Should SD post a preview of balance changelog?

(TheStrangerous) #1

Much like how TF2 did it with their upcoming jungle update.
Unless they still have no idea what they’re changing, still stuck experimenting. Or maybe it’s best not to overhype us?

(kittz0r) #2

I guess they are still Brainstorming about stuff and i don’t see the Point of posting Changes beforehand since they might actually change in the last minutes.

(TheStrangerous) #3

But think of all these “reaction videos”, seeing anyone go “I QUIT!” or make 25:26 minutes long rants always amused me. :slight_smile:

(No_Point) #4

@TheStrangerous said:
Unless they still have no idea what they’re changing, still stuck experimenting. Or maybe it’s best not to overhype us?

They should… Considering their past list of changes that are basically just going back and forth for no apparent reason. But if they want to hang their own neck to a noose, they can hang their own neck to a noose.

And none will see this post. =P

(emjot) #5

No matter what, there there will be people not happy with the changes. Always.
Posting changelog of things not done or semi done might be confusing for other players later.

(Melinder) #6

There’s no way they’re still in the brainstorming phase. They would have to brainstorm ideas, test them internally, test them externally (PTS), review the testing, and potentially test again.

That’s how it should be anyway, however we all know that the PTS is more of a “PSFCCTHCRFR” (Private Server For Content Creators To Have Content Ready For Release). The amount of terrible balancing issues and bugs that make their way through the testing phase is atrocious.

(kittz0r) #7

@Melinder said:
There’s no way they’re still in the brainstorming phase. They would have to brainstorm ideas, test them internally, test them externally (PTS), review the testing, and potentially test again.

That’s how it should be anyway, however we all know that the PTS is more of a “PSFCCTHCRFR” (Private Server For Content Creators To Have Content Ready For Release). The amount of terrible balancing issues and bugs that make their way through the testing phase is atrocious.

well i know for a fact that they got ideas on the weekend and since nobody is working during weekends they have to brainstorm about balance ideas right now, so please…

(Melinder) #8

What do you mean by ideas on the weekend?

(TheStrangerous) #9

Only 30 days left 'til August ends, and they still brainstorming ideas…?

Where was the balance team in DB crew when you needed them? Hasn’t been any major balance changes since April 2016 (minus minor ones).
If they manage to focus 100% on balancing ATM, then maybe they’ll make it.

Still, sheetstorm will happen no matter what. Lookin’ forward to the community meltdown :slight_smile:

(emjot) #10

I work/used to work in game industry. Bah! I even worked with Id tech 3 engine (quake3 engine used for many games including SD’s WolfET - which is opensurce since 2011 I believe).

In modern teams which is eq. to almost all teams who work on games there is always a space for brainstorming. People who create games are mostly those with passion, they are creative and they are indeed brainstorming all the time if the they are not near some milestones’ deadlines.

However, there is a problem with lack of communication between devs and players mostly here on forums. They gave out space for us, but it seems they don’t have a time or resources to keep an eye on it as they should. This is one of the few things that frustrates players who love this product, and feel like noone listens to them.

This is not a job for someone who just sits and code for 8h straight then go back to home and forgets about his work-day, you bring your work to home all the time just by thinking on how you improve it or what kind of new things introduce.

That’s just my opinion about brainstorming, backed up with few years of experience in game industry and cooperation between devs and players.

edit:
One more note: Be patient and try to give proper feedback on things u think can be improved. Simple “no”, “revert it” is not enough for developers. Each tweak needs answer “why, what for, how it will impact on other aspects”.

(M4st0d0n) #11

@Melinder said:
The amount of terrible balancing issues and bugs that make their way through the testing phase is atrocious.

I have the feeling a part of you just said : “Yay more screwed up stuff to test and screencap and record”. Let’s face it, we are the testing phase. The shame here is you’re not paid for the good work.

