74 replies to this topic

[Krazyjim]

Kraven Kor, on 04 January 2013 - 10:53 AM, said:

Going strictly by the number of QQ posts about something or other, the devs would have to spend every waking moment on the forums, responding to the latest complaints (legitimate or not.)

Patience.

Seriously this! Also, they are still on HOLIDAY!!! Give them a rest, they have done a kick@$$ job making this game in one year with the size of a group that they are!

[Agent 0 Fortune]

SlXSlXSlX, on 04 January 2013 - 10:37 AM, said:

If a Jan Q and Q happened I cant seem to find it in teh dev section. Anyone have a link, last one there is a Nov. Q and A.

"Really? Let's see:

Heat debate: PGI says 1.4 is sufficient, but will adjust ER and pulse weapons.
ECM/LRM: I get killed by LRMs regularly, so what debate do you mean?
4-man vs PUG: ELO matchmaking is coming.
Netcode: It's been tested during the holidays and is slated to appear in-game in January.
Attracting new players vs retaining old: You really expect them to say anything but "we want to do both"?
Modes and respawn: See Dropship Mutator."

Yes these are the things I was hoping for more information on. ELO is coming really isn't very informative. Let me expand on those issues you have touched:

Heat debate: Arnt DHS 2.0 in the engine and 1.4 in the bod? Is that where they will stay?
ECM vs LRM.. I have to agree, the LRMS find me too, so I like ECM where it is, but I see uber QQ on that issue so I was hoping they could comment as to their satisfaction or plans to mod it.
4 man vs ELO.. this is a big topic, it relates to 8 man ghost town, and new player retention. Simply saying ELO is coming is vague. I like the formula,but howis it working in test? Does the mm effectiveness remain contingent upon the # of players on the server? How many are on the server? This topic begs for more specificity.
New vs old player retention: Kind of relates back to all of the other issues? Also relates to the avg daily server pop. Does PGI have changes in the pipeline to pull back the founders who left, do they consider thema loss. Are they targeting the founders, mw/bt fans, new players. Please state the priorities because we can draw alot from your intent in terms of future expectations.
And modes: Far more than a mutator has been suggested. Where do they stand on the mode issue. Will they add one, 2, 0, will it be deathmatch or community warfare.. or will we get a option to drop into community warfare in 4 mans, etc. etc. More info would help us shape our expectations into the realm of reason.

So, alot more could be said. How often do comments usually come? I don't know for sure, but I think if we want more information, it would help if we consolidated that request.

What I am hearing is you want PGI to run all their upcomming plans by the Community before moving ahead, which is a ludicrous idea, nothing would ever get done, and anything being worked on would be driven by a vocal minority.

I think PGI does an excellent job of keeping the community in the loop, especially if you are savy enough to follow the Command Chair, Developer Tracker, and hot topics (you can bet there are changes coming for ECM based solely on the volume of complaints).

[Carnivoris]

Christ, put your pitchforks down. Can we let these guys get back from holiday and release the next patch, please? THEN we can light the fires. Until then, remember that Piranha devs are normal people like you and I and they need some time off. Jesus.

[Sophie Noir]

I actually tend to think they do a pretty fair job of commenting on most of the issues. That they might not always have all the information that some might hope for has little to do with it. There seem to be reasonable communication from the devs on the forums in terms of these issues, and also in other formats. For example, Garth regularly appears on the NGNG podcast and regularly takes questions from the audience on that venue.

[SlXSlXSlX]

That is sad to hear, because that volume of ECM related complaints is coming from the vocal minority. I wish PGI knew that. ECMs greatest strength now, is that it makes auto aim less effective, but is useless versus direct fire weapons. Direct fire weapons are less than ideal due to netcode. So it would follow that the major ecm counter, simply shooting them to death, is hindered by a 3rd factor. Alot of players left over artemis missle war no? You think if you go any further to the right on ecm/lrm, that you will ever get them back?

[Texas Merc]

arent they doing a twitchtv thing today? maybe if you would play the game you might end up in THE GAME with them and ask them some stuff.

or better yet do what I suspect alot will be doing and using the ecm ravens agains them and showing them "in game" how you feel it might not be balanced.

This exact thing was done with the streakcat vs the devs and to watch it was priceless.(soon after ecm was released thus neutering the streak kitty)

Edited by Texas Merc, 04 January 2013 - 11:45 AM.

[Jman5]

Quote

Problems include the: Heat debate, ecm/lrm debate, the 4 man vs pub debate, the netcode and still present advertisement for a net coder issue, modes and respawns, attracting new players versus retaining current players, etc. etc.

