Anymore Patches Planned?

[Bishop]

Does anyone recall the longest time they've gone without communication in the past? I recall times of the year when there wasn't any news or responses beforehand.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by Greatgrampa

And 1998 Yankees, you certainly are one of the most helpful here on the board, and I for one thank you for that. It could be that the powers that be are reading this forum on a daily basis and see that you are answering a lot of questions on here for them and therefore they don't feel the need to repeat the answers you are giving. I don't know if that is true or not but it certainly is possible. But that doesn't mean you should stop helping here. I think you are doing an excellent job here with your answers to many questions about the sim. And there are others here as well. Anyway, keep it up and I thank you for your taking the time to answer all of the questions that you do. Even though I hate the Yankees (Red Sox fan since the fifties), I won't hold that against you. Again thanks for your help here on the boards.

GG, thanks for the kind words. I have been feeling a bit on the low-energy side recently, and your comments (and some others, unsolicited but appreciated nonetheless) have helped restore my faith in my actually doing some good here.

When I criticize OOTP as I did above, I do so from the persective of a businessman. This is a small business but a business nonetheless and I know a thing or two about growing one and keeping it healthy. One thing for sure: You have to pay attention to customer service and that means listening and interaction. Occasionally, at the very least. Long periods of incommunicado silence are not good in this regard. Customers are fickle and have short-attention spans (the ones who are not addicted to your product in the first place, of course). You need to cater to them, keep them engaged and happy.

No disrespect meant whatsoever, but battists seemed to drop his productivity level as soon as he was hired. It may be only my imagination, but it seems to me that he was much more involved and enthusiastic when he was a volunteer. That's often the case; as soon as you offer somebody money, they will adjust their contribution to the perceived value of remuneration in place of the former zealotry.

Sure, I may be way off-base with these comments about him, and Markus will be Markus. But don't forget, I am an outsider and this is how I perceive the situation. How many others here have the same perception of the store being unminded by the storekeepers? That is, who's minding the store?

[endgame]

The entire "where are they?" conversation is likely for naught. Eventually, someone will show up, apologize for the absence and lack of communication, promise to do a better job of checking in in the future, give us an update complete with something to make a few people drool and become even more impatient for the next update, then the cycle will continue all over again. It's always been the nature of the beast.

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by endgame

The entire "where are they?" conversation is likely for naught. Eventually, someone will show up, apologize for the absence and lack of communication, promise to do a better job of checking in in the future, give us an update complete with something to make a few people drool and become even more impatient for the next update, then the cycle will continue all over again. It's always been the nature of the beast.

Yes, but you are not talking about "the ones who are not addicted to your product in the first place, of course" as I described it above. How many newbs and maybes have shuffled off to La-La Land in the meantime because I and others could not give definite, informed responses to their inquiries? How many think that the unfinished manual, and the thread about "OOTP Dev Temporarily Understaffed" (for a month now) are signs that the developers don't really care enough about the business to finish up and move on to even better things? The core members know what you are saying, but how about those others who are turned off or just not engaged by this? Could this be the difference between a nice-sized business and a bigger one? Could that in turn be the difference between a bland version 10/11 that will be my cue for exiting, and a version 10/11 with some real enhancements that would make me salivate and beg for more?

[endgame]

Originally Posted by endgame

The entire "where are they?" conversation is likely for naught. Eventually, someone will show up, apologize for the absence and lack of communication, promise to do a better job of checking in in the future, give us an update complete with something to make a few people drool and become even more impatient for the next update, then the cycle will continue all over again. It's always been the nature of the beast.

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Yes, but you are not talking about "the ones who are not addicted to your product in the first place, of course" as I described it above. How many newbs and maybes have shuffled off to La-La Land in the meantime because I and others could not give definite, informed responses to their inquiries? How many think that the unfinished manual, and the thread about "OOTP Dev Temporarily Understaffed" (for a month now) are signs that the developers don't really care enough about the business to finish up and move on to even better things? The core members know what you are saying, but how about those others who are turned off or just not engaged by this? Could this be the difference between a nice-sized business and a bigger one? Could that in turn be the difference between a bland version 10/11 that will be my cue for exiting, and a version 10/11 with some real enhancements that would make me salivate and beg for more?

Actually, I wasn't talking about anyone, at least intentionally. I was only offering my own summation about what good comes of these discussions: usually none. Nothing changes.

