An Anecdote Which I Hope Helps Supercell

I rather enjoy this game, and I post often here. But, all these complaining threads about loot, heroes, level glitch, etc, with an impending rollback (ETA, who knows) makes me recall what happened with another company. And, I'm usually the one defending the game, as you all know...

So, let me share the story, Rauta, Marika, et al. And while the facts and circumstances differ, there are some underlying similarities. Again no names and I hope this story helps. Well, that company had phenomenal initial success as an iOS app. And, in that game as well, hacks were not supposed to be possible.

I was a player named "Illustris" there (hehe, go figure) and had spent $3,000 or so as I enjoyed that game. Things were fine. Then out of the blue, a hack appeared, first from a hacker and then right after, using fake Chinese iTune gift cards. Supposedly impossible. More and more threads started appearing on their forums with folks complaining. Weeks passed. With poor, to no, communication from the company. They went into a trench and hid rather than address the allegation directly with professional communication. They did not learn the "Tylenol" crisis management case study from business school (if you get the reference).

Anyways, after 2-3 weeks, they just arbitrarily rolled everyone back. Which infuriated a lot of players. OK, completely separate story. But, the end conclusion for them was horrible, thousands of players left (myself included)... without a thought as to their investment.

Hacks (in their case), and mistakes/glitches (in your case) occur. It's OK. But, communication (particularly in Official Announcements, rather than making us scroll through all these repetitive, user-driven threads) is very key. And, impending rollbacks are just demoralizing. Seeing Shady at level 590 is just embarrassing. Like a war balloon popped by an arch tower. Not good.

Again, different facts and circumstances. But, it was sad to see such a successful company implode so quickly after 9 months-12 months due to poor communication and a rollback. My entire group and affiliated alliance groups there all left en masse. I really, really, hope you all do better... again, as Marika's slide presentation emphasized, communication is key.

Illustris the Helpful

P.S. Forgive the duplicative post in Clan Talk, duh, didn't realize I was in a subfolder...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Illustris

I rather enjoy this game, and I post often here. But, all these complaining threads about loot, heroes, level glitch, etc, with an impending rollback (ETA, who knows) makes me recall what happened with another company. And, I'm usually the one defending the game, as you all know...

So, let me share the story, Rauta, Marika, et al. And while the facts and circumstances differ, there are some underlying similarities. Again no names and I hope this story helps. Well, that company had phenomenal initial success as an iOS app. And, in that game as well, hacks were not supposed to be possible.

I was a player named "Illustris" there (hehe, go figure) and had spent $3,000 or so as I enjoyed that game. Things were fine. Then out of the blue, a hack appeared, first from a hacker and then right after, using fake Chinese iTune gift cards. Supposedly impossible. More and more threads started appearing on their forums with folks complaining. Weeks passed. With poor, to no, communication from the company. They went into a trench and hid rather than address the allegation directly with professional communication. They did not learn the "Tylenol" crisis management case study from business school (if you get the reference).

Anyways, after 2-3 weeks, they just arbitrarily rolled everyone back. Which infuriated a lot of players. OK, completely separate story. But, the end conclusion for them was horrible, thousands of players left (myself included)... without a thought as to their investment.

Hacks (in their case), and mistakes/glitches (in your case) occur. It's OK. But, communication (particularly in Official Announcements, rather than making us scroll through all these repetitive, user-driven threads) is very key. And, impending rollbacks are just demoralizing. Seeing Shady at level 590 is just embarrassing. Like a war balloon popped by an arch tower. Not good.

Again, different facts and circumstances. But, it was sad to see such a successful company implode so quickly after 9 months-12 months due to poor communication and a rollback. My entire group and affiliated alliance groups there all left en masse. I really, really, hope you all do better... again, as Marika's slide presentation emphasized, communication is key.

Illustris the Helpful

P.S. Forgive the duplicative post in Clan Talk, duh, didn't realize I was in a subfolder...

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Come on tell us, what game are you talking about? ;)

Heh, twins should know better... but, I tried writing a heart-felt note to the Devs... Hope it comes across the way I meant it...

Probably what set me off is defending the company non-stop on these forums, yet having to scroll through all these duplicative, silly threads, without an Official Announcement.

Illustris the Beta Tester

A good article worth reading

Thank you Illustris on creating this thread. One main thing that keeps a lot of customers is great customer support and communication. I've gone through tons of games, especially MMORPGs under subscription and buy to play, they have lost a lot of customers due to not listening and poor communication. In the end, needing to put their game under a free to play method. Gaming companies as of late tend to give out a lot of promises and it turns out to be something very different down the road.

