Dear EA and The Sims team,I love The Sims games. I have loved them since TS1 and continue to do so. I am grateful for every patch that fixes known issues. Thank you for working on improving the game and fixing it.However the latest patch of August 18th made me (once again.. this has happened a few times in a row now) feel really disappointed and sad. Until recently I have always enjoyed your funny patch notes. This time it did not make me happy. I felt annoyed. It wasn't funny anymore. I opened Origin on the 18th and saw the update there, I got super exited, happy and relieved that I get to actually play and enjoy the game again.After reading the patch notes I sadly realized that there were absolutely nothing there to fix the issues that make my game somewhat unplayable (and most certainly not enjoyable) at the moment. These include the infamous gardening issues, the NAPs overriding player commands and also the manic NAP related NPC behavior. I am not asking for or expecting an instant hotfix for big issues like these, but I really want EA to let us know they are working on it.Now I am stuck in a limbo of not knowing if there even is anyone at all trying to figure this out. I really hope that there is, but how would I know that? It has become a question of faith and that shouldn't be the case. This is the second largest gaming company in the world we're talking about. You should know how to handle your public relations better than this. We, the players, deserve more info on what's going on. That's, like, the least you can do.So here's the thing:I would really appreciate if the patch notes would include some kind of acknowledgment of the existing and ongoing issues and preferably even that they are being investigated and/or worked on. It does not need to include a promise of a date when it will get fixed or even that you will be able to fix it. I just want to know you are trying. If you have the time to write a novella of jokes on the patch notes, could you at least tell us that we can expect something to be done to other issues too that you couldn't yet fix, please?This isn't too much to ask, is it?

SimGuruNick posted this the other day on Twitter. It might help you know that they are working on some you might be upset about.https://twitter.com/SimGuruNick/status/1296142870273957889

@Simburian Thank you! I don't use social media at all, so I'm kinda left out on stuff like this. That's the reason I wish this kind of information would be given within the patch notes, not Twitter etc.

I agree. Some things that I would like to see: More developers posting updates on Answer HQ, not just crinrict (who is not a developer). Especially the Bug Reports section. Post updates when you have discovered what you think could be the issue, that they have managed to reproduce the issue, and when they have found a solution. Have a status that is called or something. Patch notes should refer to the main posts from Answer HQ. Sims stealing sinks and tables from community lots was named Objects disappear from lots/ NPC Stealing (with and without N.A.P) at Answer HQ and in the patch notes they did not even mention NAPs, they posted that "sims stole objects from Lots without having the Kleptomaniac Trait" no one knows if the actual problem is even fixed or not. Is it by design? Is it a tuning issue? Are the buffs and the traits working as intended? I understand that bug fixing is difficult, but this should be possible to do.

"logion;c-17621275" wrote:I agree. Some things that I would like to see: More developers posting updates on Answer HQ, not just crinrict (who is not a developer). Especially the Bug Reports section. Post updates when you have discovered what you think could be the issue, that they have managed to reproduce the issue, and when they have found a solution. Have a status that is called or something. Patch notes should refer to the main posts from Answer HQ. Sims stealing sinks and tables from community lots was named Objects disappear from lots/ NPC Stealing (with and without N.A.P) at Answer HQ and in the patch notes they did not even mention NAPs, they posted that "sims stole objects from Lots without having the Kleptomaniac Trait" no one knows if the actual problem is even fixed or not. Is it by design? Is it a tuning issue? Are the buffs and the traits working as intended? I understand that bug fixing is difficult, but this should be possible to do.@logion Absolutely second this. Also I think Crinrict should have a statue in front of EA headquarters.

