From coward central -- On answering critics
SirKewberth
EdenForum Administrator, Forum Moderator, Game Developer
in General Chat
I've been following a few posts where people say the posts are being deleted because they're critical of the game. I don't really personally care if people have some complaint or criticism. You think there's too many hats and not enough other updates? That's fine. Maybe I even agree. In fact I often agree with player criticism of the game. The game has a lot of flaws. I accept that. We try to make it better. It can't be all done instantaneously. Often players want things that can't be done or are very difficult.
What you don't see is... what do people do behind the scenes? People may say they want building blocks not hats but what do they actually buy? What is the cost of a new feature? Do we have the budget for what you want? The thing you don't like.. how hard is it to fix and how many things are already in the queue that would have to be delayed to put yours as a higher priority? From a player perspective you guys don't have to worry about any of that stuff.
If you don't like something or want a change then just send me a message or make a polite non-dramatic post without threats etc... I don't think those posts have ever been removed. We can't answer everyone all the time, but we try. I mean.. it's not really in our interest to make the game suck for you guys is it? Why would I work on updates I think people won't like or not add features people would love? All those things are to our advantage.
So what about posts that were removed. Well the mods can't answer the critiques but they do try to apply the forum rules as best they can. It has nothing to do with us hiding from critiques of the game.
What you don't see is... what do people do behind the scenes? People may say they want building blocks not hats but what do they actually buy? What is the cost of a new feature? Do we have the budget for what you want? The thing you don't like.. how hard is it to fix and how many things are already in the queue that would have to be delayed to put yours as a higher priority? From a player perspective you guys don't have to worry about any of that stuff.
If you don't like something or want a change then just send me a message or make a polite non-dramatic post without threats etc... I don't think those posts have ever been removed. We can't answer everyone all the time, but we try. I mean.. it's not really in our interest to make the game suck for you guys is it? Why would I work on updates I think people won't like or not add features people would love? All those things are to our advantage.
So what about posts that were removed. Well the mods can't answer the critiques but they do try to apply the forum rules as best they can. It has nothing to do with us hiding from critiques of the game.
Comments
I think some have to have a little respect for all the current/past admins, they would've had to really think about what to do that people would love. I've seen some saying that the admins don't listen to what the community say but of course they do, I see Kewberth on commenting on so many discussions and interacting with the community and that in itself is amazing! Since me joining the forums and seeing other players' suggestions the first thing that comes to mind is the impact/what it would take. It is easy as 1-2-3 to suggest things for the game but you need to look into it and think about what is going on behind the scenes. There are so many things, SO many things I see in game that I've seen suggested on the forums.
The development team of this game isn't huge and for what SirK and any other admins/workers are doing to make this game what it is is incredible! But as that small percentage, it is harder to push updates/fixes out. Some of you see games like Minecraft/Sims/Fortnite/Roblox and see how quick they can fix bugs but they have thousands of people working on their game daily. How many people are working on this game? Like I said, a small amount. What I have loved about this game from the minute of playing is 1. How quick the service for contact is - a lot of people complain but for one person dealing with all those emails it is amazing service and 2. How interactive the developers/admins are, I've PMed SK in the past asking questions/general chat etc... I got a reply so fast. SirKewberth even gave up some time to do an interview for me. Please, everyone, consider the team size and if you have criticism make it constructive criticism not "I HATE THIS!" or "WHAAAT HAVE U DONE!!!!" because that doesn't help!
Same goes for the moderator team - Grace, Galantis, Slim, Whimsy, space_fetus, Scort, Kn1 - that is 7 mods moderating the game. Some will bash them and bash them for five people and over 10,000 players they are doing amazingly.
Just consider: The behind the scenes / size of teams / how well the game actually runs for what it is / the staff are all humans too and can't be there 24/7 / give constructive criticism and not stupid, mean comments because that won't help.
Oh, also, a little off topic, do you know if the summer pack will come soon?
But seriously, most admins sort of become estranged and distance themselves like some aloof rich uncle but you guys seem to be in touch and you seem to listen when we complain. Thanks for that. :D
Kewberth and his team value every individual player and the community as a whole far more then any other game developers I’ve ever seen. They do what they believe we want, if it is the best thing to do for the game. Maybe some of you should start being more optimistic with the developers (Including space) and give them some sympathy for all they do for us.
btw, piratax10 wasn't complaining, he was trying to start a debate, he is grateful for the admin's and mod's work, he wasn't trying to start drama, he was trying to have a civilized talk with everyone.
It's mostly about priorities. Ie.. which things should we address first? and that is hard for players to weigh in on, because it's going to be different for every player, and because there are some behind the scenes factors. For instance, I don't think rewriting the graphic engine to support metal along with opengl is going to be on any player list, and yet at some point if we don't do it, we would lose the ability to support iOS (this is just an example.. Apple hasn't yet given a date to stop opengl support but they COULD and so internally that would instantly rearrange our priorities). Sometimes what comes first has to do with what's easier. If something is bothering players and it can be done in an hr vs a month, then even though it hasn't been a long-term request we do it because it's easy to slip in. Often we're forced to work on things that weren't planned because a bug comes to light, or apple or android make an update we have to adjust to, and that can't just wait. For instance a couple of months ago some networking things changed and we couldn't get iOS approved to update without adding a new networking layer. This wasn't planned at the time. And so on...
Just appreciate what Kewberth added to the game.
Btw Kewberth, can u add summer blocks pack? Those sand castles block and sand dune