Why no responses by Firaxis?

[Libertarian]

[Whereas] answering the question of what they're working on would promote speculation also, would it not?

Yes, but certainly of a far more positive nature.

Conrast "Why is Firaxis ignoring its customers?" with "Oh, wow, I wonder how the group movement will work?"

You mean they've answered the questions of the people they knew wouldn't flame them mercilessly in response?

Oh, puh-lease. I thought you gave Firaxis more credit than that.

Because I don't care whether the game has the feature or not. I'm just not clamouring for it based on the fact I'd find little to no use for it. Lack of disapproval != approval.

I'm sorry, but that just begs all credibility. It's like saying you would find no use for a method to scroll the map.

Maybe they missed it too. Maybe the poster got busy and didn't have time to read that thread. There are a number of explainations that don't involve Firaxis deliberately trying to deceive you. Why must everything be attributed to malice on Firaxis' behalf?

Goodness, you really have stepped in without historical context. It isn't malice; it's incompetence.

I'm saying that they can't be sure they'll release feature X until they complete design, implementation and testing of feature X. Therefore, they do not announce feature X until they have done so. This certainly doesn't mean they're not working on anything.

I've attempted to clarify this before. I'll make one last attempt.

We're not asking for their secret plans (which aren't really secret anyway — I know some of the things they're working on). We're not asking for promises. We're asking for updates. We're asking to be acknowledged that we've been heard.

Anyway, I'm reasonably sure we're not going to see a progress report until the next patch (or possibly it'll be an expansion pack, who knows) is ready.

Precious.

There hasn't even been a progress report about the last patch.

[Willem]

Originally posted by CharlesUFarley

Then instead of arguing about it, try to become inquisative or helpful, offer some assistance rather than cut someone down.

Man, I can't believe what a hypocrite you are!! Again, you should SO listen to yourself once in awhile. All you do is lash out and attack anyone who DARES to hold a different opinion from you.

[Th0mas]

Originally posted by CharlesUFarley
when was the last time you were personally affected by an email from someone you didn't know? Fact is, you can make all the excuses you want but that doesn't change how 'damned' they are.

Funny thing is that the people from Firaxis who post ...are people.. and yes they will be personnally affected by personal attacks. Although I do not put you in that catagory, there have been quite a number of personal flames on specific Firaxis employees over the last few months. As for taking a risk - I think Firaxis, have learnt their lesson - last time they tried to keep people informed they got their fingers burned!

..this time they are taking a more cautious approach and only communicating what they can definately confirm....can't blame them really.

Originally posted by CharlesUFarley
Then instead of arguing about it, try to become inquisative or helpful, offer some assistance rather than cut someone down. And I assure you, giving a response like "It's better to say nothing, rather than raise expectations" is only becoming part of the problem!

When did I cut someone down??

Originally posted by CharlesUFarley
First of all, the disapointment of this product is hardly a minority. I'm sure if you stick your neck out a little farther you'll see the smoke and flames. And second, Civ3 has been more than appreciated in the fony reviews and constant repeticious fanboys popping in and out of the threads with little or nothing to add to the problem(s) that exist. I'm not suggesting that people fan or foe shouldn't be able to discuss their opinions, but that they keep in mind this game DOES have problems that need to be addressed and to not get in the way of that. Simple.

Charles.

I am not suggesting there are no problems and I would suggest the majority of people are actually being constructive - reference the Strategy, Creation and files forums etc.

As for sticking my neck out, that is exactly what I am doing by posting here, I don't agree necessarily with everything you say and therefore I am making construct critisism. I have never suggested that you are a whiner, stupid, ignorant (or any pointless personal comments - I think) or that I do not value your opinions - infact just by responding to your posts I am hopefully participating in healthy debate to our mutual benefit.

Finally I think all participants in these types of debates need to take a pinch of reality, recognising that nothing will ever be perfect and that all you can do is strive to achieve a reasonable solution that meets most of the requirements of most of the people. In fact I only tend to post when I think the debate seems to be veering into fantasy land.

[ACooper]

There hasn't even been a progress report about the last patch.

On a roll with fallacies today. Let's see they posted the list of things patched here when the patch came out. It was also in the readme file, etc.

Proven wrong again.

[Willem]

Originally posted by Ming


HUH!!!!!!! How the heck do you play the game? You must be really bored if you find moving units on a one by one basis interesting or as something that adds to your "gaming experience". Either that, or you don't build many units

Judging from my experiences with the game, and I've come across a post that supports this, it's entirely possible to win without firing a single shot at another civ. This problem of group movement is mainly an issue with those people who play with war mongering in mind.

[Libertarian]

Originally posted by ****gyRA


On a roll with fallacies today. Let's see they posted the list of things patched here when the patch came out. It was also in the readme file, etc.

Proven wrong again.

We were speaking about their website, oh clueless one. You may return to eating your checkers.

[Libertarian]

This problem of group movement is only an issue with those people who play with war mongering in mind.

*cough* workers *cough*

[Willem]

Originally posted by CharlesUFarley


But regardless of forum-topic everyone should be able to express themselves as they see fit (within site policy ofcoarse).

So why then do you consistently jump down the throats of anyone who happens to have a different opinion than you do? I guess there's two rules at play here, one set for CharlesUFarley, center of the universe, and one for everyone else.

[OneInTen]

http://www.firaxis.com/downloads_allfiles.cfm
http://www.civ3.com/patches.cfm

Shock horror, both Firaxis' site and the civ3 website have the patch!

[Willem]

Originally posted by Th0mas

When did I cut someone down??

Don't worry about it, he was probably looking in the mirror when he said that and got confused.

[ACooper]

Originally posted by Libertarian


We were speaking about their website, oh clueless one. You may return to eating your checkers.

