An analogy so bad you can taste it.
Kudos to SBS and Caspian for outlining the issues with the recent Web revamp.
That said, there seems to be a lesson or two that were either not discussed or still needs to be learned.
-First and for most is the handling of communication; this was simply not handled well during the revamp. -Second it seems Caspian is still wearing too many hats; why is there not an HR person or more likely a contract with an HR firm to handle some of these tasks for SBS? Why no CTO or CIO to handle some of the more mundane tasks of running a company?
Now for the biggest elephant in the room, there was no information about the release of the store, which was the entire point of the web revamp. Yes, SBS probably learned not to give estimates however the store is a month delayed and frankly no end in sight. How do people that have been waiting for Paypal or simply missed the KS have to feel after seeing these delays and honestly lack of information?
The next biggest elephant in the room is that fact that despite all the fancy web terms being thrown around; the site has barely changed to the players. If anything, the forums have gone backwards, there are less features that we can use for posts. Why are they no back buttons on the bottom of pages? Why no format options that have been basic function of forums since the early 2000s? Profile pictures, email notification on threads, changing profile colors, and the list could go on.
So, yes it is great that the SBS staff can kill themselves trying to get a web site out the door and kudos for all their efforts. But there are some major issues that the studio needs to address, which would of prevented this from happening in the first place. If only 25% of the site was done, then you back off and call another delay; what is another few weeks at this early stage?
Code: DD0B25
Thanks for the hard work, and the update.
I like the last portion about making cities come to life, usually it is very static and lacking, which makes you lose interest in it. Detail is necessary in areas that are going to be visited frequently, or are important. Spending years in the same game passing by the same city or location or hub is a thing. Aside from that, I like the idea with the game guide as well, looking forward to seeing it updated.
Now for the biggest elephant in the room, there was no information about the release of the store, which was the entire point of the web revamp. Yes, SBS probably learned not to give estimates however the store is a month delayed and frankly no end in sight. How do people that have been waiting for Paypal or simply missed the KS have to feel after seeing these delays and honestly lack of information?
@Tanus - 6:29 PM - Sun Jul 17 2016
Personally I'm glad that I missed the KS. After reading the feature list and seeing the kind of game they have in mind, I would have thrown my wallet at the screen and yelled "TAKE MY MONEY!"
After all this I'll still kick in some cash, but not nearly so much because I'm much more reserved in my expectations of whether they are able to bring this game to fruition.
Caspian stated:
As an example, let's say I invite 10 people to join the game, and each backed CoE on Kickstarter. At 50 IP per invitation, that's 500 Max Influence gained through inviting other people. On the Kickstarter Max Influence chart my name would go up by 500 IP.
Any idea when this will be calculated and added to Influence?
Any way a community member can get a list of the people who have pledged using their friend code?
Good update but the lack of information regarding the store is glaringly apparent. If the developers are now hesitant to provide an estimated release date, even information about what is blocking progress would suffice.
The store can literally wait as long as they need, it's not as if people are only interested in backing right now and if they can't today they won't tomorrow. People started a shit storm and continue to complain just about the website that was half finished, now you wonder why they don't roll out the store where people's money would be on the line if there were glitches?
People complain when they give dates and don't follow them, then the very next update when no date or mention is given they complain yet again. Jesus Christ is this community ever picky, there is literally no winning for SBS. They said in the update they will be finding ways to show the community the progress for different functions which I assume includes the store. If they didn't touch on the store today, they have smaller updates throughout the week and another update next week. It wouldn't be so annoying and frustrating if people were merely asking about the store, out of curiosity or interest. But it mainly feels like people are demanding to know about the store, that SBS are somehow fucking up yet again for not mentioning the store in an update. They'll tell you when they are ready to tell you, why not use the down-time to learn some patience.
Honestly if anything is gonna kill CoE it's this community that will be its undoing, not SBS.
Aspiring Lumberjack, NA-W
Thank you for the update!
as all ways you guys are amazing! The web site looks fantastic!
I don't regret for one second backing this game and I plan to add more as soon as it is available.
We are only human and that goes for everyone at Soulbound studios! There is a lot of work to be done be fore this game can be released. I have waited for a game like this for 20ish years! I will wait for as long as it takes!
