This was posted on the forums today. You can see the entire forum post here
Hey everyone,
It’s only a few hours till tomorrow’s update but I wanted to go ahead and post this now. Tomorrow’s update will be Threat of Peace #25. We realize some may be a little dismayed by this, especially after all of the updates we were having towards the end of 2009.
While we have announced our target launch window, we also realize there is a lot of information to release between now and then. We met with the development team soon after returning from the holiday break and discussed some of the information we want to release. In going over that, we decided to wait on a few things to ensure we are giving the community the most accurate information possible. We understand that pretty much everyone would love to have all the information about The Old Republic now but we wouldn't be serving the community properly if we told you all about a particular feature or mechanic only for it to be completely different than the way we explained it when The Old Republic releases.
We definitely have some new reveals and announcements coming up but I wanted to inform everyone that our next couple of updates won't be those. And while I'd like nothing better than to tell you what is on the horizon, I can't for the very same reason as I talked about above. We have a plan on what information we want to release and when we want to release it but we always make sure the rest of the team is confident with the information we are releasing before we put it out there.
We know that some of you come here weekly and some even daily no matter what information we release because you enjoy interacting with the community. But we also know that some come here for new information and we want to make sure you get that when it is made available. Here are our suggestions on making sure you know what's going on with The Old Republic if you don't wish to check the forums.
Sign up for The Old Republic newsletter. Starting this month, we plan on sending them out at the end of each month highlighting any updates that have occurred. We will also send out "Community Alerts" for any major announcements that are released usually within a few hours of that announcement being made. Follow us on some of the more popular social networks where we bring that information to you. We have pages on Facebook,MySpace, Twitter, and YouTube. Get our updates in your RSS Reader. We have RSS Feeds for our News Section, Media Section, and our HoloNet updates.
Like I said, we understand that some may be upset with this news and we definitely encourage getting feedback from the community, to include constructive criticism. We just ask that you read over your posts before hitting "submit" to ensure they are not violating any of the rules and guidelines of this community.
BioWare is honest, and they have integrity... they don't release information until they know exactly how it will work in game. They don't make any promises they can't commit to. In that aspect other developers could learn a thing or two.
Originally posted by maskedweasel BioWare is honest, and they have integrity... they don't release information until they know exactly how it will work in game. They don't make any promises they can't commit to. In that aspect other developers could learn a thing or two.
All I saw was Bioware kissing people's asses. They're certainly right about keeping most of the info secret, but was this kind "dear customers, here's another post where we tell you how awesome you all are " full-of-fluff thing necessary? Those who are upset will still be upset, those who realize they're right would have figured it out even without this post.
Only actions matter, not words.
Using LOL is like saying "my argument sucks but I still want to disagree".
This is the honeymoon phase. Developers look very friendly, coherent, accesible, transparent, cool and intelligent. Strangely, this only happens when the game doesn't exist still.
Stop playing crappy games from crappy developers? Turbine for example is pretty well known for treating their community right.
You mean stop following recent MMO developement. I'm not sayijng Bioware won't be another exception to the rule, just take everyting with a grain of salt for your own sake.
Originally posted by maskedweasel BioWare is honest, and they have integrity... they don't release information until they know exactly how it will work in game. They don't make any promises they can't commit to. In that aspect other developers could learn a thing or two.
All I saw was Bioware kissing people's asses. They're certainly right about keeping most of the info secret, but was this kind "dear customers, here's another post where we tell you how awesome you all are " full-of-fluff thing necessary? Those who are upset will still be upset, those who realize they're right would have figured it out even without this post.
Only actions matter, not words.
It could have gone either way. They could have not told the community what to expect and just released further updates not outlining very much in game, or they could explain to the community what they will plan to reveal. For someone who doesn't visit TOR forums often, and really only goes to check on updates on the forums and page, now I know what to expect from the next few updates, and other ways to find out that information. Perhaps for a lot of the forum goers on that site, it may be full of fluff, but for those that don't know what to expect, or those that are used to regular developers that release everything up front and take it back two months later, I feel its a breath of fresh air.
It could have gone either way. They could have not told the community what to expect and just released further updates not outlining very much in game, or they could explain to the community what they will plan to reveal. For someone who doesn't visit TOR forums often, and really only goes to check on updates on the forums and page, now I know what to expect from the next few updates, and other ways to find out that information. Perhaps for a lot of the forum goers on that site, it may be full of fluff, but for those that don't know what to expect, or those that are used to regular developers that release everything up front and take it back two months later, I feel its a breath of fresh air.
