Droid Engineer Archive

Thread: Thunderheart: An open (Long) letter...(the message of which may surprise some).

TheRealTK421
Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:16 am
#14






N0RAX wrote:
Dough,

Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel

-norax





Norax,


If I told you how I REALLY felt...you all wouldn't see me around here very much (for awhile, if maybe ever).

I'm pretty sure that my true comments on the state of DE and this game would lead to immediate banning-with-extreme-prejudice.


I'd like to actually stick around...so I have to choose my words wisely.



/bow

Respectfully,






TheRealTK421 a.k.a. "Doughbacca"
SWG DE Correspondent
Co-Founding member of Ahazi DENet & SWG DEA (Droid Engineer Association)
"I think all right-thinking people in this country are sick and tired of being told that ordinary, decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. ...I'm certainly not. And I'm sick and tired of being told that I am."


Nikev
Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:31 am
#15

I for one have never been derogatory to Thunderheart - I have tried to keep my messages in a polite form.


But it is clear to me that its all smoke and mirrors with SOE. Thunderheart may not be responsible for this but until someone takes that responsibility and steps up to bat on behalf of SOE what choice do we have but to rant ?. Thunderheart must realise that none of this is personal. However he is our contact here. Maybe his boss would care to take a turn on line and answer some of our problems.


Frankly Im past the point of caring exactly what i get anymore as long as we get some Loving attention.


They have previously made promises to us - no-one exactly forced them to do that - and to annouce a "Droid Invasion" well I dont think any of us asked for one of those - but I bet they are regretting it now.


The fixes for the latest patch for DE are in my humble opinion probably the work of some hours - hardly the result of serious dedicated developer time. At the end of the day they'll do what they want to - i'd just wish they'd pull their finger out and do it.



Im still waiting for this UBER post - if i've missed it I apologise and someone point me in the right direction.


Jawa-Sith-Lord
Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:56 am
#16

I do not blame TH for the failed promises. I do think he is in a very bad situation in that he has to keep a positive attitude while those he depends on seem to fail him. I have heard from multiple sources that he works his butt off for us as players. However, TH really needs to stop taking the word of others so blindly when they consistently fail to deliver and make him look bad.


I would probably be extremely frustrated except that I have another character with far more violent skills. My commando went out and killed many things while I made my harvester runs and then killed other things just to blow off steam.


Of all the problems I have seen in the games, I do not blame TH who is the face of SOE to us or the developers themselves. The game is truely amazing in how good it looks and many of the fine details. It is obvious that the programmers care a great deal about their product. The blame for any issue I have seen would rest with the decision makers. The managers. They are the ones who seem to be out of touch or uncaring with what the players are interested in.


This latest blunder alone is not so bad. But, the extremely long line of 'blunders' in the treatment of DEs in particular are disturbing.


The biggest problem we are having in the communications is that, at best, it is one way. If the Devs were to share some of their thoughts, in concept only, we might come to understand why they think a DH class is not only viable, but preferred. The problem is that (at best) they hear us and give no feedback. So, we are left guessing as to what they are thinking or planning. What's worse is we are left guessing as to whether or not they actually heard us. Good communication goes both ways. The current system leads to anger and frustation in the player community.





Starsider: Stormwraith | Stormraven
Crazed Squirrel Productions for Movies



Lonkley
Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:23 am
#17






TheWoody wrote:

Sheesh. one quick comment and I send him back into a flying rage.







Wookies are like that



How does a wookie end up a Droid Engineer anyway? can you imagine all that fur on electronics?





----------------
There is a special place in hell for necro posters
TheRealTK421
Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:31 am
#18






Lonkley wrote:





TheWoody wrote:

Sheesh. one quick comment and I send him back into a flying rage.






Wookies are like that


Espectially THIS Wookiee...


How does a wookie end up a Droid Engineer anyway? can you imagine all that fur on electronics?



Nah...I just use the 'Can-o'-air' before I close up the chassis when I build the...."deed". /ugh

What's even more problematic is finding a grounding strap that's big enough to wrap around my Wookiee-sized ego.





/bow

Respectfully,






TheRealTK421 a.k.a. "Doughbacca"
SWG DE Correspondent
Co-Founding member of Ahazi DENet & SWG DEA (Droid Engineer Association)
"I think all right-thinking people in this country are sick and tired of being told that ordinary, decent people are fed up in this country with being sick and tired. ...I'm certainly not. And I'm sick and tired of being told that I am."


Virtanis
Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:27 pm
#19




TheRealTK421 wrote:
To SWG DEs:

I personally ask all DEs to step back...smell some flowers...enjoy life...build and then immediately destroy some MSE droids (just for fun). Stop focusing on the negativity and frustration that abounds and try to recall what is was that made you love this game. If you didn't love it, like me, you won't be so passionately ranting and responding. You'd simply quit. If you ARE passionate about, and enjoy the game, please try to join me in coming days to ensure that we keep our profession community positive, upbeat and forward-thinking. I happen to believe that this mindset is when the best ideas happen.




