Poll: Gane Developers don't care about their customers anymore

[The SettingSun]

I was reading an ign article today about Harvest Moon 3DS and when I was scrolling through the comments section this particular comment caught my eye:

'brabb555

you know, i grew up on Harvest Moon 64, and being 21 years old i still feel the urge to play them. I have respect for Natsume. My friend once sent them a letter of appreciation, stating that they made the perfect game of all time (at the time at least). listing details about how he always had healthy cows and named one Betsy. In return they sent him a plush cow with a tag that said Betsy on it... You don't get that today, do you? instead for your loyalty you get charged DLC. I'm not saying i need plush toys, i'm grown up now, but it's nice to see things like that happen.'


I completely agree with that statement. Aside from one or two devlopers (valve in particular) there seems to be a blatent disregard for the customers. It seems like the developers are working on the "lets get them to spend as much money as possible" basis. I'm not saying that's wrong but you think loyal customers would be rewarded in some way.

 

[Catchy Slogan]

Damn those Gane Developers! ;P

Depends completely on the developer, and some don't get the choice to be nice. It's taken away from them by certain Publishers, who shall remain unnamed.

 

[Mr. Grey]

I don't know of any "gane" developers.

But I have to say, game developers seem to be lax in their appreciation of the customers, but then again... many customers seem to act like self-entitled brats, so I can understand this behavior of theirs. Except for Miracle of Sound, I heard he got a goody bag from Epic Games when he made his Carmine song. Where Valve did nothing for his Gordon Freeman song, last I heard.

 

[Pearwood]

All companies are working towards getting their customers to spend more money, that's just how business works. I wouldn't know how companies respond to fan mail, I've never sent them but I assume you'd get a thank-you.

 

[The SettingSun]

So have you sent letters of appreciation to every single one of the developers to support your research?

Making a poll doesn't actually reveal the truth in this, you know.

I'm not just judging it on how they respond to fan-mail. It's how they charge for every bit of extra content such as map-packs, new character models etc. You think they'd just package that stuff in. Sony also comes into it, after a lot of loyal customers personal details had been compromised Sony "comensated" by giving everybody two crappy games which were really included to try and convince people to buy the sequels.

 

[Doclector]

I have only one requirement for game companies: no review embargoes.

Come on. If you made a good game, you got nothing to hide! We ain't stupid! We won't trust lieGN's reviews of anything that isn't call of duty! We have a right to know whether we're getting screwed before the time to hand over money comes, not after we've already been left, robbed, cheated, and a little sticky.

 

[Mace Tulio]

Game developers are aware that without the consumer, they'll lose all profitability. No developer is stupid enough to actively lack care for the consumer. It's more-so the fact that developers don't owe us anything. They make the game, we pay for the game. Whether or not you think the experience is satisfying, the transaction is complete. Some companies will go out of their way to increase goodwill between itself and the consumers, but that's only to boost future sales based on that goodwill, nor is it required.

 

[funguy2121]

I was reading an ign article today about Harvest Moon 3DS and when I was scrolling through the comments section this particular comment caught my eye:

'brabb555

you know, i grew up on Harvest Moon 64, and being 21 years old i still feel the urge to play them. I have respect for Natsume. My friend once sent them a letter of appreciation, stating that they made the perfect game of all time (at the time at least). listing details about how he always had healthy cows and named one Betsy. In return they sent him a plush cow with a tag that said Betsy on it... You don't get that today, do you? instead for your loyalty you get charged DLC. I'm not saying i need plush toys, i'm grown up now, but it's nice to see things like that happen.'


I completely agree with that statement. Aside from one or two devlopers (valve in particular) there seems to be a blatent disregard for the customers. It seems like the developers are working on the "lets get them to spend as much money as possible" basis. I'm not saying that's wrong but you think loyal customers would be rewarded in some way.

I have to say, I'm beyond tired of all the cynicism. It's not even thoughtful. Someone said in the comments section on a website that a company sent them a plush cow, and you took it as gospel? An exercise, then.

I am a cherubim from the 7th choir of angels (I'm a tenor).

...did you also believe that?

It is certainly true that some of the bigger developers are focused on watering down their games for broader consumption, assuming that most people are too stupid to play a challenging game. But I can't agree with your grandpa-on-the-porch-whittlin' assertion that today ain't like the good ol' days.

 

[The SettingSun]

I was reading an ign article today about Harvest Moon 3DS and when I was scrolling through the comments section this particular comment caught my eye:

'brabb555

you know, i grew up on Harvest Moon 64, and being 21 years old i still feel the urge to play them. I have respect for Natsume. My friend once sent them a letter of appreciation, stating that they made the perfect game of all time (at the time at least). listing details about how he always had healthy cows and named one Betsy. In return they sent him a plush cow with a tag that said Betsy on it... You don't get that today, do you? instead for your loyalty you get charged DLC. I'm not saying i need plush toys, i'm grown up now, but it's nice to see things like that happen.'