Why is it that you need to know what to expect? It is kind of self explanatory that if there are less updates, Bioware changed their approach. Telling it beforehand is the kind of fluff I'm talking about. It will happen regardless of if they told you or not.
If being a good developer is providing the fans fluff as frequently as possible, I'd rather have a bad developer make my game. Speak with actions, not with words. "We here at company X love you, dear customer"-speeches mean nothing to me.
I don't need pampering to be a satisfied customer. I only need a good game. If any of you need anything more, then you're pretty much a princess that needs attention. Too many of those guys around, sadly.
Using LOL is like saying "my argument sucks but I still want to disagree".
It could have gone either way. They could have not told the community what to expect and just released further updates not outlining very much in game, or they could explain to the community what they will plan to reveal. For someone who doesn't visit TOR forums often, and really only goes to check on updates on the forums and page, now I know what to expect from the next few updates, and other ways to find out that information. Perhaps for a lot of the forum goers on that site, it may be full of fluff, but for those that don't know what to expect, or those that are used to regular developers that release everything up front and take it back two months later, I feel its a breath of fresh air.
Why is it that you need to know what to expect? It is kind of self explanatory that if there are less updates, Bioware changed their approach. Telling it beforehand is the kind of fluff I'm talking about. It will happen regardless of if they told you or not.
If being a good developer is providing the fans fluff as frequently as possible, I'd rather have a bad developer make my game. Speak with actions, not with words. "We here at company X love you, dear customer"-speeches mean nothing to me.
I don't need pampering to be a satisfied customer. I only need a good game. If any of you need anything more, then you're pretty much a princess that needs attention. Too many of those guys around, sadly.
For your own sake, ignore TOR until it releases. Then you'll have no words and all action.
For your own sake, ignore TOR until it releases. Then you'll have no words and all action.
Many of us would benefit from such an approach.
I'm pretty much doing that.. but that's not really a point I'm trying to make. A developer that spits out fluff is not a role model for any MMO developer out there.
Using LOL is like saying "my argument sucks but I still want to disagree".
For your own sake, ignore TOR until it releases. Then you'll have no words and all action.
Many of us would benefit from such an approach.
I'm pretty much doing that.. but that's not really a point I'm trying to make. A developer that spits out fluff is not a role model for any MMO developer out there.
How is any of that a "we love you dear customer" speech? They're saying they won't release anything thats not a definite as being in the game currently. They are saying there will be no misconceptions on what they say will release and what will be released. They are letting the community know that the next few updates will not have any pertinent information. They are letting them know this is a change from the mass of information they were giving out in the previous few months.
This IS a model of how real developers should work. Did it need to be said? I feel it did, because no other company has said it before, and in the past 10 years, only one MMO release has really made any impact on the community from a developer not unlike BioWare. That a development team wants to communicate their plans often doesn't make them a bad developer by any means, it makes it the exact opposite. Perhaps you've been stuck with bad development teams for too long that the only way to handle a great one is with hatred. You've had months of data released previously where they did SHOW you what to expect, now they are telling you not to expect anything for the next few weeks.
Personally, I'd rather have an update telling us they won't be releasing new information, then no update at all.... I've seen too many development teams just bypass updates or have no pertinent information in any of their reviews other then a blanket of what players should expect.
Originally posted by Hyanmen Originally posted by maskedweasel BioWare is honest, and they have integrity... they don't release information until they know exactly how it will work in game. They don't make any promises they can't commit to. In that aspect other developers could learn a thing or two.
All I saw was Bioware kissing people's asses. They're certainly right about keeping most of the info secret, but was this kind "dear customers, here's another post where we tell you how awesome you all are " full-of-fluff thing necessary? Those who are upset will still be upset, those who realize they're right would have figured it out even without this post. Only actions matter, not words.
Your words vs Bioware's impressive resume of 11 years.
For once I agree with you Hyanmen, you are absolutely right when you say your words are worthless.
This should be a common courtesy and not an exception. More often than not, companies that develop games treat their customer base like they ignorant teenagers ready to consume any nonsense fed to them - sadly often they are right.
Now, I understand that Hyanmen is a relatively young person and thus might not understand that in the real world there are things like a good business practice and a customer care. And that those things actually mean something. Bioware is just acting like any good business should. There are few game developers that do that, but not nearly enough.
"The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in."
Comments
I like this, I like it a lot.
Valve has made like what, 2 games in the past 15 or so years? Half-life and HL2, that's not much of a resume...
Valve has made like what, 2 games in the past 15 or so years? Half-life and HL2, that's not much of a resume...
