discussion The problem with this forum

[Docterrok]

So, before I begin, I would like to say I am not  in any way trying to be aggressive, but I am frustrated with the popularity contest that is this Wishlist forum, there are some really great ideas on this forum that do not get the love and attention they deserve, I am not posting this to advertise my content, nor am I doing it to stir arguments in any way, I just feel that the only ideas that get used are the most popular ones, those are the only ones I feel the devs really consider, sure, there are some poorly thought out ideas here and there, but this is a message to both the forum community and the devs. Give the unpopular ideas a chance, because I can say there are some really good ones.
Now, I have a feeling this will stir up some ruckus, that is not my intention, but I am willing to pull this thread until it snaps, because I feel we need to stop seeing this forum as, "what ideas are most popular?" And more like "what ideas would be good for this game?" It turns into mob mentality very quickly, I made a post about 2 weeks ago that stated my skepticism for the ideas and there reception by the devs, it was handled professionally and my questions were answered. So this is yet another question, can both the community and the devs expand there boundaries a little bit? Again, I'm not mad, I just feel that this is a serious issue on this forum.

[Hatchet]

I see no contest, i see good ideas getting the praise they should.
I see bad ideas getting way too much praise.
I see good ideas not getting enough praise (as you said)
But isn't that EXACTLY what we can expect?
The forums are... well, sometimes posting a great idea on the worst possible time to do it could "ruin" it.
While for instance a bad idea might be posted with great timing, opening up debate, "polishing" said idea.
And you also have ideas that have been posted multiple times where admins already replied to and said they won't do such a thing, after a while people stop replying to such threads.

I am sorry for your frustration, but i cannot aknowledge your problem existing in my world, in other words, i cannot see it.

[Scyzara]

The Devs don't automatically favor all popular ideas. Neither do they automatically discard less popular suggestions. They rather check which ideas fit their own vision for the game and pick those.

You don't need to worry that ideas might be ignored because e.g only five and not 50 users supported them. 

Please also keep in mind that your own ideas about what would be great for the game don't have to be identical with the dev's ideas necessarily.

Plus, whenever the devs decide to add mechanics, items or other features, programming them needs a considerable amount of time, naturally. Just because something hasn't been added 3, 6 or even 9 months after it was suggested does not mean that it will never be added at all. 

 

[Loppysaurusrex]

People don't want multiplayer, it's just how this game goes.

[Patrick Carlson]

6 hours ago, Docterrok said:

So, before I begin, I would like to say I am not  in any way trying to be aggressive, but I am frustrated with the popularity contest that is this Wishlist forum, there are some really great ideas on this forum that do not get the love and attention they deserve, I am not posting this to advertise my content, nor am I doing it to stir arguments in any way, I just feel that the only ideas that get used are the most popular ones, those are the only ones I feel the devs really consider, sure, there are some poorly thought out ideas here and there, but this is a message to both the forum community and the devs. Give the unpopular ideas a chance, because I can say there are some really good ones.
Now, I have a feeling this will stir up some ruckus, that is not my intention, but I am willing to pull this thread until it snaps, because I feel we need to stop seeing this forum as, "what ideas are most popular?" And more like "what ideas would be good for this game?" It turns into mob mentality very quickly, I made a post about 2 weeks ago that stated my skepticism for the ideas and there reception by the devs, it was handled professionally and my questions were answered. So this is yet another question, can both the community and the devs expand there boundaries a little bit? Again, I'm not mad, I just feel that this is a serious issue on this forum.

Thanks for your question Docterrok. One question I would have: Can you be more specific about what you mean here? What "boundaries" need to be expanded, in your mind?

This would help me understand better where you are coming from. Thanks again. 

[Dirmagnos]

Its an actually rather multi-leveled issue. First, your personal preferences may(and most likely never will be) not align with preferences of every1 else. Second, idea delivery method may not be optimal, eg people simply dont understand that idea. Third, devs may have a different take on the subject and some parts or whole idea, no matter how good it may be, could be in direct conflict with their whole design(it simply does not fit unless you tear down and remake half the game). And fourth, devs simply may not have means for implementation of idea or it would require amount of work that implementing it would make whole thing unfeasible. Thats just a few points from top of my head.

I consider all my ideas to be superb 8) , doesnt mean that i expect them to be implemented, fully or partially.

[Docterrok]

3 hours ago, Patrick Carlson said:

Thanks for your question Docterrok. One question I would have: Can you be more specific about what you mean here? What "boundaries" need to be expanded, in your mind?

This would help me understand better where you are coming from. Thanks again. 

