Advice from the CEO

[tigebell]

I know a few CEO's of big company's. And I have never seen any of them say "imho" in a feedback report.
But anyhoo, we'll roll with it.

SC have addressed a few of the concerns from the community. Have they addressed all they need to? Probably not.
But, what you need to remember, is that the date of an update is never known until the week of.
They always have estimates, but sometimes, those estimates are way off.

The majority of the team had already booked their holidays, their fights to go home and see family ect.
I wouldn't cancel my flights to go see family at Christmas if there is no MAJOR problem.
Now yes, there are certainly some bugs and issues with the update. There wouldn't be so many complaints if there wasn't.
But at the time of them going on holidays, the update had been out maybe 1-3 days, and that's not enough time to gather feedback and facts.
Some of the team stayed at the office, others went on holiday.
Anoushka worked from home, gathering feedback for the developers. .

I see your point LachNess but SC should have delayed the update to January 2016. Nothing good happens when updates are pushed out without testing and feedback especially when it's a holiday season. IMHO, that is what SC did unfortunately.

[shapesh1ft]

All great and good and thoroughly reasonable - bar the release date (it could have been delayed).

And... Significantly 'no MAJOR problem'....

Wow, just wow. Are you blind?

Ha I don't know how to respond to that. I have run my own companies, I've worked for and with others, I've run teams big and small so I can say this with some certainty - I understand people.

The MAJOR problem you or SC has is you seem to have forgotten people. Their emotions, their attachments and even their happiness.

You have set about destroying the gel that brings people together.

The most active people, the sticky ones that get people hooked - farmers - have been targetted so heavily they prefer to ride out shields.

Clans are quiet, people are quitting, the economy is broken and it is only going to get worse.

It's sad, genuinely sad.

Then again, it's not a MAJOR problem!

P.S.

Sorry for the aggression Lach, just saddened and tired!

I think we've heard it all London and I'm sure Lach understands that. Maybe even not to the same extent as people having real issues because it can be hard to understand other's positions sometimes. But let us give him/her some credit for just trying to be real and reaching out for us. I think it is not an excuse for SC but once again taking it out on the mods and picking apart their messages doesn't really do anything.

We've been through it and it's all been expressed in the forum the past few weeks on the major incompetence and issues.. Let's look forward and see how the address it, be understanding of those venting frustrations, and at least come to terms with that. Yes the game is ruined for many and many others enjoy it as well. Our feedback has been given to SC and I'm sure they hear it everyday. While their silence is incredibly unprofessional imo, that's just how it is right now.

[LondonCocWisdom]

I think we've heard it all London and I'm sure Lach understands that. Maybe even not to the same extent as people having real issues because it can be hard to understand other's positions sometimes. But let us give him/her some credit for just trying to be real and reaching out for us. I think it is not an excuse for SC but once again taking it out on the mods and picking apart their messages doesn't really do anything.

We've been through it and it's all been expressed in the forum the past few weeks on the major incompetence and issues.. Let's look forward and see how the address it, be understanding of those venting frustrations, and at least come to terms with that. Yes the game is ruined for many and many others enjoy it as well. Our feedback has been given to SC and I'm sure they hear it everyday. While their silence is incredibly unprofessional imo, that's just how it is right now.

Completely agree, my apologies again to Lach.

Although still disagree about major.

Well, we shall see. Do I stay or do I go?

At least I built my clans on the premise of multiple leaders and being a team so everyone can be replaced if required.

[BurkeKnight]

All great and good and thoroughly reasonable - bar the release date (it could have been delayed).

And... Significantly 'no MAJOR problem'....

Wow, just wow. Are you blind?

Ha I don't know how to respond to that. I have run my own companies, I've worked for and with others, I've run teams big and small so I can say this with some certainty - I understand people.

The MAJOR problem you or SC has is you seem to have forgotten people. Their emotions, their attachments and even their happiness.

You have set about destroying the gel that brings people together.

The most active people, the sticky ones that get people hooked - farmers - have been targetted so heavily they prefer to ride out shields.

