snip...
Well, I think one thing could be - a lot of us have never been let in this much of a beta process for a game before, so we don't know what to expect. And the reason why some of us are worried is - because we care about how the game turns out. I don't think it's anything malicious. Anyone who is in this beta, has wanted to be in this beta - either purchased a non-refundable place, or entered a competition and won a beta key. So I think it is very unlikely that people are deliberately trying to undermine the process. I think it's good though that the next beta will be opened sooner and have more of an impact - because we feel privileged to be part of the beta, we also care about the success of this very special game.
I believe that there is more niceness in the human race than it seems at first thought.
Best regards,
Steven.
Hi Steven,
You've hit a nail on the head in regards to new people and the beta process. New folks who aren't used to the process and how much Stardock really can do is where a bit of the confusion comes from. But while you may phrase it as a question, others state the doom and gloom as a matter of personal fact. Which is where the tension comes in on. People who are only peripherally associated with the product are evaluating an incomplete package. But they repeatedly don't take into account what is commented on frequently. This is a beta, this is not to be fun. There will be bugs, and placeholders.
Brad and company can only say so long that this is a beta, and then hear people ignore that fact, and even in the same post talk about how they don't see how it's possible to reach the gold date, and so on. Before they get a bit tired of the process. Which ironically is one of this companies greatest charms. The open two way direct communication between developer and customer.
People who may be in the beta though who wanted to be in the beta, sometimes just don't understand how quickly things come together, and how far behind the stripped down build were playing now their internal version is.
I'll agree that I truly think your correct on the part about undermining the process and a lack of maligned intent. I don't feel they are being deliberately mean or some such. They just seem to be coming from a place of information/experience ignorance.
I really liken it to professional level play vs viewers calling it from their own experience. And in some cases, because they are in the beta they think they really know what's going on and that what they are playing represents the end product. It doesn't by a stretch.
Stardock could cut off the beta tomorrow, and slowly let professional PR people begin waging said PR campaign and everyone could Oooh and Aaaah.. at the marvelous final product. But they are letting everyone into the sausage factory. Letting people in a sense get to be a part of the Gaming Industry. And, experience how raw things are. Because they value the people's opinion. That opinion isn't always right, but it may unlock a door for a creative burst of ideas and information. But the more negative the tone comes, the less likely they are to hear it over the noise ratio to signal.
I don't know for example if they've even read my comments about satellite villages for cities for a more realistic organic growing fantasy civilization. But it's an idea that may just sit in the back burner. But it's an idea they can consider. The alternative to this idea is that in other cases folks may just be commenting about How they can't see this making it and Stardock is vastly over estimating where they are at. And that negativity may cloud their interest to read the forums that hour and the message it contained may slide down into the pits of the forum. It happens and it's okay.
Though I still would like to see Doom Trolls as monsters roaming the Waists™.
I too believe in the decency of humanity. And am glad to have had this dialog with you on this.