As to your comments, I agree completely. That kind of customer service, communication, and quality of response is what brought, and for a great while maintained, the volume of users - at least forum breathers - it had and/or currently possesses. It's also what, in part, drove battisti into the position he currently occupies with the OOTP Developments. But, IMHO, once those same qualities decline in an individual - for whatever reasons - and culminate in any 'perception' that the state of the game is of enough reasonable quality and stability to allow for a diminishing presence or of a less active role, it naturally infuses into a general decline of community as well.

Okay, you provoked the editorial out of me. Happy?

[Bluenoser]

Endgame is correct. The same thing happens every year. There are always long periods of no communication, and this year is no different.

[pstrickert]

the skinny . . .

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...eatures-2.html
post #21

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...now-never.html
post #3 (beta forum)

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...-progress.html
post #1

[Russ]

Originally Posted by pstrickert

the skinny . . .

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...eatures-2.html
post #21

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...now-never.html
post #3 (beta forum)

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...-progress.html
post #1

Anything from this century?

I'm just wondering where all the guys are. Maybe battists spoiled me.

[Curtis]

Originally Posted by Bishop

Does anyone recall the longest time they've gone without communication in the past?

I believe the record is in the neighborhood of 14.5 billion years.

[bosunmate]

Originally Posted by BruceM

Endgame is correct. The same thing happens every year. There are always long periods of no communication, and this year is no different.

I also agree that this happens every year. And we really don't know there could be personal things going on. Markus has had some health problems in the past. This is a small business and how many times do you go to a store and they are closed for holidays...And I don't think Battist has done less since being employed by OOTP...

[Bishop]

Originally Posted by Curtis

I believe the record is in the neighborhood of 14.5 billion years.

Curse my non specificity!

[1998 Yankees]

Originally Posted by BruceM

Endgame is correct. The same thing happens every year. There are always long periods of no communication, and this year is no different.

Originally Posted by bosunmate

I also agree that this happens every year. And we really don't know there could be personal things going on. Markus has had some health problems in the past. This is a small business and how many times do you go to a store and they are closed for holidays...And I don't think Battist has done less since being employed by OOTP...

Guys, just because it happens every year (and I don't recall it from 2006, the last OOTP year that I can recall at all because I newbied in 2005 and was full of shock and awe then ) does not make it right. And I respectfully disagree with your comment about battists, bosunmate. Battists the volunteer I do recall vividly.

But, I protest too much. Basically, I find myself caring too much about somebody else's business. So I will shut up now. ("Good!" - I heard that! )

[bosunmate]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Guys, just because it happens every year (and I don't recall it from 2006, the last OOTP year that I can recall at all because I newbied in 2005 and was full of shock and awe then ) does not make it right. And I respectfully disagree with your comment about battists, bosunmate. Battists the volunteer I do recall vividly.

But, I protest too much. Basically, I find myself caring too much about somebody else's business. So I will shut up now. ("Good!" - I heard that! )

The fact that we can differ means democracy is working. But by no means should you shut up, you have helped me many times and your input is valued here.

[endgame]

Originally Posted by bosunmate

The fact that we can differ means democracy is working. But by no means should you shut up, you have helped me many times and your input is valued here.

Inarguably, 98's input is invaluable, demonstrating time and again his dedication to explaining the game which, in its inadvertant way, allows for informed discussion about newly discovered understandings; the basis for rendering judgments about features, fundamentals, and utility.

I, for one, value his remarks so much so that I admit to feeling just that little bit slighted if he doesn't respond to one of my posts. It immediately makes me revisit my thoughts to examine whether I failed to articulate an idea well, whether I was wrong, or simply clear and correct enough that he felt his further exposition was unnecessary. Isn't that funny?

[Greatgrampa]

Originally Posted by endgame

Inarguably, 98's input is invaluable, demonstrating time and again his dedication to explaining the game which, in its inadvertant way, allows for informed discussion about newly discovered understandings; the basis for rendering judgments about features, fundamentals, and utility.

I, for one, value his remarks so much so that I admit to feeling just that little bit slighted if he doesn't respond to one of my posts. It immediately makes me revisit my thoughts to examine whether I failed to articulate an idea well, whether I was wrong, or simply clear and correct enough that he felt his further exposition was unnecessary. Isn't that funny?

Very well put, but I don't see how your can believe that you don't articulate your ideas. Of all of the people here, I think your articulations are the best. You obviously have an excellent grasp on the English language. I have a degree in English and taught it in high school for a while and I can't even articulate as well as you do.

