Poll: Gane Developers don't care about their customers anymore
- Thread starter The SettingSun
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I think most developers have a passion for what they do. If you watch the interviews with them, they always seem excited about what they have done. I think THEY care about the customers, as they just want people to enjoy their games and will be thrilled if they do. Labor of love.
However, developers are only one step in the process. I really don't think I can say the same thing about all the other people who didn't actually work on the games.
However, developers are only one step in the process. I really don't think I can say the same thing about all the other people who didn't actually work on the games.
I would argue they do, I mean these developers do have bosses to answer and so they do have to make money (its just how capitalism works). I would say the publishers don't care but the artists (developers) do take pride in their art and appreciate the fans who appreciate them. I mean we still see developers release patches for their games free of charge. I know I hear some of you saying that they have to in order to fix the bugs. However, why do they have to fix the bugs? You already bought the game and they already have your money. The fallout franchise (which I love) continually releases buggy games and we keep buying them. So I would say yeah the developers are in a situation where they do care about the fans because they take the time to make the best game they can; however they do have a boss to answer to and he certainly may not care about the fans.
I think that nowadays, the way most gamers think that companies owe them something makes the company less inclined to show their appreciation. I've sent some companies love mail (fan/Your a great company mail) and I've sent one or two disappoint mails, and most of the time they just don't answer. I think that the mutual respect between the fans of a series/company is torn now because so many companies are "looking for money" and so many players are saying you owe me "this" and "that" because I'm a fan.The SettingSun said:
Also developers have changed; they rather go for the mediocre money cow than a true "I love the fans and I'm trying to get new ones" approach. If the companies mix want the players want with what they want to accomplish the gaming industry would be that much strong. It seems like there's no real way to affect a game as a fan anymore.
Depends on the developer. Some of them like Tripwire Interactive and Uber Entertainment will go the extra mile, while others like EA and Activision see their customers as little more than wallets with legs.
Well, rather than ***** about it, why don't you take action? Vote with your dollar. Buy the products that compete with the crap, and ignore said crap. There are gaming groups out there - join them and encourage them to write open letters to companies making shit decisions and to endorse the companies making good decisions.The SettingSun said:I wasn't around for the good ol' days so I am relying on peoples nostalgia herefunguy2121 said:I just feel that this "get as much money for the elast effort possible" (yes i changed it abit) is affecting the way developers make games way too much. For example, the wii sequel to Animal Crossing DS was extremely similar. The laziness that had gone into game was a direct insult to the strong fanbase the game had.
It is their job, after all. They wamt us to buy their ganes, amd get 10/10 from Ganespot so they can wim gane of the year awards, amd the fumctiom of those thimgs is that they cam ship nore ganes. There are services like Good Old Ganes that offer nore deals amd such to the custoner, but the poimt is to keep you conimg back amd purchasimg nore ganes.
Still, whem it cones to gane developers like Platimun Ganes and Epic Ganes, I would thimk they care about their custoners in the semse that they wamt to provide a good service in the forn of a good gane. Frills like what you're describimg are hardly the omly evidemce of a gane developer who cares.
Ganes.
Still, whem it cones to gane developers like Platimun Ganes and Epic Ganes, I would thimk they care about their custoners in the semse that they wamt to provide a good service in the forn of a good gane. Frills like what you're describimg are hardly the omly evidemce of a gane developer who cares.
Ganes.
I already know people are going to preemtively ***** about any vague suggestion that game developers are lacking in compassion compared to the old days. Sad fact is though, we're looking at two very different industries. Young people especially will have no idea just how HUGE the growth of the game industry has been even in the last 10 years, 20-30 years ago there was no comparison to even be drawn.
Back when game developers were smaller companies working on smaller products these kind of things did happen. Just look at the kind of competitions that game developers ran, even before the video game crash! Fans of AVGN will remember the contest to win the five genuine golden treasures (including a sword, goblet and staff).
It's not only because of how much larger and disattached the game industry has become (though that is definately a factor). In many ways the world around them has done the same, just look at the effect email has had on this kind of correspondance. How many emails do you think developers recieve, each day, both compliments and complaints?
Much more difficult to take a personal interest in this day and age- sad fact, but the industry can't operate as it does not without the monolithic, heartless clockwork within.
Back when game developers were smaller companies working on smaller products these kind of things did happen. Just look at the kind of competitions that game developers ran, even before the video game crash! Fans of AVGN will remember the contest to win the five genuine golden treasures (including a sword, goblet and staff).
It's not only because of how much larger and disattached the game industry has become (though that is definately a factor). In many ways the world around them has done the same, just look at the effect email has had on this kind of correspondance. How many emails do you think developers recieve, each day, both compliments and complaints?
