I think one of the frustrations/concerns of the community is the inconsistency of communication from the Community Managers regarding information/updates about the game. Based on what I've seen compared to other Community Managers in other games, it feels like the staff there is inexperienced and winging it. An example would be the communication regarding the last major update. I can't remember a recent instance of how a critical update (i.e. raising level cap) in a game with this kind of following was communicated so poorly to the player base. Many people expressed their frustrations with that and hopefully there is something in motion over on the community team's side to improve upon this.
The ultra hardcore are obviously going to want every bit of information to seize any advantage they can prior to a patch. The developers are going to have a level of comfort of how much information they are going to want to allow players to leverage. Regardless of where the developers land, I believe you guys can improve a ton on starting to set the expectations of the community as to how often we will hear from you with updates or discussion points about the game.
Right now, there isn't a clear system or structure in place to release information. This post from you was fine in and of itself, but people are wondering is this it? Is this the last we will hear from you before the update pops up again in our game client with an Inbox message saying the message was sent to us 11 hour ago? You might be able to temper some of the harsher reactions from people by simply setting the expectation with the community as to when and how often we will hear from you with what you are able to share.
Another mobile game that I play, Puzzle & Dragons, does a much better job with this. Granted it has and will have more players (and as a result a bigger staff) than this game will ever have, but they have multiple updates a week, Twitch streams with the Community Managers, and tastefully blend what is common knowledge of an upcoming release and hints about what could be to come.
The notion that you have to hide the majority of details of an upcoming patch to build maximum hype for an upcoming release is both absurd and outdated. Another game that I play, Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn/Heavensward, holds multiple live conferences/streams several times a year with the Producer/Director and Development Team that can last a couple of hours. The results speak for themselves, letting their player base know of what's coming (they obviously still keep some surprises) doesn't kill hype for the update. You could make a strong argument that it actually builds more anticipating and excitement (unless you guys are about to drop a big turd on us).
I understand this is a new game and there isn't going to be as much to say compared to these other games. Can you at the very least start to develop some of sort of regular update system?
"EA_Jesse;68497" wrote:
@Naecabon it's a preview, just like anything else that gives a preview. When you watch a trailer for a movie do you just want to know everything about it right that second? Why is Rey crying in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer? They should tell me now before I even go to see it!
Also, reacting like this may make us hesitant to share information before a release, so....
Seeing a post like this from an EA Community Manager is discouraging and disappointing. Honestly, in other games it potentially would be grounds for the employee's termination or at the very least an infraction against them. This is a mobile game with a relatively small player base (even less who frequents the forums) and if you can't take the heat from people (responding with a threat to anyone who doesn't just sit and nod at your posts) EA should replace you with someone who can.
This is a huge part of your job responsibilities - listening to people bitch and complain. It's no different from any other game that people are passionate about. The only difference is that you have the luxury of having to deal with far less of it.
EA Staff (Retired)
