Fresh stuff from sukhoi.ru (Discussion)

[Walrus1]

This, finally, is the update. Very brief, but to the point:

Originally Posted by BlackSix

Then began the new problems and changes in the timing of release. We can promise something now, but the situation again. I don't see in it sense.

Initially it was stated that the patch was ready and then a very minor sounding bug was found.

Now, we learn there are 'new problems.'

Of course this was suspected, but why not just say it in an update: 'We had thought we were very close but now are stuck on a few new problems that came up. Patch release postponed without a clear time frame known.'

That would have been a much better communication strategy. Not 'there is no information and you customers are too irritating to respond to until I feel like it.'

[addman]

Originally Posted by Walrus1

Of course this was suspected, but why not just say it in an update: 'We had thought we were very close but now are stuck on a few new problems that came up. Patch release postponed without a clear time frame known.

Because it would be too simple and make too much sense. Seriously though I agree here, keep the updates frank, clear and to the point and I bet there will be less confusion and uproars.

[nearmiss]

It won't make any difference.

The members that care and are in good standing will continue to do what they do and the troublemakers will always find ways to spread their ilk.

Update or no update those of us who know the score will be fine with it.

We're just waiting for the patches...

[Aer9o]

Originally Posted by nearmiss

It won't make any difference.

The members that care and are in good standing will continue to do what they do and the troublemakers will always find ways to spread their ilk.

Update or no update those of us who know the score will be fine with it.

We're just waiting for the patches...

TRUE,... however there are limits! Something is got to give, there must be some alpha or beta patch available by now which we all will be more than happy to test!... Why they do not release that?

[flyingblind]

Because, as has been said ad nauseum, there would be no point. If a stop gap, probably buggy interim patch were released then the knashing of teeth and rending of garments would be deafening. The developers have said that as far as they are concerned the only thing that will pacify the customers is a fully working patch that fixes the major problems besetting the game at the moment. And that is what they have promised and are concentrating on. Until they are sure it is in the bag they are not giving any hints, timelines or concrete information as clearly some just cannot cope with the disappointment should some unforeseen slip occure between cup and lip.

I mean, how many explanations and apologies do you need from BlackSix before you accept they are communicating.

[mazex]

Originally Posted by flyingblind

Because, as has been said ad nauseum, there would be no point. If a stop gap, probably buggy interim patch were released then the knashing of teeth and rending of garments would be deafening. The developers have said that as far as they are concerned the only thing that will pacify the customers is a fully working patch that fixes the major problems besetting the game at the moment. And that is what they have promised and are concentrating on. Until they are sure it is in the bag they are not giving any hints, timelines or concrete information as clearly some just cannot cope with the disappointment should some unforeseen slip occure between cup and lip.

I mean, how many explanations and apologies do you need from BlackSix before you accept they are communicating.

Well, working like that when developing software is how it was done in the 80:ies and 90:ies. Developers worked with fixed requirements set the start of the project, fixed resources but in reality no fixed point of delivery as all requirements had to be done before release - and minimal customer involvement accept for the initial requirements... After a while the customers got so annoyed with the results that took forever and did not meet the customers expectations that the development managers realized that it maybe was a bad idea to work like that? These days the most of the software development world work in another way (agile development, XP, Scrum - there are many names but the same core principle applies). You have fixed resources, fixed points of delivery (you release to customers every 3-6 weeks) and the thing that is variable is what gets into the release... You work tight with the customers and get feedback every month from the end users what they liked and when you start the next sprint (the 3-6 week long iteration that end with a new end user delivery) you use the customer feedback to decide what goes into the sprint. After hearing that the users that really liked X but not Y the way it worked in the system it's possible to maybe focus more on X and less on Y in the next sprint? Or maybe ditch Y? Or fix it? Without the feedback from the customers there are just a bunch of engineers guessing what the end users like - and engineers are not good at guessing!

But not in mother Russia...

[SlipBall]

They are a very small studio and we are lucky to have them, just hold on and enjoy the parts that are playable with your system while you wait. I enjoy it now, and look forward to any improvements that help people waiting to fly...people need to upgrade their systems though

[Rjel]

Originally Posted by nearmiss

It won't make any difference.

The members that care and are in good standing will continue to do what they do and the troublemakers will always find ways to spread their ilk.

Update or no update those of us who know the score will be fine with it.

We're just waiting for the patches...

I think most care more than you think. Not everyone expresses themselves as well as they might. Some here truly do stir the pot. Others I think, like myself, have adopted a wait and see approach. The rest have been able to maintain an amazing enthusiasm for CoD. But IMO, it's the us verses them attitude that is growing here that spells doom for this "community". Especially when it is fostered by the mods.

[MegOhm]

The point is we bought an unfinished product that is still not working a year later... We bought the initial version on good faith...but we still have a Sim that you can't fly for more than 30 mins most of the time in MP.... It is no wonder customers are stomping their feet.. Frankly, with what has transpired, it is not surprising at all...it is easy to lose faith after so long. I would be shocked if this Sim survives and becomes what we thought we were buying.

Nothing to see here? If anything significant happens, I will see it when Steam Downloads whatever is coming next errr... whenever.

[philip.ed]

MegOhm is right. Whilst the team is small, underfunded (?), limited by certain factors etc etc, it doesn't excuse a shoddy product or false statements, or even comments saying they won't offer the community anything because certain people are negative.

hardly professional. You can sugar-coat it as much as you want, but the time has come now for the buyers to choose whether or not they will offer their continuing support. It seems the more engrossed you get in the politics, the more you're put off supporting the team.

It is best to play something else and be patient, but as I said above: it doesn't excuse a faulty product.

Many forum members have been tireless in offering the team support, information etc and I don't think they have really gotten anything in return; least of all messages saying that, because the team is upset, they may discontinue weekly updates. It seems rather childish to me.


Best scenario? Let it dry out. It's only a PC game. If they don't need to community as much as they let on, we have nothing to worry about. This sim isn't going to go anywhere anytime soon.