What about LFD &LFD2? Didnt they make those? or am i wrong? I really am not sure
What about LFD &LFD2? Didnt they make those? or am i wrong? I really am not sure
Left4Dead is a valve product, pretty sure they've done other things since half life too.
All I saw was Bioware kissing people's asses. They're certainly right about keeping most of the info secret, but was this kind "dear customers, here's another post where we tell you how awesome you all are
" full-of-fluff thing necessary? Those who are upset will still be upset, those who realize they're right would have figured it out even without this post.
Only actions matter, not words.
Stop playing crappy games from crappy developers? Turbine for example is pretty well known for treating their community right.
You mean stop following recent MMO developement. I'm not sayijng Bioware won't be another exception to the rule, just take everyting with a grain of salt for your own sake.
All I saw was Bioware kissing people's asses. They're certainly right about keeping most of the info secret, but was this kind "dear customers, here's another post where we tell you how awesome you all are
" full-of-fluff thing necessary? Those who are upset will still be upset, those who realize they're right would have figured it out even without this post.
Only actions matter, not words.
It could have gone either way. They could have not told the community what to expect and just released further updates not outlining very much in game, or they could explain to the community what they will plan to reveal. For someone who doesn't visit TOR forums often, and really only goes to check on updates on the forums and page, now I know what to expect from the next few updates, and other ways to find out that information. Perhaps for a lot of the forum goers on that site, it may be full of fluff, but for those that don't know what to expect, or those that are used to regular developers that release everything up front and take it back two months later, I feel its a breath of fresh air.
Why is it that you need to know what to expect? It is kind of self explanatory that if there are less updates, Bioware changed their approach. Telling it beforehand is the kind of fluff I'm talking about. It will happen regardless of if they told you or not.
If being a good developer is providing the fans fluff as frequently as possible, I'd rather have a bad developer make my game. Speak with actions, not with words. "We here at company X love you, dear customer"-speeches mean nothing to me.
I don't need pampering to be a satisfied customer. I only need a good game. If any of you need anything more, then you're pretty much a princess that needs attention. Too many of those guys around, sadly.
Why is it that you need to know what to expect? It is kind of self explanatory that if there are less updates, Bioware changed their approach. Telling it beforehand is the kind of fluff I'm talking about. It will happen regardless of if they told you or not.
If being a good developer is providing the fans fluff as frequently as possible, I'd rather have a bad developer make my game. Speak with actions, not with words. "We here at company X love you, dear customer"-speeches mean nothing to me.
I don't need pampering to be a satisfied customer. I only need a good game. If any of you need anything more, then you're pretty much a princess that needs attention. Too many of those guys around, sadly.
For your own sake, ignore TOR until it releases. Then you'll have no words and all action.
Many of us would benefit from such an approach.
I'm pretty much doing that.. but that's not really a point I'm trying to make. A developer that spits out fluff is not a role model for any MMO developer out there.
Many of us would benefit from such an approach.
I'm pretty much doing that.. but that's not really a point I'm trying to make. A developer that spits out fluff is not a role model for any MMO developer out there.
How is any of that a "we love you dear customer" speech? They're saying they won't release anything thats not a definite as being in the game currently. They are saying there will be no misconceptions on what they say will release and what will be released. They are letting the community know that the next few updates will not have any pertinent information. They are letting them know this is a change from the mass of information they were giving out in the previous few months.
This IS a model of how real developers should work. Did it need to be said? I feel it did, because no other company has said it before, and in the past 10 years, only one MMO release has really made any impact on the community from a developer not unlike BioWare. That a development team wants to communicate their plans often doesn't make them a bad developer by any means, it makes it the exact opposite. Perhaps you've been stuck with bad development teams for too long that the only way to handle a great one is with hatred. You've had months of data released previously where they did SHOW you what to expect, now they are telling you not to expect anything for the next few weeks.
Personally, I'd rather have an update telling us they won't be releasing new information, then no update at all.... I've seen too many development teams just bypass updates or have no pertinent information in any of their reviews other then a blanket of what players should expect.
What's wrong with a "we love you dear customers" post anyhow?
Only actions matter, not words.
Your words vs Bioware's impressive resume of 11 years.
For once I agree with you Hyanmen, you are absolutely right when you say your words are worthless.
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This should be a common courtesy and not an exception. More often than not, companies that develop games treat their customer base like they ignorant teenagers ready to consume any nonsense fed to them - sadly often they are right.
Now, I understand that Hyanmen is a relatively young person and thus might not understand that in the real world there are things like a good business practice and a customer care. And that those things actually mean something. Bioware is just acting like any good business should. There are few game developers that do that, but not nearly enough.
"The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in."