But the list is on their website oh ye of little cranium and less facts. Shove the checkers up your _____.

[OneInTen]

Originally posted by Libertarian


*cough* workers *cough*

If you don't care about worker efficiency, you automate them.

If you care about worker efficiency, you're not going to want to group move them, because you'll waste turns "overworking" tiles.

I don't see the huge gain from group movement for workers, myself.

Minor Nitpick: I have won a game where I didn't go to war, and group movement of workers wouldn't have helped - because I never had more than one. OCC!

[Willem]

Originally posted by Libertarian

We're not asking for their secret plans (which aren't really secret anyway — I know some of the things they're working on).

Wel if that's the case, why can't you just back off and let them do their jobs? How would you feel if you had someone breathing down your neck while you're trying to get something done? I'm sure you'd be ranting and raving and kicking up a fuss. So why not give them some space and see what happens? Will the sun stop shining if the patch isn't ready in x number of days? I'd much rather they take the time to do it right than rush something out the door that will consistently crash my game.

[ACooper]

We're not asking for their secret plans (which aren't really secret anyway — I know some of the things they're working on). We're not asking for promises. We're asking for updates. We're asking to be acknowledged that we've been heard.

What are some of the things they are working on then?

[Willem]

Originally posted by Libertarian


*cough* workers *cough*

That wouldn't be much an issue with me if I only had more control over the automated tasks, and the AI handled automation better. Handy yes, but I could live without it. I'd much rather have the ability of using specialists than being able to have a team.

[prince_aki]

"I'm just wondering, how many gaming companies keep a constant dialogue with the fanbase?"

EVERY well run company, like Microsoft and McDonalds, has a customer service department or something similar, that is supposed to communicate with its customers, and make changes according to their input. Obviously no company is going to be able to sell a product nobody wants, (unless it is marketed extremly well). Even Firaxis has a "dialogue" with its customers. Look at the posts about bugs and glitches. The company may not reply, but it is listening.

[Libertarian]

But the list is on their website oh ye of little cranium and less (sic) facts.

The last list of answers to questions that I see is from last year.

I don't see the huge gain from group movement for workers, myself.

This has been explained repeatedly. Do you know how many workers it takes to build railroads on a mountain?

[Well] if that's the case, why can't you just back off and let them do their jobs?

I could hardly be more backed off. I've made every attempt at being civil and conciliatory.

[Libertarian]

What are some of the things they are working on then?

I will not tell you.

[ACooper]

Originally posted by Libertarian


The last list of answers to questions that I see is from last year.

That's when the patch was released. (BTW, Don't you know how to spell less)

Originally posted by Libertarian

This has been explained repeatedly. Do you know how many workers it takes to build railroads on a mountain?

It only takes one!

Originally posted by Libertarian
I could hardly be more backed off. I've made every attempt at being civil and conciliatory.

***cough*** Bullstuff ***cough***

[ACooper]

Originally posted by Libertarian


I will not tell you.

'Cause you lie.

[Libertarian]

BTW, Don't you know how to spell less[?]

Yes. And "fewer", too.

[Libertarian]

Originally posted by ****gyRA


'Cause you lie.

Incorrect. I will not tell you (as I already explained in some detail) due to ethical considerations.

[ACooper]

Originally posted by Libertarian


Incorrect. I will not tell you (as I already explained in some detail) due to ethical considerations.

***cough*** Bullstuff ***cough***

[Willem]

Originally posted by Libertarian

I could hardly be more backed off. I've made every attempt at being civil and conciliatory.

Well maybe that's your problem, you've always been trying to stick your foot in their door. Maybe you should try saying nothing for awhile, just to see how that works. Just like playing the game, if one strategy doesn't seem to be working, try something else.

[Libertarian]

Bullstuff

Well, I see that you've reached your rhetorical limit. I, my God, my conscience, and one other human know that I'm telling you the truth. That is sufficient for me.

Well maybe that's your problem, you've always been trying to stick your foot in their door. Maybe you should try saying nothing for awhile, just to see how that works. Just like playing the game, if one strategy doesn't seem to be working, try something else.

[...stunned stare...]

I put not only my foot, but my wallet in their door, thank you very much.

[Ming]

Originally posted by OneInTen
Minor Nitpick: I have won a game where I didn't go to war, and group movement of workers wouldn't have helped - because I never had more than one. OCC!

"A" game... HA HA HA HA. So in other games you have gone to war. So in the "other" games, wouldn't a group move command have been useful

[ACooper]

Originally posted by Libertarian


Well, I see that you've reached your rhetorical limit. I, my God, my conscience, and one other human know that I'm telling you the truth. That is sufficient for me.

Libertarian is a secret spy!

Originally posted by Libertarian
[...stunned stare...]

I put not only my foot, but my wallet in their door, thank you very much.

Seems to me like you got your head stuck in a door.

[Libertarian]

[cej]

Originally posted by Jeffrey Morris FIRAXIS


Personally, I'm spending most of my 'Poly time in the Strat and Creation forums. There's a lot less noise.

Jeff

See, now that is very funny to me.

IMHO, the developers walk a very thin line with regards to providing information and responding to feedback vs. assiting with either game play problems (i.e.: my game crashed, please help me) and third party graphic and game play mods (which seems to be a pretty healthy topic). There are only so many hours in a day and they have lives outside of the forums.

Also, IMHO, they are not about to respond to every topic or public Firaxis bashing thread, and if you think about it, why should they? Their best interest is to ignore these type of topics and thus hope of this type of commentary to die down.

C.

[Libertarian]

Your theory might have merit. The scenario community has petered out, as have defenders with reasonable arguments. All that remain are fanboys who snipe indiscriminately at thoughtful commentary.