posted 08-03-99 09:54 PM ET        

The reality is that our love-hate relationship and fixation on bugs around here is the result of a fault that lies directly on Firaxis. Assuming that we all can allow for some bugs (though several in SMAC were and still are inexcusable), the issue becomes how the company presents itself after the release of a game. Firaxis is atrocious at this point. When you post a sorry excuse for a Web site, follow it up with next to no interaction with your fans, and then pop your head in every once in a while to ban somebody, YOU create the whiny atmosphere.

As I said before, you would be better off as a company with NO official websites and let the fans do the Web stuff properly, dropping in from time to time. At least when a fan site gives poor service or makes mistakes, it doesn't reflect on you. And let's face it: Fans often do a much better job of getting people excited and talking about the game than does some salary guy in Hunt Valley.

Afterall, we have certain minimum expectations of an official site, and this one here is like a never ending advertisement that says: "We have niether the time nor inclination to use the Net in a positive way. So we now invite you to talk about bugs and anything else but our games. We assume, of course, this will hurt our reputation, but public opinion is meaningless anyway." Take another look at the empty "Messages from Firaxis" forum. That pretty much sums it up.

Have you ever seen a gaming site that is full of current information, full of places to setup games on-line, and full of interesting things to read about the company, games in general, etc.? If you have, you'd agree that most of the people there are too busy enjoying talking about the game, the company, the next game...anything BUT bugs. On those sites, bugs are mentioned, of course, but it takes a much lighter tone, and anybody who persists in whining about bugs is often attacked for daring to put down a great company.

It is sites like this where bugs are the only "new" thing about the game we have to discuss. And when people bring up bugs here, the feeling is something like: "Oh, another one. Yeah, Firaxis never fails to impress. Add it to the list. What are we up to? 439?" That negative feel is the fault of a horrendous Internet presence. Of course, we all get sick of bug talk after a while, and then we have what you see now: Talk about anything BUT the game. We have people who truly enjoy the game simply leaving the community because it is too negative. So, far from sustaining the on-line community, talk about bugs erodes it until the site become infested and sick.

So, contrary to your rather snide assumption about gamers, talk about bugs should not simply be dismissed by some flimsy psycho-babble. Talk about bugs, especially when it reaches the demensions you alluded to, is a reflection of dissatisfaction with the company (and the QA/PR departments in particular) more than anything else. Brush it aside if you like.

posted 08-03-99 10:30 PM ET            

Oh and welcome back to the spotlight yin

posted 08-04-99 04:41 AM ET            

>> I even think that some of the more contraversial posters are actually plants for
Firaxis to generate interest in the forums.<<

Finally, akathisia do you really belive that Firaxis would do that ? Doesn�t this sound a wee bit much ? To much of a conspiracy theory, I mean.

posted 08-04-99 04:47 AM ET         

1)Almost a complete copy&past from this site (a lot of old program description referred in fact to "alpha centauri" original game, not really to SMAX.
2)No Forum
3)No use of official SMAC site to announce SMAX site opening, nor to speak frankly with us about "bugs and forums" (if he feel the forums arguments needs some readdressing he can start a thread, can't he? )

May I suppose that:
1) Firaxis don't agree with your and mine vision of Internet PR/QA relevance
AND
2) They are almost ready to address any problem with forums (no forums=no problem)

posted 08-04-99 09:23 AM ET            

1. JKM announced the existence of the interview in the Random Chat forum on ACOL. From my lurking there, ACOL has more veterans SMAC users who have already gotten tired of complaining about the bugs and wouldn't likely be searching for web for new sources of ammo. Mind you, he said he posted in Random Chat because that's what the most people read.

2. No announcement here. Sure it was found, but JKM doesn't comment on it despite all the interest its generated. Of course not, its growing on its own.

3. Darkstar posted his Boycott in all forums (I saw it for myself) Then according to him, all but 2 disappeared in 2 minutes. I don't know about 2 minutes, but when I checked 1 hour later, only two of the topics were left. Why not leave them all or delete them all? Why leave two and both in the most active forums? Because its exciting and brings posters back (something that the release of 4.0 and SMAX hasn't) 3.0 brought a deluge of posts but 4.0 and SMAX have done little, nevermind all the screwups with the first of the new factions.
3 1/2. A post by me titled Attention-Firaxis (7-29) got no replies by the management but Darkstar's was noticed right away. Obviously they watch and choose what is interesting.

