[laeuchli]

garry posted:

We could post an update saying the exact same thing we posted a couple of weeks ago. Would that help ? Can't you just wait until we have something new to say?

We're not sitting around doing nothing. We have a lot of work to do. That's what we're concentrating on. Do you really need us to come and pat you on the head every couple of days?

I don't normally post on these forums, but this post caused me to change my policy.

First, let me give you a bit of background about myself. I have been a professional software developer, where I worked on a 3D engine for a few years for a GIS company, and now I'm a PhD student in computer science. So, I have some conception of how software development, and 3D graphics development works. I also am familiar with the idea that you cant suddenly hire a bunch of people and suddenly have your project move much faster. I understand something of the limitations you are operating under.

Having said that, I'm deeply disappointed as a customer and fan, both with the state of the development, and the fact that you would respond to your customers complaints, many of which are legitimate, in such an unprofessional manner. I wont re-litigate the whole issue of the slow development, except to say that taking time to remove zombies, add durability, and then take weeks to fix air drops, is ridiculous. My buddy hacked together a script to fix air drops in under an hour for our server, and yet there was no official fix for this bug for how long? Right after such a slew of non-changes? I think if you put yourself in your customers shoes there you'd understand why they are disappointed. Your customers do not care that your GUI code is not maintainable. Probably most of them do not care about the GUI at all. Priorities need to be adjusted.

Regardless, even if the development schedule is on track and taking a reasonable amount of time, the fact that you think its acceptable to write posts to your fans like this is very disappointing. These people love your game, gave you millions of dollars, and are eager to see what you have next. Some of them are posting impatiently, but to respond in that manner is not only rude and unprofessional, but silly. These are the people who love your game, what do you think you are gaining by irritating them? How do you think posts like this strike the people who didnt post anything, but basically agree with their general take that the pace of development is slow and communication poor? For myself, it makes me regret my purchase. Since I basically had a good view of the developer and the game prior to that, I think that should give you pause for thought.

[dawiha]

You do have to give him a little credit today. He did post a Friday Devblog, which most people were asking him to do. But you are correct his comments were a little over the line.

Or maybe he's just being an ass because most people on this forum can be an ass.

[Pyroknight]

laeuchli posted:

I don't normally post on these forums, but this post caused me to change my policy.

First, let me give you a bit of background about myself. I have been a professional software developer, where I worked on a 3D engine for a few years for a GIS company, and now I'm a PhD student in computer science. So, I have some conception of how software development, and 3D graphics development works. I also am familiar with the idea that you cant suddenly hire a bunch of people and suddenly have your project move much faster. I understand something of the limitations you are operating under.

Having said that, I'm deeply disappointed as a customer and fan, both with the state of the development, and the fact that you would respond to your customers complaints, many of which are legitimate, in such an unprofessional manner. I wont re-litigate the whole issue of the slow development, except to say that taking time to remove zombies, add durability, and then take weeks to fix air drops, is ridiculous. My buddy hacked together a script to fix air drops in under an hour for our server, and yet there was no official fix for this bug for how long? Right after such a slew of non-changes? I think if you put yourself in your customers shoes there you'd understand why they are disappointed. Your customers do not care that your GUI code is not maintainable. Probably most of them do not care about the GUI at all. Priorities need to be adjusted.

Regardless, even if the development schedule is on track and taking a reasonable amount of time, the fact that you think its acceptable to write posts to your fans like this is very disappointing. These people love your game, gave you millions of dollars, and are eager to see what you have next. Some of them are posting impatiently, but to respond in that manner is not only rude and unprofessional, but silly. These are the people who love your game, what do you think you are gaining by irritating them? How do you think posts like this strike the people who didnt post anything, but basically agree with their general take that the pace of development is slow and communication poor? For myself, it makes me regret my purchase. Since I basically had a good view of the developer and the game prior to that, I think that should give you pause for thought.

Classic response incoming
"If it's so easy y u no make it yourself"

[garry]

laeuchli posted:

I don't normally post on these forums, but this post caused me to change my policy.

First, let me give you a bit of background about myself. I have been a professional software developer, where I worked on a 3D engine for a few years for a GIS company, and now I'm a PhD student in computer science. So, I have some conception of how software development, and 3D graphics development works. I also am familiar with the idea that you cant suddenly hire a bunch of people and suddenly have your project move much faster. I understand something of the limitations you are operating under.

Having said that, I'm deeply disappointed as a customer and fan, both with the state of the development, and the fact that you would respond to your customers complaints, many of which are legitimate, in such an unprofessional manner. I wont re-litigate the whole issue of the slow development, except to say that taking time to remove zombies, add durability, and then take weeks to fix air drops, is ridiculous. My buddy hacked together a script to fix air drops in under an hour for our server, and yet there was no official fix for this bug for how long? Right after such a slew of non-changes? I think if you put yourself in your customers shoes there you'd understand why they are disappointed. Your customers do not care that your GUI code is not maintainable. Probably most of them do not care about the GUI at all. Priorities need to be adjusted.

Regardless, even if the development schedule is on track and taking a reasonable amount of time, the fact that you think its acceptable to write posts to your fans like this is very disappointing. These people love your game, gave you millions of dollars, and are eager to see what you have next. Some of them are posting impatiently, but to respond in that manner is not only rude and unprofessional, but silly. These are the people who love your game, what do you think you are gaining by irritating them? How do you think posts like this strike the people who didnt post anything, but basically agree with their general take that the pace of development is slow and communication poor? For myself, it makes me regret my purchase. Since I basically had a good view of the developer and the game prior to that, I think that should give you pause for thought.

I could totally reply in a 'professional manner' if that's what people really want. But I don't think people want to be bullshitted. They want to be responded to like a friend would respond to them. We're not running a bank. We're making games.

[laeuchli]

garry posted:

I could totally reply in a 'professional manner' if that's what people really want. But I don't think people want to be bullshitted. They want to be responded to like a friend would respond to them. We're not running a bank. We're making games.

Is that really how you respond to your friends? I doubt it.

Regardless, there is a middle ground between responding in PR-speak, and how you responded. For myself, you would generate more good will by seeking the middle ground.

[garry]

Believe it or not, I have been doing this for 10 years. I think I've got a pretty good handle on how to communicate properly with the community. But thanks for the advice. I'm sorry you didn't like what I posted in a thread on a forum. I'm sorry that made you regret buying a game that I made.