In the game, this last week has been extremely good to my character. I've had more sales in one week than I've had in a month, mostly due to a new location and word of mouth. I love the Droid Engineer profession and no other class in this game gives me as much pleasure. I've had compliments from players on my shops, my selection, my descriptions, and my service and that gives me much pleasure.


Right now, I'm at work... and during the down times here at workI cometo these forumsand put on the boxing gloves. I argue, I make satire, I call out egregious problems, I fault logic, and overall, I fight to try to make my profession better. After work, it's my time and I go home. I logon to Fortium and I make droids, Itry to further our profession, I try to make droids more commonplace, and I advocate their use to all I come across.


You bet I'm going to be here stirring up a hornet's nest... but it's for the betterment of my profession; not because I'm a muckraker. I was talking to Woody the other day, sharing my views about how shame is a powerful motivator. I love interrupting a big heated "what creature pet is the best" debate on the CH or BE forums with just a nice, simple, quick post: "Probot, anyone?" I'll also point out fault with Developer posts and sometimes I'm a thorn in their sides. It's shameful how this profession has been treated by SOE, and I'm going to wave that dirty laundry in their face until we get some serious, effective, and deserved attention.


I type up constructive proposals, I make constructive summaries, I pose new and innovative ideas, and yeah, sometimes I'm an outright agitator. All in all, it's a benefit to this community, I believe.





"You Droid Engineers have had to suffer through some tough times. The Devs do not hate the profession and have plans to address some of the larger concerns."
- Q-3PO 10/23/03 1st Annual Droid Engineering Academy Awards

- Fortium - Master Droid Engineer - Master Artisan - Grumpy Advocate for Droids and DE's -
- Proprietor of CF Industries Droidworks -
Naboo: -6600, 3450; Tatooine: -680, -4290; Dantooine: -772, 2860; Corellia: -140, -5500;

Lonkley
Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:35 pm
#20

I was thinking, woody, if it comes down to it, and the profession goes where it looks like its going. Maybe we can call a DEA meeting for a skill surrender ceremony. I think it would be fitting. assuming there's a group of us.



----------------
There is a special place in hell for necro posters
CapnSteve
Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:10 pm
#21

Not exactly opinionated, but well put. I never thought I'd be so glad to hear that our changes have been delayed for months.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Kauri) Indur Dawndeath - Master Droid Engineer / Smuggler (0,4,1,0)
(Chilastra) Indur Dawndeath - Creature Handler (3,3,1,1) / Smuggler (0,0,3,0)

"Next thing you know it's going to require a Droid Brain in order to make an Electronics GP Module. Sheesh." --Kollos
AudioOrgana
Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:40 pm
#22






TheRealTK421 wrote:
Thunderheart,


I personally ask all DEs to step back...smell some flowers...enjoy life...build and then immediately destroy some MSE droids (just for fun). Stop focusing on the negativity and frustration that abounds and try to recall what is was that made you love this game. If you didn't love it, like me, you won't be so passionately ranting and responding. You'd simply quit. If you ARE passionate about, and enjoy the game, please try to join me in coming days to ensure that we keep our profession community positive, upbeat and forward-thinking. I happen to believe that this mindset is when the best ideas happen.









The problem is, for many of us this is the end of the line - the final straw.


I have been a master DE for more than six months - waiting for them to fufill the promises they made about the profession in beta.


Now, after shuffling us along, keeping us on the line with this "droid invasion" crap - making it seem like we might actually get some attention, we hear the "big plan" is to make another profession when the one we have is already broken.


It would be nice to sit back, be calm, and smell the roses - but we've been doing that on and off since launch, and if we have to go through one more round of "What doyou want?" personally I think my head will explode.


I'm tired of being misrepresented, and I'm tired of even little promises (TH saying an "uberpost" would be made yesterday, but was not) being broken every single time.


Again, as I said in another thread - if this "Droid Invasion" basiclly just revolves around a DH profession I don't want it. Take it back. Forget about combat droids. Just give us more DE content like we have been begging for, and have been promised.


The time for being calm when we keep getting slapped in the face and spat at is over.


I'm willing to listen to what they say at this point - if they even bother saying anything at all - but my hopes are just about dashed for DE to be anything near what it should be, and what I've been sticking it out for waiting to get.


People saying it will upset the balance aren't taking into account that the game is in a constant flux of balance - don't tell me that adding vehicles didn't just double or triple money gained from missions sheerly because of the time saved from not running. Mounts - which are highly underrated at this point - can be used to kite practically anything in the game, even without specials.


Combat droids are nothing more than another layer of gameplay that should be worked in as any other system would be, and balanced.


People are missing the boat entirely with that argument since making droid certs possible for every profession to gain they could be the great equalizer.


I don't care if it's "hard". Everything isn't easy.