Heat debate:
http://mwomercs.com/...evs-27-answers/

ecm/lrm debate

Garth has talked about this on multiple ocassions but here is one from just a day ago:
http://www.reddit.co...q5wgq?context=3

4 man vs pub debate
Phase 3 is coming in January I believe. We'll have to wait and see see how changes to matchmaking impact pug stomping.
http://mwomercs.com/...65#entry1626065

the netcode
http://mwomercs.com/...t-code-roadmap/
http://www.reddit.co...k6j6d?context=3

modes and respawns
I forget where they said this, but they are going to do some sort of limited respawn system where you bring 4 mechs to a battle and use those.

attracting new players
Um last patch there was a major overhaul specifically to make the grind for new players much much better. Phase 3 is going to introduce match making that should help new players more.

retaining current players
You're going to have to be more specific. The numbers of active users has been steadily increasing.
http://mwomercs.com/...09#entry1640809
http://www.reddit.co...answers/c7q6nyu

[Apoc1138]

the devs have already commented on most if not all of these issues and rough timelines or just work in progress status, check the command chair section as and when new posts are made, be PATIENT

[Kraven Kor]

Damian Malcorel, on 04 January 2013 - 11:13 AM, said:

I actually tend to think they do a pretty fair job of commenting on most of the issues. That they might not always have all the information that some might hope for has little to do with it. There seem to be reasonable communication from the devs on the forums in terms of these issues, and also in other formats. For example, Garth regularly appears on the NGNG podcast and regularly takes questions from the audience on that venue.

Their communication has been improving by leaps and bounds since the initial rough terrain going into Open Beta.

I think it could still use some work (more Dev Blogs, more weekly reviews / updates, and just the occasional "Yes, we know, GOD!" response to frequently discussed problems.

But much, much better now.

[IceSerpent]

Agent 0 Fortune, on 04 January 2013 - 11:12 AM, said:

What I am hearing is you want PGI to run all their upcomming plans by the Community before moving ahead, which is a ludicrous idea, nothing would ever get done, and anything being worked on would be driven by a vocal minority.

It's not such a bad idea actually - they certainly shouldn't let the community make final decisions, but posting the proposed designs for stuff on the forums and checking what kind of flaws we can find there would be beneficial. In retrospect, quite a few problems with the game resulted from PGI either keeping totally quiet about new feature until it's done or not listening to people who pointed out obvious design flaws.

[siLve00]

siLve00, on 04 January 2013 - 12:27 PM, said:

good solid post...
as for me i dont care anymore for PGI.

as they went realy off for holiday during the x-max time..... sry as selfemployed person who runs a business....

if you do marketing you have to care... PGI doesnt.. they going to holiday... thats plain awesome.

amateurs having the power over a franchise i realy like since iam a little boy.. its a shame.

i just can quote myself from another thread... updates ? who cares... next update will be a mess too.
like every update they did reales so far ( i think it were 3 so far since i do play... i dont count : here a new mech to buy updates )

[PropagandaWar]

Six they need to just lock your "Can we have Transformers in Battletech Update where's my sandwich threads". It's called the holidays on this side of the world.

Edited by PropagandaWar, 04 January 2013 - 12:35 PM.

[Nicholas Carlyle]

Ironbar Sinister, on 04 January 2013 - 11:10 AM, said:

Right. What else was about 2 weeks ago? /facepalm

I worked every day the last 2 weeks except Christmas and New Years. Companies do not just shut down for Holidays, and I especially don't feel that someone who's job it is to post community relations on a message board can't take an hour or less a day to help calm down the player-base.

I say this not as someone who is screaming and crying while threatening to quit. I say this as someone who is VERY concerned about probably the last chance for a solid Mechwarrior game floudering and shutting down in a very tough market.

If you've noticed we've not had a large amount of new novels, or major advancements in tabletop gaming industry in years. If this game fails we may be in real trouble as fans.

So all I'm saying is, they should make double effort to keep an open discussion with us and alleviate problems instead of letting them fester.

[siLve00]

Nicholas Carlyle, on 04 January 2013 - 12:40 PM, said:

I worked every day the last 2 weeks except Christmas and New Years. Companies do not just shut down for Holidays, and I especially don't feel that someone who's job it is to post community relations on a message board can't take an hour or less a day to help calm down the player-base.

I say this not as someone who is screaming and crying while threatening to quit. I say this as someone who is VERY concerned about probably the last chance for a solid Mechwarrior game floudering and shutting down in a very tough market.

