To the Devs: Communication is failing!

[kwestro]

No it's entirely the fault of the community. If they can't resist pointless speculation and whining then how is it anyone's fault but their own?
If this community had proven itself mature and capable I could understand blaming SE for being needlessly opaque but I've been here since day 1 and this community has done nothing but whine and moan even when they got their way.
This community is like a spoiled, petulant child upset that their new toy isn't three new toys.
I can't believe SE even bothers to post because it's not like anything constructive is coming out of this forum.

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Agreed 100%. There's a lot of grown-up toddlers with families in this forum crying excessively everyday over speculations.

[Sputnik]

I thnk the both of you should just quit

[Rutelor]

I thnk the both of you should just quit

Enlightening and illuminating indeed. Thanks a bundle.

R

[Estellios]

Ever since 1.18 I feel the devs have been a lot more open, so much though that it's even surprised my friends that play other MMOs. The info seems to come in waves and as we get closer to patches we seem to be getting multiple dev posts a day and a ton of lodestone info posts. Yoshida is supposed to be writing another Letter from the Producer this week so widely-discussed stuff like pure enfeebling magic going away and the nature of the class changes/etc will most likely be touched upon.

The reps do their best to get our questions to the dev team so they know what our concerns our for sure, and a well-written post like you made does help. That said, you could trim down that essay

[Seif]

Amen, and I think your general assumption of the community is spot on.

[Ferth]

Altareon, the irony of your posts amuse me... only dampened somewhat by the fact that I am pretty sure that irony is unintentional.

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

Misinterpreted the headline as "Communication is a tactic that leads to failure" I.e. dying is failing

Slowly catching up on topic.

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

I think it's important that SE balances their adjustments with the encounters as well. One thing I would hope not to see is that enemies represent the older mechanics that SE is altering, while newer enemies might not be able to cast Water, Slow, or other such abilities.

The less older mechanics intermingle with the new, the better picture we can see in-game. For this, it may be best to see the ramifications of the next major update, formulate the questions that you may be able to influence a fansite to pose in the next interview.

For me, I'm less interested in things SE is considering for 2.0 and more interested in what they have in the works before then.

[TinnySnips]

I can partially agree, but I don't think SE gets all of the blame or even most of it. This last dev post that was made about water was... stupid (as you stated, it only added confusion and cleared nothing up). As for the ability lists, it is going to be ambiguous to a degree unless they put damage and cost calculation formulas up there. I find that the community is mostly to blame for a few reasons:

1) Inadequate reading comprehension skills: I will continue to invoke Barbara Bush as necessary to get the point across. So many threads have been started and extended over people not comprehending what dev posts have stated in no uncertain terms. I don't know why, but I did expect better reading comprehension from this community.

2) Inadequate reasoning skills: The new combat mechanics and class roles seem clear enough to me. There are details missing, but the intent is clear: Remove unnecessary complexity, increase the utility of all abilities, build well-defined class roles, create a well-laid foundation upon which to grow.

3) Resistance to change: People get comfortable in their situations, even if that situation is less than desirable. Battered women stay with (and defend) abusive husbands, even when adequate escape routes present themselves. Overworked people pass on good job opportunities because they have hit a stride that is acceptable. MMORPGers will cling to a dated and boring combat system, even when presented a future that offers more depth and utility.

These 3 items do not apply to the entire community, but to a vocal minority. There are plenty of reasonable people playing this game, but we rarely hear from them because they have the good sense to stay off the forums. Damn my wandering browser!

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

I can partially agree, but I don't think SE gets all of the blame or even most of it. This last dev post that was made about water was... stupid (as you stated, it only added confusion and cleared nothing up). As for the ability lists, it is going to be ambiguous to a degree unless they put damage and cost calculation formulas up there. I find that the community is mostly to blame for a few reasons:

1) Inadequate reading comprehension skills: I will continue to invoke Barbara Bush as necessary to get the point across. So many threads have been started and extended over people not comprehending what dev posts have stated in no uncertain terms. I don't know why, but I did expect better reading comprehension from this community.

2) Inadequate reasoning skills: The new combat mechanics and class roles seem clear enough to me. There are details missing, but the intent is clear: Remove unnecessary complexity, increase the utility of all abilities, build well-defined class roles, create a well-laid foundation upon which to grow.

3) Resistance to change: People get comfortable in their situations, even if that situation is less than desirable. Battered women stay with (and defend) abusive husbands, even when adequate escape routes present themselves. Overworked people pass on good job opportunities because they have hit a stride that is acceptable. MMORPGers will cling to a dated and boring combat system, even when presented a future that offers more depth and utility.

These 3 items do not apply to the entire community, but to a vocal minority. There are plenty of reasonable people playing this game, but we rarely hear from them because they have the good sense to stay off the forums. Damn my wandering browser!

You are absolutely and depressingly right on point 3.