Poster: Zerbrechen at 11/22/2005 10:06:14 AM PST
Subject: The MVP Discussion. |
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How about some explanation as to why you don't want an appointed player representative that the players trust with their feedback and constructive critiques?
Just locking up a thread without encouraging a debate on what is seemingly a logical and appropriate discussion seems to me a bit - totalitarian.
Carrying the light of healing prayers wherever I trav
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=5908513&p=#post5908513 | | | Poster: Caydiem at 11/22/2005 10:18:52 AM PST
Subject: Re: The MVP Discussion. |
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Kwesten was hoping for a different sort of discussion, I think, one more amusing than constructive. I'll explain it to you, however.
We have absolutely no plans to institute a volunteer player representative system. In addition to the inherent difficulties such a program would have with our current board tech (something that, believe me, we've been working on changing for a while), the failings can be great.
If you're interested, I suggest researching past programs for other MMOGs that have worked in a similar way. I freely admit that there are some people who have the best of intentions at heart and would be fantastic representatives -- however, as is the unfortunate reality of human nature, such programs end up being extremely biased towards the individual's personal gripes. They may start out gathering feedback as the picture of neutrality, but as time goes on and their authority is assured, they start representing the class based on their playstyle first and foremost, rather than representing the vast number of people on the whole.
Now, if the company representatives such as myself take them on their word, as we should be able to do, and pass their reports on up, the game will probably suffer for it in the long run. If we have to watch the community and temper their feedback with that of the rest of the class... then why have the representatives in the first place?
The potential for bias and failure in such a system is too great, to put it simply. That is not what the MVPs are here to do.
In the end, the player representative system happens to be these forums. You are a representative of your class. Post your feedback, and it will be heard by the company directly. There are other voices as well, which keeps the bigger picture in check.[ post edited by Caydiem ]
It's dark.
You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=5908513&p=#post5908799 | Poster: Caydiem at 11/22/2005 10:32:24 AM PST
Subject: Re: The MVP Discussion. |
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Q u o t e:
Ironic that you talk about bias.
Ahhh, three posts in. I was waiting for this.
"Caydiem is biased, as she CLEARLY was responsible for the Druids being buffed so incredibly and so quickly, while the rest of the classes sat by the wayside despondently."
Do I have that correct? ;)
I have a level 60 Druid, this is true. However, unlike a potential player representative, I have played and have extensive knowledge with every major specialization for the class, so I'm not biased in any one particular direction class-wise...
But of course, you're not talking about that. You're talking about Druid vs. other classes bias.
I don't dictate the developers' schedule, nor do I dictate what they change. Every class I've worked on -- regardless of whether or not I personally play it -- has had a detailed report written up consisting of player feedback that was sent to the designers for review. During the class review, some things were changed. Some things were not. They're allowed to say 'no', and they have on many an occasion -- Druids included. ("Bring back Polearms!" cried the Druids. "Let us dual-wield Fist Weapons!" "No," came the developer reply.)
A lesser-known tidbit is that I also have a level 60 Human Rogue. Clearly, Caydiem's bias factors into these things, because the Rogue class has been receiving nothing but buff... wait... but their review is coming up s... ah, not really...
So no, my "bias" didn't factor into it in the slightest.
Getting away from that, though, let's discuss why CMs are more impartial than player representatives, since it's bound to come up.
If someone is considered a representative of a given class, it's a pretty safe bet they play the class extensively. This can often times lead to a lack of comprehensive knowledge of other classes, coloring their experience and feedback in favor of their given class without truly understanding the reasons why many of the checks and balances are in place. Not only do we have a wide breadth of player experience, but we work directly with the developers, thus having a healthy perception of how the game works and why. We can then apply that to the player feedback, meld the two, and present constructive feedback from the player perspective that still respects the developers' philosophies.
Also, to be blunt... people already complain about having one set of "middlemen". Do you really think another cog in that process would enhance it, or simply worsen the game of "telephone" many of you think we play? ;)[ post edited by Caydiem ]
It's dark.
You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=5908513&p=#post5909097 | Poster: Caydiem at 11/22/2005 12:57:58 PM PST
Subject: Re: The MVP Discussion. |
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They are allowed to post on alts, Mombu. The forum is not the game; if they choose to use alternate names in order to separate the two worlds (and yes, they are different), then that is certainly their prerogative.
Also, I'll note that three of the MVPs have established their personalities and helpful reputation while using the alts they do -- if they posted on their mains, they would be unrecognizable for some time.
It's dark.
You are likely to be eaten by a Grue.
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=5908513&p=#post5912532 |
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