Polls for future game changes

[Fabbro]

Some MMOs already implement this feature, Runescape (for example) has ingame poll booths where active players can voto on game changes, regarding to combat, PVP, etc., specially, no major change to game mechanics are ever made unless there is at least ~70% approval among voting players.

Would be nice if every MMO had this, also, make players voto count more according to how old their subscrition in the game is, so for say, every ~6months of subscription time, your voto counts as one vote extra, that way someone subscribed in the game three years ago would have a vote that counts for 6, and someone that has a one year subscription would have a vote that counts for 2 and so on. People that have subscriptions from way back into 1.0 would have the most impact when voting.

That way the game can keep their loyal fanbase that will actually play the game for years on from now happy and give a fair voting for everyone.

I see it as a way to be much more in touch with the community.

[KatieConnr]

make players voto count more according to how old their subscrition in the game is, so for say, every ~6months of subscription time, your voto counts as one vote extra, that way someone subscribed in the game three years ago would have a vote that counts for 6, and someone that has a one year subscription would have a vote that counts for 2 and so on.

give a fair voting for everyone.

How exactly is it "fair" voting, if not all the votes are equal?

[Fabbro]

How exactly is it "fair" voting, if not all the votes are equal?

Exactly fair because of that, people that play for a longer time deserve more weight, and are probably a minority, so they need some extra voting weight to balance out against people whom will probably only ever play the game for a few months ~ one year and give it up. People whom already play the game for a longer time since launch are probably the same ones that are going to keep the game alive in the long term, so it makes sense to me.

[NatePride]

Exactly fair because of that, people that play for a longer time deserve more weight, and are probably a minority, so they need some extra voting weight to balance out against people whom will probably only ever play the game for a few months ~ one year and give it up. People whom already play the game for a longer time since launch are probably the same ones that are going to keep the game alive in the long term, so it makes sense to me.

length of play time getting more votes is not actually fair.
Fair voting involves everyones vote having the same weight.
Your idea is like someone who has been around for 10 electoral votes having a weight of 10 votes vs the person voting for the first time having 1

[Penthea]

Exactly fair because of that, people that play for a longer time deserve more weight, and are probably a minority, so they need some extra voting weight to balance out against people whom will probably only ever play the game for a few months ~ one year and give it up. People whom already play the game for a longer time since launch are probably the same ones that are going to keep the game alive in the long term, so it makes sense to me.

And what about players with multiple accounts? Many have had them for years. They're not a majority but if an issue is almost 50/50 then they could tip it in their favour with their extra accounts.

Also I am not fond of the idea of seniority perks in games. Just because you have been playing for a long time doesn't mean you're super knowledgeable about the game. A new player who has raided for just one tier has more raid knowledge than a veteran casual player who never raided. I know people who played since ARR and know nothing about crafting. Do you want them to have a strong vote on crafting issues? Do you want someone who has never played a healer to have a strong vote in healer issues?

The system we have is fine. We provide feedback and SE reacts accordingly. They're actually really good at listening to feedback, a stark contrast to the devs of the other big mmo on the market.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

They already do listen and there is impact based on community feedback.

They are not, and should not however, listen to Everything the community says.

[Fabbro]

They already do listen and there is impact based on community feedback.

They are not, and should not however, listen to Everything the community says.

For example, I don't know anyone whom liked the way they changed the PvP, and that's just one example. I could talk about many others (changes to Dark Knight, streamlining and dumbing down mechanics that had potential such as cross classing and shared class abilities... list goes on) that clearly show how they simply don't ever care to go back about changes most of the active players dislike. Having a voting system like other MMOs have, and Runescape does it very well, would really ensure the community agrees with futures changes.

[Ath192]

For example, I don't know anyone whom liked the way they changed the PvP, and that's just one example. I could talk about many others (changes to Dark Knight, streamlining and dumbing down mechanics that had potential such as cross classing and shared class abilities... list goes on) that clearly show how they simply don't ever care to go back about changes most of the active players dislike. Having a voting system like other MMOs have, and Runescape does it very well, would really ensure the community agrees with futures changes.

I mean.... I have my gripes with the game I feel its a bit too easy sometimes and I'd like the a graphics update that would also fix all the technical limitations with the glams and other bits but they are reworking PVP because they know people don't like it, they apologized for 1.0, They do job adjustments and reworks based on complaints, like the SMN changes that are coming. They are upgrading the servers, working on a stat squish because the game is at its limits, developing the expansion with the largest MSQ yet, they're holding a weapon design contest which allows you to tell them what weapons you want to see in game... they have brought some collaborations back because players wanted them (although imo they shoulda made new ones so we get new content and sell past ones in the mog station), They are adding Male viera and Fem Hroth based on complaints.

They're not sitting idle. And this community has a huge divide between casuals and more hard core folk so the "community" is not exactly in unison about most things. So if there were votes in fact, you'd see this game getting even less complicated and more simplified rather than difficult, because the truth is the casuals outnumber the hardcore. A lot of people want to see ultimates gone in favor of using those resources for casual content more people would enjoy but I think they know they need hard challenges for fans of raiding, it also brings a lot of views on streams and its free advertising for the game.

It's a hard balance to keep...

[Fabbro]

I mean.... I have my gripes with the game I feel its a bit too easy sometimes and I'd like the a graphics update that would also fix all the technical limitations with the glams and other bits but they are reworking PVP because they know people don't like it, they apologized for 1.0, They do job adjustments and reworks based on complaints, like the SMN changes that are coming. They are upgrading the servers, working on a stat squish because the game is at its limits, developing the expansion with the largest MSQ yet, they're holding a weapon design contest which allows you to tell them what weapons you want to see in game... they have brought some collaborations back because players wanted them (although imo they shoulda made new ones so we get new content and sell past ones in the mog station), They are adding Male viera and Fem Hroth based on complaints.

They're not sitting idle. And this community has a huge divide between casuals and more hard core folk so the "community" is not exactly in unison about most things. So if there were votes in fact, you'd see this game getting even less complicated and more simplified rather than difficult, because the truth is the casuals outnumber the hardcore. A lot of people want to see ultimates gone in favor of using those resources for casual content more people would enjoy but I think they know they need hard challenges for fans of raiding, it also brings a lot of views on streams and its free advertising for the game.

It's a hard balance to keep...

I agree with most of what you said. However, it's 30~40% more dedicated hardcore players that actually keep the game alive, just look at FFXI for example (still alive thanks to the loyal fans). While casuals play the game for one or two months, maybe six months to a year tops (very rarely more time than that), the hardcore crowd play the game for 2~4+ years and stays loyal to game.

[Valkyrie_Lenneth]

For example, I don't know anyone whom liked the way they changed the PvP, and that's just one example. I could talk about many others (changes to Dark Knight, streamlining and dumbing down mechanics that had potential such as cross classing and shared class abilities... list goes on) that clearly show how they simply don't ever care to go back about changes most of the active players dislike. Having a voting system like other MMOs have, and Runescape does it very well, would really ensure the community agrees with futures changes.

Most people disliked the cross class system, there is only a minority who enjoyed it. That's... why it was removed....