I would appreciate if someone would quote what was said in the tweet because my work blocks twitter and I have no idea what you guys are talking about.
I would appreciate if someone would quote what was said in the tweet because my work blocks twitter and I have no idea what you guys are talking about.
What they didn't stop to consider is what happens when a player comes to believe that winning isn't going to happen. Sure, winning is sweeter when it's hard fought, but not winning is maximally bitter. Making the better performers slightly happier while hugely pissing off the lesser players isn't a recipe for success.
The devs might have been thinking that they could string along the non-winners, via the power of wishful thinking. But that becomes less feasible as players get more experience with MMOs. Most of us can now realize when success is or isn't going to happen. We've properly calibrated how well we, and the groups we run with, can perform.
Last edited by Osmeric; 2014-08-18 at 04:17 PM.
"There is a pervasive myth that making content hard will induce players to rise to the occasion. We find the opposite. " -- Ghostcrawler
"The bit about hardcore players not always caring about the long term interests of the game is spot on." -- Ghostcrawler
"Do you want a game with no casuals so about 500 players?"
I came here expecting the usual MMO-C drivel. That's actually pretty damn insightful, Os. (did the universe rip itself apart yet?)
The other problem is when someone gets the feeling of being treated as second-class customers by the developers. Especially in the MMO market which exploded around the time Wrath hit shelves, you can't just tell the bad players "suck it up or leave," because with so many free-play MMOs today that are willing to embrace (and nickel-and-dime) casual players with little time but fat wallets, they'll call you on your bluff. WoW's devs had to learn that the hard way in both directions (there are just as many grindfests willing to take WoW's castaway hardcores) and they're hoping to strike that balance again with Warlords, I guess. That or they're hoping a massive appeal to nostalgia will bring back retired BC vets.
Be seeing you guys on Bloodsail Buccaneers NA!