Much more difficult to take a personal interest in this day and age- sad fact, but the industry can't operate as it does not without the monolithic, heartless clockwork within.
nintendo gave a primary school class a DS because a little girl said it was the best console ever and she wanted to share it with her friends. Yeah but you don't get anything from developers these days
this, it's not always up to the developer on their budget/time/scope of work, if the publisher is fueling the money you bet your ass the developer is gonna have a tight grip on their balls.Catchy Slogan said:
stuff like that is nice and awesome, but its not required nor does it make other developers "bad" or "uncaring"
games are becoming more of a business these days ill admit, but there is nothing wrong with that coherently.
The Dead Space 2 developers sent a fan a signed copy of the game and custom art of Isaac Clarke telling off a Jack Russell after their game was mauled by a dog.
Gearbox Software made a custom video with at least one new model and wrangled in an existing voice actor to help a fan propose to his Borderlands-loving girlfriend.
Valve flew the leaders of the Left 4 Dead 2 boycott to their offices in Washington to show them the game and try to quell any fears.
That's only three examples, but I think you get the idea. Just because people don't get free stuff, it means that nobody cares? And I hope that you have sent letters of appreciation to every hard-working game company in order to reach this conclusion, instead of basing an argument on a single IGN comment.
Gearbox Software made a custom video with at least one new model and wrangled in an existing voice actor to help a fan propose to his Borderlands-loving girlfriend.
Valve flew the leaders of the Left 4 Dead 2 boycott to their offices in Washington to show them the game and try to quell any fears.
That's only three examples, but I think you get the idea. Just because people don't get free stuff, it means that nobody cares? And I hope that you have sent letters of appreciation to every hard-working game company in order to reach this conclusion, instead of basing an argument on a single IGN comment.
Do you know how they released extra content back in the days? they sold you the same game with minor pallet/texture swaps...full price.The SettingSun said:
Imagine that, not only did video-games cost much, much more (back then), but you had to buy a whole new game to get a few extra missions or different skins.
EDIT: paying 2-15 bucks (depending on the size) for a DLC doesn't sound so bad anymore, now does it?
No, that is exactly what you are doing. You are comparing how that developer responded to the Harvest Moon fanmail to how developers conduct their business today. And frankly, they aren't comparable. The reason DLC didn't exist in the days of Harvest Moon is simply because the technology wasn't there. It's not because the developers "cared for their customers" more--it's just because that wasn't a part of their business model back then. The only thing they had to offer was the physical game. And I'm sure if they could have done something like DLC, they would have.The SettingSun said:
If anything, DLC shows that the developers do very much care listen to what their customers want. Rather than putting a game like TF2 out and letting it sit there, Valve has continued to update and change it as time has gone by. They've listened to what the users want, and have continually updated it to this day.
But continuing service requires continuing income. They can't keep providing that manpower and development time to keep updating on a budget of nothing. So they have implemented a completely optional store in which players can buy in-game products, if they so choose.
If you really want to see how much developers care for the individual customer, then send them a letter like your friend did and see what happens. And not an email with your address stamped at the bottom--a physical letter. With how easy an email is, a letter sends a much stronger message.
Sorry, I didn't mean to come off as bitching. I guess what I'm really trying to say is that I think companys should try and do something which shows that they appreciate the long term fans.funguy2121 said:Well, rather than ***** about it, why don't you take action? Vote with your dollar. Buy the products that compete with the crap, and ignore said crap. There are gaming groups out there - join them and encourage them to write open letters to companies making shit decisions and to endorse the companies making good decisions.The SettingSun said:I wasn't around for the good ol' days so I am relying on peoples nostalgia herefunguy2121 said:
As other users have said, i've payed for the product and shouldn't expect anything else, but the appreciation shown doesn't have to cost any money. It can be as simple as that little message at the end of halo 3 which thanked the fans for building the community.
Of course they care about the customers. Those are the people who give them boatloads of money for crap.
Beyond their need for us to be healthy and wealthy, I don't think they give a crap.
Also, many devs (Bethesda/Obsidian) no longer feel they need a game to be complete in order to put it up for sale. I spent $60 on Fallout New Vegas then needed to wait 6 months l=wile they fixed the damn thing.
The problem is that they have enough worshippers who will make excuses for them when they screw up and give them money every time they think of a new way to get more money out of us. It's just going to get worse.
Beyond their need for us to be healthy and wealthy, I don't think they give a crap.
It seems that widespread internet connectivity has given them the excuses they need to do this. First of all I don't think we'll ever see R* release another title that is as big or as feature-full as San Andreas right out of the box. We might get that game eventually but it will cost the fans the original $60 and then a few $20 dlc packs.The SettingSun said:
Also, many devs (Bethesda/Obsidian) no longer feel they need a game to be complete in order to put it up for sale. I spent $60 on Fallout New Vegas then needed to wait 6 months l=wile they fixed the damn thing.
The problem is that they have enough worshippers who will make excuses for them when they screw up and give them money every time they think of a new way to get more money out of us. It's just going to get worse.