Summ Dude
Militaires-Sans-Frontieres
44
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Posted - 2013.10.03 15:50:00 -
[1] - Quote
So people really seem to love using the 'it's free to play' argument. Let's see if we can't debunk that. So, yes, this game is free. Why is that? It's because CCP decided to make it free. They're attempting to capitalize on the micro-transaction economy that they've seen work rather well for them in Eve. So the higher ups at CCP sat down, talked about it, and decided to make Dust free to play, with several items available for purchase with real world money. It was their decision. My point ultimately being, they made that condition, not the community. It's not really logically sound to say that because they decided to use a certain system for generating revenue as opposed to another one that they can release a substandard product.
Anywho, while I'm ranting, let's keep the discussion going with what I consider to be CCP's two biggest problems:
1) Work Ethic- So basically I would describe this as CCP's almost guaranteed inability to follow through on their promises; something that has already been brought up in this very thread. But going even beyond that, it's their inability to meet the expectations not only of the community, but even of themselves. Anybody else remember that dev blog waaaaaay back when they talked about how they were bringing scanners back? Anyone remember what else was in that blog? Bubble shields and cloaking devices. Yea....still not seeing those....
2) Problem Solving- Ok so I should start by saying I'm no game designer. But I've studied the topic a bit, and heard a few discussions on it, and I think most aspiring game devs could agree that approximately 75% of a game dev's job is problem solving. Sure, you can get your initial idea down, then get your prototype running. But then after that it's almost all just fixing all the things you didn't notice the first time through, or the second, etc. This is even more crucial in a game like Dust, where new content is (at least in theory) always being added, and subsequently will need constant rebalancing.
And look, just to be clear, I really do love this game's spirit. I love it's framework, I love what it could be. There's no question, it could be the definition of groundbreaking. And I really do give CCP props for coming up with such an original idea. But it's because of how much potential I see here that I simply can't abide the terrible execution over and over again. And as much as I wish I could just keep patting CCP on the back, the simple truth is that Dust is never going to improve that way. Because clearly right now, CCP doesn't feel very motivated to make actual real significant changes that benefit everyone. And I don't see any other way to get them there than by calling them out on their mistakes, and not settling, and not being afraid to demand the excellence that this game is clearly and truly capable of.
To use a cheesy analogy: it's like watching your best friend get swallowed up by something horrible, an addiction or depression maybe. Of course they're your friend, and you don't want to hurt them. But at the same time, you can't bare to watch them spiral downward. So you decide to sack up, get in their face, and tell them to cut the **** and get back on track. Because it's what they need.
Ok, I'm plum out of passion now. Rant over. |