SD acting like EA?

(sweetyvi) #1

You did a really good job with this test release!
Keeping in mind, that it will be free for all - really nice!

But why the hell do you act like EA?
Giving no infomation to the most important ppl out there: the server admins!
All your work will be worth nothing without the server admins …
just think about it - EA didnt get it and lost a lot of gameserver hosters at bf1942.
Or not answering the questions of your customers?!
Hell, just give us an “Sometimes between 2-3 weeks” or even "when its done! sic - that sounds common …
Everything is better than nothing.

Think about it.

Hope to hear ANY news in the next days.

(Ifurita) #2

so they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t. First, they get grief for not saying anything. Then they said it would be released early last week, which passed … more grief. Now, they’re getting grief for not saying anything.

(bogs) #3

Maybe they are under contract to clear annoucements like that with iD and maybe iD even needs to contact activision to give SD the ok. who knows. it could be done already but needs to go through 5 days of red-tape before being released.

http://games.activision.com/games/wolfenstein/ is the official ET site so bitch Activision out for not giving frequent news updates. (I bet they sparse out the news just to keep bandwidth costs down. If their news page never changes people will load their site less, saving them money)… fricken’ businessmen…

(NoSoup4U) #4

Yeah, last thing i heard, is that BF 1942 is doing pretty bad : No players, no servers, no success… /me rolls eyes

(highboy) #5

Forget it m8…
I have been trying to get info from them in a long time, posts, emails etc.
But no luck.
Seems like they only want to talk to the big comercial server admins…

(Denny) #6

Well i kinda agree, kinda don’t. Although EA and DICE are totally screwing up big time, by well not making any mod tools which is hindering support (well cause “Desert Combat” a mod for BF1942 is like Counter-Strike big) so people don’t like that, also let me not forget the map makers (myself included). Also the refusal to release the modding tools, and flat out lies givin to the BF1942 community have frustrated alot of them. I mean let’s face it, if no new content is made for a game then well it gets pretty old, very quick.

I mean there making Secret Weapons Of WWII Expansion, which is fine, but alot of people aren’t interested in it, cause they feel it draws too much away from the “WWII Fell”. Me on the other hand am kinda anxious about it. Other’s wanna see Desert Combat full in development, and EA and DICE do not like that (of course not, cause it draws too many people from their product) Of course without BF1942, DC wouldn’t exist, but people overlook this.

Sound bugs still remain in BF1942 that have been there since initial release. So patch and bug support degrades support. Also lack of SP support is hindering the community, and there’s alot of SP players out there guys, it ain’t all MP. I mean true there’s bots, and they work fine (for the most part, there’s another thing that can be improved a little) and the fact that any maps made now have like no bot support at all (another issue modding tools would fix), lowers the SP support market. And there’s chance that Secret Weapons won’t have SP support won’t get rave reviews either.

So is SD like EA/DICE? Hell No! Far from it, not only is RTCW better then BF1942, it’s got a stronger community and actual modding tools. The fact that SP support has been swept under the door has pissed alot of bot hopefuls off (myself included) ain’t a turn in the right direction. But it ain’t a bad move all together. (cause they never officially cancelled bots in the first place) so it’s a we’ll see on that. There’s of course WAY more things that hold SD above EA/DICE, hands down. The fact there not releasing any details or info is that’s their job, you wouldn’t leak top secret nuclear secrets if you worked for the government would you? cause it’s your job to do that. Well it’s kinda the same case scenario here.

(DG) #7

Q3, RTCW, how much info did you really get for servers - especially before it was even out? SD are game developers not PR people, answering 99% of questions here would be a waste of their time. what do you actually want to know anyway?

developers never give release dates, it comes from the publisher. on the rare occasions you do hear it from developer first, its onlt because publisher has OK’d it. ET release will appear first on the bigger community websites, when activision announce it and send them the download.

just LOL at the suggestion id rarely update the site in order to keep bandwidth costs down. if that was the case, wouldnt they use a very simple html page instead of their flash thing with lots of images?

“Seems like they only want to talk to the big comercial server admins…”. like, wtf? nice statement, not the slightest bit of backup or even explanation of what makes you come up with that.

what a utterly shit thread.

(sweetyvi) #8

@ NoSoup4U

Check the server stats for bf and rtcw - compare the release dates and think about your rolling eyes again - think it’s not too difficult.

