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As the subject line says. Devs, if you're reading this, my best advice to you is to not listen to every piece of advice that the playerbase gives you.
Hear me out. I am not saying that there aren't good suggestions out there - there are. But in a game that is as balanced as Hawken, every change to the game must be considered very, very carefully.
I think we can all agree that we want MORE from Hawken. More game modes, more maps, more mechs, more cosmetics, etc. But when it comes to changing the things that we already have, realize that you will never be able to make everybody happy. This is because every player has a different opinion about what should be done to the game, and most of these opinions contradict each other.
For example:
Some people want air compressor removed, while others people want it universal on all mechs. Others want it left alone.
Some people want the Incinerator nerfed, while others want it to stay exactly like it is.
Some people want the Technician removed, while others would probably uninstall the game if this were to occur.
Some people think orbs should be removed, while others think they should simply be toned down. Others like doing the orb-dancing disco every match and think they should stay exactly the same.
Some people want drastic changes to Bunker, Uptown or Last Eco, while others don't.
Some people want the TTK increased, others want it left alone. Etc.
Implementing even a few of these changes could drastically change the game balance, but people continue to insist that if this change was made, or that change was made, Hawken would absolutely be better off as a result. But it all depends on who you ask.
The truth is that people don't know what they want. They think they do, but when they actually get it, they often don't like it. Remember #increasethespeeds? Hawken players actively pressured Adhesive to implement this change, and they capitulated. But after the fact, we debated as to whether or not it was actually the best change for the game - a debate that still continues today, and for good reason. We can run all the polls we want, but just because we reach a consensus about something doesn't necessarily mean that we've arrived at the right decision.
So my suggestion to you, devs, (in my humble opinion), is to really get to know the game by playing a lot of it. Find out for yourself what is wrong - or not - with Hawken, and plan a direction for development based on that. Adhesive initially had a vision for the game, and then they sorta lost it by bending to the demands of the playerbase and started branching into different directions - some of which made sense, others which did not.
I understand that you want to establish good relations with the current playerbase, and that's great. (I prsonally think you've done a fine job of this already). But don't assume that every player is an expert, and don't let us push you around. The game is in your hands now, not ours. That fuzzy bunny concept of "the customer is always right" is a crock. We're here because we love Hawken, not because we hate it and want it to change (or at least, that's what I'd hope).
I would much rather trust you, the devs - who presumably will have a dedicated team of testers at some point - to be the ones to have the final say in what tweaks and changes are made to the game, rather than letting the playerbase drive the ship. Take our suggestions into account if they seem to make sense to you, but throw all the others out.
Whatever direction you decide to take, be consistent with it. As long as you don't remove the things that made Hawken great, I'm sure the playerbase will continue to support the game (and you).
And hey, if you decide not to listen to this suggestion either, I will accept that too.
Edited by Nightfirebolt, 09 April 2015 - 06:21 PM.
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