Why all the hate?

Publication par OverZealous

Because you know....

Haters gonna hate

Welcome to the Internet.

Publication par Quilan

Publication par Magician22773

While I fully understand and fully accept that maintence is necessary for the game, one thing does come to mind.

I would have thought that after all the years, and with all the resources and talent that Blizz has at their disposal that they could have come up with a better way to do it than just "shut the whole system down for half a day every week".

Yes, I realize its not every week, but its more often than not. I realize that the background downloader has been implemented to help speed the process of patching and other issues. But, I would still think that with what they have at their disposal, that they could find a way to maintain the game without such long and frequent downtime.

Then again, I have a hard time creating a decent spreadsheet with Excel, so I could be completely wrong here.

Publication par 375421

This post was from a user who has deleted their account.

Publication par Trishi

Publication par lonewarrior

Comparing Word, an offline software, to WoW, a 12 millioner subscriber online game...

Microsoft don't need to host servers that allow you to use word. WoW does. You aren't even comparing apples to oranges here. You are comparing apples to cars.

The internet never ceases to impress me.

I guess your talking to me...
I used Word as an example because it is coding, it's a product. I don't see where the comparison differs by the degree you say it does.
12 million..I don't think so. Talk about falling for skewed internet advertising hook,line and sinker.
Funny ..I wonder how many people would be up in arms if their facebook page shut down once a week for 6-8 hours and whenever they did an update...you couldn't log on or your friends list would come and go and all your pictures were upside down and Facebook is free of charge.
Use your broadband provider. Now you pay these guys by the month. Could you imagine not having access to your tv/internet service once a week for any length of time....channels not tuning...cable boxes turning on and off.(some of you can probably say "yeah I do" :P).
Easy to say it's just a game, but that's not here or there, we are talking about a product/service. So view it in that contents.
Now I have already stated my position on the down time issue. It is what it is.
In regard to patches/content release... I just think Blizz could do a better job..not perfect mind you, but better.
In regard to the balancing of classes and overall game direction...I sometime wonder if Blizz knows what direction it wants to go in. I compare this to a series of some sort(tv, comic book) where every time a new writer comes in they completely change the direction. Just pick a direction and be consistent with it.
Sometimes I wonder if Blizz has their noses too deep in to their spreadsheets. If you really want to know your customers, you need, at times, to go down to the store, walk the aisles and talk to them.

Publication par Interest

Publication par lonewarrior

Here's how it works:

If it comes out too late, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If it comes out too early and is buggy, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If it changed something, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If it doesn't change something, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If there is too much of it, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If there isn't enough of it, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If Blizzard releases it, Blizzard gets crap for it.

Quoting this for truth because it deserves it.

This can also be viewed as Blizzards inability to be consistent.
In trying to please everyone(some might call it being greedy), they constantly ying-yang directions.

It comes out too late.>>>Blizz sows what it reaps. They sped up the consumption of contents to bring in more customer, well ya got to feed the hungry beast.
Too early and buggy>>> Ya kidding...we are not suppose to crap on them for that?
The rest falls under the inconsistency heading.
Example... "Hey everybody we decided to make Wrath contents accessible to everyone...hurry hurry, hurry get your welfare epics now...no need to learn CC...dps buffs galore. LFD will make pugging a breeze no need to join a guild.
Greetings again everyone..welcome to Cata where the dungeons are hard..ya need to CC in raids and you have to join guild if you want to earn perks...come to the fun house of LFD where madness awaits you"
Oy...I'm getting seasick. :)

Publication par MrSCH

Microsoft don't need to host servers that allow you to use word. WoW does. You aren't even comparing apples to oranges here. You are comparing apples to cars.

If this was directed to me, then I know and that was my point.

If it wasn't, then that was totally my point!

At the end of the day, @ the software argument folks, software can be essential to the running of computers which are essential to the running of a country. WoW can't.

Publication par 689177

This post was from a user who has deleted their account.

Publication par Sweetscot

At the end of the day, @ the software argument folks, software can be essential to the running of computers which are essential to the running of a country. WoW can't.

Which does not, incidentally, stop WoW from being considered a software.

And to be totally honest, I'm only trolling because of the broad and exaggerated language. "They are doing this for you! (Out of the graciousness of their hearts! So stop being so selfish and wanting a consistent gaming experience.)"

"WoW isn't necessary to run a country! (So it doesn't need to function all the time, it isn't the end of the world guys! Stop complaining!)"

Honestly, don't you think that's just a little too flippant and dismissive? I mean, children are starving in Africa and you're complaining about people complaining about the perceived flaws of WoW and Blizzard.

Win!

WoW is software, it isn't critical software but it IS software and it's comparison to other non-critical software is the most valid comparison anyone ever makes (c'mon we see wow compared to vehicles and food all the time and you're griping when it's compared to things it actually IS like?)

Also, people complain about other people complaining way too much <---see even I'm doing it now! :O

tl;dr People gripe get used to it or get a good set of earphones and a blindfold.

