133 réponses à ce sujet

[Dave of Canada]

cinderburster wrote...

Do people just forget that video games cost money and time to create?

A few of them do, actually. I don't know about this forum but I remember seeing things like "Hey, I know you worked hard on the combat system in [game] but how about you add a toggle that keeps [game]'s combat system?" and such.

[Sable Rhapsody]

Dave of Canada wrote...

David Gaider wrote...

There really is no need for the panic, and sometimes it's a bit disheartening to watch when it ensues.

GAIDER IS TELLING US TO NOT PANIC.

PANIC NOW.

Oh.

Oh, you've lost your towel.  You poor soul 

[HTTP 404]

Lellandra wrote...

Dragon Age 2 forums get so much love from the writers! They are always posting here, having fun with the community and sharing the love! 

Now over at ME forums, I don't think I've ever seen a Drew K. post or a Marc Walters! Are they all too important to mix up with the plebe? It's just Chris and Stanley cracking the whip and laying down the law!

Can David, Mary, John transfer temporarily to ME to cheer that forum some?

Drew is working on the Old republic and well Mac probably doesnt use internet. 

[cinderburster]

Dave of Canada wrote...

cinderburster wrote...

Do people just forget that video games cost money and time to create?

A few of them do, actually. I don't know about this forum but I remember seeing things like "Hey, I know you worked hard on the combat system in [game] but how about you add a toggle that keeps [game]'s combat system?" and such.

All the while not realizing just how many hours of coding would go into something that sounds so simple, of course.   I wish there was some way that everyone that thinks making a game is like waving a wand could spend a day with a programmer.  My uncle was a bug catcher at his last job and he spent hours above and beyond a normal work day fixing code.  I can only imagine how devs feel when people get in their faces about something they put so much work into, are so proud of, and tell them it's not good enough.

/puts away soapbox

Modifié par cinderburster, 20 septembre 2010 - 04:19 .

[John Epler]

cinderburster wrote...

I don't really understand the fans that get so upset about changes. I mean, I was disappointed when my favorite character didn't get so much as a cameo in Awakening or the more recent DLC, but I didn't come to these forums and spew bile at the developers. Maybe it's having a relative in the gaming industry and getting to hear from him just how difficult and constraining it can be to keep things within budget and still produce something enjoyable to play? Do people just forget that video games cost money and time to create?

I think that Bioware has a lot of fantastic writers, artists, and programmers working for them, and these people should get the credit they deserve.

If you're going to put unrealistic expectations on them, go out and make your own damn game.

I think, to a degree, this comes about as a result of not really being able to share the numbers and time constraints of the development process. There's a reason the phrase 'it can't be that hard' comes up a lot - and I'm optimistic (or perhaps naive) enough to believe that this isn't due to callousness on the part of our fans, but rather just a lack of understanding of exactly what goes into creating a game.

It's easy to say 'just write a conversation for this and that!' and imagine it only takes an hour or so, but when you're actually in the midst of the process, you realize that for every conversation, there are at least five people who get involved at some point in the process (or more, if you require custom assets), each of whom will be spending at the very least 10-12 hours (and that's for a very small conversation).

And note that when I say 'lack of understanding', I'm by no means saying that's a fault on the part of the fans. Why would you know exactly how long it takes to create a piece of content if it's not something you need to concern yourself with, either professionally or as a hobbyist? I couldn't tell you how long it takes to resurface a kilometer of road, for example, or complete the electrical work in the living room of a new house. We all have areas in which we are more or less knowledgeable. This just happens to be one that concerns many people on these forums in regards to their leisure time. But even then, I couldn't tell you how long it takes to film an episode of a TV show. 

Where am I going with this? I don't actually know I'd like to say 'just trust us' - but I understand that for many people, this just doesn't fly. And that's fine! You don't need to trust us - you're allowed to exercise skepticism. At the same time, however - these forums are, as David has said, an optional part of our jobs. If you're making posts for the sole reason of communicating a message to a developer, it should be noted that there's no guarantee that a developer will read it. And tone does matter - I love hearing constructive criticism. I think that's the best way to improve at my job. But there's a difference between constructive criticism and an excuse to spew vitriol.

[cinderburster]

@John Epler

Well said, sir!  Well said. *applauds*  That was more or less where I was going, but it's far too early and not far enough into my first cup of coffee for such eloquence.

I do hold hope that more game fans (of any games) will start keeping in mind just how much work goes into their entertainment. :innocent:

Modifié par cinderburster, 20 septembre 2010 - 04:30 .

[NoAngel89]

Beerfish wrote...

NoAngel89 wrote...

David Gaider wrote...

Krytheos wrote...
But in all seriousness, I would like the ME writers to just discuss things with us more. Lore things and all that? Yeah, the ME forums don't get that sometimes as good or as extensively as the DA: forums do on a fairly decently regular basis.

In all seriousness, us developer folk have varying tolerances for the forums. Some just like to watch but are hesitant to interact, some are just too busy, some are wary about what it's "safe" to talk about and so err on the side of caution... and some think it's crazy-making like having five loud people piled into the back seat of your car with each one shouting different directions while simultaneously criticizing your driving. And then a sixth calls you on your cellphone just to troll you.

It's all completely voluntary on our part whether we come here and interact or not-- all of us on DA2 who do it do so on our own time (and recognizance). If there's more of us who do it it's probably because we talk about it more among ourselves. It's just a project culture thing, I think (which is totally a real thing, believe it or not), and I would never think of suggesting to them that they should dive into the Crazy Pool more often... any more than I'd want them to suggest we should dive into it less.

Which, quite frankly, is the far more sensible course of action.

lol I love this guy, especially when he curls my arm to the back of my head, and makes me cough blood, while forcing me to eat my own poop, I mean words XD. cough cough, still have a bad taste in my mouth lol:sick:. And those are on his good days. Still a great writter, and apericate you taking the time to hear what we have to say, another reason we like the game, and thank you for what you do, though I do wish we you could ease little on the "make fans feel like sh$%t part". that leaves..... idk alot of strange emotions......  :innocent:

I would say that he is pointing to a select number of fans on these sites.  BioWare for the most part is willing to discuss many things even strong criticism if it is presented in a logical and mostly friendly way.  The people that rant and froth or make posts with very little logic behind them are the type Mr. Gaider is talking about.  Goodness knows there is a great volume of that kind of stuff.

oh no the first remark..... was snappy, the second was crippling, and the third was a fatal blow to the head, that casued a 6 months coma XD. I'm I going to critize his work........? no, if he when hes on a forum...... leaving..... before I become the next henchmen Clint Eastwood kills in this western movie XD.

[Stanley Woo]

Not really Dragon age 2 related. Please use our Off-Topic forum. Thank you.



End of line.

[NKKKK]

John, the more understanding of the devs.