The bandwagon effect and negative reviews of Timelines

[Pathogenic]

I feel that a great deal of the negativity towards the Timelines DLC is not coming from people who have actually played it, but from those who are simply echoing the views of others, who also haven't played it. They see negative reviews, form a preconceived notion of the game, and that colors their perception.

Looking at my Steam achievements, I am one of 0.1% of people who has completed the first "graph", and I found the missions fun and challenging. I liked being able to see my score vs others. The missions themselves were enjoyable.

I find it a bit puzzling why so many people feel the need to dogpile on something many of them have not even purchased or played.

I get that people might not like the idea of separate missions disconnected from the regular sandbox game, and just want whatever ship unlocks without having to play through the Timelines DLC. You do realize you can get access to these through a custom creative start, right?

One thing I thought was not so great was some of the voice acting, particularly for the male version of Harper Donel (female voice actor was fine). The character models were not great either, as they lack the ability to properly convey emotion. Otherwise, the DLC has been fun so far.

Anyways, for those who have not played Timelines, may I suggest you keep your harsh criticisms to yourself, at least until you've played it and can actually offer an informed opinion? And try not to act personally offended if a DLC costing $15 is not exactly to your liking?

[Wraith]

I mean you can look at all the people saying it cheap and doesn’t add anything to sandbox in the first 50minute didn’t give it away lol

I see why timeline is divisive (screw racing)but man do some people act like it the worst thing in the world lol

[Cellar_Cat]

If steam achievements are reliable then most people don't actually do anything in pretty much any given game.

[Uraael]

What makes you think people reviewing it haven't played it?

I've done the first five missions in the game and I don't find any of it fun. Have just written a negative review based on this. And why should I have to abandon 200 hours of progress just to get some new ships?

[Uraael]

Originally posted by Wraith:

I mean you can look at all the people saying it cheap and doesn’t add anything to sandbox in the first 50minute didn’t give it away lol

I see why timeline is divisive (screw racing)but man do some people act like it the worst thing in the world lol

Absolutely screw the racing. It's awful. Steering drunken whales around.

[DuX1112]

The same phenomenon has been plaguing (and trashing) many other games, often unfairly... There is just no reasoning with the "mob", it follows trends, not truth.

[nZ RaifalM3n]

yeah, i m 34 years old. don t make a DLC like this. Its not bad but i don t want to collect my "rewards" searching for hours in systems, neither doing scenarios that are boring, most of them. The concept is ok but still... we old ♥♥♥♥♥ don t like it. I pay 15 bucks, give me my DLC and my good new ♥♥♥♥. All DLCs were great but they stopped and made Timelines. The X series is sensitive, don t touch it with stuff that does not fit.

[PeaceMaker]

Well if some didn't insist on hyping it like crazy over the past few days, maybe this wouldn't happen?

The racing is pretty awful though and I really just wanted stuff that means something in the sandbox. I'd happily pay 15 bucks for just a heavy content for the Sandbox DLC instead.

[Pathogenic]

If you don't like racing, that's fine, I get it. I had fun, others didn't. To each their own. But there is a lot more than just the very first racing game.

[Pathogenic]

Originally posted by nZ RaifalM3n:

yeah, i m 34 years old. don t make a DLC like this. Its not bad but i don t want to collect my "rewards" searching for hours in systems, neither doing scenarios that are boring, most of them. The concept is ok but still... we old ♥♥♥♥♥ don t like it. I pay 15 bucks, give me my DLC and my good new ♥♥♥♥.

You say most of the scenarios are boring. Are you saying this based on your personal experience having played all of them? Or your preconceptions? If the later, then you are proving my point.

I don't see how your age is relevant, I'm 46.

[nZ RaifalM3n]

Originally posted by Pathogenic:

Originally posted by nZ RaifalM3n:

yeah, i m 34 years old. don t make a DLC like this. Its not bad but i don t want to collect my "rewards" searching for hours in systems, neither doing scenarios that are boring, most of them. The concept is ok but still... we old ♥♥♥♥♥ don t like it. I pay 15 bucks, give me my DLC and my good new ♥♥♥♥.