@highboy

That’s exactly what makes me angry:
I know a better service from id/activision!
And I don’t believe the bigger companies get much more information as e.g. me, beeing a small hoster nobody cares of :slight_smile:

@ Denny
Thx for your opinion - with many things you’ve said i agree at 100% - i just was too disapointed to mention them.
But the lack of information seems to be normal for companies when they have a big fancommunity.

@ DG and all others - and thats the point:

nobody asks for answering 99% of all questins, but :

Sure we didn’t get any information about RTCW server, linux, at the beginning. Still after the release all valuable hints came from the community.
Thats wrong, but as long they earn enough they will not change it.
So we are at “helping each other” - some ppl perhaps get more hints and tips from the developer, who cares.
So … afaik the possible release date was mentioned by an offcial beta tester! Whats the problem to give an offcial objection?

Leting ppl believe “its out every moment” is a good strategy for the first 3 or 4 days to get the product in the headlines. After that its bad for the product and the comany.
An official statement - even a “when its done” (works for dnf for years!) - would show the fans - and therefor potential customers - that the company tries to keep in contact with their customers.

You said they are “only developers”, no PR people.
Well, wanne bet that they have a pr department?
At least activision has a not so small one - so please tell me: Whats wrong with i’ve said above!

At the bandwith thread: Fully agreed - i dont think they care about bandwith :slight_smile:

still waiting … how knows

:beer:

(DG) #9

"Well, wanne bet that they have a pr department? "

ok, £1000?
:stuck_out_tongue:

Im certain the info about the release date was either miscommunication, simple error or some extra stuff just came up. it was an official word from Activision PR Hellchick btw, not a tester - i received it myself :wink: I think you can assume a simple “when its done” release, everything involving id seems to go on that basis.
It would be nice to get even an approximate release date but they probably dont give it to aviod the reactions when it is missed :slight_smile:

(ildon) #10

It’s not possible for Splashdamage to “act like EA” because they are completely different companies. It’s more reasonable to say “Activision is acting like EA” or “Splashdamage is acting like Dice”, but the former makes more sense.

Splashdamage has been very good at answering questions and addressing issues with the test build (most often the answer is “it’s already fixed in our current build”). The main thing they won’t comment on is potential release dates. The reason is because it’s not their job to do so. That’s Activision’s job. Activision has the QA department, and Activision decides when the game is stable enough for release. That means that while there are target dates, there is no “it will definitely be out by day X” because QA could run into another bug. In this aspect, activision is acting like EA because they’re both game publishing companies. Activision (as would most companies) would rather keep people in the dark, saying only “it should be done soon” than say “it will be done Friday” only to run into another massive bug that requires QA to start over and delays the game another week or two.

(BoltyBoy) #11

Well you’d think the fact that they’ve never made a comment on it here or anywhere makes it pretty obvious they don’t intend to and most likely have a ploicy about it…so stop moaining like a little kid - oh sorry maybe you are - and just wait for it to be released.

(sweetyvi) #12

@dg

pound to EUR is too bad :slight_smile: but how about a beer next time when i’m in gb?
but - really … do you think a company working together with the big players has no pr department?

“was either miscommunication, simple error or some extra stuff just came up”

ok - no problem with it! we all are waiting for a great game (not discussing the possible success now) which comes for FREE.
I really keep this in mind - just in case this isnt clear.

" I think you can assume a simple “when its done” release, everything involving id seems to go on that basis. "

And again: No problem with it!
But after a those rumors from Activision (more or less itself -didn’t know that till now, thx): whats the problem to say “hell, we want to release a stable build” or “we ran into trouble” or “we have this or that” … with a release date set up VERY optimistic for the coders - or even an “when its done”?

But giving away - misunderstanding or not - date facts and after that no more statements looks like the (existing or not) pr gag, set up for the E3!
Thats what makes me disappointed, angry and frustrated.

hope you see my point … the game looks great, they did a great job till now. other companies would have released the test as a final version :frowning: not calling names now :slight_smile:

@ildon
it doesnt matter how many REAL bugs adressing the linux server (not “i dont like the sound” or “i like the dust in game xyz better”) i send - i got no reply. but i dont expect one - their work is to fix them, not to feed me with mails :slight_smile:

as is said - activision should keep up their way - releasing a stable version.
but that has nothing to do with the lack of infomation!

