State of the Union /HTC

[Gman]

I've only recently starting reading through the wishlist forums, and I've found probably two dozen ideas that I agreed with, many that had never even occurred to me before.

I've also noticed that in recent weeks HTC seems to really have stepped on the throttle in terms of updates, forum participation, server migrations, all kinds of important and I'm sure appreciated work for the players.

What I'd like to see is perhaps a monthly or even quarterly "state of the union" post from HTC regarding, well, the state of the union.  Future plans, current issues being examined, that sort of stuff.  For the hour or two (probably two if HT is typing it) it would take to put something like this out in the run of site forum(News) on the BBS, I think it would pay dividends in terms of answering questions, increasing interest, and just being something to look forward to every X period of time.  Over the years there have been a number of player created initiatives like Fugitive's Cartoon and the ones that predated him, and I've always really enjoyed them, and the waiting period for a new one always kept me coming back to check things out.  IMO a regular newsflash from HTC would be even more popular.  I'm not complaining, we get a lot of news in terms of front page sneak peaks at new units, and monthly scoring results and the like, but they are sporadic, and what I'm suggesting would be information and news on a regular schedule as well, probably every quarter being best IMO.

[kvuo75]

they post stuff on their facebook page and also on the htc website...

[Gman]

we get a lot of news in terms of front page sneak peaks at new units, and monthly scoring results and the like, but they are sporadic, and what I'm suggesting would be information and news on a regular schedule as well, probably every quarter being best IMO

Yes I realize this, and said as much in the post,  however, again, none are regular things in terms of the timing.  The FB page usually just has the same info released as the website.  

The whole point I was making is to have a regular news/information/state creation from HTC at a set interval.

[kvuo75]

yep.. sorry, that's what I get for skimming your post. LOL

though there sometimes is stuff on the FB page they don't put on their main page.

[gyrene81]

The whole point I was making is to have a regular news/information/state creation from HTC at a set interval.

having trouble trying to figure out what good it would do...most of the time an announcement is made somewhere or someone at hq pipes in on a discussion and a 50 page discussion of mostly useless player opinions ensues. you have been here long enough to have seen the trends yourself. wouldn't it be more productive for htc to just do what they do and make announcements as they see fit, as they have been all these years?

[Gman]

That's the line of thinking that brought this idea up.  Most gaming companies do precisely what you've said, they release information regarding product updates typically very close to the time they are to be released.  

HTC is different than most games though, your point about being around a long time is well taken, 14 years they've been doing this, which leads me to think that perhaps doing things the same way everyone else does isn't always the best road taken.  Since AH2 has had such longevity, and hopefully will continue with more of the same, asking for information on long range plans like I stated isn't too out of whack, and I just think that IMO it would be best served up in a regular statement, that's all.  Having this in addition, not opposed to, getting information as we currently do, like you said, in a release regarding new plane pics or game innovations that are nearly complete already.

In terms of productivity like you bring up, I would think that getting information regularly regarding future plans and intentions would better as opposed to just getting it just prior to it being implemented.  As for the 50 page discussions of mostly useless opinions...well, you'll never skin that cat, it's human nature for everyone to put in their 2 cents, but at least the discussion would be about the actual future, not the possible or wished for future, as it relates to the game.

[Wiley]

The general gist of what I've seen out of HTC is they're not really keen on making long term plans public.  Mostly due to the fact that if they change their mind about doing something or alter it, which happens pretty much constantly, there's inevitably a cry of 'BUT YOU PROMIIIIIIISED!' etc etc.

The level of communication these guys put out that isn't put through a marketing committee and formatted into a newsletter with all the appropriate hashtags and buzzwords is unparalleled IMO.  If they've got something to say, they generally say it, and they're listening to the forums more often than not from what I've seen.

Wiley.

[Gman]

I've also noticed that in recent weeks HTC seems to really have stepped on the throttle in terms of updates, forum participation, server migrations, all kinds of important and I'm sure appreciated work for the players.

, and they're listening to the forums more often than not from what I've seen.

I agree 100%, and from my viewpoint this has been even more the case recently, which again, was another reason I brought this up, as I put in the OP. 

I realize that after the Combat Theater or whatever it was going to be called not happening that HTC may have got some pushback or disappointment from players, and who can forget the eternal "2 weeks" thing, that I'm sure is like nails on the chalkboard at HTC.  I'm not saying they would need to go THAT far into the future, into things that are just dreams and ideas still, but giving out regularly scheduled information on things that are currently being worked on or planned for certainly couldn't hurt them. 

