Community Double-standards

Posted by Joewoof on July 16, 2006, 1:55 a.m.

Rant

I'm really pissed off lately at the lack of responses I get for my latest WIP, Immunocide. It's not up here yet (number 16 on the queue right now), but at GMG, I've only received two meaty feedbacks.

I'm fine with that, until I uploaded the new demo. In a few hours, my game topic will probably be bumped onto the second page… and guess how many responses I got this time? ZERO!

Ah well, I thought, it's probably another unlucky week. These things happen. To calm myself down a little, I told myself, look, there are other game topics that received no replies at all, let alone a feedback.

But wait, I realized, why are there game topics that received no replies at all. Then I noticed something very infuriating. Topics that received the most replies are often those that rip ideas off from commercial games/movies. Stuff like (gasp) Spiderman, an online game (for the sake of being an online game - wow how original), (omg) Super Smash Brothers, and (my stars!) DBZ.

What the hell!? On one hand, I hear people preaching all the time about the importance of originality, and yet, the games that receive the most attention are those that are the least original.

What is with this double-standard?

Or… is the trans-forum n00b infestation much worse than I imagined? Sometimes, I really wish to join EO Community.

Oh well.

I've never submitted a WIP to 64D before. I hope it fairs well (as in getting responses, nevermind good or bad).

Comments

melee-master 18 years, 5 months ago

Yeah, these things happen. Happened to me before as well… I find that the GMG isn't the best place to submit things for publicity, but rather the GMC.

Quote:

What the hell!? On one hand, I hear people preaching all the time about the importance of originality, and yet, the games that receive the most attention are those that are the least original.

I've noticed so too… I myself try to not reply to them. Clone games, or ones with no originality generally aren't good at all (I've only played about three very good clones).

Quote:

Or… is the trans-forum n00b infestation much worse than I imagined?

Worse…

Grab your pitchforks everyone!

Joewoof 18 years, 5 months ago

GMC is well-known to be full of n00bs. I'm not sure if I want to endure floods of pointless, unconstructive comments and then see my topic bumped into oblivion in the very next minute (at least not for a WIP).

melee-master 18 years, 5 months ago

True… I still find it a good way for publicity, since I normally get good replies.

Alpha Man 18 years, 5 months ago

Why would someone need to be constructive. If you're a good game designer you won't need a fans comment to make your game even better… And it really makes you end up changing how you wanted your game to be, which shows you weren't that good in the first place. Although thats my opinion, maybe people really like constructive-ness.

And personally I have no problem with unoriginality. Being original doesn't help the gameplay of a game in any way. No, I take that back, it doesn't help the fun factor of a game in any way. As long as it isn't a copy of a game like *falls out of chair* Castle *starts getting stung by bees* Quest *catches on fire somehow* then I will be fine. But once again, thats just my opinion. =/

Radnom_Games 18 years, 5 months ago

Quote:
I find that the GMG isn't the best place to submit things for publicity, but rather the GMC.
Actually I find your game gets noticed quicker and easier on the GMG, but if you put the effort in it eventually becomes a lot bigger in the GMC.

rockyran 18 years, 5 months ago

Actually, the GMC is THE worst place to post both WIPs and Creations for many, MANY reasons.

Anyway, what you've said here is nothing new. People are just hypocrites who demand originality, yet don't praise it when they see it, instead praising the millionth Halo/Sonic clone. It's just one of those things than happen. I also find the GMG and GMS kind of lacking in Creations/WIP board activity for some odd reason. My game hasn't had a reply in probably over 3 weeks and it's STILL in the front page…just to let you know how few these people post in the subforum overall.

As for GOOD games not getting replies at all, well, it's just one of those things we have to live with. Oddly enough, some good games DO get replies, like HT3D and to an extent, the Jumper series ("extent" meaning that I personally didn't find anything special in the series, but I can see where people are going when they say it's really good). But a game comes by with equal or greater fun/originality/professionalism and people just walk past by it without a glance.

Sometimes our audience is really confusing. I suggest to just work and complete games REGARDLESS of the attention given. I know, it's nearly impossible, if not completely impossible to do, especially since attention = success in our indie-game-creation world. If you know your game is great, you don't have to have people tell that to you.

I'd personally rather have my game be an underrated underdog gem than an overrated piece of crap.

Joewoof 18 years, 5 months ago

Quote:
Why would someone need to be constructive. If you're a good game designer you won't need a fans comment to make your game even better… And it really makes you end up changing how you wanted your game to be, which shows you weren't that good in the first place. Although thats my opinion, maybe people really like constructive-ness.
If you are a good game designer, it does not mean that you are necessarily a good game developer. In that case, you need constructive criticism. Design is different from execution. If you are already a good game developer, you may have a high level of bias towards your game, leading you to overlook some of its less obvious flaws. That is why professionals have teams of testers and, in the case of MMORPGs, peform large-scale beta testing. If you are not a good game designer or developer, good contructive criticism can help you to become one.

Besides, believing that the original image of your game is "the perfect image" is unwise. An essential, enjoyable experience in game development is the interaction with our audience. Eliminating that means ignoring the fact that games are made for players to enjoy, not for the developer him/herself to admire. Constructive criticism allows you, the developer, to better understand and have a more accurate picture of the player's experience. Therefore, constructive criticism is very important.

melee-master 18 years, 5 months ago

Heh. This game here is a fine example of a game that gets repeated posts for no reason, bumping others down. Ugh.