I completely agree with that statement. Aside from one or two devlopers (valve in particular) there seems to be a blatent disregard for the customers. It seems like the developers are working on the "lets get them to spend as much money as possible" basis. I'm not saying that's wrong but you think loyal customers would be rewarded in some way.

I have to say, I'm beyond tired of all the cynicism. It's not even thoughtful. Someone said in the comments section on a website that a company sent them a plush cow, and you took it as gospel? An exercise, then.

I am a cherubim from the 7th choir of angels (I'm a tenor).

...did you also believe that?

It is certainly true that some of the bigger developers are focused on watering down their games for broader consumption, assuming that most people are too stupid to play a challenging game. But I can't agree with your grandpa-on-the-porch-whittlin' assertion that today ain't like the good ol' days.

I wasn't around for the good ol' days so I am relying on peoples nostalgia here I just feel that this "get as much money for the elast effort possible" (yes i changed it abit) is affecting the way developers make games way too much. For example, the wii sequel to Animal Crossing DS was extremely similar. The laziness that had gone into game was a direct insult to the strong fanbase the game had.

 

[The SettingSun]

So have you sent letters of appreciation to every single one of the developers to support your research?

Making a poll doesn't actually reveal the truth in this, you know.

I'm not just judging it on how they respond to fan-mail. It's how they charge for every bit of extra content such as map-packs, new character models etc. You think they'd just package that stuff in. Sony also comes into it, after a lot of loyal customers personal details had been compromised Sony "comensated" by giving everybody two crappy games which were really included to try and convince people to buy the sequels.

Firstly, there's a selection of games to pick from. Whether your opinion of them is bad is irrelevant, many people liked them and so Sony's giving away popular games to everyone that doesn't already have them. Despite their popularity, several people still don't have them.

Secondly, ten years ago, they would have packed DLC in because the ability to sell people DLC and stuff only existed on the PC, and back then they were often called "expansion packs". This DLC thing is a way to give more life to your game, and if you don't feel like paying for it, fine. But remember that gaming is first and foremost a business, and cannot be anything else first or it will not succeed.

It's a luxury, and if you aren't willing to pay for their hard work then get out of this hobby. Sorry, entertainment costs. This isn't a place where you can "stick it to the man", not with developers anyway. Publishers are often assholes, but they're a lot better than, say, the music industry's version of publishers.

Some of these things aren't really a luxury and their cost not worth the amount of effort that went into. For example, the xbox 360 avatars. Paying £3 for a hat isn't fair at all. I'm willing to bet it took a day at the most to design that hat. If the customers has been paying for xbox live for a certain period of time/ gone on xbox every day for four weeks etc. then the hat should be given as a freebie.

 

[Gender Unknown]

That's a really awesome story. Not heard of anything like that happening before.

 

[Zhukov]

Aside from one or two devlopers (valve in particular) there seems to be a blatent disregard for the customers.

Just out of curiosity, who's the other developer?

 

[Iron Mal]

Considering how large the gaming populace has become it's kinda hard to show the same sentimentality and tender loving care to each individual fan now as it was back in the time when that particular case noted by the OP took place.

Gaming back in it's infancy was a fairly niche hobby, not many people did it because, quite frankly, it was new and experimental.

Now it's pretty much become a cornerstone of our generation, giving the same level of response and care is obviously gonna be harder when thenumber of people you have to answer to is significantly larger.

Also, since when has Valve been caring and loving to it's customers? (in my experience it's been a bit of a 'meh' relationship)

 

[Savagezion]

Well, to be fair the customers can't wait to bash on a games today. RDR, L.A. Noire, CoD, Halo, the list goes on for a while actually. As soon as a game is announced the cynicism starts in. How many letters do you think developers get that say "This game is perfect and I just wanted to write in and tell you thank you for making it?" I bet most games never see a letter like that, if any do. But I bet they get all kinds of letters about how they messed up this part, or that mechanic, or how they ruined a franchise or just plain made a shitty game. On any gaming forum you are likely to see a thread or two entitled "An open letter to _________" and it will either contain passive aggressive cynicism or a "You made a good game but here is all the parts where I think you fell short of greatness".

The relationship between gamers and the devs/publishers is a two way street. You can't have the high level of cynicism the gaming community does and not expect for any cynicism to seep into the other side. I was around for the "good old days" of gaming and I guarantee you the story is probably true. It isn't far fetched at all. Back in the SNES era stuff like this was common. The relationship between gamer and the industry was fairly strong for many different reasons. Today the community has an entitled delusion, unrealistic expectations, they are hypocrites, and they just simply like having a reason to complain going so far as to make up a reason that isn't even legit sometimes. Rather than look at a game for what it IS the gaming audience looks at what it COULD or "SHOULD" be to them.

