[quote=""'[R-DEV"]Rhino;1063530']We use to do this now and then in the past but more recently become more closed up, might be an idea to get the community more involved but then we have to spend ages wading though the spam to find any decent comments which is the main reason why quite a lot of devs dont read most of the public forums.[/quote]
[R-DEV]Twisted Helix wrote:Why should we consult the community ? I am not against the idea I am just curious why you think we should do what virtually no development company does (when was the last time you saw EA consulting the public ... except after the fact ?).
In consideration to previous statements that PR evolves, I feel that part of evolution should encompass the trust and support that's given to the PR Public Community. I understand that the Community's intrests may not always coincide with the interests of the Development team. But as we all know, mods don't exist without the Community playing it. Not that PR's going to have a mass exodus within the next week. But the point is that I feel PR should take things to the next level and really try to involve the PR Community at a higher level. Maybe even to a level that we've never seen before between a MOD or a developed game from a true Corporation.
Let's agree that the amount of players playing Project Reality is by far the largest we've ever seen yet. I feel that this is a chance to use our player resources to a greater level than ever before. A feat that would have been otherwise nearly impossible years ago as a mini-mod.
Rather than spending the time making a build then submitting it to the Community and determining if it was a hit or miss, which not only upsets the Community, but also upsets the Developers as well. I know this as I'm flesh and blood no different than anyone else here on the forums. I'm trying to submit a method to you that would (hopefully) remove a large amount of the "trial and error" that takes place within each build of PR. Additionally, this will hopefully remove a considerable portion of displeasure to our veteran community members.
I had spoken to an individual once through PM's about the matter of polling. My suggestion was simple:
- The PR Developers have decided to make several major changes to gameplay for the upcoming build.
- The PR Developers and Forum Moderators announce 1-2 weeks ahead of time that a PR Major Build Change Poll will take place.
- The Forum Moderators create a temporary (or permanent) category in the PR Forums specifically for PR Major Build Change Polls.
- Only [R-DEV]'s and [R-MOD]'s can add/remove threads within this forum.
- In these forums each Major Build Change to gameplay will have it's own thread with it's own Poll with several options to select from. This is in regards to what actions should the PR Team take to gameplay changes for the next build at a Public Community level.
- The Public Community can submit their Poll votes to the desired changes they'd like to see in PR for the upcoming build.
- The Public Community can post replies within each posted Major Build Change Poll thread.
- After 2-3 weeks of active voting by the Public Community, the polls are closed.
- The results are considered by the PR Developer team for the next build.
[R-DEV]Twisted Helix wrote:Well ... with what you want. You are a player ... yes. But not a player base.
If the player base decreases we will know. If it increases we will know. We will pay attention to that. But no amount of words will make you more than one person (sorry).
It's quite all right. But at the same time waiting for the player base to increase or decrease isn't exactly something I would always go by. Because as far as we know, the veteran players could be walking out the door to be replaced by the newcomers.
My belief is that the veterans should be welcomed to stay just as the newcomers are welcome to start playing. That's what partially defines an extraordinary game or mod in my eyes.
This is my sincere suggestion to you. If it doesn't work, so be it, we can always go back to the old-fashioned method afterwards. If it takes flight to unanticipated levels... Then it seems PR has made a yet another breakthrough in gaming history. Imagine the publicity and positive perspective PR may draw if it had gone out of it's way to make it's players happy at a new level? What have you got to lose?
Player involvement is part of what drives Project Reality.
________________________________________
[quote="Outlawz""]You could "consult" the community by brinign back the open betas. [/quote]
I'm glad Outlawz brought this up in the below post. I feel that an option of "Poll Voting" would be far superior of an idea as the Developers can submit several ideas which they deem to coincide with the theme of PR. The Public Community can then vote for which of the several options in the topic and the Developers will still be relatively happy with the decision.
In example: Improve the Automatic Rifleman kit
<Note: Once again... Just for the concept of the "Poll" idea.>
A) Leave as is.
B) Decrease accuracy
C) Decrease scope magnification
D) Revert back to the previous use of LMG's before the v0.86 build.
I wouldn't suggest and open Beta. Largely because of what I had learned as a PR Stress Tester. Most people show up to get in an early gaming session. Not truly play the Beta to solve the issues at the core of the game. The Major Build Change Poll voting idea is probably the best solution for community involvement.