Publication par ExDementia

Publication par Sweetscot

All he's saying in that last bit is the same thing everyone else says all the time?

Ok, class x's ability y hits a little too hard...lets fix this.
announces intent to nerf ability by 30%...and a base stat scale by 15% just to make sure
screaming masses ensue
masses are ignored, abilities and stats are reduced
...
...
...
Ok, class x is highly under-represented...and when someone does play one their damage is crap
announces intent to buff ability by 29.99%...and base stat scale by 14%
masses collectively /facepalm

^^^that's not complaining that's a pretty apt description of some of the nerf buff cycles we see...and it's not a giant flying leap to ask "umm why not nerf ability x by 15% and leave the base stat alone?"

Publication par ExDementia

Publication par Monday

Here's how it works:

If it comes out too late, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If it comes out too early and is buggy, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If it changed something, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If it doesn't change something, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If there is too much of it, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If there isn't enough of it, Blizzard gets crap for it.

If Blizzard releases it, Blizzard gets crap for it.

This is the exact process for any company that has gained a big enough following. The second they do anything, they're going to get yelled at by the "fans" for doing whatever they did.
In Blizzard's case, being that there are 13(?) million accounts, you're bound to hear a lot more people pissing and moaning when something happens.

It's down to 11 million right now, iirc.

Also, I agree with Ex.

Publication par lonewarrior

Lonewarrior, it is pretty clear you know very little about how a video game company like Blizzard works, or how much it actually takes to maintain a game like this. You can't compare it to programs like Word or even an ISP because Blizzard has MUCH more to take into consideration before making even the slightest change.

It is also clear you know very little about how programming works. It is near impossible to find and work out bugs like we experience after a content release without an ungodly amount of time and money spent. By the time they would actually be able to release the content, it would be irrelevant and customers will have lost interest long before.

People love to throw around words like "programming" and "coding" like it is such an easy fix to anything computer related. "Oh that? Nothing a smidge of coding can't fix. I'll just program it different! Easy as that!"

I played a part in developing the point of sale software my companies cash registers use. Even with months of lab testing, it took us over a year to finally work out all the kinks and cover all our bases. It just isn't possible to recreate every possible little scenario without extensive real world testing.

I agree that on release, things are sometimes unusable, but there is a method to their madness. Some things like the effects of area population can be estimated and an attempt can be made to account for it, but it can be as predictable as RNG.

Even something as simple as creating your own website would lend heaps of insight into what Blizzard goes through. If nothing else, you might even learn how to do a proper line break to make your posts less annoying to read.

First off...I made a living investing in companies, so I know the inner works of companies better then you ever will...I put my money where it counts and activisionblizz(ATVI) hasn't moved in a year. So let that tell you something about Blizz.
The fact that Blizz has announced a 5% loss of their customer base is evidence enough, that people have stopped complaining and completely given up, not a good sign. If this trend continues, it will probably mean their stock value going down and in turn reducing the revenue/resources they can contribute to game development.
Looks like more old contents rehash instead of fresh ones...oh won't that be great.
I don't need to know programing...neither do I need to know how to build cars, I'm an end user.
Don't convince me to buy a car then have a half dozen recalls, neither should I expect to have to deal with constant patch problems. Not being able to log on, being stuck in a BG, mail not being in my box, rolling restarts in the middle of raid, you want to consider these unforeseeable scenarios, oooookkkkkk...looks I won't be investing in the company you help develop programs for.
Now some how you have misconstrued me as being unforgiving towards Blizz, when I really haven't. If you had read my previous posts, you would have seen that I was answering the OP question rhetorically. He was asking why all the hate and I gave him some reason people do, but it is obvious you didn't and want to just smash your knuckles on the keyboard to flame me.
Since you ended it by taking the typical immature flame shot at how I post, let me reciprocate by saying if they ever introduce a fools class into WoW, I'm sure you will roll one and be tops on your server.

Publication par MrSCH

Which does not, incidentally, stop WoW from being considered a software.

Indeed it doesn't.

Bu I draw the line at comparing it with the purpose of explaining how it should be run. That would be something akin to comparing the running of a Eurofighter Typhoon with a Cessna.

Publication par ExDementia

First off...I made a living investing in companies, so I know the inner works of companies better then you ever will...I put my money where it counts and activisionblizz(ATVI) hasn't moved in a year. So let that tell you something about Blizz.
The fact that Blizz has announced a 5% loss of their customer base is evidence enough, that people have stopped complaining and completely given up, not a good sign. If this trend continues, it will probably mean their stock value going down and in turn reducing the revenue/resources they can contribute to game development.
Looks like more old contents rehash instead of fresh ones...oh won't that be great.
I don't need to know programing...neither do I need to know how to build cars, I'm an end user.
Don't convince me to buy a car then have a half dozen recalls, neither should I expect to have to deal with constant patch problems. Not being able to log on, being stuck in a BG, mail not being in my box, rolling restarts in the middle of raid, you want to consider these unforeseeable scenarios, oooookkkkkk...looks I won't be investing in the company you help develop programs for.
Now some how you have misconstrued me as being unforgiving towards Blizz, when I really haven't. If you had read my previous posts, you would have seen that I was answering the OP question rhetorically. He was asking why all the hate and I gave him some reason people do, but it is obvious you didn't and want to just smash your knuckles on the keyboard to flame me.
Since you ended it by taking the typical immature flame shot at how I post, let me reciprocate by saying if they ever introduce a fools class into WoW, I'm sure you will roll one and be tops on your server.