You say most of the scenarios are boring. Are you saying this based on your personal experience having played all of them? Or your preconceptions? If the later, then you are proving Mt point.

I m at graph 4. Some are ok some don't. But the rewards are anoying to collect. If i can ever find them. Stop defending stuff that does' not fit the X series. They tried, they kinda failed. Just move on.

Even if X Rebirth was ♥♥♥♥ because they removed the ability to have multiple ships you can pilot, i still love that game. But i know they ♥♥♥♥♥♥ it up and players did not forget.

[SirProsik]

Not just in games either. One of my favorite foods was review bombed at a certain chain store website based in Arkansas which resulted rather unfairly I might add the entire companies products being removed. Very probably they were being paid to destroy the reputation of the food and company. It is unfortunately the world in which we live.

[do it]

Originally posted by Pathogenic:

I feel that a great deal of the negativity towards the Timelines DLC is not coming from people who have actually played it, but from those who are simply echoing the views of others, who also haven't played it. They see negative reviews, form a preconceived notion of the game, and that colors their perception.

Looking at my Steam achievements, I am one of 0.1% of people who has completed the first "graph", and I found the missions fun and challenging. I liked being able to see my score vs others. The missions themselves were enjoyable.

I find it a bit puzzling why so many people feel the need to dogpile on something many of them have not even purchased or played.

I get that people might not like the idea of separate missions disconnected from the regular sandbox game, and just want whatever ship unlocks without having to play through the Timelines DLC. You do realize you can get access to these through a custom creative start, right?

One thing I thought was not so great was some of the voice acting, particularly for the male version of Harper Donel (female voice actor was fine). The character models were not great either, as they lack the ability to properly convey emotion. Otherwise, the DLC has been fun so far.

Anyways, for those who have not played Timelines, may I suggest you keep your harsh criticisms to yourself, at least until you've played it and can actually offer an informed opinion? And try not to act personally offended if a DLC costing $15 is not exactly to your liking?

people don t like the dlc and some refunded it. they have the right to tell other to avoid a bad product if they feel that way.

Positive or negative, review are review

[Baronfuming]

Also keep in mind that any 'theoretical balanced review score' is also taken into account from those who know they aren't interested in Timelines, so don't buy it and don't review it either. In this case, the reviewers who 'prematurely' review it represent the 'silent critics'. It will generally show overall sentiment as time goes on.

[GetUrAssToMars]

Nobody here really hates Egosoft and wishes them bad will. We all know how loyal the fan base is here.

That being said it was pretty easy to call this out well ahead of release. it's just not the content players are looking for in this niche.

Egosoft isn't very good at spinning compelling narratives either. Whether that is restricted to the talent or out of their budget... Just don't? Not Egosoft's wheelhouse and thats perfectly OK. They have other unique strengths

They are extremely experimental and I find that super cool that they are able to do so commercially. But damn some of their ideas are so lame. Waste of time and assets.

[Captain Canard]

Originally posted by Pathogenic:

I feel that a great deal of the negativity towards the Timelines DLC is not coming from people who have actually played it, but from those who are simply echoing the views of others, who also haven't played it. They see negative reviews, form a preconceived notion of the game, and that colors their perception.

Yep, that's me! This is why I always look at official reviews rather than forum discussions before buying or not buying a game.

That said, everything I've read about Timelines from people who do have it tells me it is not for me. This "judging based on the testimony of others" has served me well in the past, especially if that judgment is on the details rather than subjective "This game sucks!" rants. The few times I've ignored my concerns based on reviews and gameplay videos, well just let's say my "first guess" was right, and I should have stuck with that.

FWIW, I'm not giving a "review" or telling people to avoid Timelines. I'm just letting the actual reviews and gameplay videos "color my perception", and I think that's okay.