I never like the joke in patch notes either, it sounded so cringy.I do agree though the recent patches are somewhat dissapointing especially the Spring Cleaning patch where the said it's the most complete bug fix patch they ever done while it actually only fix and handful of minor bugs and they took a really long time fixing the major bug (vampire power/weakness - since get famous only to be fixed a year later), regardless some people would still complain whether there will be patch or not.I agree with you, they should try to at least include known issue that they are looking into in the patches so we get at least reassurance that they are going to fix the aforementioned issues such as this for example:Spoiler (Highlight to read)Known IssuesSome players are experiencing an out of memory error during the game optimization process.Some players are experiencing GPU-related hangs during gameplay. The improved diagnostic data collection added in Patch 1.01 and Patch 1.02 is aimed at making it easier to track these down.Some players are experiencing graphical settings issues, such as Anisotropic Filtering or HDR not working correctly.Some players are experiencing performance issues on specific GPUs or hardware combinations.Some players with a non-Latin-1 codepage may have had their save games missing after Patch 1.01; we have a script that can help relocate the missing save games. Please reach out to our team here using “Report Other Issue” for support.We're aware of and continue to investigate issues on both the player-compiled lists by u/EvilMonkeySlayer and u/Rampage572 – thank you!Patch NotesCrash FixesFixed an issue where some players would crash during their first game boot when the ‘game optimization’ screen is active and they ran out of disc space.Fixed an issue where some players would crash if they updated their video drivers after the game was already optimized previously.Fixed an issue where some players would crash during gameplay because of memory incorrectly being overwritten.Fixed an issue where some players would crash during gameplay due to a texture unstreaming bug.Known IssuesSome players are experiencing an out of memory error during the game optimization process.Some players are experiencing GPU-related hangs during gameplay. The improved diagnostic data collection added in Patch 1.01 and Patch 1.02 is aimed at making it easier to track these down.Some players are experiencing graphical settings issues, such as Anisotropic Filtering or HDR not working correctly.Some players are experiencing performance issues on specific GPUs or hardware combinations.Some players with a non-Latin-1 codepage may have had their save games missing after Patch 1.01; we have a script that can help relocate the missing save games. Please reach out to our team here using “Report Other Issue” for support.We're aware of and continue to investigate issues on both the player-compiled lists by u/EvilMonkeySlayer and u/Rampage572 – thank you!Patch NotesCrash FixesFixed an issue where some players would crash during their first game boot when the ‘game optimization’ screen is active and they ran out of disc space.Fixed an issue where some players would crash if they updated their video drivers after the game was already optimized previously.Fixed an issue where some players would crash during gameplay because of memory incorrectly being overwritten.Fixed an issue where some players would crash during gameplay due to a texture unstreaming bug.

Request: More communication with the player base on what is being done to fix the game

47 Replies

adduapina
4 years ago
"ZhakiraP;c-17848127" wrote:
"adduapina;c-17847331" wrote:
"ZhakiraP;c-17847217" wrote:
I really don´t think there is any need for being "grateful" at all.
EA is a company, the sims game is a product.
You are a customer.

They are not improving the game out of sheer generosity, but for profit.

It should be in their own interest to try and keep the player base as happy as possible.

So don´t be grateful.

@ZhakiraP

I am a happier customer now that my feedback has been heard and there has been an improvement.

Are you not ever satisfied as a customer? If someone serves you well, are you not grateful, because they get paid?

People should be more thankful and grateful in general in this world. We need that a lot more than negativity.

If I were to agree with you that people could be nicer in general, I think gratitude towards profit driven companies is misguided.

I am a satisfied customer in several instances with other products, I am NOT however, grateful.

If I am grateful, it is towards someone who did something nice for me that I appreciated that that someone did not have to do. That for me does not apply to EA or Maxis. Or any other profit driven company or game developer, for instance.

I am a bit confused as to why you feel you need to be grateful in order not to be negative.

@ZhakiraP

Where did I state that one needs to be grateful in order to not be negative?

I am a bit confused why my thankfulness on something this trivial that I feel I personally helped to achieve is an issue for you.

I feel that my previous posts on this thread explain already my point. But for clearance; I practice gratitude on a daily basis and I don't have such criteria as you seem to have on what to be thankful for.

As with any other learning or growth process I believe that positive reinforcement is a key factor if you wish for a change. That goes with all animals, humans included, and the employees of this capitalistic, profit driven mega corporation that we're discussing about are humans like you and me and when you give feedback that's been taken into consideration and made a real thing - well, my parents have taught me it's just plain politeness to give thanks.

I totally understand if you don't feel _you_ need to be grateful for this. You do you. But why would anyone ever tell someone "don't be thankful" is beyond my comprehension.
Demetrius7605
Seasoned Ace
4 years ago
"adduapina;c-17847331" wrote:

People should be more thankful and grateful in general in this world. We need that a lot more than negativity.

"adduapina;c-17847331" wrote:

Where did I state that one needs to be grateful in order to not be negative?

