The Real Problem with Parsers

[Clarkamite]

Snip

I think, generally, offering up a personal parser as a solution is seen as sort of a compromise. Personally as a console player, I'd much rather have a parser that shows me everything like ACT does for PC players, but rather than asking for one like that I'd be fine asking for a personal one. It would show me what I need to see and the people who are afraid of parsers wouldn't really have a good argument to not include one.

I'll still be able to research what my numbers should be at on the forums and reddit and I'll still be able to compare numbers in my static group. True some people won't know what their number means, but those are the same people that couldn't care less (or are against having one) regardless.

I think SE would be more inclined to include a personal parser before one that operates like ACT does. I could be way off but I feel like they wouldn't really want to stir the pot on this issue. It's already really sensitive for some people as it is. Giving everyone the option of having an official personal parser is a good compromise. The people doing serious content as a group will be able to work on what they need to and compare numbers and see where issues might be, console players will be able to make minor tweaks and try out new rotations and CD usage without having to ask after literally every run, "Ok how was I that time? Where did I peak? What about this phase?" and people against parsing could all just not turn theirs on.

You get points for a clever turn of phrase, but you really can't expect many intelligent anti-parser arguments. This isn't necessarily because people are stupid, but I think that a few points are relevant:


1. Many players who might object to parsers probably don't even frequent the forums. Of those players, I bet that a good portion aren't even currently aware of the existence of parsers.

2. There aren't many arguments against the inclusion of some form of official parsing that haven't been presented many times before and been, in most cases, soundly rebutted. At best we get nebulous arguments that claim that official parsing will contribute negatively to the culture of the game; at worst we get nonsense arguments about parsers turning people anti-social, many of which pretend that parsers aren't already in use.

3. The fact that parsers are in use goes a long way to dispel any notion of disadvantaged (or just plain bad) people being excluded from content any more than they already are.

4. Some players looking for a form of official parser want it because they play on a console so that they can enjoy the same kind of metric feedback that PC players already do.

^this exactly.

My big issue with people against having an official parser is they generally don't realize how useful of a tool it would be. I often see them saying how every serious group will have a person with a parser in the group already so having an official one wouldn't change anything so the people for one should just keep quiet. But there's more to it then just knowing your number at the end of a clear. I can't ask my raid members to keep track of my numbers and different points of the fight just to see where I begin to dip. I can't ask them to watch me and only me to see where my numbers change and how my cool down usage changes things.

That type of knowledge only comes from having one yourself and being able to watch it. Sure, you don't care to do that but why can't I? My only option right now would be to buy a ridiculously priced setup of a PC, purchase a new license of the game for a PC, just so I could download an add-on that isn't even officially sanctioned to be able to watch my numbers. I'm dedicated to my craft, but I'm not willing to drop that amount of money and time on something like that.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying I would be forced into buying the absolute best setup of PC. I'm just saying that dropping even a thousand on a setup for literally one game wouldn't be worth it in the long run. I'd rather take a vacation somewhere with my girlfriend, then spend a grand on a PC.