Correspondant Post Reproduced

[Samanna]

[Zaviax]

I've always wondered why they couldn't give us some actual feedback on their stances with those top ten.

Is it really that hard to give a brief explanation on where they stand rather than a copy and paste reply that can mean anything?

Hypothetically let's say on our top ten we ask for better healing and suggest an 5k blast heal. Instead of some half ass "currently being evaluated" how about something like

"We feel 5k is too much power to give a Shaman in the form of a blast heal. We're currently looking at other options, such as a boost to your HoT ability with a group version as well as the possibilty of a slight increase in your blast healing capabilities."

At least then, we know where they stand and can change our suggestions accordingly.

[Sebekiz]

I think you've brought up a very valid concern. Sony asked for representatives of the community to provide feedback on what the players (their customers) feel are important concerns, but there seems to be little done to address those concerns. It gives a strong impression that they simply want to be able to claim they are using this system, when they are actually ignoring it.

I'd say the lack of activity in the Top 10 forums the last few months is evidence of how little most Shaman feel Sony is doing with the whole feedback concept. I think we are solidly behind you as our representative, but we've decided that there is little reason to give you comments to submit when Sony's not really paying attention.

[KB]

[Katgo]

Even if it does get you booted from your position it was your right to find out things and in the process of doing that you where getting stonewalled and wanted to know why. I can't believe how hard it is for these people to take action on this stuff and give us a valid and constructive answer on either why they did not make a change or when can we see a change and what will that change be.

[Ungkor]

The whole correspondent/Top 10 thing always felt like something that some executive made the Dev's do against their will hehe.

I imagine something like this:
---------------------------
"Community Relations Manager 001" complains, "Come on "Guy who pays the team 001", I've got to have something to keep the community involved, and make them feel like they are part of the process!"

"Guy who pays the team 001" mumbles, "Ok, so organize some idea gathering on the boards. You have my blessing".

"Community Relations Manager 001" says, "Great! Thanks a bunch".

Meaningwhile, back in "Developer Guy 001's lair"......

"Developer Guy 001" thinks to himself, "Uber, my 10 year plan is almost completely drawn up and designed down to the last random change!".

In walks "Community Relations Manager 001" in a bright sunflower T-shirt.

"Community Relations Manager 001" says cheerily, "Hey "Developer Guy 001", I've been doing all these neat debates on the boards, and thought you'd like to see what all the players want!".

"Developer Guy 001" says, "Well. Hrm. Thats not what I want to do, sorry. I've made my plans already."
---------------------------

I mean... where did we ever say Shaman needed new weaker slows? Or where did we ever say that we wanted an AE nuke thats only 15-30% of a true AE? DoD pretty much confirmed for me that the Top 10 lists are largely irrelevant to the SOE developers' designs. The Dev's probably just ignore them, and the only reason the Top 10 exists is so that the 'other world' of the community relation management has something to appease the player base.

[Tordail]

I second what Zaviax said.
Great post, Sam.

[Brohg]

Ungkor's speaking the truth. PR, Marketing, Development, and Production are famously at odds in all walks of life.

[Beafly]

[Scowls]

[Ungkor]

[Alaene]

[Tugela]

[Baledan]

[Samanna]

[Macnair]

[Unmei]

[Ungkor]

[Kneesmasher]

This is a prime example of the old addage: "Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it!

SoE asked for feedback, they got it, top 10 lists were created, now they don't know what to do with it, weren't prepared to handle it, have no one ready to deal with it, they don't have a procedure or process in place to deal with it and they can't manage it. However, when you ask for feedback, those providing feedback expect a response!

Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it...

[Nanyea the Wayward]

[KB]

[Bernz]

[Samanna]

[Bernz]

[XeroOmega]

[Tugela]

[Bernz]

[Tugela]

[Samanna]

[Ungkor]

[KB]

[siludorf]

[Tugela]

[Tugela]

[Scowls]

[Ungkor]

[Tugela]

[Tugela]

[ThraallFV]

[Brohg]

I think the case of Gift of Mana is pretty telling. We recieved more communication from Rashere in that thread than the EQ population has recieved in YEARS from Rytan (just to pick an example close to shaman hearts). He was praised and supported, and folks were (and are, things aren't quite resolved yet) hopeful about a positive resolution for the issue. Vahlar and Prathun have been community favorites for years, and I think a big contributor to that is their relative openness with the playership.