"adduapina;c-17847331" wrote:

I am a bit confused why my thankfulness on something this trivial that I feel I personally helped to achieve is an issue for you.

I feel that my previous posts on this thread explain already my point. But for clearance; I practice gratitude on a daily basis and I don't have such criteria as you seem to have on what to be thankful for.

As with any other learning or growth process I believe that positive reinforcement is a key factor if you wish for a change. That goes with all animals, humans included, and the employees of this capitalistic, profit driven mega corporation that we're discussing about are humans like you and me and when you give feedback that's been taken into consideration and made a real thing - well, my parents have taught me it's just plain politeness to give thanks.

I totally understand if you don't feel _you_ need to be grateful for this. You do you. But why would anyone ever tell someone "don't be thankful" is beyond my comprehension.

Are you confused as to why I chose to share my opinion on a public forum?
Or do you in fact have an issue with my opinion?

To answer your question I found the notion of gratitude towards a profit driven company "improving" their product over 6 years after launch curious to say the least.

I personally think you are confusing politeness with thankfulness. But each to their own.
adduapina
4 years ago
@ZhakiraP

I might be at lost with the nuances of those terms since English isn't my native language, if that's the case, my apologies for the confusion.

On what you quoted from me, I'm confused. I red it again and still don't see how I stated you need to be thankful? I meant the last sentences (the first ones you quoted on your last post) in general.

As to my notion of gratitude being curious: I think we are looking this from different perspectives. You will not be grateful or thankful for stuff that you see should be delivered even without asking, if I understand correctly?

I asked for something that wasn't there when I needed it and it got delivered and I am thankful for that. This isn't exactly even an improvement on the product so I'm not certain if we are talking about the same thing here.

As I said before, you are ofc free to have your opinions, feelings and let them be heard. I encourage and cherish freedom in all it's forms.

I don't have any issue with your opinion. You do you as written above ♡
DonroaAkashu
Seasoned Ace
4 years ago
I am happy and grateful that the constructive critic was heard, and interpret a thank you as the polite thing to do, since there are people involved that post in this forum, the SimGurus. Saying thank you is a polite behaviour, and does not make me regard EA any higher.

Next thing to ask for is:
For EA to shape up the bug forum, adding information om how to understand it, and information on what players can do to help, and make the bug report template better suited for the larger group of consumers of this game. It needs to be clear where the information comes from; I want official information, not the helpful advises from ordinary players.

For the SimGurus to visibly involve themselves more in the bug forum, to make it clearer what happens, and how, and what they need; if anything.

For the Laundry List to contain information on how the bugs are prioritized.

Thank you.
Simburian
Seasoned Ace
4 years ago
"adduapina;c-17848153" wrote:
"ZhakiraP;c-17848127" wrote:
"adduapina;c-17847331" wrote:
"ZhakiraP;c-17847217" wrote:
I really don´t think there is any need for being "grateful" at all.
EA is a company, the sims game is a product.
You are a customer.

They are not improving the game out of sheer generosity, but for profit.

It should be in their own interest to try and keep the player base as happy as possible.

So don´t be grateful.

@ZhakiraP

I am a happier customer now that my feedback has been heard and there has been an improvement.

Are you not ever satisfied as a customer? If someone serves you well, are you not grateful, because they get paid?

People should be more thankful and grateful in general in this world. We need that a lot more than negativity.

If I were to agree with you that people could be nicer in general, I think gratitude towards profit driven companies is misguided.

I am a satisfied customer in several instances with other products, I am NOT however, grateful.

If I am grateful, it is towards someone who did something nice for me that I appreciated that that someone did not have to do. That for me does not apply to EA or Maxis. Or any other profit driven company or game developer, for instance.

I am a bit confused as to why you feel you need to be grateful in order not to be negative.

@ZhakiraP

Where did I state that one needs to be grateful in order to not be negative?

I am a bit confused why my thankfulness on something this trivial that I feel I personally helped to achieve is an issue for you.

I feel that my previous posts on this thread explain already my point. But for clearance; I practice gratitude on a daily basis and I don't have such criteria as you seem to have on what to be thankful for.

As with any other learning or growth process I believe that positive reinforcement is a key factor if you wish for a change. That goes with all animals, humans included, and the employees of this capitalistic, profit driven mega corporation that we're discussing about are humans like you and me and when you give feedback that's been taken into consideration and made a real thing - well, my parents have taught me it's just plain politeness to give thanks.

