While I'm not a long time KOTOR player, in fact, I've just sat down to begin my first experience with the new release, I felt that I should address this post. I decided to come to these forums for some background and have been following some complaints, which seem remarkably similar to the complaints of another game release a few months ago, HalfLife 2. I'm a chronic CS player (that in itself might get me flamed:)), and was quite pissed at the very major engine flaws in Source, as well as the story ending in the game itself. The point being, Valve's forums were overrun with complaints, suggestions and the community pulling together in order to find a solution to the problem with modders and devs throwing in opinions and suggestions. Yes there were flames, but I believe that that can be expected on any board and people need to let the admins know that they won't deal with it and want something done. The outcome has been that Valve was pressured enough, by bad press and such to commit to a solution to the problem in order to get ready for their console release. I think all of us as PC gamers have been burned to some degree by the "consolitis" affliction. Have you noticed an increase in lacklustre product? Games that seem to be still beta versions when released? HUDS and gameplay geared towards console gamers? Obviously this is inherent to the problems in, from what I've so far witnessed, is a great game. I am however hoping that the anticipated problems stay away from my experience with it. I've already noticed in some posts people trying to come up with solutions to problems that they've found with KOTOR2 and are going about it the right way. Don't think that these companies think of your input as irrelevant, as ultimately your money and support go directly to their ability to produce and market other items. These forums, I believe would be this communities most vital asset in getting something done to alleviate the situation, don't you?
For those of us more like myself, that is more sober and cynical...
Let's face it, the forum situation has reached a dead end. Without at least a lengthy timeout for the forums, Obsidian can only embarass themselves. Here are a few reasons.
1. The game turned out buggier than expected by anyone. Naturally, people are pissed. And there are flames. The patch is too little, too late; and even if the PC version gets patched, the X-Box is SOL. Forget XBL, the game isn't Live-aware, hence no patch for the X-Box. You think you saw flame wars? Just you wait til the patch comes out. Those poor controller-wielding slobs who shelled out $50 last year will be coming in droves to voice their displeasure. Loudly.
2. LucasArts hates this board. It's not nice when someone who's been paying the piper hates a board. Between the forums and LA's support, Obsidian should, and will, choose the hand that currently feeds them.
3. Obsidian cannot or will not hire a community manager/moderator. The existing mods (apparently volunteers?) obviously cannot hack it. These forums are a part of Obsidian's public image. It's not good to have a part of your public image trashed.
4. Obsidian has failed to distance itself from the community and forgot the principle of "sticks and stones". No, it's not quite as bad as Derek Smart. We all know that it STINKS to read a board and see a long litany of "YOU SUCK". But to publically announce your displeasure with the situation? That amounts to taking the bait. It's downright embarrassing. Now that the precedent has been set, as long as there's a rancor (Obsidian), there will always be someone willing to prod it with the stun baton (flamers). The question is, how long will the said rancor resist the urge to Smartinate the opposition? And wouldn't it be simpler and easier to just take away the said rancor?
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate Obsidian. Hell, I still have the first Fallout installed. But as far as these forums go? Get the shovel and dig the grave, this one's a goner.
Why the forums SHOULD be closed
in Star Wars: General Discussion
Posted
Greetings,
While I'm not a long time KOTOR player, in fact, I've just sat down to begin my first experience with the new release, I felt that I should address this post. I decided to come to these forums for some background and have been following some complaints, which seem remarkably similar to the complaints of another game release a few months ago, HalfLife 2. I'm a chronic CS player (that in itself might get me flamed:)), and was quite pissed at the very major engine flaws in Source, as well as the story ending in the game itself. The point being, Valve's forums were overrun with complaints, suggestions and the community pulling together in order to find a solution to the problem with modders and devs throwing in opinions and suggestions. Yes there were flames, but I believe that that can be expected on any board and people need to let the admins know that they won't deal with it and want something done. The outcome has been that Valve was pressured enough, by bad press and such to commit to a solution to the problem in order to get ready for their console release. I think all of us as PC gamers have been burned to some degree by the "consolitis" affliction. Have you noticed an increase in lacklustre product? Games that seem to be still beta versions when released? HUDS and gameplay geared towards console gamers? Obviously this is inherent to the problems in, from what I've so far witnessed, is a great game. I am however hoping that the anticipated problems stay away from my experience with it. I've already noticed in some posts people trying to come up with solutions to problems that they've found with KOTOR2 and are going about it the right way. Don't think that these companies think of your input as irrelevant, as ultimately your money and support go directly to their ability to produce and market other items. These forums, I believe would be this communities most vital asset in getting something done to alleviate the situation, don't you?