 

[thenamelessloser]

Aside from one or two devlopers (valve in particular) there seems to be a blatent disregard for the customers.

Just out of curiosity, who's the other developer?

CD Projekt RED

 

[SoopaSte123]

I think most developers have a passion for what they do. If you watch the interviews with them, they always seem excited about what they have done. I think THEY care about the customers, as they just want people to enjoy their games and will be thrilled if they do. Labor of love.

However, developers are only one step in the process. I really don't think I can say the same thing about all the other people who didn't actually work on the games.

 

[Kaytastrophe]

I would argue they do, I mean these developers do have bosses to answer and so they do have to make money (its just how capitalism works). I would say the publishers don't care but the artists (developers) do take pride in their art and appreciate the fans who appreciate them. I mean we still see developers release patches for their games free of charge. I know I hear some of you saying that they have to in order to fix the bugs. However, why do they have to fix the bugs? You already bought the game and they already have your money. The fallout franchise (which I love) continually releases buggy games and we keep buying them. So I would say yeah the developers are in a situation where they do care about the fans because they take the time to make the best game they can; however they do have a boss to answer to and he certainly may not care about the fans.

 

[Liquidus_Hime]

I was reading an ign article today about Harvest Moon 3DS and when I was scrolling through the comments section this particular comment caught my eye:

'brabb555

you know, i grew up on Harvest Moon 64, and being 21 years old i still feel the urge to play them. I have respect for Natsume. My friend once sent them a letter of appreciation, stating that they made the perfect game of all time (at the time at least). listing details about how he always had healthy cows and named one Betsy. In return they sent him a plush cow with a tag that said Betsy on it... You don't get that today, do you? instead for your loyalty you get charged DLC. I'm not saying i need plush toys, i'm grown up now, but it's nice to see things like that happen.'


I completely agree with that statement. Aside from one or two devlopers (valve in particular) there seems to be a blatent disregard for the customers. It seems like the developers are working on the "lets get them to spend as much money as possible" basis. I'm not saying that's wrong but you think loyal customers would be rewarded in some way.

I think that nowadays, the way most gamers think that companies owe them something makes the company less inclined to show their appreciation. I've sent some companies love mail (fan/Your a great company mail) and I've sent one or two disappoint mails, and most of the time they just don't answer. I think that the mutual respect between the fans of a series/company is torn now because so many companies are "looking for money" and so many players are saying you owe me "this" and "that" because I'm a fan.

Also developers have changed; they rather go for the mediocre money cow than a true "I love the fans and I'm trying to get new ones" approach. If the companies mix want the players want with what they want to accomplish the gaming industry would be that much strong. It seems like there's no real way to affect a game as a fan anymore.

 

[Neverhoodian]

Depends on the developer. Some of them like Tripwire Interactive and Uber Entertainment will go the extra mile, while others like EA and Activision see their customers as little more than wallets with legs.

 

[funguy2121]

I was reading an ign article today about Harvest Moon 3DS and when I was scrolling through the comments section this particular comment caught my eye:

'brabb555

you know, i grew up on Harvest Moon 64, and being 21 years old i still feel the urge to play them. I have respect for Natsume. My friend once sent them a letter of appreciation, stating that they made the perfect game of all time (at the time at least). listing details about how he always had healthy cows and named one Betsy. In return they sent him a plush cow with a tag that said Betsy on it... You don't get that today, do you? instead for your loyalty you get charged DLC. I'm not saying i need plush toys, i'm grown up now, but it's nice to see things like that happen.'


I completely agree with that statement. Aside from one or two devlopers (valve in particular) there seems to be a blatent disregard for the customers. It seems like the developers are working on the "lets get them to spend as much money as possible" basis. I'm not saying that's wrong but you think loyal customers would be rewarded in some way.

I have to say, I'm beyond tired of all the cynicism. It's not even thoughtful. Someone said in the comments section on a website that a company sent them a plush cow, and you took it as gospel? An exercise, then.

I am a cherubim from the 7th choir of angels (I'm a tenor).

...did you also believe that?

It is certainly true that some of the bigger developers are focused on watering down their games for broader consumption, assuming that most people are too stupid to play a challenging game. But I can't agree with your grandpa-on-the-porch-whittlin' assertion that today ain't like the good ol' days.

I wasn't around for the good ol' days so I am relying on peoples nostalgia here I just feel that this "get as much money for the elast effort possible" (yes i changed it abit) is affecting the way developers make games way too much. For example, the wii sequel to Animal Crossing DS was extremely similar. The laziness that had gone into game was a direct insult to the strong fanbase the game had.

Well, rather than ***** about it, why don't you take action? Vote with your dollar. Buy the products that compete with the crap, and ignore said crap. There are gaming groups out there - join them and encourage them to write open letters to companies making shit decisions and to endorse the companies making good decisions.