Feedback Being Heard Firsthand in the Forums

Quote: Originally Posted by bigwill33

Yes stewaat, the mods are trying to do their best to keep only relative threads around for the producers to see. We like giving everyone the chance to sound off though and bring forth their ideas or mistakes that nag the series. After the posts are made we try to go back through and just add them to a list compiled where the producer knows to check. He then can pass along that information to the correct department in the company.

Let me first say it wasn't a shot at mods by any means (not saying you said it was but just want to make it clear).

I just think a private section of the forums for dev/community feedback would be very efficient and that way you wouldn't "scare off" anyone with threads littered with unnecessary posts.

In my opinion a list can't achieve nearly as much as consistent interaction and feedback.

*Also want to note I'm not trying to say I need to be one of the people if this were to ever happen.*

[stiffarmleft]

Quote: Originally Posted by labguy

I appreciate what Ian is doing as well. I wish some of his co-workers would do the same. It is a shame however that the communication started so late in the development cycle. Not like we have much time to influence anything but some minor tweaks at this point. I am kind of torn between deciding if his concern is legitimate or if it is a "hey we made decent strides this year with the game...stick with us we care" type of PR campaign.

That's my fear, that this is just an elaborate marketing campaign, kinda like a stripper being nice to you to get that dollar, I've grown very cynical in my old age.

[Dudd]

Quote: Originally Posted by stiffarmleft

That's my fear, that this is just an elaborate marketing campaign, kinda like a stripper being nice to you to get that dollar, I've grown very cynical in my old age.

It's not like anything that is being said on these forums should come as a great surprise to the devs. All they have to do is watch a real football game and then play a game of Madden and they'll know what needs fixing. If he sticks around past August, great, but I for one don't think that the guys working at EA are dumb enough that any of what they're hearing is news to them. It has to be a systemic issue that comes with the territory of pumping out a new game each year, and they must simply not have the resources at their disposal to completely overhaul the game, which is really what needs to be done. So, the next best step to actually improving the game is to talk about improving the game, and that's what I think this is, just another way of marketing a product.

[ODogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by stiffarmleft

That's my fear, that this is just an elaborate marketing campaign, kinda like a stripper being nice to you to get that dollar, I've grown very cynical in my old age.

Well it could be but Ian must be a master at manipulation because he really seems to believe what he is saying.

[Phobia]

I like Ian from what I know of him. But I am real interested if this line of communication with the community will continue throughout say another year are more OR when madden 09 drops will Ian and Simon disappear???

I hope they are not trying to play us like fools. I think that could turn around and back fire even worse for them if that is the case. If they tried to "sell" us a bunch of bull and the community finds out about it. That would hurt their sales and give them a even worse image as the big bully on the block with all the money to push company's around.

So hopfully both Ian and Simon are stand up guys and their word is true and we will see more of them!!!

[DC]

They see the greatness of NBA 2K and how successful that series is because of feedback

[jfsolo]

Quote: Originally Posted by labguy

I appreciate what Ian is doing as well. I wish some of his co-workers would do the same. It is a shame however that the communication started so late in the development cycle. Not like we have much time to influence anything but some minor tweaks at this point. I am kind of torn between deciding if his concern is legitimate or if it is a "hey we made decent strides this year with the game...stick with us we care" type of PR campaign.

Realistically we really won't be able to make a fair analysis of the dialogue that is taking place now until we start seeing the feature list and vids for Madden 2010. If we see many, or even some, of the big ticket items that are being discussed now implemented in next year's game then we can say that this was a very positive experience.

Ian has put himself in somewhat a bind though, not in any real sense of course, but within the limited context of "message board credibility" If he doesn't get the green light from his superiors, then regardless of what gets talked about here we won't see the sweeping changes that we all desire so intently.

He can't come out directly and say, "Bob Smith mandated that Vision Cone 2.0 be our top priority, so the OL/DL interaction didn't get the development time it needed", so he he'll have to make a diplomatic statement about not being able to tune it to the level that they want it to be, and be excoriated on the boards as a liar for his troubles.

Too many message boards participants tend to lose perspective when looking at various issues.

[yvesdereuter]

I think Ian takes pride in his end of things. But that doesnt mean his presence here isnt also PR. Theyre not mutually exclusive.

And Im not so sure Im that fond of the select few arguments. Im not sure they can appropriately filter whats said.