SE: Holding back information won't stop criticism, it will only delay it and is bad.

[SDaemon]

Whether they release the info early or wait till patch release it wont really change much in the long run. All this really does it delay the forum meltdowns of class balance woes till patch day instead of the PLL.

[frostmagemari]

Whether they release the info early or wait till patch release it wont really change much in the long run. All this really does it delay the forum meltdowns of class balance woes till patch day instead of the PLL.

It only changes nothing in the long run if SQEX just chooses to ignore peoples concerns. If they actually did something sensible and have the more drastic game changes on a PTR realm (Class balance, etc, primarily), then they could get actual feedback on their decisions. They could see how things shake out before they flip a switch that they have no intention of ever reversing once it's flipped.

[MomomiMomi]

It only changes nothing in the long run if SQEX just chooses to ignore peoples concerns. If they actually did something sensible and have the more drastic game changes on a PTR realm (Class balance, etc, primarily), then they could get actual feedback on their decisions. They could see how things shake out before they flip a switch that they have no intention of ever reversing once it's flipped.

Even if they had a PTR, like they had for FFXI, they would still ignore concerns just as they did on that game's PTR. That's just how they roll.

[Seraphor]

Whether they release the info early or wait till patch release it wont really change much in the long run. All this really does it delay the forum meltdowns of class balance woes till patch day instead of the PLL.

I think the point is that at least SOME of those meltdowns will be alleviated by simply playing the new job changes and realising it's not as bad as it sounds. So there's no real downside to waiting until patch day.
What are we going to do with that info exactly? How do you prepare for it?

[SDaemon]

I think the point is that at least SOME of those meltdowns will be alleviated by simply playing the new job changes and realising it's not as bad as it sounds. So there's no real downside to waiting until patch day.
What are we going to do with that info exactly? How do you prepare for it?

I'm certain they're doing this because they don't want people obsessing about class balance adjustments after looking at the pending changes weeks in advance of the patch. However, since they're going to release them with the patch day notes, the people who would meltdown over the posted adjustments at the PLL will simply read them on the patch day notes and meltdown at that point. Honestly its just delaying the reaction. Anyone who cares enough about class balance to want to read about the adjustments happening is going to read them before the patch hits live and form their opinion/analysis then, now they just have less time to cope/adjust. I don't necessarily think that is a good or bad thing though.