Should Funcom hire a Spokesperson for AoC

Sickpup

Well I guess we might find out more after e3.Personally I think they need a spokesperson for this game like mythic does,btw sanya is looking for work.Instead they have programmers,whose typical personality isn't meant for communications activity.who are from 19 different countries,release tidbits of isolated and unclear,contradicting and confusing info.







































Btw I tried but couldn't edit the other poll in my old thread out.so mod if you delete one don't delete this one please.

Athelan

I am not sure what you expect a spokesperson to do? We have multiple community and marketing people, and designers like myself active in the community.

Sickpup

I expect a spokesperson to take all the info,verify it into a unified format,and convey it to the customer base in one clear statement.Like Mythic did with Sanya for DAoC.

AmazingAvery

I prefer to hear info straight from the "horse's mouth". From someone who has hands on experience with the game. In the past with spokes people in other games -  second hand information turns into chinese whispers - turns into mis-information. I'd rather have what we have now. I have no issues with the way info is related to the public with regards to AoC. Information comes quicker this way too, instead of someone like the Guild Wars lady (Gaile Gray) who takes forever to get back to the community - thru no fault of her own - Who relayes the community concerns second hand and mixed up too. This way you actually get to ask a developer and I think its awesome that someone like Athelan has come here to attempt that, especially with all the awkward ppl about.

EDIT: Not to mention Q&A time with guilds, the fact they open the doors to the press from all over (see that with Darkfall?) Thats worldwide press asking the questions too.

Funcoms involvement with that aspect is really good.

defenestrate

OMG AOC is WAR clone they have a spokesperson!!!





I can see the flames from here. In all seriousness though, you dont need a spokesperson to go around and hype people up about the game. We all know your talking about someone like Paul Barnett, but it's sometimes better not to put a public face on a game.





just my opinion.

AmazingAvery

Originally posted by defenestrate

OMG AOC is WAR clone they have a spokesperson!!!





I can see the flames from here. In all seriousness though, you dont need a spokesperson to go around and hype people up about the game. We all know your talking about someone like Paul Barnett, but it's sometimes better not to put a public face on a game.





just my opinion.

If Athelan grew his Pron Moustache again it could add a "cool" factor. Would just have to get him on the "what not to wear" tv show.

Hengist

I actually prefer the info the way that it comes out, and the community managers, I think do a good job.

I know I'm probably in the minority, since most people like Paul Barnett, but I really dont care for him. I've been in sales for years, and I see people constantly saying he is sincere, and truth be told, I just see a guy who is collecting a paycheck for a job. A job he does well, but I've known guys in that "style" for years, and I dont think it means that just because they are that style they are sincere. To me, it just reeks of phony. Again, just my opinion, and I realize that many people would disagree. I also state that I dont know Paul Barnett's history, and if I did my opinion might change, so in this case, I admit I dont have enough info to really support my opinion the way I feel I should.

The other part, and again, my opinion I'm sure is minority. I think that many times if you have to have someone to handle the PR or be a spokesperson, you are more worried about image because you have reason to hide something. Of course being honest about it, that's probably the vast minority of times, and these days, the trend might be towards a PR person for an MMO, just because it's sound marketing. My taste, and opinion though are definitely based on my own sales experience, techinque, and old fashioned style.

Frankly, I'm glad "Big-A" is here answering questions, simply because I feel that dev speak isnt filled with spin (despite what neanderthal seems to feel) ask a question, and he answers it the best he can. Is that modern marketing? Probably not, but I definitely appreciate it.

Thefonz

What could be a better spokesman that getting The Govenator to do it!! I would sell my pants for AoC if they got him to be the spokesman. My pants for godsake!

Kyleran

Maybe Paris is looking for work?



Not sure there's much benefit from an official spokesperson, they tend to end up being shills who have to tote the corporate line.

AmazingAvery

Originally posted by Thefonz

What could be a better spokesman that getting The Govenator to do it!! I would sell my pants for AoC if they got him to be the spokesman. My pants for godsake!

 

Now that would be funny, too funny I wouldn't take the game seriously! I personally would just be in hysterics when he attempts to pronounce the names of some of the Norweigen developers.

Sickpup

Originally posted by Kyleran

Maybe Paris is looking for work?



Not sure there's much benefit from an official spokesperson, they tend to end up being shills who have to tote the corporate line.

As if the Dev's don't