Petition: Shaman FORUM changes
by Tidefury | 05/11/2007 18:16:58 Preamble: This is meant to be a constructive post. I tried to keep all general stupidity out of my language and tried to help the situation by attempting to use a relatively factual approach. I apologize if I offend anyone, especially CMs. It is not my intention. If one finds offense, perhaps one might need to search “within” as to why these basic facts, expressed in a polite fashion could offend. Thank your for your time. Current state: There is a problem and everyone here is discussing it. We have a LARGE contingent of very patient shaman asking for reasonable (IMO) changes and a smaller (but still substantial) mass of impolite trolls. I have tried to think of a more polite/informative phrase than “impolite trolls” but I cannot think of one. It is the internet after all and, behind anonymity, insecurity runs rampant! This stated, the patient people and their help/concern have been overlooked for a very long time. The reason why is a contentious one. Perhaps the shaman that lambasted our CMs a little while ago is the reason (I hope this is untrue because it punishes the patient along with the impolite in an unfair manner). Perhaps it is because we are making irrational suggestions (this is not my opinion but every class ALWAYS wants buffs…even locks…we must be willing to admit this possibility). Realistically there is another reason or a combination of reasons we are being overlooked. To say I know the exact reason is arrogant and most likely false. Regardless of the “whys”, the problem is lack of appropriate communication on both sides (the impolite users and the non-communicative CMs). Potential Solutions: Because of these communication issues, we have reached a level of impotence that will not be resolved easily. This happens in business quite a lot. When it does a CHANGE needs to be made. After brief consideration, I can conceive of only two major/viable options at this time (please post more if you have them). 1) The current CMs post on our forum much more frequently and give us many more details. You are our representative to the devs and we are essentially hiring you to look after our interests. If this WERE a business (and essentially it is) we would expect accountability…reports if you will…so that we, the users, can act and adjust accordingly. Point in fact: The majority of the forum users FEEL as if we are at the capricious whims of our CMs instead of having the CMs acting as our advocate (or at least an arbiter). Although perception is not necessarily reality, it is nonetheless indicative of many poignant issues. How many times have posts simply asked for SOME information and received an answer akin to, “Can’t tell you ANYthing but I am listening”? I have seen tons of CONSUMER posts simply asking for statements like the following, “Even if you do not implement changes we want/need, could you at least tell us why these ideas are not viable…if we disagree fine! But please give us some basic information”. A grand majority of these posts are unanswered (understandably) but even the recurring themes that DO deserve a blue post are still ignored or answered with cryptic non-information. This is simply unacceptable business practice. We DESERVE to feel as if a) our input is read (Having CMs restate posted issues in their posts would help on this point), b) brought to the devs, and that c) a fight has been made on our behalf to address our concerns. Currently a) is rarely addressed and b) and c) are never addressed (to my limited knowledge). As a grand whole we are only asking for a few fixes: ES Dispel help, Ele damage to be viable in raids, Enh tree talents to make any sort of sense, etc. It is not a huge list and rationales have been posted and reposted ad nausem for months…and we have no real idea as to if these issues are EVEN PRESENTED to the devs as a whole. We are simply asking for an OPEN ENDED dialogue. It is the JOB of a CM to be a link between consumer and dev. We are simply asking for specific information that is gleaned from your endeavors of working on our behalf. Here might be a good example of what we would like to see in a blue post: “We discussed the dispel problems with earth shield and some PROSPECTIVE ideas were __, __, and __. However, Even though it is a 41 point talent we feel the talent is fine the way it is and no changes will be made.” Personally I’d HATE that response but at least we would have a clue as to what discussions were being had. Then we could have a point/counterpoint discussion. This option will require 2-5 blues posts a day at least. That is a lot more posting that we have seen and yet it should take no more than 15-45 minutes tops. I hate to resort to this rationale CMs…but it is your job to do the above. 2) Switch the CM with a more active/hardy employee of blizzard (one that has time to be a CM). If it does happen to be that our current CM has been affected by “abuse from the impolite on this forums” then that person is going to be inefficacious as a CM and should thus be removed. The CM needs to be able to handle the job. I do not mean to offend, but these are the raw facts. I am NOT stating that this IS the case. I am stating what options are available if this IS the case. Synopsis: All in all, the forum problem is not with the devs or the users as far as I can see. The problem is the communication. Open dialogue between users and devs MUST be facilitated by the CMs or there is not point of having a CM. We are asking for accountability. Please address our concerns CMs. If you were truly looking out for our interests (i.e., doing your job) you will applaud posts like this and take them to your superiors. There is nothing wrong with making a change. In fact admitting a problem and dealing effectively with it is the hallmark of greatness. Thank you for your time and please consider these ideas. Tidefury |
by Nethaera | 05/11/2007 18:20:53
This email is the best and most appropriate place for feedback of this nature. Thanks! |
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