What happens to a free to play game when it doesn't cut it for the customers? It shuts down. This game has great potential and have attracted even my most closest friends here, you can do it supercell.

This sounds suspiciously like a whine...

Heh, touchee... But, maybe, it's not what you say, it's how you say it...

Illustris the Ever Smiling

+1 to that excellent note and pretty much every other post Illustris has made on here.

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Originally Posted by Growler

This sounds suspiciously like a whine...

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Hmm - I didn't get that at all. It seemed like a warning, not a whine.

Thanks for a good article Illustris of many trades!

One question, why do they want to do a rollback?

I have played this game loads in last couple of days and upgraded a lot. Will this mean that all those millions of gold will be gone? And all time waited for upgrades to finish as well?

This i REALLY hope not! I would not play this game for a long time if this would happen.

//Zerono2 of not so many trades

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Originally Posted by Zerono2

Thanks for a good article Illustris of many trades!

One question, why do they want to do a rollback?

I have played this game loads in last couple of days and upgraded a lot. Will this mean that all those millions of gold will be gone? And all time waited for upgrades to finish as well?

This i REALLY hope not! I would not play this game for a long time if this would happen.

//Zerono2 of not so many trades

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Rauta, just mentioned rolling back XP, nothing else.

http://forum.supercell.net/showthrea...109#post104109

what's the point.

Hey ill were in that game the top 30 players and alliance shown? Did it have several servers? And had it something to do with space? If yes then i played it 2, and i was on the same server...

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Originally Posted by Zombiebender

Rauta, just mentioned rolling back XP, nothing else.

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Thanks for info Zombie! The XP level don´t bother me at all as long as i can keep my stuff =)

Thanks Illustris for your words here, but who care about us players? Nobody, they make the money...
But Supercell needs also the small player to keep the game running... Without them... Game over...

I agree with face, only going for $$ will be the downfall. But if you invest a lot of time then you can be top player with not spending money(2-3 extra builders excluded)...
ps. Im not a top player :(

Thanks all, for the supportive thoughts. I just hope he-who-shall-not-be-named also agrees.

Illustris with a Lightning Bolt on his Forehead

Given all that, I also have to agree on non-gemmer's complaint, though I am not complaining ever, but I'd have to agree that this last update only benefits the Gemmer's Lounge for more than a year maybe. Only after a year non-gemmers can come close to where these guys are. (Given there is no updates but I highly doubt it, so add 3 years more)

Let's try to analyze some facts:

Given you have 225 level 8 walls, you're gonna need 900m gold to upgrade them to level 10.
You need 400+ days to max the Heroes just the waiting time alone.
Drill production is horrible. You need at least a month to max them with all the elixir raiding and waiting times.
Amount of Dark Elixir needed for the Heroes upgrades.

So without a doubt, gemmers who maxed their bases clearly aren't thinking and spent over $10,000 just for this update alone. And for us non-gemmers, this update is basically a joke.

But still the game is enjoyable when you stop thinking about upgrades or anything. Most of us are still active only to max whatever units left to upgrade. Then, the base is maxed, will probably just go online about once a week just to check the drills or see if we can upgrade few walls etc etc.

Having said all that, we may or may not quit, but quite frankly, no non-gemmers will ever max the walls or heroes at any given time. Given that they removed the fast paced farming. Give it a year maybe, and hope we're still around.

;)

Enjoying whatever left to enjoy,
Pedro

No offense to the developers. I also love it how these updates came from suggestions. They just got overboard with the uber duper gaduper high upgrade cost and uber duper gaduper low production rate.

These heroes are surely good when maxed but the question is, are they even worth it with all the cost etc etc?

At this point in time, there's no point rolling back or decreasing the cost or increasing the production rate for a lot of Gemmers who nearly or spent over $10,000 will rage over the company.

Btw, horrible idea adding more gold/elixir bank instead of just making 2 of each banks upgradeable to level 12.

Still appreciative,
Pedro

If I'm not mistaken, castlecraft was the app.

Sigh....so is it really the beginning of the end? I don't want to believe this but reality is starting to hit hard. This game has gotten less enjoyable just thinking about a rollback

Illustris,

Everytime I read one of your posts, I can't help but feel like they're words that came straight out of my own head. But your posts are much more lucid and articulate than I can ever write it. So from now on, I will just reply with +1 to coat tail your contributions to this forum. This forum can certainly use more contributors like you.

