While I have many questions concerning the current state of the game, I am actually posting this thread with regards to the current state of development. As a member of this playerbase in a game that is ever changing I would like to feel as being a part of it, not just a random spectator.
A few weeks ago, when the announcement came about the implemententation of different commander tags (and the associated 300g fee per colour) many people on these forums were outraged. I would argue rightfully so, but that is not the point. The point is that at the time of the announcement the update had already been prepared as it were ready to be implemented in the game at any time. The developers then quickly came back on their suggestion as the playerbase was in outrage and certain people have had to work overtime to fix their mistakes in time for the patch to come.
While acknowledging the mistake and reverting the changes before they were made was a good thing, it rarely happens that this many people voice their oppinion (unless things go really, realy bad.) Having employees work overtime to fix things that could have been easily prevented is not good for morale on either side. Not for the playerbase, not for the developers.
Unfortunately due to repeated disappointment, many people on these forums have shown a negative attitude towards Arenanet. Not just for “nerfing their toys”, but for being unable to downright comprehend how in the world the developers could have thought ‘X’ was a good suggestion instead of working on ‘Y’. There is a good bunch of feedback missing in between patches. As usually the time when some light is shown on current developments is only weeks before said patch in which they would be implemented in the game.
Some personal critique would be that even the Collaborate Development sticky thread is closed for feedback on this very forum.
Now instead of only trying to vent my frustration, I would like to show an alternative. I have started playing a different game over a year ago that is still in development. I will not name which because I could understand advertising other games on these forums is not very well respected. The thing that stunned me was the difference in mindset towards the developers and how helpful and inventive the playerbase was.
Basically a quick search on google could show many mods that had been made by players, who are now part of the developer’s team. Many guides, both professional and less so, are available within reach. But most importantly the developer’s blog is like a weekly diary. Every head of a department would share a few words about what they had been doing in the last week, even when a developer was not available due to illness this was noted.
This last part specifically makes players feel as if they are part of the development process itself. And I feel that in an MMO, in which development never stops until the game is no longer supported, involving your playerbase is key.
Thank you for taking the time to read though my post and my apologies for my poor spelling and/or grammar (as English is not my native language.)
Edit: My original title was Collaborate Development – Requires Collaboration. I think this words my intention better but unfortunately, it did not fit.