After discussions within the team leaders, we have thought of a few ways to get some valuable information for creating the best experience possible within our means. What this means, is that as we interact with the player base we will be looking for people who would like to help our teams as well. One of the issues that comes up is the fact that some people feel like this is an unprofessional approach. I must admit I was very keen on this point as well. The issue though is, that companies like CKI and Digital Scryers have limited funds and resources. We must use every positive resource at our disposal or we do a disservice to the final end user. Thanks to many of the social networks available, the creators are able to more readily speak and communicate with their audience. I feel that it would be a shame to not get input from people who are kind enough to share it. Much like the consumer hot lines available on packaged good, we now have an ability to tap into what people feel are important issues. Some might ask, "Why should I help? What is in it for me?" To those people I would say that perhaps they should not help. I believe helping is a fundamental reward in and of itself. It helps get your voice out on issue, and refines a product. During my marketing courses, we learned that it takes 5 to 10 positive experiences to erase a negative experience associated with your product. We also learned that for every letter of concern a product receives, that it counts as 10 plus customers who did not bother to report the issue. That means anyone who helps out has the power of at least 10 or more customers. Initially our requests will be involved to matters for our upcoming Planet Cyrene. They will not focus on any issues concerning the other planet partners as it is their right to seek that information on their own. Once we release our product and as we gain a larger following, we will continue to ask and refine our Planet. Now, I definitely do not like to do anything that would break the 4th wall as we called it in film school. I am kind of against doing things like this, but I realize that I do not have all the answers and that a collective mind is much more powerful then what any one on my team or I could do. With that said, I would like the community to understand the motives for these communications with our audience and to be 100 percent clear and upfront with you all about them. I was a avid pen and paper player back in the old days and I would get frustrated when someone would break character ( I did not nerd rage or anything but was more like mildly irked) and so I guess as much as it hurts to do so, I see the point and importance of such communication. So if you are interested, and feel the need to help out for positive reasons, please keep an eye out as different opportunities will show themselves as time permits. We will not be doing this at all times but when we do, be sure we will collect as much information as we get and apply it in a positive constructive manner. As for my part. I will make sure that information that you decide to share with us will receive the importance it deserves. I will be upfront as to the results of that information and champion the causes you wish to share with us. Thanks ahead of time.
I think that's a good idea. One of the failures of FPC and MA is lack of communication. I'm not sure what the 4th wall is, presumably some notion to keep some distance between developer and customer. I think with computer gaming many companies don't realise many gamers like to help out and it's a shame they don't tap into that market. Gamers are an unsual breed in that sense and a company need not spend thousands on consultancy companies to get gamers viewpoints. Many gamers naturally like to offer their opinion on the game they like and hope for it to get better... Not only will you gain valuable information by asking gamers but also you form a relationship between developer and player. A relationship for the better because if you will have perhaps more loyal customers. Having a gamers consent can therefore be very valuable. Reminds me of a small story. Once I had this class where the majority of the students would swear incessantly. My conclusion was they just didn't realise they were swearing as those words had become part of their natural vocabulary. So I had one workshop lesson where I explained what derogatory is and how any word can be used in a derogatory context. I gave the example of the word boy. Normally just an innocent word but in certain parts of america means something wholely different. Anyway by the end of the lesson I had won them over to my way of thinking via communication and not only behaviour improved somewhat (mind you was never perfect ;)) but due to the q's and answers we shared they were more ameniable to my way of thinking in the future. So point being if you arrive at some decision by group consensus that is far stronger than dictatorial methods. MA are dictatorial to us, it's refreshing to see a game developer interested in our opinions. There may be disadvantages too you may not be able to "steam roll" some new development in. Although with something you suspect we are not going to like and you must have it in game, I suspect we wouldn't know about it until it's in game ;) edit: Now i'd like to respond to those q's but i see them on twitter which i don't use. Do you have an email where i can send my reply to?
So like FPC you are asking us to help you, but unlike FPC you do this in a professional manner explaining why you need/want out help. This is so much better then the way FPC did it and this gives me the feeling I want to help because it is fun to do and not because I would get 100 PED. So feel free to ask out help at any time, I at least are happy to help and I'm sure a lot of people are ! Going to answer some questions now on Twitter :)
Awesome! Planet Cyrene is going about things in the right way! now! something i always never liked about EU is the armor. essentially it's just the same models with different color textures and stats! why not design armor so each type/set is a unique design? also what about some mecha? of various types that the players can pilot maybe some mecha can fly and the ones more humanoid in design could fuction like a player avatar carry and use unique melee and ranged weapons? why!! just because mecha are cool............... Thats also excellent! what rpgs did you play? actually i still play and collect pen & paper rpgs :) when i get a chance to* i do really like 4th edition D&D and the new gamma world looks cool also* anyway a bit of topic! i guess.....cheers!
Sorry, but I have to say: duh. Get a forum. that said you may already have one prepared, so take it online. That way you will be able to preserve your player/developer interaction history, as there can be NO hivemind if you dont see other people's ideas.
