since Publish 10 went out. I'm amazed it took this long to get any confirmation that this, in fact, was a problem, and would be fixed.
This last Publish had sporadic, at best, communication from the Devs regarding bugs not involving the Jedi system.
I'm extremely disappointed with the way testers were treated during TC testing with Publish 10. The effort so many players give on TCis only rewarded with the fact that they feel they'vehelped to improve the game's performance, function, and appearance. If the Devs can't be troubled to at least acknowledge they're looking into those very things when enough people report an issue, what incentive is there to continue testing and give feedback/report bugs?
It seems the valuable feedback, bug reports, and concerns given by some TC folks with this Publish was just taken for granted by the Devs. They must think, hey, we're getting it all, they'll just keep giving it. If we don't get any acknowledgement that what we're doing is of any benefit to the game, then quite logically some people will think they're wasting their time and will go play on Live servers to get their money's worth from their subscription.
Just because the Devs "know" they'll get bug reports from players, and whether or not the problem is something that needs attention, doesn't mean we should get zero communication as to the value of our help. We need to know that it's something that's being actively looked at,or whether we're barking up the wrong tree.
2stars out of5to the Dev Teamfor Publish 10 communication.
5 stars out of 5 for this new Live Issues Update thread - it's invaluable for keeping people abreast of Live server issues, please continue doing this.
Thanks.
Jayces wrote:TH, once again we are seeing bugs that were reported MULTIPLE times on the TC forums being pushed to live, in this case the drop shadows on text.Please, please, please can you tell us when the devs are going to acknowledge bugs posted on the TC forum as it is gettibg a bit silly and seemingly pointless now to even have a TC forum and community if the bugs that get reported are ignored.This is just one example but every but every time so far there has been a publish a bug has 'slipped' through that was reported by loads of people.It just seems at the moment that rather then fixing all bugs that get reported you pick the worst ones and send the rest to live to fix later.I'll take back my statement if you can prove I am wrong but seeing as this has been posted (the dropped shadows) on the TC forums numerous times I don't see how you will manage that.It's just so dperessing for the TC community to be asked to test things and report bugs if continually with every publish bugs go to live that they HAVE reported to you guys sometimes weeks in advance!
I realize that it may seem frustrating, but they've got to stick to a timeline. They could sit there and work on the game forever and it would never get released. People already complain when updates come a few days later than planned! Two or three measly days!
"It just seems at the moment that rather then fixing all bugs that get reported you pick the worst ones and send the rest to live..."
That's pretty much how software development works. Fix the showstoppers first. Everything that's non-essential can be fixed after. There will never be a bug-free piece of software, especially one of this magnatude.
"It's just so depressing for the TC community to be asked to test things and report bugs if continually with every publish bugs go to live that they HAVE reported to you guys sometimes weeks in advance!"
The bugs that are carried over into Live is not evidence they're ignoring you, it's that the bug was not of sufficient priority that it could have been done before publish time. I'm sure they appreciate you submitting the bug report, but once you've done that, it's up to them to fix it. They get hundreds of bug reports every week (probably even every day). In order to maintain the game, some stuff will have to get pushed aside for a while.
Secondly, if you find it so aggrivating that some of the bugs you or your friends submitted are not fixed by the release date of the publish, then perhaps you should not play on Test Center. It might be better for you to simply play the Live servers.
Exit Quest with the Sith Shadow Bosses is spawning in Player Cities. This means that the power crystals are ending up under houses/city structures. End result is that the sith is invulnerable and thus is griefing the city by camping things like clone bays etc.
Please fix this!!!
Let me explain this again.
We do acknowledge and address things that are reported for test center. Just because you see them re-appear on live only means its a new and/or different instance of the bug. Database differences create changes from server to server that can cause things to reappear - - and we address them as quickly as possible. As always, we apologize for the inconvenience and we'll work to repair them as quickly as possible.
In other words, the Test Center database is nowhere near as huge and complex as a live server database and they will likely respond a little differently to the patches, so there may be a few glitches that will be ironed out within a few days of the patch.
Now my own little bit:
There are slight glitches expected with every publish. They are usually not that bad and will usually be knocked out within a day or two. Absolutely do report them. Do not whine and **edit** about them, because that accomplishes nothing. Once they are reported a few times they will likely be addressed.
Why is it still a surprise that every time there is a publish, some problems crop up? It is to be expected. That's how most enormous MMORPGs are. The code is very complex. You can not predict how every system is going to interact with the patch. Just report the problems and go about your business. These things are being worked on and usually will be fixed before too long. Ranting and flaming accomplishes nothing but making you look like an ass.
Message Edited by Ziocyte on 09-03-2004 12:05 PM
Message Edited by Ziocyte on 09-03-2004 12:06 PM