[The Fugitive]

That's the line of thinking that brought this idea up.  Most gaming companies do precisely what you've said, they release information regarding product updates typically very close to the time they are to be released.  

HTC is different than most games though, your point about being around a long time is well taken, 14 years they've been doing this, which leads me to think that perhaps doing things the same way everyone else does isn't always the best road taken.  Since AH2 has had such longevity, and hopefully will continue with more of the same, asking for information on long range plans like I stated isn't too out of whack, and I just think that IMO it would be best served up in a regular statement, that's all.  Having this in addition, not opposed to, getting information as we currently do, like you said, in a release regarding new plane pics or game innovations that are nearly complete already.

In terms of productivity like you bring up, I would think that getting information regularly regarding future plans and intentions would better as opposed to just getting it just prior to it being implemented.  As for the 50 page discussions of mostly useless opinions...well, you'll never skin that cat, it's human nature for everyone to put in their 2 cents, but at least the discussion would be about the actual future, not the possible or wished for future, as it relates to the game.

I think it was pyro that commented on something like this once before. People are always asking for info/updates/ideas in the que and so on so it was asked if they could or would post letting updates on the BBS. Again, I think it was pyro that said for the most part you would get "we wrote some code and tested a few things".

HTC had never been big on little out info before they are sure they are going to add it, much like the little sneak peeks we get now. I think it is because if something comes up and they have to drop a planned plane or vehicle for some reason it wouldn't look good from a "PR" point of view. If they were to miss a few "dead lines" of when they "said" they were going to release something, or not release a promised plane/vehicle their credibility would suffer.

Like everyone else I'd love to see and hear more of the workings at HTC, but I understand why they keep things quite until they are ready to release it.

[Citabria]

HTC your doing to much great stuff. new servers, new planes, achievements etc etc.

these guys want you to slow down and type up newsletters instead of doing awsome coading n stuff.

[ReVo]

I always picture HiTech as the grouchy servant from the movie Master and Commander screaming at Captain Aubrey "WHICH IT WILL BE READY WHEN IT'S READY." when asked about dinner. I agree that I would rather they spend time coading then providing me with misspelled newsletters stained with Scotch. 

[Gman]

I always picture HiTech as the grouchy servant from the movie Master and Commander screaming at Captain Aubrey "WHICH IT WILL BE READY WHEN IT'S READY."

LOL!

"Scratch scratch screech screech...never a tune you could dance too, not if you were as drunk as Davy Jones's Sow"...I could absolutely see it, with the screeching from the violin/bass being all of us talking on the BBS.  Oh ya.

[ReVo]

LOL!

"Scratch scratch screech screech...never a tune you could dance too, not if you were as drunk as Davy Jones's Sow"...I could absolutely see it, with the screeching from the violin/bass being all of us talking on the BBS.  Oh ya.

Getting a little off topic here but you should really read the books sometime if you haven't. They contain other similar gems such as "Aubrey, you have debauched my Sloth!" 

[Skuzzy]

Putting on my "Community Manager" hat for a minute.

I vehemently oppose this.  Why?

The first time anyone from HTC chimes in with what we may be working on, is the second that a hundred players will come in, complaining about what we are doing, as they think we should be doing something else.  

It would be a nightmare to manage that noise.  We already have enough negative input on the bulletin board, this would just add another source for people to complain even more.

That is a reality which cannot be worked around.  Nothing wrong with the wish, but the unintended consequences could be dire.

[Gman]

When I consider it from your perspective I can easily see how it would be more of a PITA than a benefit - it's easy to forget as a player how we the players act as a mob sometimes.

It's funny you know, the players and their support of HTC seems to be such a three edged sword that can cut both ways, and then another inexplicable way to boot.  I mean, seriously, how many internet multi player based games have survived 14 years.  Not just flight sims, any type of game.  I'm sure there is some, but not a single one comes to mind.  However, despite this fact, I rarely see such hostile behavior between the players themselves on a bbs,  and then also towards the creators of other games to the degree that I see it here.  Obviously from that post you folks at HTC feel you get a ration of crap no matter what you say or do, and I can't disagree based on the BBS, and not seeing all the emails and phone calls on top that must be quite a joy to deal with.

It's quite the puzzle, at least to me.  The fact that the game soldiers on - despite the negative mob mentality of enough of the players that it influences decisions regarding things such as information releases etc - is really quite impressive, and says much about the quality of the product IMO.

Wish withdrawn.