Lol, you could have just said: <insert broad assumptions here, along with only slightly relevant arguments and atrocious paragraph structure>

It turns out I'm completely right about what I said though. You really don't have any idea what is really involved in the development process. Don't construe this as an insult! I don't expect 99% of Blizzards customers to! I just think you need a little bit of insight on a subject before you can criticize it with a modicum of credibility.

Once again, you cannot compare releasing an MMO with anything you have brought up. They are simply not comparable for what should be obvious reasons.

Once again #2, I agree that they sometimes release content a little too unfinished. BUT, questioning their intelligence on how to keep up in the MMO market is just ridiculous. There is a reason why WoW is the top MMO, has been for years, and will continue to be for years. Blizzard also does extremely well with their other titles. These things are not often found on the resume of an incompetent gaming company.

I think the successful businesses know a little more about their market than a random day-trader posting on an internet forum. Oh, and since when does a company not have ups and downs in profit, market share, and customer base over the course of a fiscal year? I would expect someone who knows the inner workings of companies so well to recognize the fact that these things are anything but steady. Even Apple (AAPL) has its downs.

There is a difference between flaming and clarifying fallacies. This is an internet forum, the breeding ground for well intentioned arguments :) I only attacked your paragraph structure because it honestly does make your posts harder to read. Most of the time I (and many others) just skip over posts formatted this way just for that reason.

Publication par Meggie

Hate is said too little. Not all of us are academic athletes. People struggle with the game as is and cannot jump on the train when the game changes (again). These people will end up at the bottom of endgame raiding and rated BGs. A change of the rules is just a sweet reminder they probably never will get further.

Publication par lonewarrior

I think the successful businesses know a little more about their market than a random day-trader posting on an internet forum. Oh, and since when does a company not have ups and downs in profit, market share, and customer base over the course of a fiscal year? I would expect someone who knows the inner workings of companies so well to recognize the fact that these things are anything but steady. Even Apple (AAPL) has its downs.

Ups and down...
Activisions 2 year chart
http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=ATVI+Interactive#chart1:symbol=atvi;range=2y;indicator=volume;charttype=line;crosshair=on;ohlcvalues=0;logscale=on;source=undefined

Apple
http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=AAPL+Interactive#chart1:symbol=aapl;range=2y;indicator=volume;charttype=line;crosshair=on;ohlcvalues=0;logscale=on;source=undefined
Just for the heck of it priceline
http://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=PCLN+Interactive#symbol=PCLN;range=2y

These are not weekly or even monthly oscillations, they represent a steady 2 year growth. ActivisionBlizz is practically flat line.
I'm talking investors, not day traders. Investors cut through all the headlines shenanigans and read between the lines to see what's really going on. Blizz would be better served and we as customers also, if they diverse themselves from Activision.
No!... companies don't always keep up with their costumer base. Google/Yahoo...Facebook/Myspace....the latter of each example losing out when they were at one time, on top.
Success will breed arrogance...which is the downfall of many such companies.
I sometimes wonder if Blizz, after fending off so many MMO-WoW wannabes, is falling into this same trap. The Star Wars MMO that is soon to be release could make things very interesting.
Finally..you keep harping on my lack of understanding into what Blizz has created...on the contrary.
Only a fool would fail to appreciated what Blizz has technically accomplished. But they aren't the only ones. Look at special effects in today's movies. The line between reality and creation is getting blurrier with every movie. These companies continually learn to push the outer limits.
Blizzard should be evolving their knowledge as well. We should be seeing things that players years ago would never have seen. The texture of water is one small but good example, but we should be seeing a lot more. So whenever Blizz releases a new patch, that the game experiences the same patterns of glitches...one has to wonder where is all that money they make monthly going. It doesn't seem like they are putting anything into development. Just look at all the rehashed dungeons/raids for Cata and it sure doesn't look like it's going into quality control either.
Like I said, I'm an end user...I'm not suppose to be the guinea pig for Blizz to find all their programming glitches. Why is it that a problem can be resolved after the community reveals it, only for a similar one to be revealed on the next patch, I don't know, do you?
I'm of the opinion, if Blizzard wanted to release a nearly flawless game/patch, they could. It's a question of whether they chose to invest in it to make it happen or taking the cheaper way out and letting us do it for them.
If you want to defend Blizz, be my guest, You could have done without flaming me. But looking at your join date <Wrath Baby> why am I not surprised by your rudeness.

Why all the hate?

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