Forum Discussion
Anonymous
11 years agoI've been developing web apps longer than EA, and can state with 99% certainty that the 30 second timer was added to reduce server overloads (and reduce their bandwidth costs as well as drive up item sales...). The horrible exchange design forced players to repeatedly speed-search the exchange trying to find that last dozer blade or camera they needed to expand their city or storage. There were clear signs the system was overloading, including server time-outs. Instead of fixing the exchange, they made it worse.
11 years ago
Incompetent developers, can't make a simple trading post work.., it's so simple to fix too, even while keeping sever issues low.
- Anonymous11 years agoI wouldn't say they are incompetent, as they have developed a compelling, fun app. They have, however, not done a good job of implementing a player-friendly exchange.
I thought of another reason they might have added the timer... to try to reduce the potential for repetitive stress injuries. The timer forces players to do something other than tap and swipe the inventory three time, close and repeat. I call it a carpal tunnel timer...
If their game team says they aren't going to improve the exchange, they will lose players as they become more and more frustrated every time they see the dreaded out of inventory message. My internet provider has the second highest speed available in the country, but there is still a relatively long lag between tapping the item and opening the selling city's inventory rack, even during late night hours when server loads would normally be light. That lag makes 80% or so of the items needed for expansion out of stock by the time the rack opens. If it is in the rack, it is no longer available more often than not.
I tracked over 200 visits to the exchange to get just one dozer blade...
Hopefully someone from EA is reading and will pass on how frustrated we all are.- Anonymous11 years ago
@BasinCity wrote:
I wouldn't say they are incompetent, as they have developed a compelling, fun app. They have, however, not done a good job of implementing a player-friendly exchange....even during late night hours when server loads would normally be light.
I tracked over 200 visits to the exchange to get just one dozer blade...
Hopefully someone from EA is reading and will pass on how frustrated we all are.
I didn't count visits, but had a similar experience yesterday trying to get one more storage lock. The thing is, the 30-second timer just means I don't see a new batch of sales when I go back to the Global HQ, and instead see the list I just looked at. It doesn't keep me from twitching city after city looking for the items I need. Ultimately, I found the lock listed as a side-item when I clicked on an unrelated item that looked like a good buy, when no locks were listed in the main listing.
Also, don't forget that the game has a significant global audience, so late night for you may be prime time for someone else.
- Anonymous11 years ago@etamni103, A large majority of EA's gamers are most likely in one of seven time zones. If you spend enough hours in game, you can definitely get a feel for when EAs servers were struggling to keep up with the load. There is also a time each day when dozer blades are far more likely to drop from a thought bubble, but I'm not sharing that very valuable bit of info. I have to interrupt sleep to be able to pop those bubbles and get those blades... ;-)
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