Anyway, back on topic, I agree with you (surprise, surprise). I hope SC can learn from these other companies because this is really a fun and addicting game. Hope things can last for a bit longer, but as with all great things, it must come to an end at some point. Hopefully, not too soon. Anyway, if this is the beginning of the end, it was nice to have known you through the forum.

Illustris' Brotha from Another Motha

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Originally Posted by Ipe

If I'm not mistaken, castlecraft was the app.

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Um, no, it was not that game. Let's avoid the game-name guessing game (sounds neat, doesn't it?)... but seriously, different set of circumstances, but there's a lesson to be learned there.

Illustris aka Dr. Seuss

P.S. I2, thanks for the kind words, brotha.

As a fan of anecdotal sonnets , lets see where this thread goes.

Stay on track peeps , lets hear your thoughts.

warm regards, sneaky ( the un learned ) maori

Supercell will never listen to complaints and pleas and will neglect any customers just for 5 dollars

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Illustris

I rather enjoy this game, and I post often here. But, all these complaining threads about loot, heroes, level glitch, etc, with an impending rollback (ETA, who knows) makes me recall what happened with another company. And, I'm usually the one defending the game, as you all know...

So, let me share the story, Rauta, Marika, et al. And while the facts and circumstances differ, there are some underlying similarities. Again no names and I hope this story helps. Well, that company had phenomenal initial success as an iOS app. And, in that game as well, hacks were not supposed to be possible.

I was a player named "Illustris" there (hehe, go figure) and had spent $3,000 or so as I enjoyed that game. Things were fine. Then out of the blue, a hack appeared, first from a hacker and then right after, using fake Chinese iTune gift cards. Supposedly impossible. More and more threads started appearing on their forums with folks complaining. Weeks passed. With poor, to no, communication from the company. They went into a trench and hid rather than address the allegation directly with professional communication. They did not learn the "Tylenol" crisis management case study from business school (if you get the reference).

Anyways, after 2-3 weeks, they just arbitrarily rolled everyone back. Which infuriated a lot of players. OK, completely separate story. But, the end conclusion for them was horrible, thousands of players left (myself included)... without a thought as to their investment.

Hacks (in their case), and mistakes/glitches (in your case) occur. It's OK. But, communication (particularly in Official Announcements, rather than making us scroll through all these repetitive, user-driven threads) is very key. And, impending rollbacks are just demoralizing. Seeing Shady at level 590 is just embarrassing. Like a war balloon popped by an arch tower. Not good.

Again, different facts and circumstances. But, it was sad to see such a successful company implode so quickly after 9 months-12 months due to poor communication and a rollback. My entire group and affiliated alliance groups there all left en masse. I really, really, hope you all do better... again, as Marika's slide presentation emphasized, communication is key.

Illustris the Helpful

P.S. Forgive the duplicative post in Clan Talk, duh, didn't realize I was in a subfolder...

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Gaby was lv 890 at the most.

Thanks man, for another good post.

I always thought that a person could just sit back, raid a bit upgrade a bit and just get on in the game but even my resolve is going.

Heroes will never be mine, farming has actually been choked to death and seen as how I went to work this morning and didn't look to see how my base was, says it all.


Supercell heed the word of brother illustris the wise. :rolleyes:


PS. You can all ignore my signature. Anything you find now is old news.

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Originally Posted by PedroLee

Enjoying whatever left to enjoy,
Pedro

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It hurts me to hear you utter these words Pedro....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sneakymaori

As a fan of anecdotal sonnets , lets see where this thread goes.

Stay on track peeps , lets hear your thoughts.

warm regards, sneaky ( the un learned ) maori

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Since you monitor this thread; in another thread you promised (page 3) that either you or Rauta would come back with an answer. "We seriously don't know" is also a valid answer. http://forum.supercell.net/showthrea...st-dissapeared

Promise what you do, and do what you promise

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Originally Posted by mschopman

Since you monitor this thread; in another thread you promised (page 3) that either you or Rauta would come back with an answer. "We seriously don't know" is also a valid answer. http://forum.supercell.net/showthrea...st-dissapeared

Promise what you do, and do what you promise

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Even I'm at the mercy on occasion from our server nerds, if they have more pressing issues (ala players gaining huge levels ) then other items of concern get bumped on priority.

kind regards, sneaky.

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Originally Posted by Keywal

PS. You can all ignore my signature. Anything you find now is old news.

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10 characters :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sneakymaori

Even I'm at the mercy on occasion from our server nerds, if they have more pressing issues (ala players gaining huge levels ) then other items of concern get bumped on priority.

kind regards, sneaky.

