While I don’t represent Blizzard anymore, I want to say that despite how hard this week was - the folks still there are some of the most dedicated and passionate developers in the world. They give their ALL daily… for YOU guys.
Yes, the business end of things can be tough sometimes - but that’s every company. Blizzard’s not done. Or over. Or on fire. Rough patch, maybe? But the people there are brilliant and working hard every day. Support them. Encourage them where you can.
Flailing about the apocalypse doesn’t help. Positivity and faith in the long run actually DO help. A community that doesn’t support each other won’t last. Be positive for each other. Be constructive. Anger just breeds anger. I think Yoda said that once…
…the vast majority of people there that build and support products can’t/don’t control the top end of the business. Claiming that it all on fire and dead does a huge disservice to the people that are there doing their best.
When do we just write him off as far too optimistic for this community?
I don’t… He’s spot on, I don’t doubt that everyone in that building has a passion for what they do, and the community as a whole. Sometimes though, things look better on paper.
There really isn’t that many people who are totally negative and destructive in this community. I think some of the worst ones on this forum actually switch characters to spread their hostility.
This is exactly the problem. All of the people with TRUE passion and who understand what it takes to drive the community are gone. The founders of blizzard knew how to grow and support a community.
I miss all of the original team. They had a true-love for gaming and the community. You could see it in the way they talked, the way they worked and products they came out with.
Agreed entirely. Everything said there is spot on. I hope he understands the people crying ‘fire!’ and ‘end of the world!’ aren’t the primary voices in the community. We have concern over the game, and passion. I don’t think most people want to see the game die–otherwise, why bother posting here at all, you know?
The community is largely unhappy because this game’s main advertised new features pretty much ALL are deeply flawed.
That is a very reasonable response.
We bought a game, the game wasn’t very good, and we are unhappy. And we say so.
It is not our job to be Blizzard cheerleaders. However, many of us would be far more likely to believe in the company if Blizzard seemed to be honest, seemed to be trying to make a fun game rather than a mix of half-baked experiments and over-extended cheap content. And if they seemed to respect their players.
It is pretty hard to cheer for a company that seems to take you for granted.
If Blizzard wants us to love them, then they need to go back to being Metzen’s Blizzard.
I wouldn’t say they’re gone – they’re just no longer in charge. Regardless of what the CMs used to say, I think the fact Blizzard has a president but no CEO, and Kotick is the only CEO now, says something about who ultimately makes the calls. Not that most were confused before, but it’s more pronounced now.
I think his line about Yoda is spot on, and he’s completely right. The community (including myself) needs to take a few steps back and chill. Remember all the good things about WoW instead of the negativity. Remember all the amazing things we’ve all accomplished in our time on Azeroth together, and “Focus on the moment.” (Pretty sure Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon said that.)
That said can we talk for a moment about that amazing beard he’s rocking these days? I think he’s finally out Ragnar’d Ragnar himself in terms of pure epicness. Is that a meme? Because if not it damned well should be.
I think he is more referring to doomsayers. People saying things like “Classic is never coming out now?!” etc. That’s taking it a little to far, isn’t it? I have to agree with him here.
It’s not the apocalypse, the world isn’t ending and nor is wow.
I would love to see the original team and the original team from Verant (who created EQ before SoE bought them out) sit down together. Would be interested to see what these 2 groups came up with.