To Jeffrey Morris and the Firaxis team

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Author Topic:   To Jeffrey Morris and the Firaxis team

KaiserSoze posted 03-09-99 11:15 PM ET
As someone who has worked in the computer industry for over 5 years, and worked the last 3 in a "tech support" role I would like to state something here, just for the record. I truly, honestly, and deeply appreciate the effort all of you have given to not only this product, but to your company. The effort you have expended to bring us, the gamer, quality entertainment is greatly appreciated. I know others feel this way, but not enough has been said. Jeffrey, I really empathize with you. I have done your job, admittadley, not with quite as much public exposure. I know what it's like to try your best to help someone, and be criticized for not doing it fast enough, and then not being thanked when you get the problem resolved. I have been called names, had snide remarks made, and treated lower than someone would treat their dog. All in an effort to help someone fix a problem. I understand the frustration, but I must say to everyone, before you type something, decide if you would say what you type to someone's face. Most of the time, you would not. Anyway, I wanted to take time and let you know that a lot of us appreciate everything all of you have done. I know that a lot of you have sacrificed a great deal of your personal lives at the altar of game designing. It *IS* appreciated. There have been many negative posts lately, I felt it was time for a direct positive one. I hope you appreciate the compliment, as much as I have appreciated playing SMAC. Anytime you wonder what the hell you even bothered for, come back and read this message again. I hope it helps remind you.
A veryy happy customer,
KaiserSoze
CaptComal posted 03-09-99 11:59 PM ET
Bravo ... let me join with you on that one!
In this day and age, many of us have to wear many hats at work.
I have been with "SUPPORT SERVICES" for nearly 7 years now (along with Network Control), the last year specifically as Problem/Change Coordinator (many people refer to our services as HELP DESK).
The job is truely a thankless job much of the time ... often decisions have to be made that are LOSE/LOSE situations (no matter what you do you lose).
I agree ... the negativity on this forum has gotten quite bad. People no longer are discussing just the issues ... but the PEOPLE who made various statements. That is not what this forum is for (read the forum rules) and it is a shame that it is like this.
I am sure that Jeffrey Morris is giving up MUCH of his PERSONAL LIFE to try to keep up with these forums, and it must be getting hard for him to justify that now. It would be a shame if he stopped by the forums only when he HAD to because of the mean spirited things going on in these forums.
SMAC is not a perfect game. There is no such thing. However, FIRAXIS is as good a game company as I have seen - so give them a chance.
In another week or so we should see the 3.0 patch (if all goes well). Maybe that will address much of the incompatiblity problems as well as game issues.
In the meantime, I hope that Jeffrey keeps helping out here (and Brian in the Newsgroup). I have been impressed with their support and hope it continues.
Best Regards,
CaptComal
Achilles posted 03-10-99 02:04 AM ET
I'll jump on the bandwagon. I appreciate the hard work that you have done extra. Honestly, though it may be a great game, I can't say that I feel thankful for your hard work on it. It was a job and I assume you get paid. We all (almost) do that too. The extra, however, was and is great. I truly appreciate it. How many game companies release a patch based on comments, not by beta-testers, not by professionals, not by those who paid for the product, but by people who had a free demo version? All you had to go on was faith that the game would sell. Anyway, the dedication you put into the extras, patches, improvements, technical support, is nothing short of amazing. We (I)thank you for it.
p.s. Forgive the grammar, spelling and disjointedness of this post, it's late!
Kenneth posted 03-10-99 03:23 AM ET
I agree as well. I have lurked here for a while since purchasing the game, and rather than simply restate anything which has already been said, I would just like to say that I am enjoying the game and appreciate all the hard work put in by the team to make this the great game that it is. It can only get better as time goes on!
- Kenneth
Juggler posted 03-10-99 05:38 AM ET
I agree Firaxis is doing a great job. Not many companies offer the same service to gamers. And yes, being in the support business is very thankless most of the time, I know I repair computers in a computerstore. Your always to slow, it always costs to much. But the few customers that do thank you for solving their problem makes it worth it (it's so good for your EGO).
Now back to Firaxis:
It's just great that Jeff reads through all the postings and that he offers solutions to as many problems as he can.
