How would CA being more open about their Development be a negative?

**Colovion** · 06-20-2005, 05:24

Over the last many months since the Demo was released CA has changed their stance public relations significantly. Previous to the demo being released I recall proclaiming CA as a great set of developers because they were so active and open about their projects and things which were being worked on and so forth. Of course no one ever is asking for secrets which other game developers may profit from, simply secondary information which isn't included in press-releases. You know, like the reason why you have a core gaming community so you can inform them of tidbits which will garner their respect and procure their support for your products.

Is it too expensive to cultivate relationships with the public? Is a protectionist method of dealing with your fans the most profitable way to do business? Is this just a money thing? Are their egos bruised from the flood of negative fan reviews and the subsequent depopulation of active core community members?

I'm confused as to the negative impacts of being proactive in your own fan community. If this is something done to allow them to fix the problems all that much faster then I wish them all the best; but does it really take that much time to include your fans in some of your dealings? Yes, I've read Shogun's posts - they're the epitome of a company coming out, saying something and shutting the door until the next need to converse with the public rears its ugly head. Don't be afraid, just include us.

Can someone let me know a logical explaination for this?

**Duke John** · 06-20-2005, 06:23

There isn't a logical explanation for everything. Or perhaps it as simple as a senior programmer being corrected by a fan who isn't on the payroll... who are the professionals?!

**Colovion** · 06-20-2005, 06:40

Well I don't mean logical as in it'll satisfy me - logical as in "this is what happened - this is why it happened and this is how it's going to happen" instead of "this is what happened.... .... .draw your own conclusions. ... .. ??@)$*Y@(&T@("

**Duke John** · 06-20-2005, 06:45

That is an interesting way of defining logic; it satisfies me so it's logical!

**PseRamesses** · 06-20-2005, 11:04

Originally Posted by Colovion

Over the last many months since the Demo was released CA has changed their stance public relations significantly. Previous to the demo being released I recall proclaiming CA as a great set of developers because they were so active and open about their projects and things which were being worked on and so forth. Of course no one ever is asking for secrets which other game developers may profit from, simply secondary information which isn't included in press-releases. You know, like the reason why you have a core gaming community so you can inform them of tidbits which will garner their respect and procure their support for your products.

First; well over 95% of CA´s "market" in non-hard-core-gamers who are sitting at home droolin´over all the "80 new cool unit". We are outnumbered, outclassed and shut out. Somewhere along the line they took a policy-decision to make money first (sell a lot of copies) and secondly concentrate on maintaining their position as the no.1 war game which really doesn´t include an all to good war-engine, right?!

Originally Posted by Colovion

Is it too expensive to cultivate relationships with the public? Is a protectionist method of dealing with your fans the most profitable way to do business? Is this just a money thing? Are their egos bruised from the flood of negative fan reviews and the subsequent depopulation of active core community members?.

Yes, since we are a minority and everytime they have given us something we rant and complain. Everytime a new game is released we are not happy and can find zillions of flaws - extisant and non-existant. So why share, why give info or tidbits to an ungrateful community, would you? Try and see things out of their perspective. I´m not saying you´re wrong, I actually agree with you.
From 1985-1999 I was a CEO and from 1994-1999 I owned one of Swedens most successive media-companies. From that perspective CA´s policy makes perfect sense, trust me!

Originally Posted by Colovion

I'm confused as to the negative impacts of being proactive in your own fan community. If this is something done to allow them to fix the problems all that much faster then I wish them all the best; but does it really take that much time to include your fans in some of your dealings? Yes, I've read Shogun's posts - they're the epitome of a company coming out, saying something and shutting the door until the next need to converse with the public rears its ugly head. Don't be afraid, just include us.

Can someone let me know a logical explaination for this?

Exactly my feeling too. Now, I´ve always maintained a high standard of relations with my customers, fans, friends etc weather they are new, old, highly profitable or even marginally profitable and that´s the way things should be done IMHO. But who am I to tell CA their business policy is wrong? From their perspective it´s right!
I do feel, however, that they should release an all moddable game to us hard-core TW-fans and I´ll even be willing to pay a lot for that, 500$?, maybee a 1000, if I´m getting an all open and completely moddable edition. Now, I know I´m a bit extrem. I´ve been playing wargames since 1977 (with tin-soldiers) through the roleplaying 80´s. I totally hacked CIV I and CIV II making very good mods out of it etc etc.
I understand your frustration. Here´s a really good war game, maybee the best (STW) and then its getting worse and worse. I too wonder how evolution can go backwards.

**The_Doctor** · 06-20-2005, 11:16

From 1985-1999 I was a CEO and from 1994-1999 I owned one of Swedens most successive media-companies.

Are you a millionaire?

Are their egos bruised from the flood of negative fan reviews and the subsequent depopulation of active core community members?

I think that is probably what it is. We have moaned too much and driven them away.

**Wishazu** · 06-20-2005, 11:41

I think its unfortunate whats happened here. There are at least as many people who love this game as hate it, unfortunately its allways the naysayers who are alot more vocal.

**_Aetius_** · 06-20-2005, 12:39

The obvious evidence of who CA are trying to sell games to and that its money first quality second is the fact they released RTW with so many bugs, glitches, idiocies and general mistakes that would make any hardcore fan whince but non hardcore fans would be so fascinated by all the purdy colours that theyd say it was the best game ever.

The fact we were forced to wait so long for a decent patch shows they just shoved RTW out at the first possible opportunity, its disgusting that games are allowed to be released when so blatently inadequate, its not only disgusting in general its also an insult to the fans who buy the games expecting it to be worth their money but find they have to wait months for a patch just to make the game tolerable. Even then the elementary mistakes are left unchecked.

CA got my loyalty with MTW which is miles ahead of RTW in longevity and fun, they have totally lost my loyalty by releasing RTW in such a state that even I somebody who knows nothing about game development etc can spot the glaring errors.

I really hope somebody got fired for the total mess that is RTW.

**IceTorque** · 06-20-2005, 12:51

One thing is for sure the bean counters killed total war.

At least the true spirit of creating games with passion has not died.
at the moment this game interests me more than BI or any future TW games.

http://www.mindlinkstudio.com/engine.htm

The King is dead.

Long live the King.

**KSEG** · 06-20-2005, 13:44

Originally Posted by _Aetius_

The obvious evidence of who CA are trying to sell games to and that its money first quality second is the fact they released RTW with so many bugs, glitches, idiocies and general mistakes that would make any hardcore fan whince but non hardcore fans would be so fascinated by all the purdy colours that theyd say it was the best game ever.

The fact we were forced to wait so long for a decent patch shows they just shoved RTW out at the first possible opportunity, its disgusting that games are allowed to be released when so blatently inadequate, its not only disgusting in general its also an insult to the fans who buy the games expecting it to be worth their money but find they have to wait months for a patch just to make the game tolerable. Even then the elementary mistakes are left unchecked.

CA got my loyalty with MTW which is miles ahead of RTW in longevity and fun, they have totally lost my loyalty by releasing RTW in such a state that even I somebody who knows nothing about game development etc can spot the glaring errors.

I really hope somebody got fired for the total mess that is RTW.

Yeah Yeah Yeah