Anyone ever notice we are "all" (I say all, but some people I am sure aren't paying) paying a company to play a game that leaves so many people frustrated with very important issues? I, as well as most certainly many of you understand that it's an ongoing project to keep this game running so over 5 million people can play at any given time.

But, my issue is when it comes to the really easy fix things. I will not go on to say that I know how to fix things. I would bet dollars to donuts that someone with the correct background can figure out a fix rather easily. Like those quests that are not working for over a month. Or those bugged creatures or quest mobs. Or even the way honor is totaled. How we have to wait for the next day for hours of work we as players have put in.

It's my personal opinion that Blizzard is going the route of so many other gaming companies. Enjoying the money that is coming in and using only a portion of it to put back into the game to create a work in progress at the expense of the customer.

You'd think that with the money they make in a single month, they'd be able to work out a system where we as the customers wouldn't have to deal with as many problems as we do.

Yet, we pay to play. And we deal with the issues. Which in my opinion isn't the right way to do things.

I am wondering what kind of message Blizzard would get if, World wide there was a boycott. I wonder what kind of response to their customer base would be given if the majority ( I know not all would do it) canceled their monthly subscription as a message to Blizzard.

I mean, I personally have issues with not getting the service I expect from someone I am paying money to. Had I gone to dinner with my wife and sat down and waited for 2 hours for someone to take our order and when I received my order, it was partially finished. Half cooked, the wrong sides and nothing to drink. They wouldn't be receiving any money from me until A) They get it right. or B) They make it up to me some how.

Blizzard I believe has become that company that is content with sitting on it's laurels. Let's just pretend that their customer base is a mere 5 million accounts. That is 75 million dollars a month in money they receive. Over 1 year Blizzard receives from World of Warcraft account holders alone roughly, 900,000,000.

No matter how much work you have, no matter how many workers you currently have. Even still, no matter how much you think you would have to pay for this and that. That amount of money is quite enough to insure your customer base that they will have a game set before them with the least amount of issues as possible.

It's not fair to expect a perfect game. There is no such thing as perfect and we as the customers know that. Or should know that at least. But, I am sure it can be argued that 900,000,000 should be enough to handle any in-game issues as they come. Without having to add new things to keep the customer base busy while Blizzard ignores the issues at hand.

I enjoy playing the game. I enjoy the new things that Blizzard creates. I do not, although, think I am out of place by stating that I think Blizzard can do a better job. A more efficient job at making sure the customer needs/wants are being taken care of.

I am also aware that the money they make from the game goes to pay this and that and a bucket of other things. I just think that like other gaming companies the idea of the customer comes first is going out the window. The issues like dealing with in game support. Game masters and whatnot. I would like to ask anyone to respond to this with something they have gotten out of a Game Master that wasn't a variation of "Read this post from this link" or "Delete you WTB and whatever file" or even "That is an issue we are trying to resolve. Please be patient and don't forget to read the forums and please give us your input on how helpful I was."

To be honest, had I walked into a mechanic shop and had a conversation that was any way close to that with the mechanic. I'd be sure to take my car out of there as soon as possible before I punch the mechanic in the mouth. When I want someone to give me information on how to fix something. I want them to give me information on how to fix it. Not send me to a link. Not tell me it's going to be dealt with. When I have a problem I want it fixed. Especially if I am paying for a service. If I spent 3 hours doing Battlegrounds to get X honor. And, according to the honor tally, I reached my mark. I want to spend that Honor. Why should I have to wait until the next day? Why isn't it available? "The site needs to update it." For 75 million dollars a month I expect it not only to be updated immediately. I want to spend it as I get it. For 75 million dollars a month I am sure someone at Blizzard can devise a little computer to do that work as it happens. For 75 million dollars a month. When there is a bugged creature. A customer should be able to put up a ticket for a Game Master and say "Hey Skippy the Fire Breathing Ferret is bugged" and the Game Master says "Hey oops." Ok...With a touch of Sparky the Magnificent Game Master's finger Skippy the Fire Breathing Ferret is no longer bugged.

All in the world of gaming would rejoice.

Sadly, it isn't like that. Why? Because Blizzard is content knowing that we will be addicted enough to the game to deal with these imperfections and never really contest them in any way shape or form. Which brings me back to the idea, would they get the point if even half of their subscribers took a month off all at once. I wonder what the company offices would look like if when they got to work in the morning and saw that 2.5 million people decided that they want the ball in their court for once and closed their accounts.

