On the cusp...

Unwise · #1 October 17th, 2006, 12:08 PM

It was met by hostility because although it theoretically offered some constructive criticism (I too would love to see something like the GalCiv "Epic Generator" to post turn results on a web site), his overall tone was that of a spoiled brat who demands that the game conform to his needs or else he will (*gasp*) Take His Business Elsewhere.

If looked at point-by-point, none of the requests is unreasonable, nor is his tone massively objectionable if looked at dispassionately. But to people who surf this forum because (a) they love the game, (b) they respect a two-man company that can create something with such depth as a part-time hobby, and (c) already have a great deal of time invested in the product, the tone rankles.

It's like you just bought a new 2006 Mustang Convertible, and you absolutely adore it. Then some stranger comes up to you on the street and says "I was going to get one of those, but the chassis is the same as the 2000, the interior is cheap-looking and the manual shift is tough to get used to. Until Ford fixes these problems, I'm not buying one."

None of the points are false, but by making them, the stranger implies (whether by design or not) that you have made a grave error by buying the product. Moreover, you get the impression that he is boasting that he is far more intelligent than you are because he can see the faults for the deal-breakers that they are while you are blind to them due to some (possibly genetic) defect.

JaydedOne · #2 October 17th, 2006, 01:40 PM

Unwise, you nailed it in one. A very thoughtful, and accurate I think, analysis of the situation.

JaydedOne · #3 October 17th, 2006, 01:43 PM

For what it's worth, turn processing for massive games in single-player is majorly off-putting and really has me at a point where I refuse to play the single-player game beyond, say, 8-10 players. It's still long processing at that point, but if I'm, say, also playing my PS2 and/or working from home, I can use most of the processing time to do other things. However, it does keep me from completely immersing myself in the game the way I'd like to and really takes away the fun, chaotic elements of a full 17-18 player map.

If there's any way to further streamline/optimize turn processing, that'd be a major wish for me in a patch downt he line.

Boron · #4 October 17th, 2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

JaydedOne said:
For what it's worth, turn processing for massive games in single-player is majorly off-putting and really has me at a point where I refuse to play the single-player game beyond, say, 8-10 players. It's still long processing at that point, but if I'm, say, also playing my PS2 and/or working from home, I can use most of the processing time to do other things. However, it does keep me from completely immersing myself in the game the way I'd like to and really takes away the fun, chaotic elements of a full 17-18 player map.

If there's any way to further streamline/optimize turn processing, that'd be a major wish for me in a patch downt he line.

Yeah the turn generating times are long, but i love big games in SP. Usually i play the full era on glory of gods mp version, so 18-20 AIs. I usually take impossible or mighty AIs.
After turn 40 it takes several minutes for the turn to generate. But because Dom3 runs in window mode this doesn't bother me much, i always do something else then like reading forums and posting or playing another game meanwhile.

I gues that the turn time cannot be speed up much more because the AI builds huge armies and thus it takes a while to calculate the 50+ battles with 100-500 troop armies which occur past turn 40 on a huge map nearly every turn.
So i think the large AI armies cause that slowdown.
But the large AI armies are fun for sp, so the turn times are just a necessary evil probably.

Daynarr · #5 October 17th, 2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Unwise said:
It was met by hostility because although it theoretically offered some constructive criticism (I too would love to see something like the GalCiv "Epic Generator" to post turn results on a web site), his overall tone was that of a spoiled brat who demands that the game conform to his needs or else he will (*gasp*) Take His Business Elsewhere.

If looked at point-by-point, none of the requests is unreasonable, nor is his tone massively objectionable if looked at dispassionately. But to people who surf this forum because (a) they love the game, (b) they respect a two-man company that can create something with such depth as a part-time hobby, and (c) already have a great deal of time invested in the product, the tone rankles.

It's like you just bought a new 2006 Mustang Convertible, and you absolutely adore it. Then some stranger comes up to you on the street and says "I was going to get one of those, but the chassis is the same as the 2000, the interior is cheap-looking and the manual shift is tough to get used to. Until Ford fixes these problems, I'm not buying one."

None of the points are false, but by making them, the stranger implies (whether by design or not) that you have made a grave error by buying the product. Moreover, you get the impression that he is boasting that he is far more intelligent than you are because he can see the faults for the deal-breakers that they are while you are blind to them due to some (possibly genetic) defect.

I think I agree with everything Unwise said here. However, it only points to reason for such reactions but none of this is actually excuse for it. First of, think about it; by responding like some of you guys have you actually have given wrong impression of this forum, people who play this game and game itself. We are not a bunch of angry adolescents who snap on anything we don't like. This forum is not like that. Even if original poster came out a bit blunt with his post, take a deep breath, calm down and then kindly point to posters mistake. Just by doing that you will show him that this game has great community and great community is a result of great game. By doing what you did, you did exactly the opposite.

Need I mention that there are lots of people who visit these forums but don't post here? Many potentional customers and fellow gamers who could add greatly to this community? Many of them may change their minds and leave when they see posts like you can see here.

A little self control and kind words can go a long way. Let�s keep forums civil and friendly place.

Gandalf Parker · #6 October 17th, 2006, 03:04 PM

Personally I dont want some of those things fixed. Everything has its pros and cons.

Faster map generation leads to fuller map directory which leads to a need for the game to offer file cleanup without any chance of "oops" which leads to less features while thats getting added.

Usually "fixing" the GUI creates a game that wont share window space with other programs. That means I cant check my work screens.

Faster turn processing would get me in trouble. Im a solo player and I can see the desire but PLEASE dont speed it up. That slowness is a major feature for me. It makes sure I check the work screens, feed the pets, check on the kids, crap, and even notice that its dark and Im tired and should go to bed now before my wife kills me.

dirtywick · #7 October 17th, 2006, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Gandalf Parker said:
should go to bed now before my wife kills me.

Now that's a good point

curtadams · #8 October 17th, 2006, 04:22 PM

Most of the changes would be nice ... but DEAL BREAKERS? Having to wait a few minutes to start a game that will last hours or days? Having to go through, what, four screens to generate a pretender? Seeing an arrow on the map? This is deal breaking? What would serious problems, like gruesome bugs or obvious dominating strategies, merit? Bomb threats to the developers?