Poster: Caydiem at 3/5/2005 4:04:51 PM PST
Subject: Re: Direct Question to Blizzard - no more gam |
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Well, the core problem is that we have not significantly patched in over two months. This would not be nearly as large a concern as it is now if patches were coming out in a regular and efficient manner.
Hotfixes take time to compile, test, and deploy, just as patches do. In addition, not everything can be fixed with a hotfix. If it requires any change to the client whatsoever, a change cannot be properly fixed with a hotfix and must instead be patched.
Instead of slapping a band-aid on the problem, hotfixing the biggest bugs that can be hotfixed at all, and hoping the clamor will cease, we are working on fixing the root problem. The fact of the matter is we need to bring game changes to you more quickly so you do not languish with these challenging problems. These issues are such a concern not only because they make the game more difficult and frustrating to play but because you've had to deal with them for a long period of time without seeing any considerable chunk of fixes brought in at all.
What you're seeing is essentially one part of what should be the full update process. Hotfixes will remain exploit-related -- issues that compromise the game's integrity and that, if left alone, will cause problems that will last far after the issue is fixed. So to answer that part of the question, we are not going to use the hotfix process to patch bugs that are not critical and should be fixed in a patch.
The reason why we won't do that is because it won't solve the root problem and is an inefficient use of time that could instead be used to get a patch with many fixes out to you.
We realize that what has been happening with this lack of updates is unacceptable for our customers. The infamous content patch is on its way, and once it comes we are committed to patching more frequently. We will update the game regularly with fixes, balance changes, and new content. We will deliver more comprehensive patch notes than have been given in the past.
I know that these are just empty words to you right now and the proof is in the pudding. If I could hand you a patch today, I would. Sadly, I cannot do that. But we have been working on certain aspects of this process that should reveal themselves to you soon and affirm that we are indeed committed to delivering the service for which you pay.
Communication-wise we are going to respond to these issues as they come up, as we'll have more information with this process. You should be better informed as far as what's coming.
I hope at the least this has helped answer your questions somewhat. I appreciate the time you took to post this, and thank you. :)[ post edited by Caydiem ]
- Caydiem -
Assistant Community Manager
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=1778150&p=#post1778400 |
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Poster: Caydiem at 3/5/2005 4:46:36 PM PST
Subject: Re: Direct Question to Blizzard - no more gam |
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Q u o t e:
I thought there were different sections involved in fixing content and making new content. I'm sure I could find a post proving it, but what does the people who fix bugs have to do with the people who make content? If you guys just don't want to do it because it's not that important to bother people with just say so.
There are different teams, but fixing x type of content would bite into making new x content because they're done by the same team that designs and creates x. let's take class fixes as an example.
Now, the folks who designed the classes will look into class bugs. They'll find out what the problem is and fix it if they can. If they can't do it themselves, they'll tap the programmers or whichever developer can aid them in the task.
What I was saying there was more than that, however. It takes time from the developer team, server team, and QA to compile a hotfix and get it out there. Sometimes it is absolutely necessary, but fixing individual non-critical bugs this way is not efficient for the amount of time it takes.
- Caydiem -
Assistant Community Manager
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=1778150&p=#post1778866 |
Poster: Caydiem at 3/5/2005 5:21:19 PM PST
Subject: Re: Direct Question to Blizzard - no more gam |
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Q u o t e:
The reality is, they just haven't put any priority on getting the patch in. And they continue to refuse to give us any idea of when they actually will put it in.
Is that the impression we've given? If so, I apologize, because that isn't the case.
We want to patch the game and are working towards it. You haven't seen any tangible evidence of that and I know it's hard to swallow, but we're bringing more information about what's coming to you because it's pretty solid. These posts are scattered and are given as answers to questions posed, but they're there. You'll see much more evidence of its impending arrival very soon.
That's vague and I wish I had more specifics to give you, but everything I said above is true. I hope you'll bear with me a little while longer and see the fruits of our labor. :)
- Caydiem -
Assistant Community Manager
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=1778150&p=#post1779301 |
Poster: Caydiem at 3/5/2005 5:26:25 PM PST
Subject: Re: Direct Question to Blizzard - no more gam |
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Q u o t e:
You make repeated reference to a "root problem." What is this root problem?
I apologize if it wasn't obvious from my post -- the "root problem" is the lack of regular updates to the game.
- Caydiem -
Assistant Community Manager
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=1778150&p=#post1779366 |
Poster: Caydiem at 3/5/2005 5:33:08 PM PST
Subject: Re: Direct Question to Blizzard - no more gam |
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Q u o t e:
Cay, do you see merit in smaller more manageable patches, where if something is "broken" by the patch, less is needed to be reviewed to find the cause? Wouldn't you agree that a single massive patch, when applied causes a problem is MONUMENTALLY more difficult to diagnose?
Why has the game not been "significantly patched in over two months"? Why are we awaiting the monumental patch to end all patches?
Yes, I do see merit in smaller, more frequent patches, and that's what Blizzard will be doing after the content patch as I said in my post. You're preaching to the choir. :)
There have been a variety of issues holding back this patch that I cannot go into, but this is not the trend we want to set in updating the game. Our new process should bring you patches more quickly.
- Caydiem -
Assistant Community Manager
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=1778150&p=#post1779464 |
Poster: Caydiem at 3/5/2005 5:38:39 PM PST
Subject: Re: Direct Question to Blizzard - no more gam |
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Q u o t e:
Maybe it is late and I need more coffee, but this seems circular to me. The reason we don't have bug fixes is because we don't have an update with bug fixes. How does this answer the question why don't we have an update with bug fixes?
A hotfix is different from a patch, as described in this post: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=blizzard-archive&t=9&p=1&tmp=1#post9
The question posed was "Why don't you hotfix these other issues that have been problems for months?"
The answer I gave, to put it succinctly, was this:
"We can't hotfix many bugs and it takes some time to make hotfixes for individual problems. The reason why you're asking for this is because there hasn't been a patch and thus you want them fixed in the manner you've seen used recently. Hotfixing the bugs listed won't solve the underlying problem. Having a proper patch schedule with more frequent patches will. That's what we're getting in place."
- Caydiem -
Assistant Community Manager
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=1778150&p=#post1779522 |
Poster: Caydiem at 3/5/2005 5:57:14 PM PST
Subject: Re: Direct Question to Blizzard - no more gam |
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If you are behind, you can catch up. If you have a distinct advantage, however, you cannot be pulled back down to the level of the other players afterward. Therein lies the problem and the reason that exploitable bugs are fixed.
- Caydiem -
Assistant Community Manager
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=1778150&p=#post1779749 |
Poster: Caydiem at 3/7/2005 3:18:25 PM PST
Subject: Re: Direct Question to Blizzard - no more gam |
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I hope the updates today have given you a better idea of what we're doing to solve the outstanding issues and get a better process in place. It's just the beginning, but the Test Realms will help us in our commitment to bringing you more frequent updates.
Thank you all for sticking with us so far. :)
- Caydiem -
Assistant Community Manager
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| | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=1778150&p=#post1808733 |
