W3C - Many changes and the way forward

In thas several months we have introduced many changes and added a new world with many different rules.

It was frequently unclear where we are going and information and documentation lagged behind.

We might have confused some players.

We thought that these new fuctions will add a lot to Simcountry and were trying to introduce them quickly.

In the confusion, some players reacted as if they thought that we are confused too and tried to push us into different decisions.
Some in a friendly way, some less friendly.

Some even thought that our listening to comments by players, meant that they can push hard and get us to do what they wanted even if the direction was wrong and even after we explained why it is wrong.
We have always listened to players and many of their adeas are part of Simcountry.

We were never confused.
We were introducing many changes, quickly and had to fix some errors along the way but we knew, all the time, where this is going.
At the end, we have executed our plan without deviations.

We have introduced the new features in several steps and maybe it should have been one major change and not an ongoing discussion.

In the coming weeks, we will lower the pace.
we will add information.
Improve some documents and we will keep introducing new features at a lower pace.
if needed we will inform you ahead of time while what we announce is alreaey done and ready to install.

There are many features we promised.
Even more ideas we have that will be implemented.

I think the big issue is releasing unfinished products, updating documentation should be simultaneous with updates. When the documentation isn't updated in some areas for many months all the forum posts in the world doesn't fix it. Changes to game play need to be fully communicated at the time and for all points forward clearly, updating documentation is a critical part of updating the game.

And yes some changes you've made due to "player issues" like requiring 100% staffing prior to building corps, wasn't due to players not listening it was due to mixed messaging documentation "Important things" link not matching the changes made and related forum posts.

Overall I believe you have a plan, but communication is lacking and makes y'all look unorganized. While me may not always agree with your direction, clear communication and focusing on "finishing" the update prior to release (fully update documentation) would help us better understand and reduce hostility when updates feel "sloppy".

I'll also add better game-master availability would help, being active on the discord being key. Some people see so little discord activity by y'all that they think some active players are actually the game-master.

#1 Update the documentation Not updating creates confusion I know it is not possible to do it daily but perhaps once every month Encourage new players to use the form A daily message from the GM or staff about anything going on with the game or game news or just some pointers on how to do something. This will help keep players interested.
Rob

I think you guys do a good job that is difficult.

-to Andy:

I agree with Jiggle Billy's post.

Change + communication about it doesn't often go as smoothly in simcountry as in other games. There continues to be an opportunity for improvement there, which it sounds like you are recognizing. That's good.

I'm glad you were never confused but I don't think that's an issue players are interested in. Players themselves getting confused, players getting frustrated, and players leaving is of more interest to us. Player retention in our smaller community is of great importance, which I know you are aware of. My post isn't about your intentions, it's about how players hear what you say and understand what you do.

Some feedback: much of your post sounds defensive and dismissive of player commentary on a 'forum.' Whether that's what you intended or not, that is how your post sounded to many based off chats and discussions I see in various discord groups. The definition of a forum: "a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged."

Instead of posting updates here, I think posting updates in the form of accurate documentation inside the game might reduce negative commentary and reduce the verbal confrontations that can occur with players here. Forum posting is probably better used when seeking feedback and player views than for posting updates you don't plan on negotiating about. By posting here, you're creating a discussion and asking for feedback in the eyes of most people, when perhaps your intention is to create a notification.

I'm looking forward to seeing the new changes and hope that after you complete some new features, some player-requested fixes can be considered for further development. Of the new changes, I most like the way the energy page has been developed and how it ties in with wind farms.

As always, I have more thoughts but better stop sharing for now. I've enjoyed this game for a long time. I'm always hoping for good improvements, and there often are. I'm hoping for many more years of fun. Best wishes.

Thank you for your comments.

we must reduce the pace of new developments, check the documentation and make sure it is up to date.

we will do that.

blaming players for issues is not a good look.

I think he is blaming himself.

Clarity is their responsibility.
I would welcome more clarity, better documentation.

They were rushing many new features. Too many.
I was away some time. There are many changes.

Romeo, you're a GM account. You have automatically renewing, hundreds of years of war protection. The only other account to have that is 'Andy' - and your protection goes even further into the future than his does.

Thanks for weighing in though.

Haha,
He is a very very long time player and a friend of Jozi.
At the time, there were no players and some preveleges.

All true but he never left, just was inactive for some (long) periods.

He is back now and will need to restore the countries that were neglected.

If not for the war protection, he would be long gone.

any problems with me?

Written by Romeo, and placed by Andy as he needed to go on a long distant trip.

L

L

Lol Andy.

No problems with you. Romeo's countries were originally put on LU next to me shortly after my wars against Laguna/Diabuli were stopped by GMs in April 2009. I could go find the old forum thread about it but it's not important. Because of the clearly intentional and somewhat menacing country placement, I've simply watched what Romeo's account has been up to for a long time. If there's one thing I am fairly good at, it's recon and knowing who does what.

Romeo's war protection extends automatically like Andy's does. When the game month moves forward one month, Romeo's war protection does as well. No one is clicking it - it's programmed. If you were clicking, you'd be extending it 6 times a day, every day, which wouldn't make sense for an inactive player to have going on for 10+ years.

I've no problem with it being a GM account. I simply share what I observe.

Lets make something clear.

A player with such a level of favoritism from the GM. Any dec, from such a player, is cheating

Now when your talking forum wars, its about the same thing. Especially, when the two (or one) of you are logging into each others accounts.

If your going to do this. You should straight up label Romeo as a GM, so that their isn't --->confusion.