beta 0.6.1.5 update

Adiyahu, on 19 October 2010 - 10:57 PM, said: jackal40, on 19 October 2010 - 05:21 PM, said: I have worked in the software development industry, supporting the developers and managing servers. I learned a lot about program management, deadlines, and PR. The problem I see is the conflicting information and announcements. As a number of folks have said, we love this game and want to see the problems we know about fixed - we want the game to get better. That's part of being a beta-tester. There are some folks who seem to think that they are entitled to on the spot notification and that their issues/bugs should be top priority, sometimes you need to step back and realize that your ideas and perceptions are not the developers focus.
All this being said, I question an announcement of such and such date for this action or that. Perhaps it would be better not to announce a date (some of us take that as a firm time) and instead announce that patch x.x is now available.
VirgilHilts, on 19 October 2010 - 05:48 PM, said: With all due respect, and no small amount of sympathy, being a business owner myself, it seems they're trying to do too much at once, and letting two patches delay each other. Three significant delays in a row on a patch that has already been released to one group, and promised to another group, is a bit excessive. I do enjoy the game, I'm not whining, nor am I in a rage. If we're not getting the 6.X patch in the next couple of days, (and you say it is 4-6 WEEKS away) take a day or two off from it and finish the patch you've given dates for. I say that from the view point of a business owner developing a policy intended to make happier customers. Had the 5.5 patch not been delayed a couple weeks already, customers (paying or not) wouldn't annoyed. If, two weeks ago, you had taken a day, or three if necessary, to speed up delivery on a patch you'd given a date for, no one would have even known that it delayed 6.X, and they probably wouldn't have cared if they did know. Especially since not only has no set date been given for 6.X, but it is weeks away, and delayed already. People would be happy to have 5.5, and you'd have breathing room for 6.X. Two days is nothing when you're saying 4-6 weeks, but another day on a patch already two weeks past due from your own given date is far different.
Take all that for what it is worth.
can't agree more. devs should realize that not only the game itself need to be fixed at the beta testing stage, but also their terrible project management and PR. At least devs shouldn't treat their potential customers like nobody. The game is awesome, we treasure it very much, but like most ppl pointed out arrogant could really destroy it someday. The points from the most angry ppl are probably the most valuable suggestions for devs to improve their method of making business. Devs, just take them, for what it is worth.
on the other hand, nowadays good prj management and PR are not sufficient conditions for good game quality such as WoT. But they are still essential conditions for running a good business.
If devs are still not seeing problems like these, still not taking seriously about so many honest suggestions about their PR and management style, then they are in a big trouble. So are we - whomever you called us, beta testers, potential customers or "hey, you, have problem with our working style? take it, or quit".
I personally admire you devs as talented artists, excellent game makers, thanks for making a wonderful game. But that's it, for now.


jackal40, on 19 October 2010 - 05:21 PM, said: I have worked in the software development industry, supporting the developers and managing servers. I learned a lot about program management, deadlines, and PR. The problem I see is the conflicting information and announcements. As a number of folks have said, we love this game and want to see the problems we know about fixed - we want the game to get better. That's part of being a beta-tester. There are some folks who seem to think that they are entitled to on the spot notification and that their issues/bugs should be top priority, sometimes you need to step back and realize that your ideas and perceptions are not the developers focus.
All this being said, I question an announcement of such and such date for this action or that. Perhaps it would be better not to announce a date (some of us take that as a firm time) and instead announce that patch x.x is now available.


VirgilHilts, on 19 October 2010 - 05:48 PM, said: With all due respect, and no small amount of sympathy, being a business owner myself, it seems they're trying to do too much at once, and letting two patches delay each other. Three significant delays in a row on a patch that has already been released to one group, and promised to another group, is a bit excessive. I do enjoy the game, I'm not whining, nor am I in a rage. If we're not getting the 6.X patch in the next couple of days, (and you say it is 4-6 WEEKS away) take a day or two off from it and finish the patch you've given dates for. I say that from the view point of a business owner developing a policy intended to make happier customers. Had the 5.5 patch not been delayed a couple weeks already, customers (paying or not) wouldn't annoyed. If, two weeks ago, you had taken a day, or three if necessary, to speed up delivery on a patch you'd given a date for, no one would have even known that it delayed 6.X, and they probably wouldn't have cared if they did know. Especially since not only has no set date been given for 6.X, but it is weeks away, and delayed already. People would be happy to have 5.5, and you'd have breathing room for 6.X. Two days is nothing when you're saying 4-6 weeks, but another day on a patch already two weeks past due from your own given date is far different.
Take all that for what it is worth.