Poster: Eyonix at 2/28/2006 5:33:47 PM PST
Subject: Paladins: Please Read |
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I responded to a thread (which I've linked below) a few moments ago in which I had made a variety of points that I'd like everyone to read, if possible. It's fairly long, and I want to warn those that have trouble managing their own expectations - my response doesn't contain any news or information relating to gameplay changes.
I genuinely like the way this post is written, and I'd like to use it as an opportunity to make a few key points. I'll do my best to address the specifics of the items you've taken the time to present.
First, there isn't any need to apologize for the frustration of others. While I certainly do appreciate the sentiment, each player is accountable for their own behavior. Beyond this, expressing frustration in itself is not necessarily frowned down upon. Don't get me wrong, as a human being I prefer to read that which is positive rather than that which is negative. However, I consider myself to be a very realistic person and understand that this game and the class that an individual chooses to play is very important, which can and will cause those that feel negatively impacted by a situation to express themselves in a frustrated manner.
So long as I can identify that the intention of the poster is good, that their post is written in an attempt to offer something of value, and that they are at least slightly reasonable, then as far as I'm concerned the player is using the forums for the purpose in which they were created.
Yes, there are times where I occasionally read a post and ask myself "what's wrong with this person". Although, I'm usually not that dismissive. It's in my nature to try and ask myself questions beyond that when I find myself completely disconnected with a player's comments.
Concerning weak communication. I'm not going to go there. I understand that's the feeling of many players on this board but I'd rather focus on the present, and future. Meaning, I'm improving communication now, and plan to work closer with the Paladins moving forward. Players unhappy about the past are free to email wowcmfeedback@blizzard.com and express themselves accordingly.
Lets use these boards to talk about Paladins in-game. Sure, we can stray off-topic from time to time, and hopefully even have a little fun. I'm going to now and then, so I'm not going to fault any of you for it. Just use your best judgment when doing so and don't become upset in the case that myself, another Community Manager, or Forum Moderator lock/delete a thread, or even ask you to modify your behavior slightly.
Moving onto some of the "meat" of your post, I actually did reveal a little concerning the Paladin's role end-game. I was careful in my wording because this is a very dangerous thing to do with the way people think. I don't mean the way "Paladins" think, or the way "our players" think, or even the way that "gamers" think. I mean quite literally, the way people (in-general) think. When designing each of the nine classes for this game, we had an overall goal for each. We created a description for their role on our website and in the game manual so that new players would have an easier time identifying a class which was suitable to their individual play-style.
These roles don't necessarily describe that which you must do when playing. We encourage players to push the limits of their class strengths and abilities. We encourage parties and raids to take full advantage of their total class combination make-up. It's important to note that from yesterday's post, even with explicitly stating:
"The Paladin class is designed to be a great support character with high survivability and very efficient heals. Not only should the Paladin serve any group well as a useful off-tank, if played well they can be used effectively as a main tank in smaller dungeons."
Many players took this to mean that this is how we've designed the Paladin to be played at all times. Which isn't the case. We give each class strengths and abilities which allow it to easily fill certain roles, and what I described merely pertains to the Paladin while playing in end-game dungeons. I emphasize again that my statement also described the area in which the Paladin will simply excel in these situations.
You stated "Paladins also understand that the game for a 1-59 Paladin and a 60 Paladin are two very different creatures." What you must understand is that level 60 changes the game for everyone because character progression options and available content shift focus and behavior. This is true for all classes, not just the Paladin.
It's important for us to avoid building arguments off of generalizations.
Players often become very active in one particular area of game-play and their perception of end-game begins to narrow. Some players begin to engage in only 40-man raid instances, while others run the many high level smaller player-capped dungeons, repeatedly. Other players only PvP. Some players rely heavily on pick-up groups, while others group only with friends and guild mates. Perception of end-game will differ dramatically for players depending upon which of the above describes their play-style.
Pertaining to the trust-building activities you've suggested for me. I'd first like to state that I've been a Community Manager for Blizzard Entertainment for quite some time, and during this time I've always strived to be honest with players, sometimes brutally. I always do that which I feel is right, provide what I can when I can, and am always extremely careful in every word I chose to type so that I don't accidentally mislead or confuse players. My point, despite the skepticism I face throughout all of our forums each and every day is this; I've proven myself to have good intentions with the World of Warcraft community time and time again, and will continue to do everything in my power that contributes to the greater good of this community - and despite your very specific suggestions I'm not going to focus my attention on proving anything.
We're making improvements to the class and I've been reading your feedback every single day. I've already communicated a number of the improvements/fixes going into the next patch, and I've given you some insight concerning other areas we intend to focus on for this class over the next few patches.
I'll continue to answer your questions and provide you with information whenever possible.
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?FN=wow-paladin&T=896213&P=4
| | | http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-paladin&t=898426&p=#post898426 |
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