A call for transparency

[Neptune]

Before I get to my central point, let's take a look at a 4Gamer interview with Yoshi-P from back in December, before he got too entrenched in things:

***
Yoshida: Come the new year, I think you’ll see us taking the steps to communicate more than ever with players. We’ll make things clear one by one with concrete explanations. Of course, if we make a promise, we’ll keep that promise. Until we are in a position to keep promises, we’ll continue to honestly say, “We don’t know yet.” While it’s important to inspire anticipation and expectations in people, I don’t think that is what we should be doing at this time.
***

Let's stop and take a look at some recent information from the dev team before we move on. From the Battle Reform Blueprint:

"Actions will undergo major revisions, along with both the underlying mechanics and conditions ... We will also make a number of changes as part of our reexamination of how actions are equipped and the character requirements for doing so."

"Rather than being advanced versions of classes, we would like players to think of jobs as specialized playing styles optimized for partying."

I think we could all agree these quotes about the primary character identity system in the game are not the best examples of "concrete explanations". I'm not trying to make Matsui-san feel bad, so let's just move along.

***
4Gamer: People wonder when things that have been announced will actually be released. The greater the anticipation, the greater the disappointment if it doesn’t happen. I imagine you’ve heard harsh feedback from players who say if you can’t do it, don’t bother announcing things!

Yoshida: Our first move is to regain the trust of our player base. Like any friendship, no matter how close you are, just breaking one promise can cause a lot of damage. If you want to repair the friendship, you have to take it seriously. Once we’ve regained some of that trust, I’d like to talk about our hopes for the future. However, the discussion then becomes one of if we can do it and when it’ll happen.

4Gamer: In the meantime, you have to work hard to gain the trust of the player base by showing how you follow through with things over time. “The proof is in the pudding” so to speak.

Yoshida: Yes, I believe that is our first priority.
***

I completely understand this approach to communication, and I'd like to take a moment to thank Yoshi-P for recognizing this and taking this approach. A lot of people don't understand the trickling flow of information around here but this right here is the source of the valve cramped shut on the flow of information. Anyway, let's continue..

***
4Gamer:In our previous email interview, we asked if you would consider setting up public test servers. The answer we got pretty much shot down that idea. Now with a new team in place, I’d like to ask the question again. Are you considering a public test server? Perhaps even one that is only available for a limited time frame and tests for specific things like game balance?

Yoshida: Yes, we are considering it. Given my history playing various western style MMORPGs, I understand the desire for a test server.

4Gamer: Public test servers are standard practice for western MMORPGs after all.

Yoshida: Yes. I’ve heard stories where they prepare a test server that can handle 3000 people only to have 100 log in each day. The conclusion people have come to is that there won’t be many people who will actually test things. However, I think that’s fine. I look at test servers like this. The top hierarchy of players are already thinking about the game’s future, they give us feedback, and then they share that with other players like a speaker would. That’s really important not just for development or operations but for players as well. I’d really like to implement a test server but I can’t make any promises as to when that would happen.

4Gamer: So what I’m hearing from you is that a test server is possible. Within this interview, you’ve often said you want to hear the voice of the players. I think this counts as part of that.
***

The upcoming battle revisions to the game are massive and the flow of information has screeched to a halt. In Texas Hold'Em Poker, when you're not in a good position you go "all-in" and put all of your money on the table in a bet to win the jackpot. This attitude is also summed up by the old phrase "let the chips fall where they may".

We get that Yoshi-P wants to regain our trust but take a look around. The community is ready for details and the kind of open relationship that existed during alpha and early beta. It's time for a test server and increased transparency. A test server is a server that runs a different version of the game than the ones on release servers. Push back your plans and start giving us previews of changes and a chance to give you direct feedback on the test server. Show us the concrete explanations you promised. We'll stick around to give you our feedback - and we can redeem that failed beta experience from 2010. That way it will be less pressure on you, and less pressure on us. I hope you really take this plea to heart and consider changing your approach to regaining our trust.

http://ffxiv.gamerescape.com/2011/01...oshida-part-2/

[Mack]

While I don't disagree with you I'm pretty sure SE sees every server as a test server nowadays.

[Neptune]

While I don't disagree with you I'm pretty sure SE sees every server as a test server nowadays.

Well, thanks for pointing out that a lot of people have no clue what a test server is. I updated the OP with bold text explaining it.

[Mack]

Well, thanks for pointing out that a lot of people have no clue what a test server is. I updated the OP with bold text explaining it.

Thanks for being a snob and my point still stands. SE is releasing patches every month, we ARE playing the "updated" version of the game every month...that's all they have to offer and therefore we're testing it. Just like we'll all be testing auto attack and the new job system soon. I understand a test server updates regularly the version of the game but I see no point to have it now considering we're all in beta. In the future, I'm all for it. Either way, I don't really care, just my 2 cents.