Keep up the great work guys!
Good update but the lack of information regarding the store is glaringly apparent. If the developers are now hesitant to provide an estimated release date, even information about what is blocking progress would suffice.
@Raiborn - 9:43 PM - Sun Jul 17 2016
Pretty sure that they are using an outside source to take care of all the payments and what not. I seem to remember them saying something about the system not working well with a kickstarter tier type system, and it may take some adjustments. SBS probably looked at what this 3rd party could do and said "yous guys have the goods to get it done, work out the adjustments and lets get it done." So, SBS has to wait, which means you have to wait.
Good update but the lack of information regarding the store is glaringly apparent. If the developers are now hesitant to provide an estimated release date, even information about what is blocking progress would suffice.
@Raiborn - 9:43 PM - Sun Jul 17 2016
Pretty sure that they are using an outside source to take care of all the payments and what not. I seem to remember them saying something about the system not working well with a kickstarter tier type system, and it may take some adjustments. SBS probably looked at what this 3rd party could do and said "yous guys have the goods to get it done, work out the adjustments and lets get it done." So, SBS has to wait which means, you have to wait.
@Illuminati - 10:16 PM - Sun Jul 17 2016
If that is the case I am fine with waiting. The information you placed in your message is exactly what we needed in the update itself. Where did you get that tidbit of information by the way?
Very good update!
The last bit is something I've been meaning to ask about science the first screenshots came out.
The way Soulbound thinks about game mechanics influencing player behavior gives me so much hope for how CoE is going to turn out.
While I understand your point of view, I would point out a few details. The Store on this site was suppose to be live as soon as KS ended, more than a month ago. It was delayed a number of times since. The entire site was taken down with the expressed purpose of getting the store up and running. During the revamp a number of SBS to player communication issues arose.
Also keep in mind that people without credit cards (PayPal) or overseas have been waiting to get their chance to back the project/game. How does it look to those people, when something like this takes place, this early in the project. It could easily inspire mis-trust or a lack of confidence in the company and/or the project.
So while some people will whine for the sake of whining, there are many who are pointing out issues that need a resolution, to help make this project/game great.
Code: DD0B25
@Tanus gets it. I am happy for the people that have already pledged on KS and all but there are quite a few people waiting for the store to come online.
The delays and lack of information regarding the store (the primary reason it was taken down in the first place) could affect the projects credibility. I think we are all on the same boat and want to see the project succeed.
@Caspian, thanks for the update :-)
I am a full supporter of transparency and giving the good and bad in your reports. The main thing is learning from the mistakes and making course corrections as needed. Indeed, glad to read that you understand that too much is on your shoulders and you need to delegate to other staff and to your future new hires. That was my main worry from the beginning but with start-ups the CEO has about 7 hats or more to wear ;-)
Take your time on the store front it is peoples money and SBS needs to make sure it is safe to use.
Also do your blood pressure a favor and ignore most of the immature audience with 0 influence trying to troll you into being less transparent. They have no skin in the game and should be ignored. Constructive criticism is good but it seems that many with nothing invested into the game seem to have nothing better than to do than just be critical.
Good update but the lack of information regarding the store is glaringly apparent. If the developers are now hesitant to provide an estimated release date, even information about what is blocking progress would suffice.
@Raiborn - 9:43 PM - Sun Jul 17 2016
Pretty sure that they are using an outside source to take care of all the payments and what not. I seem to remember them saying something about the system not working well with a kickstarter tier type system, and it may take some adjustments. SBS probably looked at what this 3rd party could do and said "yous guys have the goods to get it done, work out the adjustments and lets get it done." So, SBS has to wait which means, you have to wait.
@Illuminati - 10:16 PM - Sun Jul 17 2016
If that is the case I am fine with waiting. The information you placed in your message is exactly what we needed in the update itself. Where did you get that tidbit of information by the way?
@Raiborn - 10:21 PM - Sun Jul 17 2016
Not sure Raiborn. I'm late to the game, missed the KS and all, so I've been trying to watch everything and read everything I possibly can. Everything is starting to run together.