To bad that EA is screwing the whole support story up for us European customers. BTW has it been mentioned that the protection doesn't work!!! Maybe Firaxis could switch to another distributor like Virgin!!!
Firaxis KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, EA go learn from your competitors (maybe an internship with Virgin!!)
Juggler
Provost Uop
Firaxis Fan
SMAC Lover
PS:
THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
The DirectorGeneral posted 03-10-99 07:28 AM ET
Yes, thanks much, Firaxis, and allow me to add my voice as a backup singer for the help desk blues....
The DG
iratheous posted 03-10-99 08:41 AM ET
NO FIRAXIS IS CRAP!!.. no wait.. sorry i was thinking of sierra. Firaxis, you are great! Jeff, you listen well. SMAC is great and will be even better when I gain enough programming knowledge to merge SMAC and Roller Coaster Tycoon into one huge game! heh heh
Jimmy posted 03-10-99 08:58 AM ET
I also want to thank Firaxis for great customer support and for making such a fun game. They listened to us when SMAC was still on the drawing board and they implemented a lot of our suggestions. Again, when the demo came out and many complained about graphics and play-balancing (ie mindwom farming) they came through . When the final game was in stores, did they stop there ? Nope, they relesed a patch to fix bugs and give us MORE features including PBEM and hotseat ! I think Firaxis has gone beyond the extra mile for us. Those that can't appreciate that should leave this forum. I do appreciate what Firaxis has done for us. Thank you.
Dredd posted 03-10-99 09:03 AM ET
Nice to see a positive thread on the board. The Yin's of the world were starting to get me down.
The game is awesome, the support has been incredible, and I am a VERY happy customer!
Thanks Firaxis, especially Jeff and Brian!
tOFfGI posted 03-10-99 11:32 AM ET
GO FIRAXIS!!!
KS: You've seen "the usual suspects" a few too many times...
Mnich posted 03-10-99 11:41 AM ET
Need I say anything? *l*
Imran Siddiqui posted 03-10-99 11:32 PM ET
I concur. Keep up the good work!
Imran Siddiqui
yin26 posted 03-10-99 11:39 PM ET
Imran, I was worried there for a moment...
Biddles posted 03-11-99 12:53 AM ET
I treat my dog well, but i still agree that Firaxis is doing a great job.
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Author	Topic: To Jeffrey Morris and the Firaxis team
KaiserSoze	posted 03-09-99 11:15 PM ET As someone who has worked in the computer industry for over 5 years, and worked the last 3 in a "tech support" role I would like to state something here, just for the record. I truly, honestly, and deeply appreciate the effort all of you have given to not only this product, but to your company. The effort you have expended to bring us, the gamer, quality entertainment is greatly appreciated. I know others feel this way, but not enough has been said. Jeffrey, I really empathize with you. I have done your job, admittadley, not with quite as much public exposure. I know what it's like to try your best to help someone, and be criticized for not doing it fast enough, and then not being thanked when you get the problem resolved. I have been called names, had snide remarks made, and treated lower than someone would treat their dog. All in an effort to help someone fix a problem. I understand the frustration, but I must say to everyone, before you type something, decide if you would say what you type to someone's face. Most of the time, you would not. Anyway, I wanted to take time and let you know that a lot of us appreciate everything all of you have done. I know that a lot of you have sacrificed a great deal of your personal lives at the altar of game designing. It IS appreciated. There have been many negative posts lately, I felt it was time for a direct positive one. I hope you appreciate the compliment, as much as I have appreciated playing SMAC. Anytime you wonder what the hell you even bothered for, come back and read this message again. I hope it helps remind you. A veryy happy customer, KaiserSoze
CaptComal	posted 03-09-99 11:59 PM ET Bravo ... let me join with you on that one! In this day and age, many of us have to wear many hats at work. I have been with "SUPPORT SERVICES" for nearly 7 years now (along with Network Control), the last year specifically as Problem/Change Coordinator (many people refer to our services as HELP DESK). The job is truely a thankless job much of the time ... often decisions have to be made that are LOSE/LOSE situations (no matter what you do you lose). I agree ... the negativity on this forum has gotten quite bad. People no longer are discussing just the issues ... but the PEOPLE who made various statements. That is not what this forum is for (read the forum rules) and it is a shame that it is like this. I am sure that Jeffrey Morris is giving up MUCH of his PERSONAL LIFE to try to keep up with these forums, and it must be getting hard for him to justify that now. It would be a shame if he stopped by the forums only when he HAD to because of the mean spirited things going on in these forums. SMAC is not a perfect game. There is no such thing. However, FIRAXIS is as good a game company as I have seen - so give them a chance. In another week or so we should see the 3.0 patch (if all goes well). Maybe that will address much of the incompatiblity problems as well as game issues. In the meantime, I hope that Jeffrey keeps helping out here (and Brian in the Newsgroup). I have been impressed with their support and hope it continues. Best Regards, CaptComal
Achilles	posted 03-10-99 02:04 AM ET I'll jump on the bandwagon. I appreciate the hard work that you have done extra. Honestly, though it may be a great game, I can't say that I feel thankful for your hard work on it. It was a job and I assume you get paid. We all (almost) do that too. The extra, however, was and is great. I truly appreciate it. How many game companies release a patch based on comments, not by beta-testers, not by professionals, not by those who paid for the product, but by people who had a free demo version? All you had to go on was faith that the game would sell. Anyway, the dedication you put into the extras, patches, improvements, technical support, is nothing short of amazing. We (I)thank you for it. p.s. Forgive the grammar, spelling and disjointedness of this post, it's late!
