Let's get constructive?

[Catseye]

Originally Posted by Ataros

After reading all negative emotions in the update thread 2 considerations came to my mind:

snip . . .

3 cases that clearly show that Luthier either does not get feedback from community or sets priorities wrong:
- coop case (luthier still thinks coops work in spite of bugtracker #1 issue vote / or he is not informed properly) http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showpos...postcount=1910
- online crashes after October 2011 patch not set as #1 priority(with "we have not experienced crashes for months now in internal testing" in spring 2012)
- online sound lost for 3-4 months after May or June 2011 patch and not set as #1 priority.

A very well thought out post.
I support the majority of what you have stated except item #3. While I understand your statements of procedure to support your claim of "Luthier either does not get feedback from community or sets priorities wrong:" . . . there is no empirical data that shows that Luthier does not receive the information - ie., he may receive it from alternate sources.

The priorities listed via the bug report are not IMHO, all the issues that are on the table to be weighed to create a priority list. For example, how can bugs be resolved if they have not yet gotten the engine to work optimally?

My position is: that this is a priority that would circumvent any other implied priorities. All other priorities are placed in drawer B while items in drawer A are being resolved.

Other than that I think that your post has much merit.

I would go further (as a prior IT person and major project leader) and state that: It is not whether issues are being corrected (because we know that they are), but rather - managing customer expectations and utilizing appopriate methods of communicating. When dates are specified, expectations are raised and those dates are expected to be met. Sometimes issues arise wherein those dates are impacted and they slip. BUT . . . . . this cannot become the norm. It is the management of expectations through communication that is extremely important in business to realize business goals.

Cheers.

[Pudfark]

That was very well written Catseye and I sincerely
hope that the right person reads it, along with what
Ataros wrote.

Thank You

[Royraiden]

Excellent post!I truly wish for new approach to the bugs issue.Please let us see the changes, inform us what has been done and is going to be done in detail, and for heaven sakes please open a sub forum for the sequel, I think is clear from the last update thread that the majority of the people here are mad because they are given pictures of a game that has not been released while there is so much to be done with a game released more than a year ago.

[topgum]

Originally Posted by Royraiden

Excellent post!I truly wish for new approach to the bugs issue.Please let us see the changes, inform us what has been done and is going to be done in detail, and for heaven sakes please open a sub forum for the sequel, I think is clear from the last update thread that the majority of the people here are mad because they are given pictures of a game that has not been released while there is so much to be done with a game released more than a year ago.

1+

[flyingblind]

I have to agree that it's good to see a constructive post for a change.

I am not altogether sure that the avalanche of negative diatribes is all bad for the sim though. It dose show that there is a fanatical, addicted even, player base behind the game and given that - reasonableness and patience is hardly likely to be at the forefront. But that is far better for Luthier than complete indifference which really would be the kiss of death.

If the next patch is successful as I am sure it will then most of the negativity will evaporate like a snowball in hell.

I also think that once the major issues are sorted out in CloD then everyone will be clamouring for the sequel and there will be no complaints that it is already well underway.

I think it would be a mistake if Luthier is taking the unpleasantness coming from the forum too much to heart and that is why so little information is coming out. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't so why not just fix the code and shut everyone up once and for all (some hope)?

Given that the sim is far more about historical re-enactment than just a shoot them down sort of game then the OP is dead right and the developers need to look at what the customer base is asking for other than just a game that works as far as they are concerned. Good though that may be.

[Rjel]

Originally Posted by flyingblind

I think it would be a mistake if Luthier is taking the unpleasantness coming from the forum too much to heart and that is why so little information is coming out. Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't so why not just fix the code and shut everyone up once and for all (some hope)?

I think the closed mouth approach has divided the community (at least as far as this forum goes) to such a degree that it may not recover. Whether the sim is ultimately fixed or it isn't, there are going to be a lot of "I told you so" comments from one group or the other. Many here are so entrenched in their opinions they can't hear the others opinion as anything but whining or unflagging support. Solid info might save the day. Maybe it isn't too late.

I agree with the original poster's PoV.

[HessleReich]

Ateros deserves a salute! Clear headed and well put sir.

[csThor]

Originally Posted by Catseye

It is not whether issues are being corrected (because we know that they are), but rather - managing customer expectations and utilizing appopriate methods of communicating. When dates are specified, expectations are raised and those dates are expected to be met. Sometimes issues arise wherein those dates are impacted and they slip. BUT . . . . . this cannot become the norm. It is the management of expectations through communication that is extremely important in business to realize business goals.

And herein lies the crux, me thinks. We've got two examples of outgoing and communicative project manager, Oleg himself and Jason from 777 Studios, and hold them up as shining examples of what we'd like to have, too. But luthier isn't like them - he's the antipode. I remember a statement of him that fits like the notorious fist on the eye socket: He's the kind of developer who has his vision and ideas and would greatly prefer to lock himself up in the Q.T. and not see anyone else until it's ready. I don't think I'm leaning too far out of the window when I guess that having to do any kind of PR or "customer contact" is a step far outside his comfort zone which he tries to evade as much and as often as possible.