Addressing the Conflict of Interest: Game Developers and Negative Feedback

[__++__==]

Today, I’d like to bring up a concerning issue that has been on my mind: the conflict of interest game developers may face when it comes to negative feedback on their games. While feedback is crucial for improvement, it’s disheartening to think that developers might have a vested interest in suppressing or downplaying negative criticism to protect their sales and reputation. This conflict not only hinders honest communication but also undermines the potential for growth and quality in the gaming industry.

Feedback plays a vital role in shaping the development process and helping developers understand the expectations and desires of their player base. Constructive criticism helps them identify areas that need improvement and implement necessary changes. However, when developers have a financial stake in the success of their games, it can create a conflict of interest that compromises the objectivity of the feedback loop.

One aspect of this conflict is the potential for developers to dismiss or suppress negative feedback. While it’s natural for anyone to feel defensive when faced with criticism, developers should strive to approach feedback with an open mind. Ignoring or invalidating negative feedback not only limits their own growth but also deprives players of the opportunity to voice their concerns and shape the future of the game.

Another concern arises when developers have a direct impact on review systems or manipulate public perception. There have been instances where developers incentivize positive reviews or even engage in astroturfing, creating fake accounts to leave positive feedback. These practices not only deceive consumers but also create a distorted view of the game’s quality, making it difficult for players to make informed decisions.

To address this conflict of interest, it’s important for both developers and players to foster an environment of honest communication and transparency. Developers should encourage and embrace negative feedback as an opportunity for growth, actively seeking out and listening to the concerns and suggestions of their player base. By acknowledging and addressing criticism, developers can foster trust and demonstrate their commitment to delivering quality experiences.

On the other hand, players should strive to provide constructive feedback rather than resorting to personal attacks or vitriol. Engaging in respectful dialogue and offering specific suggestions for improvement can facilitate a healthier feedback loop. By holding developers accountable while maintaining a respectful tone, players can help shape the industry for the better.

Additionally, independent review platforms and gaming communities play a crucial role in combating the conflict of interest. These platforms should prioritize maintaining a fair and transparent review system, ensuring that user feedback is genuine and unbiased. Gaming communities can also contribute by promoting open discussions and sharing honest experiences to counterbalance any potential manipulation of public opinion.

Ultimately, it’s in the best interest of both developers and players to address the conflict of interest surrounding negative feedback. By fostering a culture of transparency, open communication, and mutual respect, we can create an environment where honest feedback is valued and developers can deliver better experiences. Together, let’s work towards an industry that embraces growth and quality for the benefit of all.

What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you ever encountered situations where negative feedback was dismissed or manipulated? How do you think we can encourage developers to embrace feedback openly? Join the discussion and let’s explore this topic further!

[Start_Running]

__++__==님이 먼저 게시:

A smart developer should not be so fixed on their own vision that they refuse to consider any feedback that deviates from it.

Actually that's exactly what smart successful devs do. Otherwise your game becomes a tangled mess of illfiting poorly balanced mechanics because you stupidly listened to people who have no clue about game design, or what your artistic intent is.

If you don't know where you're going directions on how to get where you're gouing becomes pointless. If you do know where you're going then you can safely ignore the directions to places that aren't where you're going.

__++__==님이 먼저 게시:

Instead, they should be open to feedback and use it to refine and improve their vision. Disregarding feedback entirely can lead to a disconnect between the developer’s vision and the user’s experience, which can ultimately harm the success and enjoyment of the game.

How does someone give advice on refinement if they don't know what the intent was?
Again this is why devs are better off being selective. The consumer...well knows only what they want and what one consuimer wants will invariably clash with what some other consumer wants.

__++__==님이 먼저 게시:

Furthermore, while it is important to stay true to one’s vision, it is also important to consider the wants and needs of the community. After all, games are ultimately created for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the players. Ignoring player feedback can lead to a game that is not well-received or enjoyed by the community.

Which part of the community do you listen to?
I mean every developer listens to some part of their community.
So what you're really saying here is that the devs should listen to the part of the community that you personally align with.

__++__==님이 먼저 게시:

In conclusion, disregarding feedback outright is not a wise approach for a developer.

Neither is trying to listen to all fueedback. The key is knowing which feedback to ignore and how to iterpret the feed back you do listen to. The former requires having a firm vision in one's head, the latter requires experience and some understanding of human psychology.

[Crazy Tiger]

There is no conflict of interest. Game devs aren't obligated to provide a platform for everybody to vent whatever feelings they have.