[darkstarpoet1]

Thanks for being a snob and my point still stands. SE is releasing patches every month, we ARE playing the "updated" version of the game every month...that's all they have to offer and therefore we're testing it. Just like we'll all be testing auto attack and the new job system soon.

the difference is by putting new stuff on all the severs instead of just one test server is that if it is horribly received they don't have to do it to every playing customer.

they should always use a test server for a group of people to see what is being suggested before just shoving it into the main game. it's the only realistic way to get true feedback instead of just upsetting even more players and pushing more potential customers away.

no matter how great something is there will always be tweaks to be made before implementation into the game. this step not being followed is the majority of the reason basic features are not in the game yet and the game only feels partially complete.

[Mack]

Yea ok but I'm pretty sure they are past "salvaging their customers" so to speak...I mean say there are 30k players atm playing the game, that's a hefty number but I'm sure SE is looking for somewhere in the 500Ks or even 1000Ks...just saying they don't care nearly enough to "piss off" anyone because everyone is already pissed off, even those who stuck it out.

[Neptune]

Thanks for being a snob and my point still stands. SE is releasing patches every month, we ARE playing the "updated" version of the game every month...that's all they have to offer and therefore we're testing it. Just like we'll all be testing auto attack and the new job system soon. I understand a test server updates regularly the version of the game but I see no point to have it now considering we're all in beta. In the future, I'm all for it. Either way, I don't really care, just my 2 cents.

Well thanks Mack but it's confusing when you come in here and tell people we're already on a test server. Let me explain the difference.

Currently, the dev team works on a patch, QA's it, tells us nothing, and then explains it AFTER it is RELEASED.
With a test server, the dev team works on UPDATES that are patched into the test server for feedback. Everything is known well in advance with plenty of new info out and playable. Suggestions are made, things are tweaked, and eventually we get a finished patch on release servers. Most importantly, big changes don't have to be polished first and there won't be community blowback like with the release of the NMs.

So, I hope everybody understands the difference and what I'm proposing.

Yea ok but I'm pretty sure they are past "salvaging their customers" so to speak...I mean say there are 30k players atm playing the game, that's a hefty number but I'm sure SE is looking for somewhere in the 500Ks or even 1000Ks...just saying they don't care nearly enough to "piss off" anyone because everyone is already pissed off, even those who stuck it out.

I wish you wouldn't make that argument because even you have a voice that, if listened to, will add to the potential of this game for the future, starting now.

Also, on the contrary, because their dev priorities are based solely on the 2nd player's poll and they tell us nothing prior to patches. The whole point of my post was to illustrate why we are told nothing prior to patches. If they weren't worried about pissing anyone off they would tell us everything.

[darkstarpoet1]

Yea ok but I'm pretty sure they are past "salvaging their customers" so to speak...I mean say there are 30k players atm playing the game, that's a hefty number but I'm sure SE is looking for somewhere in the 500Ks or even 1000Ks...just saying they don't care nearly enough to "piss off" anyone because everyone is already pissed off, even those who stuck it out.

my response wasn't about the number of players playing currently. i am referring to the them and the thousands wanting to come back. they wait on a patch and come in to test the new stuff out and because it is done half way with no feedback in advance it is in horrible shape. that causes those players to leave again within a few days.

those players leaving again go back to whatever game they are playing and tells potential customers the new stuff is horrid and not to bother playing yet. so no by doing that they are not just hurting the few players left, but the ones waiting on it to get better and future potentials as well.

[Neptune]

my response wasn't about the number of players playing currently. i am referring to the them and the thousands wanting to come back. they wait on a patch and come in to test the new stuff out and because it is done half way with no feedback in advance it is in horrible shape. that causes those players to leave again within a few days.

those players leaving again go back to whatever game they are playing and tells potential customers the new stuff is horrid and not to bother playing yet. so no by doing that they are not just hurting the few players left, but the ones waiting on it to get better and future potentials as well.

Very well said as usual, darkstarpoet. This is precisely why they had to adjust the targeting system 3 times, and in the last case, a patch that took all day to download just to tweak the targeting system. With a test server, the targeting system would have been worked out well in advance of an official release.

[Betelgeuzah]

It was already explained that in the game development's current state, test server is not practical. I wouldn't be surprised if the game in development is completely unplayable right now, or at least offline state.

XI is getting a test server soon, so for XIV team it's only a matter of getting the game to a state when they can open a test server. We can not test a game where AA doesn't function, the server hardware and code is constantly being tweaked and the game engine adjustments might break something.

Why do MMO devs only start beta testing their games after years of development and not asap? Because it's not practical or even possible. SE is keeping their live servers up while performing tasks that are usually done before beta even begins. Which is why they won't be implemented so soon either.