Not sure i totally understand what you mean. If you're looking for general feedback from your playerbase or answers to specific questions through twitter/facebook/forums then i think it's definitely positive to keep in touch with wishes and concerns. Howerver if you'll be scouting for individual players to add to your team i think it will unbalance the community. Even if there's no apparent reward some will still see it as an honor to be picked and treat it as having a special status. It might potentially create rumors of favourism and unfairness, especially in an environment with real money involved. So in my opinion asking for feedback is great but treat all players on the same level. I disagree with this, i think every game company fully realizes the value of gamer feedback and most including FPC pay close attention to it too, but reality intervenes. Things like budget, planning, technical and non-technical setbacks kick in and things change. The community will think they're not heard or taken seriously and doesn't (want to) realize that 33% of them wanted A, 33% wanted B and the remaining 34% wasn't heard from untill either A or B was implemented :) Everyone likes communication and the more the better but communities tend to grab the hand if you offer a finger and expect your whole arm too if you're not careful. With everything being new about Planet Cyrene everything is still exciting, i just hope Mr Robles has enough of his arm left when things go live ;)
Thank you for the kind words and helpful advice. Still, as I mentioned, I really wanted to leave MindArk and any other Planet Partners out of the discussion. Our goal here is to openly ask for help through different mediums. We started on Twitter and the teams will continue to use other forms of social networks and sites to reach as many people as possible. Our questions are simple and do not involve much more then simple responses that would only take small moments of time. Twitter is currently perfect for something like this even if we currently just have a few followers. I was also told that it is always good to get the Planet name out there with a hash tag (#) or @ since joining Twitter a good while ago but must admit I have not been very active on it. Although I used Twitter a lot at first I was not the Twitter Guru like my friends are. I tend to use it to catch up on what my friends are saying or sports and news/opinions on current events. It's almost like mind reading lol. Goerge, it is currently not just I asking the questions but I think a copy of them get sent to the Cyrene Forums here. You could check them out and send me a PM here and I will make sure the correct team receives the info. If not there are going to be other opportunities coming up soon that I know you could participate in if you still wished. Razer thank you for your help it is much appreciated. Ori, I played mostly DnD and Rifts but also got into some Cyberpunk, Vampire Masquerade, and believe it or not some Street Fighter (was my favorite to run as GM and the combat system was one of the best). I wish I had time to play more now but unfortunately I do not. Kay, Thanks for the advice lol. Unfortunately the website is not out just yet and regardless of that, we do not feel everyone will be going there all the time. We are hopeful our other social Network site pages along with fan sites like Entropia Planets will be useful in communicating with the player base. Especially as it grows with upcoming marketing efforts. ;) Opticron, The first option was correct. If you look at the questions being posted they are very simple but help out greatly. Also I was and still am a very hardcore MMO player and believe me I am just like the community players you mentioned. I fully understand your concerns, which is why we are being open about our requests. As for my arm, no worries, it's just an arm..it should grow back right?
I find it kind of bizarre (but very nice!!!!) that developers in EU look to the players for help. I am not sure how normal this is on other MMOs - but given the nature of EU, where you feel strongly connected to your playing, maybe due to the monetary aspect, it's important to you. So to be able to get involved, to help in some way, is very satisfying. Cheers!
Salix - it's very normal with other games for developers to connect with their player base, or at least it's been my experience, and why perhaps so many in our community have been so vocal about the lack of communication, but as Ed says, this is about Cyrene, so let's not bring anything else into the mix. However, I can tell you that Ed has certainly set a precedent here at EP, not only with his forum posting and blogging, but also interaction with staff and the Media Team. Others are following suit, and it's quite exciting to see all of this unfold. It's understandable that the dynamics of development come with so many variables attached, and at times may be challenging to commit to something, but it's always beneficial to get feedback from those who play in the universe. We have a brilliant community, with a high level of critical thinking, not to mention talent and creativity. Connecting with such a community can only provide a wealth of opportunities for a developer, and perhaps even help to expand on their vision. This type of interaction is what excites me the most, because it says to us that we matter, so thank you Ed, and the other developers who care enough to get into the communication pit with us, because I think you'll find more than you bargained for ... and I also think it will only get better. :)
The best experience possible... I don't know how qualified I am for my one-and-a half months playing of EU, but my guess is that trying to deliver that 'best experience possible' will be ultimately constrained by, or confined within the basic parameters of the EU system. However, in terms of the 'in-game experience', two areas of contention seem to come up time and time again, going by the converstations that I've had with other participants. The first is the loot distribution issue - somebody can get a sizeable HoF for 'killing' a Snibblesnot, when someone else gets a small global for an Atrox Provider. The second is not being able to create unique items or content. You cannot create a building from scratch with raw and or refined matterials, you can only buy what is put there; or you cannot mfr a unique carbine, but can only make more of the same.
