Just make a thread on the forums? There’s already a gather thread too, can just post there if you want to post things like “let’s play 5v5 on Thursday”. If you want to get people to play asap, just join IRC, it’s not that hard.
JOIN THE STEAM GROUP to help mobolise Alpha sessions
Rex
(Rex)
#22
[QUOTE=Bloodbite;418633]But you guys are cool that we just use this as a means of spotting who’s online “right now” though right? No conversations on the group.
What about if people want to post a “I’m free all Thursday, let’s play then” type event? Is that okay too?[/QUOTE]
Like Reacto said, just use IRC :rolleyes:
Bloodbite
(Bloodbite)
#23
I’ve been meaning to, but it doesn’t hurt to have an easy steam option to spot who’s on… for those moments where you don’t really want to commit to the idea of firing up a game unless you see enough people online. I know I’ve had those kinds of moments.
Apoc
(Apoc)
#24
Just write “anyone up for a game now?” in irc and people respond if they are.
SD have said that a steam group violates the NDA agreement. So you cant have a steam group. There really is no further discussion since youve signed an agreement.
rookie1
(rookie1)
#25
The Steam group isnt a DB discussion group
No DB discussions
No post related to DB
No DB group name
So as it is now its just another Unknow private group
So ill stay in it for futur vocation .
BTW where is the irc connection infos?
Chris2
(.Chris.)
#26
[QUOTE=rookie1;419066]The Steam group isnt a DB discussion group
No DB discussions
No post related to DB
No DB group name
So as it is now its just another Unknow private group
So ill stay in it for futur vocation .[/QUOTE]
It’s really not that hard to understand.
Breo
(Breo)
#28
You mean the button on the startup screen? Not sure y it’s removed 
that’s probably the reason ppl want to use Steam instead.
SockDog
(SockDog)
#29
Badman specifically posted in this thread to say NO. Why are people even arguing about this, you’re in an NDA alpha if you’re not sure if you can do something you simply ask the Community Manager. There’s no negotiation or interpretation necessary and you certainly don’t need to be arguing the toss about it.
To save going back a page.
[QUOTE=badman;418628]Just to clarify, with the Closed Alpha being under NDA, all discussion and game-related activities must take place within the forums and the IRC channel. I know Steam offers considerable convenience in some areas, but we must adhere to the NDA.
Related, the NDA also covers the very existence of the Closed Alpha and you’re involvement in it, so you’ll need to not divulge that, either.
Sorry guys![/QUOTE]
rookie1
(rookie1)
#30
My post is clear !
So if im wrong just remove me from PreAlpha…I just cant seeHow can I be more clear
SockDog
(SockDog)
#31
[QUOTE=rookie1;419083]My post is clear !
So if im wrong just remove me from PreAlpha…I just cant seeHow can I be more clear[/QUOTE]
Why do you have to be wrong can’t you simply just do what you’ve been told? Badman said no steam group right now, keep things here and in IRC. It just seems to be a no brainer to respect SD’s wishes and it’s doubly unfair to then expect them to kick you out the alpha in order for you to do what was asked.
Anyway, whatever.
Bloodbite
(Bloodbite)
#32
[QUOTE=SockDog;419085]Why do you have to be wrong can’t you simply just do what you’ve been told? Badman said no steam group right now, keep things here and in IRC. It just seems to be a no brainer to respect SD’s wishes and it’s doubly unfair to then expect them to kick you out the alpha in order for you to do what was asked.
Anyway, whatever.[/QUOTE]
He’s not arguing the terms of the NDA, he’s just saying that using a steam group for the purpose of seeing who’s online while he/we happen to be on Steam for whatever other reason… and NOTHING else… is reasonable. Badman did make it clear about discussions… the group isn’t intended for discussion or any type of promotion/awareness of the game (I merely speculated in one post if that was an option to consider… keep in mind it was nothing more than speculation, that’s why I mentioned it here and no where else), just an alternate option to spot which fellow alpha players are online.
If that were a problem, Badman would have thrown another post up here and sent me a message saying “son, you’d better take that group down or you and the others will be out of the alpha.”
It’s all about options, the whole point this idea came up is become there seems to be a lack of incentive among some (I’m not saying there is, it’s just a perception others have voiced) that we aren’t unified enough in when we log on and how we can whatever… no need to repeat the irc function… the counter argument will still remain “but this could help too.” It turns into an cyclical argument when emotions are running high, and it looks like people are putting too much emotion into some posts here simply because the counter argument is “contrary.”
SockDog
(SockDog)
#33
If your issue is with getting people together to play why not drive home that point, ask for IRC to be better publicised in here, have a PUG bot in IRC, get SD to update the launcher in some way. Discuss the issue.
At the end of the day Badman said no, right here in this thread. If you think he misunderstood then send him a PM but until then you have little option but to take what he’s said at face value and that is to use IRC and the Forums only.
oh and how long until someone finds out that group on Steam is alpha testers for DB? At that point you’re breaking the NDA.
Bloodbite
(Bloodbite)
#34
Have you even looked at the group yourself?
It sounds like you’re blowing things out of proportion and assuming we’re up to something nefarious. You also seem to be over interpreting what badman’s post says.
Nobody is restricting us from friending each other and grouping together just because we hadn’t considered doing so before we’d met on these forums or ingame during pre alpha. Not only is it absurd to think the NDA would cover “that”… it also makes for a less effective test group.