Clans are quiet, people are quitting, the economy is broken and it is only going to get worse.

It's sad, genuinely sad.

Then again, it's not a MAJOR problem!

P.S.

Sorry for the aggression Lach, just saddened and tired!

Really? Yes, there are issues.
But, are there really serious issues, like the game all a sudden not loading at all for everyone?

No... That's what would be a MAJOR issue.

People complaining about no loot. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

People complaining about PBT glitches. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

People complaining about war search issues. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

People complaining about shields. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

People complaining about the VG. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

Get the difference between minor issues, and MAJOR issues yet? Sorry to sound harsh, but that's exactly what you were to Lach, when Lach was telling how things are, because people, even game devs, deserve family time.

As for when the update was released, SC more likely wanted it before Christmas, because everyone was begging for it to be soon, and they wanted it as sort of a Christmas gift to the players.

[Tejael]

Really? Yes, there are issues.
But, are there really serious issues, like the game all a sudden not loading at all for everyone?

No... That's what would be a MAJOR issue.

People complaining about no loot. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

People complaining about PBT glitches. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

People complaining about war search issues. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

People complaining about shields. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

People complaining about the VG. Minor, can wait till fellow humans get back from time with their families.

Get the difference between minor issues, and MAJOR issues yet? Sorry to sound harsh, but that's exactly what you were to Lach, when Lach was telling how things are, because people, even game devs, deserve family time.

As for when the update was released, SC more likely wanted it before Christmas, because everyone was begging for it to be soon, and they wanted it as sort of a Christmas gift to the players.

why is ur opinion the right opinion. You hve no right to belittle someone opinion, what's considered major to some might not b to you but it isn't any less.

[hoopstime98]

I think we've heard it all London and I'm sure Lach understands that. Maybe even not to the same extent as people having real issues because it can be hard to understand other's positions sometimes. But let us give him/her some credit for just trying to be real and reaching out for us. I think it is not an excuse for SC but once again taking it out on the mods and picking apart their messages doesn't really do anything.

We've been through it and it's all been expressed in the forum the past few weeks on the major incompetence and issues.. Let's look forward and see how the address it, be understanding of those venting frustrations, and at least come to terms with that. Yes the game is ruined for many and many others enjoy it as well. Our feedback has been given to SC and I'm sure they hear it everyday. While their silence is incredibly unprofessional imo, that's just how it is right now.

You note picking apart mod messages. Look at how people mangled pre-update communication, taking messages, twisting them, then complaining the twisted messages didn't occur. I don't think we can get communication at this point until there is a certain, specific action being taken. Imagine they say they're looking at league bonuses...people take off running spreading that they're going to fix league bonus. If they look and say it's fine there would be outrage. They've said they're monitoring feedback. Best not to say anything until they have something folks can bank on.

No point in saying they're evaluating things, they've already said that. If they don't have an actionable decision, best to leave it alone then do something which spreads misinformation and rumor.

Look at all the folks who thought boosts were supposed to be out before they were, or that the pbt timer was in the patch. All the folks who thought the update was coming at clashcon. Forumers on the whole have not been good at receiving communication for what it is. Given the eggshells people are on right now, that might not be the thing to do until there's something actually decided.

[Unfettered]

I know a few CEO's of big company's. And I have never seen any of them say "imho" in a feedback report.
But anyhoo, we'll roll with it.

SC have addressed a few of the concerns from the community. Have they addressed all they need to? Probably not.
But, what you need to remember, is that the date of an update is never known until the week of.
They always have estimates, but sometimes, those estimates are way off.

The majority of the team had already booked their holidays, their fights to go home and see family ect.
I wouldn't cancel my flights to go see family at Christmas if there is no MAJOR problem.
Now yes, there are certainly some bugs and issues with the update. There wouldn't be so many complaints if there wasn't.
But at the time of them going on holidays, the update had been out maybe 1-3 days, and that's not enough time to gather feedback and facts.
Some of the team stayed at the office, others went on holiday.
Anoushka worked from home, gathering feedback for the developers.