[Mad Scientist]

One thread was enough, you really need to let it go.

__++__==님이 먼저 게시:

While it is true that feedback is often subjective and not universally agreed upon, it is not wise to disregard it outright. Feedback, even if it is contradictory, can provide valuable insights into the perception and experience of the users.

Not everyones feedback is good feedback though. When people start trolling others, becoming overly rude or disruptive, for the better of the community to be able to discuss things, often it's best to remove them than to let it continue repeatedly.

__++__==님이 먼저 게시:

A smart developer should not be so fixed on their own vision that they refuse to consider any feedback that deviates from it. Instead, they should be open to feedback and use it to refine and improve their vision. Disregarding feedback entirely can lead to a disconnect between the developer’s vision and the user’s experience, which can ultimately harm the success and enjoyment of the game.

Though again, if a person is rude, disruptive or otherwise they have forfeited attempting to show a Developer in an acceptable manner, thus their feedback can be brushed aside compared to numerous other people doing so without causing issues. How you say something & what you do is the difference between being acceptable, and being unwelcome.

They can do as they like to their vision, though often ignoring good feedback is detrimental to business, which is typically why most Developers listen to those in good or neutral standing giving valuable feedback.

__++__==님이 먼저 게시:

Furthermore, while it is important to stay true to one’s vision, it is also important to consider the wants and needs of the community.

Though in many cases, this means a specific users wants/desires which often goes against what's good for the community.


Generally speaking, if one wants feedback to be considered & taken seriously, it's best done in a neutral manner, else if one becomes as stated; rude & disruptive, they are going to take action. Much like how repeated subjects about the same thing is heavily frowned upon & is considered spam.

[Crashed]

Your arguments were addressed in multiple previous threads. Try being less toxic and you'll see developers are more welcoming of your feedback.

[xBCxRangers]

Just don't purchase any more of their games. Problem solved. I'm sorry folks had to spend all that money on computers, but folks took a risk. If you people want to continue to walk these incompetents tight ropes and traversing their tos minefields, that's a choice you make.

[Start_Running]

Crashed님이 먼저 게시:

Your arguments were addressed in multiple previous threads. Try being less toxic and you'll see developers are more welcoming of your feedback.

Pretty much this. People who complain about toxic devs do tend rto display a fair amount of toxicity themselves. I can't say I've ver run afoul of such devs. I've had conversations and arguments with more than a few and

[Nx Machina]

Yet another CoH3 thread on another forum while ignoring the following with regard to feedback.

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6862-8119-C23E-EA7B

When providing feedback, posting information, or discussing a product in Steam, whether it’s negative or positive, please make sure you are being RELEVANT, CONSTRUCTIVE and POLITE. Developers take feedback from all kinds of sources into account, even though they may not have the time to respond to every post or question.

The quote below is neither relevant, constructive nor polite.

__++__==님이 먼저 게시:

Another day passes , another day COH3 is still a fully paid beta game full of bugs and missing features.

[Hunter Este]

I think Game Devs should NOT be moderators on their game message boards. Too often have I see someone posting valid criticism getting banned.

Also have seen instances where someone makes a post that in no way violates the steam TOS for the discussion board system, but some game dev takes offense and bans the person. Too much power tripping from people who should NOT be given moderator powers on the messages boards.

They need to stay in their lane and focus on making the game. Not indulging in their 'little man syndrome'.

[xBCxRangers]

Hunter Este님이 먼저 게시:

I think Game Devs should NOT be moderators on their game message boards. Too often have I see someone posting valid criticism getting banned.

Also have seen instances where someone makes a post that in no way violates the steam TOS for the discussion board system, but some game dev takes offense and bans the person. Too much power tripping from people who should NOT be given moderator powers on the messages boards.

They need to stay in their lane and focus on making the game. Not indulging in their 'little man syndrome'.

They shouldn't be, but they are. It's the wolf guarding the hen house. It wouldn't be an issue if folks are forced to come to deal with tech or customer affairs issues, but here on PC you're forced to do it. Just try gaming consoles. More than 30 years at that, never an issue.

[Start_Running]

xBCxRangers님이 먼저 게시:

Hunter Este님이 먼저 게시:

I think Game Devs should NOT be moderators on their game message boards. Too often have I see someone posting valid criticism getting banned.

Also have seen instances where someone makes a post that in no way violates the steam TOS for the discussion board system, but some game dev takes offense and bans the person. Too much power tripping from people who should NOT be given moderator powers on the messages boards.