Would that then get the eyes of the people in charge to look over their stacks of money to see that they are neglecting the very people who put those stacks of money there? Would they panic and decide something needs to be done before they lose their 4th summer house or may not be able to buy another car? Who knows. But, it is an idea that I like to toy with. I just wish that if something like this were to happen, that I could see the faces of those people who realize "Oh, um how did this happen? Why are the customers so angry that they closed their accounts? Why wasn't this preventable?"

Maybe it would hit home if those people "working" at Blizzard realized that some of them would be getting fired because of it. Being sent home because they can't do what they should be doing. Instead of sending out half-assed work, going back and fixing the other half-assed things they previously sent out. Would it make a difference then?

Well I rambled on enough and I think I made my point. Although somewhere in the middle there I may have been jumbled a little. I lost my train of thought when I had to go in-game and talk to a Game Master who told me that the best bet to deal with my issues was to go to the website. Big surprise right? A Game Master that can't fix an in-game issue.

This is just some food for thought. Think about it. Post if you want. But, I think anyway you cut it. Roughly 900,000,000 a year and you can't get bugged creatures fixed? Can't auto-update honor points without an estimate and possible two day wait until you actually receive your correct amount of points? I don't think anyone would disagree that Blizzard needs to get off their ass and fix this garbage.

I for one would be all for a boycott. I'd rather play an EA game that is free with the same kind of issues Blizzard has and no 8 hour down times on Tuesday.

Love,
Slumpy.

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Q u o t e:
This is just some food for thought. Think about it. Post if you want. But, I think anyway you cut it. Roughly 900,000,000 a year and you can't get bugged creatures fixed? Can't auto-update honor points without an estimate and possible two day wait until you actually receive your correct amount of points? I don't think anyone would disagree that Blizzard needs to get off their ass and fix this garbage.

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Actually, I did read your post Slumpy, 100% of the way through, and I think I know where you're coming from. It is worthy of note that forum etiquette suggests that each poster attempt to remain to the point, and reasonably brief to improve the experience for all forum goers, and to help ensure that your ideas are received. It is no one's responsibility to read your post - you are creating an intellectual work for consumption by others, and you may want to consider that in the future. The fact of the matter is that many of the posters in this thread have already covered some of the responses that I might have given, and the analogies that I may have made.

You are absolutely entitled to your perception of how things should be. The vision of how things 'should be' is what keeps us all moving forward and progressing. We also have a vision of how 'things should be', and believe it or not, a tremendous amount of effort, talent, man-hours and dedication goes into precisely attempting to fulfill that vision. I have a feeling that you are not expressing these ideas to 'wound' us. I believe that you are expressing yourself because you genuinely like World of Warcraft, and (like us) only want things to be even better.

Unfortunately, it's easy, from the outside to see a single issue, and ask yourself "Why hasn't this been fixed yet?". From the inside, there are events occurring, maintenance occurring, that most players are never aware of. A seemingly 'simple' fix, is never, ever 'simple'. A change to one thing inevitably ripples, and affects many other elements. As a result, resolutions take time, must be researched, and after that research is complete - then said resolution must be implemented, and yet more research conducted in an effort to ensure that further issues are not caused by whatever was changed.

I'm not in a position to discuss the financial status of Blizzard Entertainment, nor, factually, does it matter. Despite certain mis-perceptions, throwing money at an issue does not necessarily resolve it. On the contrary, hiring more staff does not necessarily resolve it either. There is an old saying "Too many chefs spoil the pot". We strive to ensure that we have the right staff to maintain our high standards of quality.

As has been pointed out, we are players too. We experience, on a daily basis, the same exact situations that you do. We are absolutely, 100% dedicated to continually providing the best possible experience for everyone that chooses to share World of Warcraft with us. Some things take time. Some things are more complex than others, or must take priority. Regardless, we have and will do our utmost to see every situation addressed as swiftly, and as completely as possible.

I noted that you mentioned that our In-Game Support staff has been unable to help in the past, and you expressed a rather dismissive attitude toward them. This saddens me, as I can see that you've been assisted with several significant issues by our department. I am gravely sorry that you may have been unsatisfied in the past. I hope that with some understanding and patience that your experience with our Game Masters, and most especially with World of Warcraft as a whole, is more pleasurable in the future.

This kind of thread tends to fire the blood a bit, on all sides of the issue. I will humbly request that we keep things civil, or let things lie. I appreciate your cooperation, critters.

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Q u o t e:
to 'make you hate your jobs so badly that you will quit'... I think it's time for a lock or a move.

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I don't think that is possible, Nurfme, I love my job too much and no one else has influence over how I feel about something. :)

I also don't like to lock thread if I can avoid it. :) As long as everyone behaves I don't see a reason to lock it.