If you've noticed we've not had a large amount of new novels, or major advancements in tabletop gaming industry in years. If this game fails we may be in real trouble as fans.

So all I'm saying is, they should make double effort to keep an open discussion with us and alleviate problems instead of letting them fester.

but you didnt get 5 mio $ + some spare cash with sales... or did you ?

i think the same way as you... for me... who runs his own business... PGI are pure amateurs.

[Agent of Change]

siLve00, on 04 January 2013 - 12:44 PM, said:

but you didnt get 5 mio $ + some spare cash with sales... or did you ?

i think the same way as you... for me... who runs his own business... PGI are pure amateurs.

That's nice,... oh you think your experience is somehow relevant here.

You have an opinion, you have shared your opinion, you have also made an unverified claim and no evidence that even if it was verified it would be relevant.

Do you run a game design studio? Do you code? Are you in the game production business?

If you aren't willing to back up your "claim" with both evidence and a statement as to how in the world it's actually relevant here it isn't worth a damn, it just means you are joining the chorus of whining about wanting something and wanting it now.

Quote

"From patience comes serenity... and the opportunity to ambush your enemies." -Me, Just now

I can quote myself too.

[PropagandaWar]

siLve00, on 04 January 2013 - 12:44 PM, said:

but you didnt get 5 mio $ + some spare cash with sales... or did you ?

i think the same way as you... for me... who runs his own business... PGI are pure amateurs.

Then it must be a small business. They have stated that they have over 50 employees. 5 Million isn't squat for a larger company. You do realize a chunk of that goes to IGP? I'll put in time for my boss but he doesn't and hasn't expected me to put in 80 hours a week for his company. He reaps the rewards (yeah I'm not driving the Ferrari he is) and that's fair. I do my job, I do it well or I wouldn't be here for the past decade. Normally I take Christmas vacation off. People are entitled to it if that's what they signed up for. PGI has stated they have people on vacation. They deserve that break as well as anyone else. Avg out there employees at $75,000 then figure out overhead. Yeah not much even in profit if you base it off the "5 Million".

Edited by PropagandaWar, 04 January 2013 - 01:02 PM.

[Nicholas Carlyle]

I don't care about how much money they have, how much they pay employees, or even how far along they are with the fixes.

I work for debateably the largest bank in the world, servicing some of the most demanding people you will ever meet.

So I'm just coming at this from a communication stand point. That's it.

And in terms of communication, they are not doing a good enough job managing expectations and handling issues as they arise.

I know ECM is a dead horse, but PGI has done nothing, zero, zilch to really chop the head off the dead horse. And that seems to be their style with a lot of things unfortunately.

Like I said, I don't know if the game is dying or anything like that. But I do know the best thing PGI could do right now involves better communication with the players.

[PropagandaWar]

Oh and they dont communicate. Ok right.

[Agent of Change]

Nicholas Carlyle, on 04 January 2013 - 01:02 PM, said:

I know ECM is a dead horse, but PGI has done nothing, zero, zilch to really chop the head off the dead horse. And that seems to be their style with a lot of things unfortunately.

This is part of the problem. You are saying ECM is a dead horse, and several others to be fair, but just because you say it doesn't make it true. The world doesn't revolve around you, I tend to agree ECM needs adjustment but it's not all game breaking as i once felt. I got used to it and my opinions changed a little because of an open mind, that will happen when you decide that someone other than yourself might have valid opinions, or perhaps your judgement is hasty.

Being able to change your mind and being open to new ideas is not a sign of weakness it is a sign of maturity and intelligence. In the end you have options; you can throw a tantrum, you can wait, or you can leave... pretty simple stuff.

[Tice Daurus]

Nicholas Carlyle, on 04 January 2013 - 01:02 PM, said:

I don't care about how much money they have, how much they pay employees, or even how far along they are with the fixes.

I work for debateably the largest bank in the world, servicing some of the most demanding people you will ever meet.

So I'm just coming at this from a communication stand point. That's it.

And in terms of communication, they are not doing a good enough job managing expectations and handling issues as they arise.

I know ECM is a dead horse, but PGI has done nothing, zero, zilch to really chop the head off the dead horse. And that seems to be their style with a lot of things unfortunately.

Like I said, I don't know if the game is dying or anything like that. But I do know the best thing PGI could do right now involves better communication with the players.

Why would they want to chop the head off of a dead horse? Ugggh, man you one sick puppy!