Kenneth	posted 03-10-99 03:23 AM ET I agree as well. I have lurked here for a while since purchasing the game, and rather than simply restate anything which has already been said, I would just like to say that I am enjoying the game and appreciate all the hard work put in by the team to make this the great game that it is. It can only get better as time goes on! - Kenneth
Juggler	posted 03-10-99 05:38 AM ET I agree Firaxis is doing a great job. Not many companies offer the same service to gamers. And yes, being in the support business is very thankless most of the time, I know I repair computers in a computerstore. Your always to slow, it always costs to much. But the few customers that do thank you for solving their problem makes it worth it (it's so good for your EGO). Now back to Firaxis: It's just great that Jeff reads through all the postings and that he offers solutions to as many problems as he can. To bad that EA is screwing the whole support story up for us European customers. BTW has it been mentioned that the protection doesn't work!!! Maybe Firaxis could switch to another distributor like Virgin!!! Firaxis KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, EA go learn from your competitors (maybe an internship with Virgin!!) Juggler Provost Uop Firaxis Fan SMAC Lover PS: THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE
The DirectorGeneral	posted 03-10-99 07:28 AM ET Yes, thanks much, Firaxis, and allow me to add my voice as a backup singer for the help desk blues.... The DG
iratheous	posted 03-10-99 08:41 AM ET NO FIRAXIS IS CRAP!!.. no wait.. sorry i was thinking of sierra. Firaxis, you are great! Jeff, you listen well. SMAC is great and will be even better when I gain enough programming knowledge to merge SMAC and Roller Coaster Tycoon into one huge game! heh heh
Jimmy	posted 03-10-99 08:58 AM ET I also want to thank Firaxis for great customer support and for making such a fun game. They listened to us when SMAC was still on the drawing board and they implemented a lot of our suggestions. Again, when the demo came out and many complained about graphics and play-balancing (ie mindwom farming) they came through . When the final game was in stores, did they stop there ? Nope, they relesed a patch to fix bugs and give us MORE features including PBEM and hotseat ! I think Firaxis has gone beyond the extra mile for us. Those that can't appreciate that should leave this forum. I do appreciate what Firaxis has done for us. Thank you.
Dredd	posted 03-10-99 09:03 AM ET Nice to see a positive thread on the board. The Yin's of the world were starting to get me down. The game is awesome, the support has been incredible, and I am a VERY happy customer! Thanks Firaxis, especially Jeff and Brian!
tOFfGI	posted 03-10-99 11:32 AM ET GO FIRAXIS!!! KS: You've seen "the usual suspects" a few too many times...
Mnich	posted 03-10-99 11:41 AM ET Need I say anything? l
Imran Siddiqui	posted 03-10-99 11:32 PM ET I concur. Keep up the good work! Imran Siddiqui
yin26	posted 03-10-99 11:39 PM ET Imran, I was worried there for a moment...
Biddles	posted 03-11-99 12:53 AM ET I treat my dog well, but i still agree that Firaxis is doing a great job.