What I ask, is that you remain patient. SC are a hugely successful company, and they got there in such a short space of time. And they didn't get there from releasing money grabbing updates, or ignoring their players.
Your concerns will be addressed. After all, you are the players who give them a job that they love and have a passion for.

Please, give it some more time. Be open to advice from others on ways to best deal with what you have, and we will see where we are when the team all get back.

Thank you Lach for your sober reminder to stay calm, be patient, and let us see what unfolds !! Your work, and that of the other moderators, during this difficult time is well appreciated by many of us!!

[BurkeKnight]

why is ur opinion the right opinion. You hve no right to belittle someone opinion, what's considered major to some might not b to you but it isn't any less.

Because, my opinion, is the HUMANE one.

In companies, as the poster claimed to have run their own company, major issues in a product, is functionality.
The game functions. We can log in, and play. The servers are not crashed, the network is allowing connections.

Issues that affect gameplay, while they may seem major to the players, are not major enough to tear people away from their families, while they celebrate the holidays!

Sorry, nothing you can say, can make me believe otherwise.

[shapesh1ft]

You note picking apart mod messages. Look at how people mangled pre-update communication, taking messages, twisting them, then complaining the twisted messages didn't occur. I don't think we can get communication at this point until there is a certain, specific action being taken. Imagine they say they're looking at league bonuses...people take off running spreading that they're going to fix league bonus. If they look and say it's fine there would be outrage. They've said they're monitoring feedback. Best not to say anything until they have something folks can bank on.

No point in saying they're evaluating things, they've already said that. If they don't have an actionable decision, best to leave it alone then do something which spreads misinformation and rumor.

Look at all the folks who thought boosts were supposed to be out before they were, or that the pbt timer was in the patch. All the folks who thought the update was coming at clashcon. Forumers on the whole have not been good at receiving communication for what it is. Given the eggshells people are on right now, that might not be the thing to do until there's something actually decided.

That's a fair opinion but if you are going to lay an egg and go on holidays, there is nothing unreasonable about a huge backlash. That just simply leaves it up the the player's imagination of reasons why such unprofessionalism might occur.

You say there is no point in addressing the community. They already did that with a buried post that barely anyone except very active posters have read and understood. Perhaps an official address or sticky could negate some of the new posters coming out or rules put in place to prohibit such postings.

If you don't have an actionable decision from your own mess, then staying quiet about it is considered cowardice to many. Is it understandable to run away from confrontation and trouble? Yes, but that is not responsible either. It breeds a different type of malice between the consumer that now feels alienated instead. I believe that coming out and addressing issues is a lesser evil which has the potential to give at least some kind of hope to players or at least give some sort of closure.

An uproar is to be expected with such drastic gameplay change that was not only unsuccessful in meeting it's objectives, but also punishing and alienating many long term players. Players who deserve some type of response from a company that cares. The only defense is one that says they have no ties or obligations to their playerbase and that they are a business. Yea, that can be true, but it also means they aren't worth our time either. Being quiet only leaves such an assumption to be a question whether they are looking out for game quality and the playerbase or their own pocketbooks. That could easily be squashed with any semblence of reply or concern for the players.

If you are in a prominent position. I'd hope you have the decency and ability to accept negative feedback and trouble or own up to mistaes. If the vision is contrary and must alienate a playerbase, give them some closure and apology before they leave the game. That is part of being an adult and living in this world where people can be crazy. Whether you want to attack the character of people or not, that isn't justice to just ignore them or dismiss them and their concerns.. Especially when they are invested with time or money in your product..

My opinion. Long text. Likely unread. Likely dismissed. Happy New years.

[Mikerocks4250]

Isn't it obvious they are trying to tank the game so they can buy back there stake for half of what SoftBank paid for it. Probably already mad about ways they try to influence the game prior to them adding 23% buy in. Probably saw it as a way to make a profit and become more independent or sell to other investors who won't be so demanding and difficult.