Just an aside to Yankees98. I understand where you are coming from in your believing that any company should not have such a void in it's catering to the needs of its customers, but at the same time I do believe that there will be lulls. I am sure it isn't intentional or because they are just not interested in replying to messages on here. I have seen such lulls in other games. There could be any number of reasons for this. I really don't think battists intentionally stopped replying once he became part of the team. Perhaps he has other responsibilities now that take up most of his free time. Let's face it. This is not a company like EA or such, where they are full time employees just working on games etc. This is a small company where most of the employees are part time or have regular jobs.

Anyway, I am not disagreeing with anyone here about how they perceive this company's responsibilities. All I am saying is to be a little more patient. I am sure the answers will come shortly. I trust Marcus enough to believe that. And finally, remember, OOTP has other games that they work on as well.

[thbroman]

Originally Posted by 1998 Yankees

Guys, just because it happens every year (and I don't recall it from 2006, the last OOTP year that I can recall at all because I newbied in 2005 and was full of shock and awe then ) does not make it right. And I respectfully disagree with your comment about battists, bosunmate. Battists the volunteer I do recall vividly.

But, I protest too much. Basically, I find myself caring too much about somebody else's business. So I will shut up now. ("Good!" - I heard that! )

I agree that it HAS been pretty quiet around here, although I must admit that I don't check in here every day. Maybe because it's so quiet, eh?
But my explantion for this phenomenon would be a little different. What I've seen from various computer gaming communities is that certain individuals get fired up and more or less take control of organizing a forum. Not in a bad way -- they become the go-to guys for virtually everything, and for some period of time they devote a ton of attention to it, often as moderators or forum administrators. Steve Kuffrey used to be that guy for OOTP, as many of you know. But I know very few people who can maintain that kind of energy forever, salaried of not. Sooner or later, it seems that everyone has to move on.
Furthermore, when Steve Battisti was hired by Markus, he took on a lot of behind-the-scenes work as beta taskmaster, for example, stuff which doesn't necessarily show up in the forums. And while I have no personal knowledge of how rewarding this gig is for him in money terms, I am disinclined to think that it is enough to permit him to give up his day job, whatever that is.

So while I wouldn't disagree that Battisti's earlier, manic level of energy has declined, I wouldn't necessarily put it down to less commitment overall.

[Greatgrampa]

Originally Posted by thbroman

I agree that it HAS been pretty quiet around here, although I must admit that I don't check in here every day. Maybe because it's so quiet, eh?
But my explantion for this phenomenon would be a little different. What I've seen from various computer gaming communities is that certain individuals get fired up and more or less take control of organizing a forum. Not in a bad way -- they become the go-to guys for virtually everything, and for some period of time they devote a ton of attention to it, often as moderators or forum administrators. Steve Kuffrey used to be that guy for OOTP, as many of you know. But I know very few people who can maintain that kind of energy forever, salaried of not. Sooner or later, it seems that everyone has to move on.
Furthermore, when Steve Battisti was hired by Markus, he took on a lot of behind-the-scenes work as beta taskmaster, for example, stuff which doesn't necessarily show up in the forums. And while I have no personal knowledge of how rewarding this gig is for him in money terms, I am disinclined to think that it is enough to permit him to give up his day job, whatever that is.

So while I wouldn't disagree that Battisti's earlier, manic level of energy has declined, I wouldn't necessarily put it down to less commitment overall.

Well put! And I agree with you. Nice post.

[SlyBelle]

Originally Posted by Greatgrampa

Well put! And I agree with you. Nice post.

I guess I'm also not trying to single out any one person from the company, but for an entire company to go completely dark seems very odd to me and somewhat concerning. I understand they might not be able to post constantly, but not one post in a month? Not even one to say 'hey guys we are taking a break for awhile, don't panic we will be back'. Seems simple enough to me. And to suggest someone is so busy they can't post one comment, I find that hard to believe unless there was some kind of family/personal emergency.

Oh well, probably beating a dead horse at this point...

[Raidergoo]

Originally Posted by Curtis

I believe the record is in the neighborhood of 14.5 billion years.

That's not true. Battists was working with John of Patmos about 1900 years ago on the Book of Revelation. In partucular, ch 3, verse 1, where they address Cubs fans.

[Raidergoo]

Originally Posted by Solonor

Where's Marc Duffy when you need him...?

He is missed.