After some of TH's statements today- and the posts by our corrispondent - Imust say I am really disapointed, and feel like I have wasted a monumental time discussing and contributing to anything onthis topic, as I have for many months, since it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. I'm sorry - but Istill can't get past TH'sinitial statement today, in italics no less, that we overwhelmingly said we wanted a DH profession. Again, I ask him to humor us and show us where we said this - and I'll show you this magical bridgeon Dantooine I'll sell you real cheap.


Audio

SinjenRandall
Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:45 pm
#23






TheRealTK421 wrote:

In closing, I will attempt to do my part (for whatever that's worth) to aid in moving the profession's future forward in a positive fashion. I owe no less to my DE brethren (and to myself). I submit that we DEs will all be better off to make a valiant attempt to see past the rants, gripes and all other ill-will that's spouted on these forums.

To SWG DEs:

I personally ask all DEs to step back...smell some flowers...enjoy life...build and then immediately destroy some MSE droids (just for fun). Stop focusing on the negativity and frustration that abounds and try to recall what is was that made you love this game. If you didn't love it, like me, you won't be so passionately ranting and responding. You'd simply quit. If you ARE passionate about, and enjoy the game, please try to join me in coming days to ensure that we keep our profession community positive, upbeat and forward-thinking. I happen to believe that this mindset is when the best ideas happen.





Bah. Arguing about where the game is headed is WAY more fun than actually playing the game. If I build one more cookie-cutter droid with medical / crafting I think I will puke my guts out. Making myself believe that we will have otherdroids to build by arguing on the forums is really refreshing.


And the soap opera that is Droid Engineer! This is brilliant entertainment, I tell you what. I bet you a dollar that the Devs mess with us just to cause some more plot twists. TH posts, you rip, hijinks ensue. Everyone apologizes, and a few weeks later the cycle begins anew. I mean, could there really be this much legitimate miscommunication? Not without our friend: television.


The DE forum used to be extremely nice. I am not sure anyone read it, but it was brimming with civility. At least when someone is rummaging through here with a finger over the "lock thread / ban user" hotkeys, we can be relatively sure that someone is reading.


There are just some old DE's that like to sit on the porch with a shotgun. The term for that is "flavah". Anyhow, keep up the good work.





Sinjen
Elder Ticklemonster - Unlocked Pre Publish 9
Master Pilot
THE Hero of Tatooine

Sodan-droiddreamer
Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:53 pm
#24

Right on brother. I got a little steamed too, and I think I was out of line on the boards. Basically, I had a melt-down. Months and months of waiting, only to hear that true change was not slated until July really blew my cork off -- not to mention the insult of the DH profession. After all this waiting, to hear that the goodies I've been waiting for are going to people purely in it for shooting things up really tweaked me. A DE in envy of another's droids. Who knew?


I spent some time at Sodan's Exotic Droidgarten. Bullsh*tted on voicechat with some old and new SWG friends. And I am feeling much better and more relaxed. (I'd say that in-game crafting was therapeutic, but I got some f*cked up factory error; irony of ironies there)


The sad part is -- I think part of it is that I just don't give a crap anymore, but I suppose being less invested is a good thing. I'm gonna be scaling back on the forums since its apperant that what I say doesn't matter. I'm not tooting sad song for myself here. I just mean that we're being ignored. TH knew we hated DH, then he floated the DH idea; we had a poll where 95% voted against DH and Drashk comes out with his post paving the way forDH (under duress is my theory). Not to mention that the devs were gonna put the certs in DE as I have always hoped they would. We all know what happened there.


So basically, the community's voice -- and by implication my voice -- is being ignored. That sucks, but its just a game and I need focus more on the fun part. Gonna focus on cultural stuff in game; join a cultural city on Naboo; sell more "Naboo Flowerpickers"; resell underseller droids to double my money; craft; and just kick back a bit.


If things don't develop well for the DE profession, that's it for me. I hear LucasArts is coming out with a game where you can play a droid. For now, I am taking a wait-and-see approach (sound familiar?) as opposed to a wait-rant-and-see approach. See ya by the crafting station.




Sodan Droiddreamer (GEGN)
Sodan's Exotic Droidgarten - In Bohemian Grove (Geigen Shuttle), Tatooine (6156 7275)
Nailliar
Wed Jan 21, 2004 2:30 pm
#25

6 more months? Ya wonder Why the frustration still lingers? Its not even stupid DH ideas its the fact that once again we've been lied to. It was CRYSTAL clear, end of January, new combat droids..forget the words combat..NEW, end of Februarynew heavy combat droids... NEW.. what do we get instead..possible module slots in 3 droids (our top end MDE droids - Adv. BLLs etc) so they Might actually do Something, but still Nothing different then any other droid..even a MSE has more purpose. Those are hotfixes that should have been done 6 months ago, not now to hold us till 6 more months and they do something "fun"! A year of brokeness is unacceptable. Frustration..Anger..finally apathy leading to exodus, many have gone before, Ive been stubborn, but time is not unlimited to wait for a game to be what it Should have been on release.



Rialia Darkstar
"You have failed me for the last time, SOE"
TheWoody
Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:24 am
#26

Always wanted to do my own cult mass suicide



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