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Sneaky, the thread was created a while back before the levels issue had been introduced and the issue here; loosing millions of resources - gemmed or not - is a big issue for alot of players.

Multiple accounts have brought it up. You might bump it up from "minor issue" to "mayor issue". Again, if the issue is just too hard to replicate, too complex too fix now, or you guys don't have the resources right now, just come clean and acknowledge that. Currently it only looks like u guys don't care, and as such don't respond.

We take the time to create the issues in the correct forum, at least have the decency to answer them.

"Hey Dev.... , can you inform me about this issue."
"Nope Sneak, I haven't got a clue what is causing it."
"Post reply: Our staff is working on it but have a hard time finding the exact cause."

Great story, worth of people knowing about this thread and reading it 😙😃

Just to be clear, I enjoy this game and even just yesterday, I created a second account on another device yesterday and spent $150 or so to gem the lowby to TH7 in a few hours. I enjoyed the experience and I have no regrets. My thread is in, no way, an encouragement for any to quit.

And, lol, to all of you asking me in-game, or in global chat, the name of the other app is irrelevant. But, the main lesson I hoped to share is one of: (i) proactive communication (getting ahead of community uproars on a timely basis), (ii) not letting initial hubris get in the way (these online games can trend rather quickly), and (iii) consistent treatment.

Marika's slides laid out Supercell's mission statements well and clearly (they are in off-topic somewhere from I think Daddy?). And they do, by and by, a good job adhering to it. It's that 1% that can create a crack, given that many users are emotionally, either young, too tired from playing all night, or hehe bankrupt from buying too many gems :).

Illustris the Pontificator

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PedroLee

No offense to the developers. I also love it how these updates came from suggestions. They just got overboard with the uber duper gaduper high upgrade cost and uber duper gaduper low production rate.

These heroes are surely good when maxed but the question is, are they even worth it with all the cost etc etc?

At this point in time, there's no point rolling back or decreasing the cost or increasing the production rate for a lot of Gemmers who nearly or spent over $10,000 will rage over the company.

Btw, horrible idea adding more gold/elixir bank instead of just making 2 of each banks upgradeable to level 12.

Still appreciative,
Pedro

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I'm not sure if you're exaggerating the $10000 statistic, but even purchases over $1000 for this game is just ridiculous. Those big spenders are either really rich or just really addicted, or maybe stupid, imo. With $10000 I could buy many things (real, non-virtual things), better things than in-app gem purchases for CoC.

However I believed that as time progresses I will eventually have maxed out my village and be one of the top players or whatever. But now that dream is shattered due to recent updates. I may have to resort to quitting this really enjoyable game (or used to be) and move on ...

I tottaly agree with you Illustris

Remember when i was calling Supercell "Zynga FAIL" .... Its becoming a reality


PS.
Would it be so bad for SUPERCELL to increase the available loot for the TH9 owners? ( th8 and below can farm millions... )
This would make lots of happy costumers :)



I upgraded my townhall yesterday to TH9, because i was maxed at th8 and now i can't even get mediocre loots over 100k.... and i have bought a lot of gems :|

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Originally Posted by denial

PS.
Would it be so bad for SUPERCELL to increase the available loot for the TH9 owners? ( th8 and below can farm millions... )
This would make lots of happy costumers :)



I upgraded my townhall yesterday to TH9, because i was maxed at th8 and now i can't even get mediocre loots over 100k.... and i have bought a lot of gems :|

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If they did this, I'd be tempted to move to TH9, but then they'd just reverse it later because that's their track record, and I'd have to start over because there is no downgrade/sell option...

See, now I have trust issues due to Supercell's actions.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mschopman

Sneaky, the thread was created a while back before the levels issue had been introduced and the issue here; loosing millions of resources - gemmed or not - is a big issue for alot of players.

Multiple accounts have brought it up. You might bump it up from "minor issue" to "mayor issue". Again, if the issue is just too hard to replicate, too complex too fix now, or you guys don't have the resources right now, just come clean and acknowledge that. Currently it only looks like u guys don't care, and as such don't respond.

We take the time to create the issues in the correct forum, at least have the decency to answer them.

"Hey Dev.... , can you inform me about this issue."
"Nope Sneak, I haven't got a clue what is causing it."
"Post reply: Our staff is working on it but have a hard time finding the exact cause."

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Found the xp issue , now working on rectifying that.
http://forum.supercell.net/showthrea...-kid-did-it%21

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Originally Posted by sneakymaori

Found the xp issue , now working on rectifying that.
http://forum.supercell.net/showthrea...-kid-did-it%21

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does that mean slappy-slappy chop-chops?