Bottom line is we are using Steam’s community functions for the very core purposes they were built for. Yes, we should all make the effort to start using IRC for our DB discussions and invites, not just the forums. But if we want to use Steam to add another facet to how we stay in contact outside of what we discuss both on the forums and ingame with the only Steam chat material mentioned being “you wanna log in and do some testing?”… and try not to imply we’re doing anything more than that… then there is no reasonable argument as to why that is a bad thing.
SockDog
(SockDog)
#35
I’m blowing nothing out of proportion short of repeating the same thing over and over. I suggested two things.
-
Confirm with Badman via PM if you feel him saying use Forums and IRC only isn’t clear enough. If out of nothing more than common courtesy. They extended trust in us to keep their secret, the least I can see us doing is not make that job harder for them.
-
Start a thread (or join the IRC one DA posted) to discuss the core issue you are trying to address.
What IMO is selfish is to just do what you want because YOU feel there is no harm. It’s not your call, it’s SDs and when you say you’re only using the group to see who’s on and not discuss anything, then say you might send a message about logging on to test, well it shows how things can spiral. You also ignored the whole, group of secret alpha testers needing just one leak and then everyone knows who’s in the alpha, the group isn’t even private.
Anyway, It’s your choice, doesn’t impact me at all, I was just trying to help prevent problems for SD and testers by suggesting some due diligence or simply avoiding the issue by approaching it in different ways.
Bloodbite
(Bloodbite)
#36
Repetition doesn’t make your argument full proof, and if you think a simple invite to game in a private chat window is an example of things spiraling out of control… you’re no longer blowing things out of proportion, you are an out and out alarmist.
You fail to understand that this group isn’t about discussing the game outside of the allotted channels. All we want is an easier way to get people more active inside the client. Until you understand that your opinion is completely off target.
As for leaks. Seriously? The kinds of arseholes that do that made their mind up to engage in that activity before they accepted their alpha key invite. Splash takes that chance with each invite they send out. All we can do is hope everyone here is honest and committed… including Splash.
All we are is motivated towards getting some battles going with decently populated teams… badman piped in to make sure we don’t do anything silly like post information or represent the active use of the alpha to others glancing at the group page… just to make sure we stay focused and that we don’t do anything we’re not supposed to… and you interpret this as us wanting to make things harder for Splash, just because you think we want it our way even in defiance of the NDA?
I’m trying not to make my posts sound too aggressive or hostile but it’s hard because your tone comes across as stubborn and confrontational. We’re here to make sure this game is as good as we’d like it to be, and as Splash wants it to be for us, the user base as a whole (or several clan/pro-pug/casual factions of that whole). Arguing based on assumptions that your topical opponent is the lowest common denominator… while a valid stance in most corners of the internet, gaming sites/forums in particular… let’s not extend that kind of flame war attitude here.
So far most people are discussing and even arguing in a constructive, albeit heated manner… but this kind of stonewall re-posting where, in this case I feel this applies to you, the poster refuses to consider any and all information presented that does not stand in agreeance with the absolute conclusion they have come to. And keep that in mind… this is all your conclusion. You keep harping on about details several of us have pointed out aren’t involved in this equation. Don’t misconstrue badman’s words either. He meant what he said, none of it was vague. If he had meant a group for what we intend was against the NDA, or even if Splash had a preference that it not go ahead or be disbanded… he would say so outright.
We’re not saying everyone should join this group either. It certainly would be nice considering not all of us want (or can) have IRC on every one of the insidious amount of devices in our lives these days.
I have steam on my phone. If someone messages me asking when I’ll be on next?.. can you really argue that I’d be better off keeping an IRC app running, just in case, just for this purpose? And keep in mind I am only mentioning the convenience it serves me. Everyone else has their nuanced reasons.
I have looked at the few people that have joined the group so far too, just from the group page. Again, while at work, and just to start getting an idea of when these folks are online or not. First week of the year isn’t exactly reliable for routine spotting, I know, but it is a start.
SockDog
(SockDog)
#37
Lets skip the snide remarks and tangents. Here is the problem. My interpretation of Badman’s statement is quite literal, “use the forums and irc not steam”. He posted that in this thread, after your initial post, so I’m going to make an assumption that he read what you was intending before replying. What you’re doing is interpreting that as it’s fine to use Steam just don’t talk about the game. He didn’t warn to stay within a certain use, he didn’t say it was fine. This is purely your personal investment (can’t/won’t use IRC, forums to arrange games) making you nitpick around the NDA and Badman’s wording.
As I’ve also repeated, the simple solution would be to PM badman and get him to clarify. Doesn’t hurt, shows due diligence. You’d get more people to join, myself included, if he specifically said that it was okay to do so.
Ultimately of course you can do what you please but I won’t be joining a Steam group for any purpose relating to DB unless SD specifically state it is okay to do so. I consider that a simple cautionary courtesy to SD in return for the trust they’ve placed in me.
Bloodbite
(Bloodbite)
#38
There was nothing snide about what I typed. Try taking the rest of us literally. If you’re looking for a fight it’s not gonna happen.
Since you’re so confident about taking badman’s words literally. Show us where he says anything more than “outside of our forum and irc = keep your mouths shut!!”
Show us where he even vaguely alludes to the existence of this steam group being at odds with our involvement in the beta. I don’t have to send him a message about this because his/their stance is clear as day.
However we communicate to organise ourselves… keep your mouths shut about the game outside official channels. THAT is ALL he said.
Before you reply again, try reading your own post pointed back at yourself and tell us if you really don’t see the snide hostility in your own words. Because I’m telling you, without any malice, that’s how you come across.
Bloodbite
(Bloodbite)
#40
Right, because I suggested organising and/or announcing sessions in advance as steam group events. I don’t have a problem with not doing that, and I’m confident I can say nobody else does either.