(Melinder) #12

@emjot said:
However, there is a problem with lack of communication between devs and players mostly here on forums. They gave out space for us, but it seems they don’t have a time or resources to keep an eye on it as they should. This is one of the few things that frustrates players who love this product, and feel like noone listens to them.

It is extremely difficult for such a small team to keep their players in the loop, especially when a large portion of their forum moderators are volunteers. It would be difficult for Splash Damage to keep their volunteer moderators up to date with every one of their projects. If they were to, they may as well be employing them. As it stands, the moderators are to do as their title suggests, “moderate” the forums, keep it clean, relevant, and supply any additional information where possible.

(Melinder) #13

@M4st0d0n said:

@Melinder said:
The amount of terrible balancing issues and bugs that make their way through the testing phase is atrocious.

I have the feeling a part of you just said : “Yay more screwed up stuff to test and screencap and record”. Let’s face it, we are the testing phase. The shame here is you’re not paid for the good work.

Don’t you worry, the satisfaction of proving people wrong is more than enough.

(pumpkinmeerkat) #14

I wouldn’t mind a preview

(watsyurdeal) #15

I wouldn’t mind an open discussion, I will be open to seeing what they come up with. And will try to avoid sounding negative or rude in anyway.

(BloodySin) #16

Open discussions are good, even if not to get ideas from the players, but to gauge their reaction so something that will be hated by players can at least be avoided. Like this crafting system and everything-is-RNG events.

(MarsRover) #17

Balance changes and tweaks that are difficult to evaluate without playing the game - hard to tell.

Changes to the crafting system where everyone can take a calculator and clearly see the impact - hell yes.

(SteelMailbox) #18

Wouldn’t hurt. We can avoid certain mercs either being buffed to godhood or nerfed to Oblivion. However trial and error is very crucial so I say that while the changes are open to every player PTS players can play with them on the PTS.

(emjot) #19

@Melinder said:

@emjot said:
However, there is a problem with lack of communication between devs and players mostly here on forums. They gave out space for us, but it seems they don’t have a time or resources to keep an eye on it as they should. This is one of the few things that frustrates players who love this product, and feel like noone listens to them.

It is extremely difficult for such a small team to keep their players in the loop, especially when a large portion of their forum moderators are volunteers. It would be difficult for Splash Damage to keep their volunteer moderators up to date with every one of their projects. If they were to, they may as well be employing them. As it stands, the moderators are to do as their title suggests, “moderate” the forums, keep it clean, relevant, and supply any additional information where possible.

I do understand that, however it’s still a problem, just caused by not enough human resources.
And by the fact Dirty Bomb is run by rather small than big team means they should focus on communication. 1h per day, sum up few threads would be enough imo. The thing is, players here should “feel” the presence of developers. I like how they run Youtube channel, facebook and twitter. Those are the most important social media channels. However this 1h spent on forums per 48 (at least) would be awesome.

I understand lack of time etc, but I know how things look like behind the stage. It’s a matter of psychology towards players, if they see devs listen to them (agree or not to certain ideas, posts etc) they feel better.

It doesn’t mean much to mature players who knows how things go, but for new players or younger audience it’s sometimes very important.

Anyway, that’s rather small thing which could be easly improved now or in future. Nothing on ASAP deadline.

Forum as a channel of communication is good to hear feedback. It depends on their strategy if they want to share ideas and ask us (players) for opinion or not (we - as a players - often demand too much)

Let’s don’t forget people don’t like changes, and sometimes (speaking of experience) something which could be seen as “are you serious? why did u do that” meets with overall approval a little bit later. Some things just must be done, at start people hate it, but then they realized it was a good change.

Anyway, I think whatever they will decide it will be a good call judging by how awesome things they’ve done so far.

CU in game guys :slight_smile:

(TheStrangerous) #20

hates_pancakes.jpg179x559

First impressions can be misleading,
Maybe it was matter of time, before readjusting yourself to a new meta.
I’ts EVOLUTION.