For any given topic that criticizes the state of WoW, there are two main types of defenders, each type directly contradicting the other.
The first are the “fun is subjective” type. At any criticism towards the “fun” element of the game, they’ll immediately jump in to make it a point that unless there’s any data presented, the OP speaks only for themselves. In effect, the goal is to isolate the OP’s post as one opinion amongst many, and therefore it is insignificant in the grand scheme of the game. They’ll argue that facts are more valuable to the game than opinions.
The second are the “who cares? Just tell us what you like” type. These were a lot more prominent back when Blizzard would show the declining subs, and today sit comfortably behind how ambiguous the current sub number is. Effectively, any form of data, or any attempt at gathering data, implying that WoW is still statistically declining will be dismissed in favor of demanding the OP shift the topic on what is fun for them. To them, feedback is more valuable than the state of the game, and critics ought to talk about what they like. They’ll argue that opinions are more valuable to the game than facts.
This isn’t an attack at people who still enjoy WoW or feel optimistic about the game. It’s an observation of two extremely popular tactics people use to defend WoW, by shifting the topic in a direction that minimizes the value of the OP’s point, as opposed to presenting their own thoughts, data, speculation, etc…
I’m not sure how the two types you listed contradict each other. But I do like that you are civil about it. Most negative posts come off as very angry and aggressive and I feel it diminishes their point. They also just say stuff like, “fix this now” but give very little to no info on what specifically they don’t like or what they think would fix the issue. They just come off a bit baby’ish.
I’m in the camp that there are a chunk of vocal people creating new, negative posts and then just as large a chunk defending or enjoying the game as is. You just don’t see those people defending or creating brand new topics 10 times a day to say how much they like a feature. They generally stick to defending in all the negative posts.
Fun IS subjective. And who cares because Blizz has been making the wrong moves since the mistake that was Cataclysm’s heroic dungeons.
Plus knowing that WoW’s subs have been declining without knowing WHY they are declining makes pointing out that the subs are declining a rather useless argument. Just because there is correlation doesn’t mean you’ve perfectly nailed down causation. There are usually multiple dimensions causing sub loss, some of which might be the opposite of the reason you are pinning sub loss on. You also fail to take into account that the subs which remain might enjoy the change or dislike the change or reversion you are promoting.
That’s just your opinion. You can’t say what’s fun for everyone, just yourself. So instead of talking about what you think is wrong with the game how about you suggest what you’d consider fun?
Fun is subjective, you just don’t like that people disagree with you on stuff you don’t like, so you’re calling them all out on it, and pretty much generalizing the whole population that defends against any negativity into two categories, hoping that others will just dismiss these people. Just my perspective.
The first part of this is correct. It is one opinion amongst many.
The second part is not correct. No one is trying to make it insignificant. They’re trying to stop people from speaking for others. Because, sorry, I like flying. And when someone posts a thread titled “we all hate flying,” I will absolutely call them out on that.
And one could easily point out the two main types of critics of WoW? The first one being those that only back up their complaints with baseless or unproven “facts” that they heard from some equally unverified source. But god help you if you point that fact out!
Secondly you have those that just complain because it is what all the cool kids are doing. They love to point out every failing with the development of the game but never give an improvements the credit they deserve. Instead for them the fun is in showing everyone the faults in the game, a game that they amazingly enough still play in spite of their constant whining about it.
Your thread is incomplete and or just incorrect. When dealing with something like the forums, where most every thread is opinion, speculation, theory, rant, or just some odd thing tossed in there for an attempt at fun. There will always be an opposite. Even if those opposites repeat, as you attempted to point out.
I like the current state of WOW, constant negativity, bots everywhere, content creator turn into WOW basher, carry sales, and people start losing faith in Blizzard.
I hope people start bringing more of this negativity ingame too.
By the same token people on these forums regularly are critical of Blizzard for being a money focused business controlled by Activision.
Then the forums turn around and claim Blizzard is ignoring player feedback to defend their own ego while the game leaks millions of subs.
If Blizzard is money focused and controlled by Activision then they would act if the game is leaking subs like people say. If Blizzard was killing the game by defending their bad decisions because of ego, then they are obviously operating independently of Activision.
Though I suppose there’s the third option which is, the game isn’t actually leaking subs.
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