My Response to Buddy Program on Goblinworks Forums

markelphoenix

So, I've been seeing a lot of chatter about the game as of late, and I realized my response to one of my fellow players in regards to the buddy program kind of sums up where the game is currently at in broad strokes and helps set the expectation for people. Make decisions with both eyes open and don't expect what isn't being offered. My reply to Alzaric on the public forums on his concerns of doing the buddy program at the Early Enrollment stage:

Alzaric, I've been having a very positive and receptive response to this program so far. I think the key thing is setting the expectation. While PFO is in no way a turd, it brings up the old saying, "Don't polish a turd.' Let it be what it is, with what warts come with being in the 2nd year of a 5 year run (which many people need to keep in perspective).

 

When you look for invites, you let them know. This is early! It has a lot of quality of life stuff missing, because it's not implemented yet. We are pioneers. The reward for being pioneers? You'll be a head of the game as it becomes more refined. Your pay off is being at the ground floor, having accrued XP, being there to offer insight and suggestions to development as things come down the pipe.

 

I'm actually THRILLED that they introduced this system, because it helps us get the more cautious minded people to take a sneak peek and decide whether if they want to contribute to the development process with their financial support, wait till it's more refined, or write the game off. Inherently, those who were early adopters [Us] without having anything to sample or try, are a specific personality type. It is healthy to get personality types that are a bit more reserved and cautious in their purchasing decisions [not us] to be adding their suggestions, ideas, and observations.

 

 

Will they be a major influencer if their ideas are 180 degrees different from the core game design? No. At the very least, though, it can help educate those who are looking for something more traditional on the reasons WHY things aren't that way. Then the person can decide if this is for them (after trying to wrap their minds around a different MMO paradigm) or if they just need to move on.