discussion Developer interaction with fans

[MattShizzle]

In between. Just ignoring the fans is being an asshat, but all talk and no game is bullshit.

 

[setzer]

Both.

It's why Killer7 is my fav dev in this regard. At least til his legal battle.

 

[dawg26]

Interaction is good, but don't get drawn into an argument with a whako on a thread. Solicit feedback. PM someone if you need context for the feedback. Stick to more general post for public posts.

 

[NateDawg59]

I like devs that keep up with their playerbase. I don't need to know every single thing going on, just let me know you're alive and give a few peeks at upcoming stuff to keep me entertained. The fan feedback thing can help and hurt. The players can drive you nuts, but the devs can mess with stories and characters just to stick it to players who griped too much and were never happy. Which, of course, can make your happy fans leave in droves.

 

[SlickBrick]

Some regular signs of life and progression with the game is perfect

 

[mncsr]

I personally prefer when a dev keep contact with the players.
But needn’t get everything to personal as a dev imo

 

[MattShizzle]

Not here, but when they are on Fuck95, they often get driven away by the assholes. Devs tell other devs to avoid the place.

 

[Rebel 357]

I prefer not to spend time chatting with fans. The more time I spend on working on the game, the more work gets done. Besides, too many of you gamers are entitled and/or toxic. One can easily pour too much time in chatting with fans/customers when it should have been put to getting that next update out on time.

 

[Omegalord]

There is a balance to it.
Not any communication is not good and too much is bad as well.
Updates are a good thing. Until they just become sob stories why they have not been able to do any work for the umpteen time.
Also asking questions on feedback to clarify in early development can help redirect.

 

[Sairenji]

Do you prefer when a developer is most active, posts regular status report and interacts with fans or would you rather the developer shut up and just make the game?

a mix of both. If theres to much interaction with "fans", the game for sure gets so much to a fan service and the game loses quality (only my opinion)

 

[MattShizzle]

Also, they shouldn't listen to the ones who think there has to be ntr, pregnancy, futa, etc IN EVERY FUCKING GAME MADE.

 

[Tosser]

I like the interaction. Everyone needs a break from the grind and I'm guessing you can't do much else when you have renders grinding away, well, unless you have one machine for that and another for doing writing and programing.

I think the ones that have some level of interaction - not necessarily as high as yours, but maybe dropping in a few times a month - will ultimately do a better VN than those that don't. If you're there, you are less likely to do what others have done and just abandon the VN or wander off for months at a time and no one knows what's going on, so I think it aids accountability. For your patrons, it gives a nice little extra benefit of interaction, and for us worthless pirates, it lets us give you a "thanks" to your avatar.

Hopefully the experience is also good for the Dev more than it isn't. We have a hella lot of trolls in places like this - the worst ones seem to come from the pirate ranks. Just put them on ignore, but maybe keep an open mind with those that are respectful in their feedback, even when some is critical.

Whatever you do, don't change your plan for bitchers. If you are at a crossroads or of two minds, you can flip a coin, like me, or put up a poll and seek feedback.

 

[Shiva]

I would say that interaction tends to BECOME bad as to many people start DEMANDING things (give me Chocolate Chip Cookies NOW).

Communication however is good. Tell us about progress, give us tantalizing teasers, let us know if there is a delay, etc.

Did that make sense??

 

[zark]

Do you prefer when a developer is most active, posts regular status report and interacts with fans or would you rather the developer shut up and just make the game?

Just need to let us know you still working 2 or 4 times a mo.
don't take much even just saying your working on some bug is good for a week. no need for big get togethers (unless that's your thing)

 

[lonewolf67]

100% prefer when the dev interacts with the fans. Being kept in the shadows about how a game you really like is progressing is not fun, especially when the updates take forever to come out. As a side note, I really dislike when a dev hides a progress update behind a paywall. I can understand sneak peaks, bonus renders and such, but a progress update is a bit silly.

 

[Lepomis]

I like Dev interaction, especially if that interaction helps you play the game. For example, by providing hints, pointing out bugs that have been fixed, answering questions, etc.

 

[Mr. Tearson]

I always try to interact with people. Fans or haters. Doesn't matter. I'm not one to get discouraged easily. Plus, I consider it my chill time for when I'm not working. And it does get boring when it's all work and no play. But I can't escape the creative life. Just too hard to do because the creations are always forming in one's mind. You often wonder what'll happen next. If the story is worth pursuing. If you're worth your weight in gold for this. So many things. Getting these feedbacks are indeed what helps to push forward. Of course, Developers have to be comfortable with the contents they are creating. It's not always about the money for us but about the dreams. Rather it's to get popular, it's because you simply made a game or a novel, or because one wants to become the best there are for specific genre.

We all have our paths. Just up to us on rather or not we want to sacrifice our time and ass to work on this every day.

 

[Finwin]

Its good if they are interacting with fans

 

[MattShizzle]

Another problem is the "fans" who are dickheads. No here, but definitely a problem on Fuck95.

 

[Mr. Tearson]

Another problem is the "fans" who are dickheads. No here, but definitely a problem on Fuck95.

Honestly, it doesn't matter if on there or on here. There's always going to be a few dickheads or someone who doesn't understand the situation fully. For Developers, a lot of time, players will either like it or they won't. But if you're actually polite, they may be willing to hear you out and read things through, making future decisions for the games that they are making or planning to make.