Complaints on Third Party Sites

[Harroghty]

I read a pretty damning (and recent!) review of the game today on TMC.

I won't go to bed tonight and cry into my pillow that someone did not enjoy the game, but I really wish that people would at least submit their complaints directly to us. Not in lieu of also commenting elsewhere. I'm not concerned about a bad review here and there; I believe that our high rankings speak for themselves. I just would love to hear the complaints directly and open a dialog about them so that we can really understand what the perceived troubles are with the game and work on fixing them. Would that everyone who quit the game would leave a note about why.

Communication is a two-way street, information should go up and down the staff-player ladder if the game is going to remain vibrant.

[Gwain]

I absolutely detest that they chose to post in the comments of a positive review, I find that parasitic and underhanded.

[Algon]

I absolutely detest that they chose to post in the comments of a positive review, I find that parasitic and underhanded.

This times a million!

[Aldren]

Negative reviews like the one posted on TMC are the reason it took me over a decade of playing here to actually post an honest review about the game. I did not want something reviewed in a good light to get derailed and "argued over" from another upset player (yet again, on TMC, someone who would not put in an accurate name as to avoid the open dialog needed so badly to fix the issues perceived).

I'm sorry my review on TMC caused someone else to argue its merits on the basis of some perceived slight against themselves, but I agree that the best thing disgruntled players can do is start an open discussion about what they feel is wrong and how it can be fixed. These types of forum posts generally do not turn into "flame wars" but rather help keep the game moving forward and, more importantly, flourishing with a strong base of players and staff alike.

[Nysan]

Oddly enough, I do not see anything constructive or useful in that response 'review'. It came off like a collection of self-centered ranting and finger pointing. Not to say there aren't problems around here. There are, we know this. But, that kind of slamfest is neither helpful or productive. It is merely a list of every fault they can find in the game, some exaggerated or nitpicked, without any real discussion. Might as well been formatted as a 1., 2., 3., bullet list of all the things that annoyed them. That kind of review bothers me because it does not encourage thought or discussion. Same reason I cannot read most of the product reviews on Amazon, hehe.

Personal rant aside, I also wish more would voice their issues here. I'd much rather have an open discussion here than let it fester and flop out elsewhere out of context. Whoever this person was, I am honestly curious why they felt people that voiced concerns were singled out. Why they thought the staff refused to answer apps and requests of 'certain' people. That really got my attention. Race balance or new areas, all that is fluff compared to complaints about the staff like that. Besides that, the part about the forums? Don't bother with them? I really don't understand that part at all.

Unfortunately, we'll never know. That is the nature of those kinds of posts. Unknown name, no specific details, and no way to find out. Which is why I wish more voiced their issues here. I'll take a discussion with people that disagree with me every time over some guy standing on a soapbox, spouting statements I agree with...

[Trillarel]

I find that the complainer has a point about major sites (Baldur's Gate, Luskan, Calimport) but all the rest is just whining.

[Selveem]

It appears to me that the poster has had specific experiences that have caused them to have such beliefs.

At the risk being the catalyst of this thread to derailing to needless history lessons of the game or finger pointing, I'd rather not note some of the points I do feel are valid or may have some basis for criticism.

Overall, I think the staff does a good job and I am grateful for all the friends I've met over the course of my playing on FK.

I hope this poster returns one day and has a more enjoyable experience to update their review with some praise.

[Gwain]

I find that the complainer has a point about major sites (Baldur's Gate, Luskan, Calimport) but all the rest is just whining.

I know that at least one of these areas has a dedicated builder (baldur's gate) probably. The other two might be open for a newer generation of builders to take a crack at

[Harroghty]

It's not that I have an issue with a player making complaints on third party sites, it's just that I would prefer that they (at least) address the issues specifically also to the staff so that we can address them and improve the game as necessary.

It would be great to have all of Faerun's major cities in the game, but it's neither practical nor necessary right now. Our current player base is better served by quest areas and trainers than by new cities.

[Timaeus]

Not to mention that our builders are completely volunteers. If you are not a builder you have no basis what so ever for a complaint about what areas are missing in the game. Everyone is free to learn to build on FK and they have extensive lessons for doing so.

[Selveem]

Not to mention that our builders are completely volunteers. If you are not a builder you have no basis what so ever for a complaint about what areas are missing in the game. Everyone is free to learn to build on FK and they have extensive lessons for doing so.

While you may make this claim innocently, it's not nearly as simple as you make it sound.

I just want to point that out, because I don't like claims like this.

[Timaeus]

While you may make this claim innocently, it's not nearly as simple as you make it sound.

I just want to point that out, because I don't like claims like this.

And I damn sure have been playing FK long enough to know that in fact it IS as simple as asking this question: Do you build? No? Then you have no reason to complain about the volunteer efforts of others when you are not volunteering to the effort yourself.

[Kinni]

Not to mention that our builders are completely volunteers. If you are not a builder you have no basis what so ever for a complaint about what areas are missing in the game. Everyone is free to learn to build on FK and they have extensive lessons for doing so.

While you may make this claim innocently, it's not nearly as simple as you make it sound.

I just want to point that out, because I don't like claims like this.

As a new, inexperienced builder on FK I will point out that it is actually as simple as it sounds. In many other MU's, there is a limit to how many builders a game is willing to take on (due to setting restrictions, game-size restrictions, and/or availability of staff). That does not appear to be the case here. FK seems more than happy to accept builders so long as said builder volunteers an idea that is worthwhile to the setting and playerbase.

I think the confusion about builders is simply that there is no active advertising on behalf of staff stating plainly: "Hey, we need builders!" While they don't solicit or invite builders, they do have a wonderful open-door policy: You have an idea? Great! Let's hear it!

Furthermore, no one is holding your hand. There is no one guiding you through the door or, even after you opt to enter it, no one giving you a play by play on what needs to be done. Else-MU, if you are accepted as a builder the IMMs may provide you lessons in building. One might think a small playerbase (averaging 25 players connected at one time) would allow for such, but I can plainly see how that is not the case here. Extensive code and an outstanding number of areas requires a great deal of attention, care, and upkeep. If you want to build, you must show and take the initiative on your own. I wish I had implemented such a thing when I built a MUSH ages ago, as I may have found more dedicated builders - those willing to come forward in a show of initiative and furthermore showing a devotion by using online manuals to educate themselves on the building process. It is my experience that if you have the drive to take these two steps, you can be a builder here.

[Selveem]

I'm not trying to blast our staff here or criticize further. Let's just leave it at: "it is that simple for some people," then, because I can assure you that my experience was not "easy."

[Gwain]

Your experience is heavily dated. The current staff and builder administration have welcomed new builders to the mud like Kinni above and helped older builders and designers refresh or create areas at a consistent rate for more than a year now. If you've had troubles in the past, well that was the past, no one is experiencing the things you may have experienced so very long ago as both staff and admins have changed suite multiple times since you were last active in the builder scene. My advice? Look to the future and forget the past.