@ BoltyBoy
name is program - espacially the “boy”?
open your eyes and read this thread again!
I’m just talking about “normal” buisness behavior - and the way they are acting now. grow up, learn how pr and buisness works. and after that - please dont talk to me again :cool:

(BoltyBoy) #13

eh?

You are talking normal business behaviour - well yes this is exactly what SD are doing - normal “game” business behaviour. They are not bounding off countless promises of release dates just to keep annoying kids like you happy - only to find they can’t fulfill the promises.

The facts for those having trouble seeing the blindingly obvious:

1 - We get a game for free whenever it is done

2 - SD are NOT going to comment about release dates on these forums until it’s readyl

It’s really beyond me why people persist in moaning about this - look that’s how it is -accept it and be patient.

(bogs) #14

It is most certainly conceivable that they would want the best looking page and then never change it to keep costs low. To not understand the plausibility of such a concept is a very wonderful thing. I hope it is years before you live through it.

… So you posted why? why can’t people just ignore stuff if they are truely disinterested. Why do you have to be nasty to people!

(BoltyBoy) #15

I like being nasty because it exercises the mind.

(bogs) #16

There are many different kinds of exercise - why do you choose that one as opposed to, oh say, being nice to people? 'Cause let me tell you - it’s way harder and a better workout for the mind to get your point accross in a nice fashion rather than to get it out by just saying something nasty.

(BoltyBoy) #17

There are many different kinds of exercise - why do you choose that one as opposed to, oh say, being nice to people? 'Cause let me tell you - it’s way harder and a better workout for the mind to get your point accross in a nice fashion rather than to get it out by just saying something nasty.[/quote]

LOL you need to chill out! I was joking! I don’t think anyone’s REALLY being nasty - I mean “nasty” is cutting someone’s testicles off. People get emotional about a topic because they have a passion for the game and so they tend to let off steam in their posts. It’s like a debate - in debates people get emotional - you don’t see them saying “Yes that’s a jolly good point my friend but I’m terribly sorry I have to disagree with you old chap.”

Come over to the dark side!

(Hewster) #18

I bet, they(SD) are itching to reply to some of these posts, considering
they are a team that have evolved from the comunity & thus must
be used to dealing with peoples suggestions … but I suspect they
don’t because of their contract with Activision / ID.

Well I hope that is the reason, cos otherwise they do seem a little
“offish” if you know what I mean.

BTW, don’t mess with BoltyBoy… I mean it … I happen to know he
collets the testicles of people who disagree with him… I for instance
now have a very high voice :eek3: since I told him that I didn’t think we should
blow up the girl in WildWest canyon …LOL j/k

I’m still confused as to what "name is program - espacially the “boy”? "
means though !!! could be it too deep for me to understand… mmmm
name is the program … mmm … ahh is he suggesting you are young
I wonder ? cos you said he was moaning like a little kid ? mmm … odd

Laters

Hewster

(sweetyvi) #19

@boltyboy

“You are talking normal business behaviour - well yes this is exactly what SD are doing - normal “game” business behaviour. They are not bounding off countless promises of release dates just to keep annoying kids like you happy - only to find they can’t fulfill the promises.”

As i learned in this thread, the “early next week” statement came from an official.
If THIS is what’s normal behaviour in “game buisness” (as you bring it out), I was glad activision & id dind’t behave like this till now (as many other did and do)
And again: E3 at the doors… so lets give some “official inoffical” statements to get some attention.
After that - who cares, E3 is over.
If THIS is really the way you see buisness and pr - even for game producers and publishers - you should check your relationship to some parts of buisness. Or grow up, to answer the questions about what i meant with “name is program”.

"The facts for those having trouble seeing the blindingly obvious:

1 - We get a game for free whenever it is done

2 - SD are NOT going to comment about release dates on these forums until it’s readyl

It’s really beyond me why people persist in moaning about this - look that’s how it is -accept it and be patient."

true - we are getting a game for free.
but i dont like to be treated as the commercial kid you are - and i dont understand whats the problem is to give an official statement! read! not a release date, a statement!

have fun!

(Vengeance) #20

It comes out when it comes out, you cant rush such a good game like ET. As for a statment the only statement i care about is - click here to download the full release :).

Until then i have complete faith that SD are doing the best job they can with ET.