4. Its very easy to create an alternate persona on-line. Most of us have done it in some form (even with just our screen names) And we know some people argue with their alternate pesona a lot of the time in the forums.

We are all just strains of bacteria in a giant petri dish. Antibiotic here, extra nutrient there, we are a carefully groomed experiment in human psychology. Which is fine that they do that, just so we know.

posted 08-04-99 09:57 AM ET            

I thought the List had taken all the wind out of your flamer. I guess I was wrong... :-)

posted 08-04-99 03:31 PM ET            

Akathisia... it was between 2 to 4 minutes, depending on the forum. I mean, once they tumbled to it, they just had to wait until I posted it.

And are you implying I'm a Firaxian? There are already those claiming I'm BR. Hard to imagine I'd be so critical of my own design if I was just a "alternative". Does that mean Analyst is Sid?

Something odd is going on, but what is the question. Maybe the websters got an early heads up? Who knows? Not us.

posted 08-04-99 03:49 PM ET            

They are watching us. Maybe YOU are watching us. Maybe I am the one watching all of you. Hmmmmmm....

We are all pawns on the Firaxian chessboard.

(However if you ARE in fact BR, wouldn't you like to include my faction in SMACX? )

posted 08-04-99 08:33 PM ET            

And there's virtually no better way to get your thread completely ignored than to put 'Attention: Firaxis' in the header. Of all the time I've been here, only Yin has ever received a reply, and that was in a mock interview he posted for Brian. Whose deepest insight was that mindworms have scary teeth.

Darkstar: Can I be Tim Train this time, or do I have to be Chris Pine again ?

Yin: I'm betting you rattled that litte piece off at pace with your eyes closed. Standard fare for a reply to FX. As you know, it doesn't matter how many times you post a well worded response in the forums, there is virtually no chance of FX hearing you.

posted 08-04-99 11:03 PM ET            

Topic: Don't look at this Firaxis, nothing to concern you here, that's right, move on

It was simple and one would expect a sensible company just to take a peek and say I saw it, its your computer's fault, stop bothering us (or something to that effect)

posted 08-05-99 07:11 PM ET            

It would be difficult to know if they don't read their own fan base. It is easy to state that we don't recieve any feedback, except in the odd article or chat. So, in about 6 weeks, when they start stroking the PR Hype machine and doing guest articles and IRC chats, we'll FINALLY hear some replies.

Problem for them is, many of us will have moved on. I know its a pain to respond to customers when in the Development Grove, but it goes along with the territory if you don't have someone to do it for you.

posted 08-06-99 04:24 PM ET            

Actually I think you're quite right that Firaxis has some thinking to do about what needs are properly served by an "official site" and which are better served by fan sites. I think there are some things appropriate for each kind of site, but on the other hand the official site shouldn't (for instance), do things which suck all the oxygen out of fan sites. We've talked about a lot of these issues, and I think you'll see us evolve in those directions over time.

posted 08-09-99 07:46 AM ET            

Mike: He didn't ask for your input, unless you're somehow a part of the 'we' he mentioned. Again, it's totally up to the inner circle as to what gets done, and when.

posted 08-09-99 09:20 AM ET            

I have never met a group of gamers of the quality of the T.I's before, both for gameplay and for quality of communication. I find it sad that firaxis has turned such a potent resource against themselves. Yin and Darkstar have both proven their commitment to Sid's games countless times, and seem to have been almost roundly ignored (aside from Yin's massive efforts to produce lists, the amount of work involved in which should almost have qualified him for paid employment).

posted 08-09-99 03:29 PM ET         

I don't post here very often but I wanted to say I agree with Darkstar, Yin, and Analyst.

On the issue of "fire-control" here in the forums, I have a few opinions. I believe Firaxis thinks they are BIGGER than these forums (in every sense: corprate, publicity, fan base). Hell, I believe what gets said here in these forums will have a very marginal impact on their world-wide image.

To the point: It's too hot here for them to get a grasp on the flames. What do they do? They let it burn. Soon it will burn out and they can rebuild on the old basement.

Why, This place has never really seemed all that important to Firaxis. They'll never say that but their presence (or lack-of) over time has proven that. JM's article has proven that.

I know this post doesn't offer any solutions or add much too to the conversation. I just want to throw out another opinion. I beleive Firaxis WANTS to care but I doubt they have the time or motivation.

Yes, its cold but this is my opinion.