Also...by found, do you mean told by 300 people on the forum?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PedroLee

Given all that, I also have to agree on non-gemmer's complaint, though I am not complaining ever, but I'd have to agree that this last update only benefits the Gemmer's Lounge for more than a year maybe. Only after a year non-gemmers can come close to where these guys are. (Given there is no updates but I highly doubt it, so add 3 years more)

Let's try to analyze some facts:

Given you have 225 level 8 walls, you're gonna need 900m gold to upgrade them to level 10.
You need 400+ days to max the Heroes just the waiting time alone.
Drill production is horrible. You need at least a month to max them with all the elixir raiding and waiting times.
Amount of Dark Elixir needed for the Heroes upgrades.

So without a doubt, gemmers who maxed their bases clearly aren't thinking and spent over $10,000 just for this update alone. And for us non-gemmers, this update is basically a joke.

But still the game is enjoyable when you stop thinking about upgrades or anything. Most of us are still active only to max whatever units left to upgrade. Then, the base is maxed, will probably just go online about once a week just to check the drills or see if we can upgrade few walls etc etc.

Having said all that, we may or may not quit, but quite frankly, no non-gemmers will ever max the walls or heroes at any given time. Given that they removed the fast paced farming. Give it a year maybe, and hope we're still around.

;)

Enjoying whatever left to enjoy,
Pedro

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i agree totally with what you said. basically, heroes are really superflous and almost impossible to get for non -gemmers. takes forver to each there thus no point aiming for it. Those who gem will benefit from it and non-gemmers cant.

we can just play the game at our pace and eventually it will face out.

they shouldnt add heroes. they shud instead increase levels for all the units to make it more playable.

this hero update is just to make more money from it and from the update.

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Originally Posted by Icekool17

does that mean slappy-slappy chop-chops?

Also...by found, do you mean told by 300 people on the forum?

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Normally means ,back too getting lunch orders ;)

Make mine a Turkey sandwich!

There can never be enough communication from developers to their player base. Ever.

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Originally Posted by Hoysingsauce

I'm not sure if you're exaggerating the $10000 statistic, but even purchases over $1000 for this game is just ridiculous. Those big spenders are either really rich or just really addicted, or maybe stupid, imo. With $10000 I could buy many things (real, non-virtual things), better things than in-app gem purchases for CoC.

However I believed that as time progresses I will eventually have maxed out my village and be one of the top players or whatever. But now that dream is shattered due to recent updates. I may have to resort to quitting this really enjoyable game (or used to be) and move on ...

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I'm sorry to break it to you but it's not an exaggeration. The ridiculous amount seems like a joke but it's the truth.

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Originally Posted by DANDANDAN

i agree totally with what you said. basically, heroes are really superflous and almost impossible to get for non -gemmers. takes forver to each there thus no point aiming for it. Those who gem will benefit from it and non-gemmers cant.

we can just play the game at our pace and eventually it will face out.

they shouldnt add heroes. they shud instead increase levels for all the units to make it more playable.

this hero update is just to make more money from it and from the update.

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I actually believe that these new features are added to bring more balance. It's just the cost, and time frame is a big joke. Now, what choice do we have? Either play it til the end or get tired somewhere and quit as any other games in the app store.

Hopefully, none of us gets tired and quit and hopefully a more solution to the bad resource economy (not to mention the pointless trophy chase) be done soon.

Optimistic,
Pedro

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PedroLee

I'm sorry to break it to you but it's not an exaggeration. The ridiculous amount seems like a joke but it's the truth.



I actually believe that these new features are added to bring more balance. It's just the cost, and time frame is a big joke. Now, what choice do we have? Either play it til the end or get tired somewhere and quit as any other games in the app store.

Hopefully, none of us gets tired and quit and hopefully a more solution to the bad resource economy (not to mention the pointless trophy chase) be done soon.

Optimistic,
Pedro

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That's more like it

The marathon starts with the first step...

Thank you, Rauta... I hope others saw the Official Announcement regarding the exp/ level glitch. It's obviously a step in the right direction. In the future, may I suggest that it would make a lot of sense to post there ahead of the "herd" hitting the main thread?

Separately, I think the exp/level glitch is well-known now, but please do share there once you all decide on the plan of rollback (when, whether it will be just to what people were before, whether people will get credit for exp since then, etc)... I, for one, do not care about exp/ troph, but rollbacks can be problematic for many.

Illustris Who Says Thank You