Raiku is 100% right. Just because you work really hard on something doesn’t mean it’s instantly worthy of uncritical praise. Yes, the art team may have worked tirelessly to produce these recolors–though I have to ask why doing so was so intensive for the team–but that doesn’t mean it’s valuable content.
Someone else on this thread rightly pointed out that there’s a difference between what they label as “supplementary” and “playable” content. Skins are supplementary–they add stuff to the game but don’t actually add new things for us to do. Playable content–maps, characters, modes, etc–give us things to actually participate in. It’s very important that Blizzard not confuse where a given piece of content falls, yet it seems like they frequently are! The community is, as I’m sure you’re aware, expressing mass amounts of discontent about the lack of playable content and the lack of clear expectations about future playable content and the direction it may be heading. So, why is the response, “look at these cool skins” when that evidently isn’t the frustration?
Moreover, to state the obvious in this specific instance, people are frustrated with the claim that “this year packs more legendary skins than any other year.” They feel like it’s a bait-and-switch. Now, sure, that may not have been the intent from Blizzard–but saying “nope, but we can’t tell you about what’s actually going on, and aren’t those palette swaps so cool!” ain’t it, chief. I appreciate that you’re out here communicating, Andy, but you need to be crystal clear with whoever you talk to regarding messaging: vague promises and trying to drum up hype when people are clearly frustrated do not work. It’s only worsening the bitterness in the community. I understand communication is difficult, particularly when you’re working with limited information, but it’s been a repeat point of failure for Blizzard that needs drastic and intensive attention.
Honestly, I think Blizzard overestimated how much players would value palette swapped skins at a time when cosmetics aren’t stupendously high on many people’s priority list. I think they misplayed. Rather than trying to talk your way around that, though, just own it. It builds trust with the community when you guys can say, “yeah, we misjudged what the community wanted in this instance and did not communicate clearly about what our intentions were regarding these palette-swap skins. Hopefully, you can still appreciate and enjoy these skins while we reconvene and refocus on how we can attempt to address more pertinent concerns from the community.” That sounds like an honest answer, and even though I might not be thrilled about the situation, I can at least respect the honesty. Trying to drum up hype in the face of obvious distaste & disappointment doesn’t exactly smack of honesty, nor does making vague statements about what was promised vs what’s to come.
Putting that back on the community like you did swings dangerously close to blaming the consumers. It’s like being mad at someone for wanting a steak because they’re hungry and dismissing the fruit punch Kool-Aid you keep trying to sell them! Why are you selling them something to quench their thirst in the first place when that’s not what they want or need? That breaks down the community’s faith in Blizzard, and faith is something y’all need a LOT of right now.