Input from the Forums
 

Do the DEVS on a game like SH1V actually get to see the ideas that users at Forums such as this have for SH1V? Does Neal or someone else actually get the ideas expressed here to the DEVS for consideration? I'm interested to know how much or how little information actually gets to them regarding our ideas? I certainly don't expect them to include all or even most of the ideas expressed here, but I'd like to know how in touch with this Forum they are?

Thanks,

Terry

Well, the developers should read these boards. It'd be rather foolish of them not to, with all the ideas being brought forth here. Not all of them are great, of course, but there are a few that are true gems. It's also very good for the community if the developers actively post in a fan forum with the players (as the SSS developers did prior to Empires: DOTW's release). It also creates a very positive image of the developers (unless they happen to be exceptionally immature and spend more time flaming "n00bz" than talking about their game:p).

Is there another forum that the developers frequent?

Well, there is the ubi forum, they probably frequent there too (I'm not sure about "too"). I think they should read these forums because they shows the player's opinion... and that is (or should br) important for them.

I guess that's my point really. I've always assumed that they receive the better ideas expressed here, but I have no evidence that they actually do.

The lack of evidence they are watching us, the lack of evidence this game is making any progress, everything worries me.

I'm convinced we're being watched over by the developers, God, a China tea-pot orbiting the Sun, and a sexy topless girl spirit. We just don't see them;).

All I have to say is, ask them at the upcoming interview.

With previous versions of SH that was the case indeed so I am sure they read these forums at least as much as we do.

Great to hear that, Neal.

:yep: :yep: :yep:

Excellent news. I hoped that was the case, Neal.:up:

I liked the idea of the sexy topless girl spirit :o :lol:

Yes, the DEVs visit these forums, that has already been confirmed many time. Some of them are long standing members, others joined just a couple of months ago.

"That's what I'm trying to tell ya kid, it's been totally blown away."
 

I don't wanna put a downer on things but I tried to access the Ubisoft Romaina website and it seems it doesn't exist!? I wanted to write them directly a big, long letter about what we'd like to see in SHIV. Maybe they went bankrupt and Ubisoft has moved the project elsewhere, maybe they've gone underground?:|\\

I think they've taken the attitude that if anyone can write, everyone will write, and there will be no game as the next seven years will be taken up answering letters from individuals instead of working on the game.

That's why they do interviews and encourage us to give Neal questions we would like answered. That's also why they read these forums.

To quote W.C. Fields: "Go 'way, boy, you bother me!"

They've submerged. They'll surface when ready.

I'd be very surprised if Ubisoft just suddenly died. I've heard of no financial problems on their end.

could be that they are too busy.....ever think of that?

I try to.:-?

Production difficulties
 

I've read that during the production of SH3 the original team had to shelve the project for some time, to sort out some financial issues and/or 'Corporate Restructuring'. This is why I know, despite many of you arguing with me, that SH3 wasn't finished when they put it out. They needed some quick cash for that particular tax year or something. I offer as proof the fact there was supposed to be a proper mission structure delivered via the Radio message system, but the team didn't have time to implement it and thus, you just get the 'proceed to grid reference blah, blah for 24 Hours' etc.

On the bright side, what was finished was great and there was room for some great Mods etc, which I hope to see more of in the near future, 'cos I believe there is still room for improvement.

It's nice to say things like "I know", but the game wasn't 'shelved' due to financial issues or 'Corporate Restructuring'. That was true of SHII, but SHIII was delayed due to other reasons, which were directly connected to the mission system.

For my viewpoint on that delay, see here:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...mpaign+dynamic