Again, with respect, I feel some ideas kind of get glossed over because of popularity, I don't want this to be a popularity contest but I made a post on food items, tools, and the like, and I made a multi part, in depth discussion on combat, with little to no interaction, we as a community must be a smidge more accepting, I am using my ideas as an example, but there are many great posters who just don't get the credit they deserve. Again, you guys are making something great and I do not want to be cynical, but it just seems a bit unfair, you know? Thanks! 

[Docterrok]

I would like to apologize for sounding negative, that was not my intent.

[hauteecolerider]

I'm just a small member of this community, but I thought I would point out a couple of things. Maybe you don't realize it yet, being new to the forum and all . . .

Food items have been discussed before. Some of us have said our pieces in previous discussions (before you joined) and don't want to repeat ourselves yet again. It's not that no one likes your ideas, it's just that it's old ground.

Combat is not part of the vision in this game, at least not in the sandbox. The one thing that stands out about TLD (at least to me) is the relative paucity of combat. I'm happy to spend my days hunting, fishing and gathering food and first aid supplies, and crafting repairing tools and clothing. I don't feel the need for more weapons beyond what we already have. And in the absence of NPC's, there is no need for combat. Why would I want to fight a bear? I just play dead and wait until he clears the area. And I avoid wolves as much as I possibly can. All recommended behavior IRL, BTW. Going into depth into combat issues as you have done, while well thought out, is not true to TLD's spirit. If adopted, it would be game-changing to the point that TLD would become just another FPS. Then there would be little unique about it. And little reason for me to pick it up. And that is why I, personally, have not responded.

Yes. there are a great many excellent ideas out there on this forum. But as someone who writes stories as a hobby, I see many great ideas that do not fit the plot. And sorry, if they don't fit the plot, they don't get included in the story, no matter how cool they are.

[Docterrok]

6 hours ago, hauteecolerider said:

I'm just a small member of this community, but I thought I would point out a couple of things. Maybe you don't realize it yet, being new to the forum and all . . .

Food items have been discussed before. Some of us have said our pieces in previous discussions (before you joined) and don't want to repeat ourselves yet again. It's not that no one likes your ideas, it's just that it's old ground.

Combat is not part of the vision in this game, at least not in the sandbox. The one thing that stands out about TLD (at least to me) is the relative paucity of combat. I'm happy to spend my days hunting, fishing and gathering food and first aid supplies, and crafting repairing tools and clothing. I don't feel the need for more weapons beyond what we already have. And in the absence of NPC's, there is no need for combat. Why would I want to fight a bear? I just play dead and wait until he clears the area. And I avoid wolves as much as I possibly can. All recommended behavior IRL, BTW. Going into depth into combat issues as you have done, while well thought out, is not true to TLD's spirit. If adopted, it would be game-changing to the point that TLD would become just another FPS. Then there would be little unique about it. And little reason for me to pick it up. And that is why I, personally, have not responded.

Yes. there are a great many excellent ideas out there on this forum. But as someone who writes stories as a hobby, I see many great ideas that do not fit the plot. And sorry, if they don't fit the plot, they don't get included in the story, no matter how cool they are.

At least take a gander at my post on combat, you don't seem to know what I was exactly talking about, I'm not accusing you, just have a look.

[Doc Gonzo]

I've been playing this game and reading these forums for just shy of a year.  I don't post as much as others but it’s a rare day that I don't lurk here and read the new posts.  That said I think I have to disagree, respectfully, with you. Like most things, the cream rises to the top.  Other ideas, while on the surface seem to be workable, might not fit with the vision the studio has for TLD.  I can think of very few changes/additions that have been added since I started playing that I disagree with.  Actually I can think of none.

I, with 100% sincerity, trust Hinterland's decisions regarding the forward development of this game. If that means they ignore the vast majority of player feedback (which is 100% untrue, they routinely listen to player concerns, suggestions and thoughts) I'm still okay with it. I trust their vision of what the game will look like during upcoming updates and the eventual release of story mode.

All this being said I will immediately go read your post on combat @Docterrok ...

v/r

DG

Edit:  Okay I've read all three posts of your "polling" posts.  The reason, in my opinion, that some ideas aren't focused on by the community is that they're speculative in nature. You're asking me to chime in on a topic without knowing what Hinterland's development path is for that topic.  I might as well guess the color of a cat locked inside a dark room. 

While there may be kernels of wisdom in your suggestions they were difficult for me to pick out.  Again I read them and I'm still not sure what exactly you're suggesting or why they are good ideas for the game. It could be a number of factors but I found your polls rather confusing and difficult to follow.

Finally, what qualifies to you suggest these tweaks to an experienced game developer?  I don't mean that sarcastically, what beyond a love of video games, qualifies you to suggest how in-depth game mechanics should function? Hinterland is staffed by very experienced game designers, we're (mostly) just fans of the game.