I totally understand if you don't feel _you_ need to be grateful for this. You do you. But why would anyone ever tell someone "don't be thankful" is beyond my comprehension.

Don't worry. You can be as grateful as you like. It's your own opinion and nice to read these days.

I'm grateful for EA for having faith in the original game to go ahead with it and I doubt if any other company would have a similar game now if they hadn't, judging from the general amusement at the time from other game makers. It took a Sims lesbian kiss to make them the talk of a computer show at the time. I actually like Sims 4 gradually rolling out and building the game and they have sorted out a request for me too and I'm grateful for that too.

I'm even grateful to another company making huge profits and greatly abused for it, Amazon who have been making my life bearable in Lockdown the last year. Making profits is not a bad thing. As long as they pay their taxes.
Scobren
Legend
4 years ago
"Simburian;c-17850212" wrote:
"adduapina;c-17848153" wrote:
"ZhakiraP;c-17848127" wrote:
"adduapina;c-17847331" wrote:
"ZhakiraP;c-17847217" wrote:
I really don´t think there is any need for being "grateful" at all.
EA is a company, the sims game is a product.
You are a customer.

They are not improving the game out of sheer generosity, but for profit.

It should be in their own interest to try and keep the player base as happy as possible.

So don´t be grateful.

@ZhakiraP

I am a happier customer now that my feedback has been heard and there has been an improvement.

Are you not ever satisfied as a customer? If someone serves you well, are you not grateful, because they get paid?

People should be more thankful and grateful in general in this world. We need that a lot more than negativity.

If I were to agree with you that people could be nicer in general, I think gratitude towards profit driven companies is misguided.

I am a satisfied customer in several instances with other products, I am NOT however, grateful.

If I am grateful, it is towards someone who did something nice for me that I appreciated that that someone did not have to do. That for me does not apply to EA or Maxis. Or any other profit driven company or game developer, for instance.

I am a bit confused as to why you feel you need to be grateful in order not to be negative.

@ZhakiraP

Where did I state that one needs to be grateful in order to not be negative?

I am a bit confused why my thankfulness on something this trivial that I feel I personally helped to achieve is an issue for you.

I feel that my previous posts on this thread explain already my point. But for clearance; I practice gratitude on a daily basis and I don't have such criteria as you seem to have on what to be thankful for.

As with any other learning or growth process I believe that positive reinforcement is a key factor if you wish for a change. That goes with all animals, humans included, and the employees of this capitalistic, profit driven mega corporation that we're discussing about are humans like you and me and when you give feedback that's been taken into consideration and made a real thing - well, my parents have taught me it's just plain politeness to give thanks.

I totally understand if you don't feel _you_ need to be grateful for this. You do you. But why would anyone ever tell someone "don't be thankful" is beyond my comprehension.

Don't worry. You can be as grateful as you like. It's your own opinion and nice to read these days.

I'm grateful for EA for having faith in the original game to go ahead with it and I doubt if any other company would have a similar game now if they hadn't, judging from the general amusement at the time from other game makers. It took a Sims lesbian kiss to make them the talk of a computer show at the time. I actually like Sims 4 gradually rolling out and building the game and they have sorted out a request for me too and I'm grateful for that too.

I'm even grateful to another company making huge profits and greatly abused for it, Amazon who have been making my life bearable in Lockdown the last year. Making profits is not a bad thing. As long as they pay their taxes.

I so agree with this. I never trust anyone who doesn't pay their taxes. Why it is my passion and went to school for accounting is because my grandpa was taken advantage of with creative accounting. Scams these days are getting worst too especially with more people at home. I hope everyday no one falls for the IRS scam calls. Amazon sadly doesn't treat their employees well and don't allow bathroom breaks with their drivers. Probably why I don't see a lot of female drivers working for them.
DonroaAkashu
Seasoned Ace
4 years ago
@MJemma I think it is an interesting sucject. In the survey there is no information on which university/school you are tied to, or what your thesis is about, or which level it is on. The questions are of an intimate nature and not directly tied to the issue you mention, toxicity. This thread is about transparence; not about toxicity.

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Request: More communication with the player base on what is being done to fix the game

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