They need to stay in their lane and focus on making the game. Not indulging in their 'little man syndrome'.

They shouldn't be, but they are. It's the wolf guarding the hen house. It wouldn't be an issue if folks are forced to come to deal with tech or customer affairs issues, but here on PC you're forced to do it. Just try gaming consoles. More than 30 years at that, never an issue.

It's their forum. They're the one's paying the money for it after all.

Also note that issues aren't universal.. And yet there's a long list of console games that are plagued with technical bugs, glitches, crashes. Heck most famously there was the case of a game that was literally rendered unbeatable.

[xBCxRangers]

Start_Running님이 먼저 게시:

xBCxRangers님이 먼저 게시:

They shouldn't be, but they are. It's the wolf guarding the hen house. It wouldn't be an issue if folks are forced to come to deal with tech or customer affairs issues, but here on PC you're forced to do it. Just try gaming consoles. More than 30 years at that, never an issue.

It's their forum. They're the one's paying the money for it after all.

Also note that issues aren't universal.. And yet there's a long list of console games that are plagued with technical bugs, glitches, crashes. Heck most famously there was the case of a game that was literally rendered unbeatable.

I thought we were paying the money for the games. If it wasn't for us, they'd be no developer. And we're supposed to dance to their fiddle? They're living in a dream world. As far as consoles, if i have an issue, i call the phone number.

[Aachen]

Hunter Este님이 먼저 게시:

I think Game Devs should NOT be moderators on their game message boards. Too often have I see someone posting valid criticism getting banned.

Also have seen instances where someone makes a post that in no way violates the steam TOS for the discussion board system, but some game dev takes offense and bans the person. Too much power tripping from people who should NOT be given moderator powers on the messages boards.

They need to stay in their lane and focus on making the game. Not indulging in their 'little man syndrome'.

So, then, you don’t think developers ought be able to operate their own fora?

[Komarimaru]

xBCxRangers님이 먼저 게시:

Start_Running님이 먼저 게시:

It's their forum. They're the one's paying the money for it after all.

Also note that issues aren't universal.. And yet there's a long list of console games that are plagued with technical bugs, glitches, crashes. Heck most famously there was the case of a game that was literally rendered unbeatable.

I thought we were paying the money for the games. If it wasn't for us, they'd be no developer. And we're supposed to dance to their fiddle? They're living in a dream world. As far as consoles, if i have an issue, i call the phone number.

Without the developer, there would be no game. They paid for their access, they stick to Steam rules and use their own as they as they don't conflict with the community guide lines.

[xBCxRangers]

Aachen님이 먼저 게시:

Hunter Este님이 먼저 게시:

I think Game Devs should NOT be moderators on their game message boards. Too often have I see someone posting valid criticism getting banned.

Also have seen instances where someone makes a post that in no way violates the steam TOS for the discussion board system, but some game dev takes offense and bans the person. Too much power tripping from people who should NOT be given moderator powers on the messages boards.

They need to stay in their lane and focus on making the game. Not indulging in their 'little man syndrome'.

So, then, you don’t think developers ought be able to operate their own fora?

On their own site, where we may purchase the game yes. EA, Ubi, like that. But if you purchase it here, Steam should have independent customer service, or none at all.

I mean, why do they even do that?

If a developer wants to sell a game here, like Amazon or wherever else, they can. But here it's like they're mixing the two.

In that what small developers are doing, are using this site as a way to run customer service on their games, when maybe they should have their own site, or not sell it ere at all.

I know of a small developer, and very nice people, who ported their game to consoles, but don't even have a website for customer services. They want them to go to "reddit" of all things. I mean how does someone do that lol. People should just know, not to buy these games.

[xBCxRangers]

Komarimaru님이 먼저 게시:

xBCxRangers님이 먼저 게시:

I thought we were paying the money for the games. If it wasn't for us, they'd be no developer. And we're supposed to dance to their fiddle? They're living in a dream world. As far as consoles, if i have an issue, i call the phone number.

Without the developer, there would be no game. They paid for their access, they stick to Steam rules and use their own as they as they don't conflict with the community guide lines.

Okay, and so, no game. I mean are we in a society that we have to pay for companies rights to exist? If companies want to invest money on a video game they sell to people, you obviously have to have redress for those customers, or don't sell the game.

If i'm going into a Walmart, do they expect me to sign a disclosure before entering of what their "dictates" to me are? I'll go someplace else. The only place i seen this happen when it comes to purchasing a product, is here.