To all would-be SC2 mappers & modders:
Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:20 am
(Warning: Longpost is loooooooooooooong. Skip to the bottom for the tl;dr version, if that's your fancy. As a preface, thank you very much for reading this, even if you don't read it all.)
Part I: Background and Condolences
Those of you who own the game and have tried to work with it are well-aware of the problems currently inherent in the various systems set up to deal with custom map-making and large-scale modifications.
Many of you participated in the Beta process. You offered lengthy and detailed feedback both to other members of the community, and to Blizzard and its representatives, on the shortcomings and failings of the system, and on ways to improve it and help the custom map-making and modding scenes to thrive.
And, for the most part, it seems you were ignored. Or that nothing was done in a timely manner to address your concerns.
The most passionate of you suffered the most during this process, as those of you who felt you had the most to offer to the burgeoning communities of Starcraft 2 mappers and modders were left feeling voiceless, helpless, and powerless in the face of an organization that apparently did not care about your struggles, nor about supporting you and the dreams and visions that you sought to create, for the enjoyment of players everywhere.
We are now two weeks past launch, and something has changed. Those of you still watching the Starcraft 2 Forums will be well aware of this. For nearly the past week there has been absolutely no official Blizzard contact on the forums - outside of technical support and customer support representatives. The Community Managers and other-such Blues have fallen silent, though they continue to post blogs. This is a stark change from the 2-3 posts-per-day they were all making up to this point.
Not only that, but Blizzard has opened up "Feedback" threads for both Battle.net and for Custom Maps. Users are encouraged to (reasonably) air their grievances with the workings of the current systems associated with these topics. Obviously, these threads have been a little mobbed. However, the Custom Maps thread in particular is mostly being mobbed by people who don't understand what the 'Custom Maps' moniker suggests - people complaining about the lack of LAN play, or the 30-second wait-time, et-cetera. The remainder of people are mostly complaining about the popularity system, and the lack of game names. This, coupled with the silence of the mods, suggests to me that the Blues are either listening and not speaking, or busily combing the feedback thread and waiting for word on the gameplan from Blizzard, or something similar.
There are those among you who are incredibly talented, or gifted. Those who have delivered sweeping and epic campaigns, vast and far-reaching modifications, who have participated in and become a part of the mapping-modding culture of Starcraft and Brood War. A great many of you are eloquent, well-spoken, and, most importantly, you understand the needs of actual map-makers and modders. You understand what needs to change and to happen in order for Starcraft 2's mapping and modding communities not to wither on the vine.
Again, something has changed. I believe that the overwhelming negative response Blizzard has received to many of their new features has forced them to step back and re-evaluate things. I believe they are trying to seriously evaluate the player-base and figure out how best to deal with them, and - let's be realistic, here - how best to provide for them in the most money-efficient and time-efficient way possible.
This likely means that - as is standard procedure for a company - the most intensive and far-reaching changes are being blocked out and decided upon right now, the changes that Blizzard will spend the next year or so until Heart of the Swarm, and perhaps beyond, working on. During the Beta, Blizzard was - for the most part - able to write off the complaints on many issues as not being representative enough of the total number of people who would eventually play the game. They were able to assure themselves that once the general public experienced their new systems, they would love it, and Blizzard would be validated.
That is a fallacy they can no longer put faith in, and it appears they are, as such, gauging how to realistically deal with the situation they've put themselves in.
Part II: Summation
This is a call to action. There are those of you - individuals such as Lavarinth, RazorclawX, IskatuMesk, Desler, and so on - who have an unbelievable amount to contribute to this game, if you choose to, if you're able. There are certainly others, as well. But if there were ever a time to speak up about what needs to be done, that time is now.
I know many of you have already done so, earlier in the Beta process, or likely even in various locations on the Starcraft 2 Boards. You have invested time, energy and effort into the crafting of arguments, opinions, requests or outright pleas that Blizzard and the development team address your concerns. You may feel like there's no point in doing so any further, no point in sidling up to the bar again to re-tread what some of you must feel you've said a thousand times by now, for nothing. And maybe you're right.
But maybe you're not. Whatever their failings, the developers and programmers of Starcraft 2 have delivered an amazing game that is unfortunately hobbled by a great number of logistical shortcomings. With two expansions left to go, they have a decided interest in ensuring that interest in Starcraft 2 remains high, and I have no doubt that they will do everything in their power to make that so.
Yet, in the swarm of superficial responses the Custom Map Feedback thread has received, I worry that deeper and more meaningful criticisms and notes - tendered and submitted before the existence of the thread - may be swept under the carpet or simply forgotten about.
Unless the developers are reminded. On this forum alone, I've seen compelling and heartfelt diatribes about the shortcomings of the SC2 editor (related more to its form than its functions), the state of custom map publishing and a variety of other topics. Like many of you, I invested a significant chunk of my life into Starcraft, playing and making and editing maps, creating or playing mods, and in general having the kind of good time I've found couldn't be quite matched anywhere else, since. Various inadequacies and failings limited Warcraft 3 in this regard, and Starcraft 2 is currently similarly-limited, but it doesn't have to be.
It's true that, like Warcraft 3's problems, they may never do anything about Starcraft 2's. But Warcraft 3 didn't have a tremendous, well-entrenched and experienced map-making and modding community making the jump over from its predecessor, to my understanding, and Starcraft 2 definitely does. For whatever reason, the developers are actually soliciting feedback on the state of affairs in SC2, right now, and however big or small a chance it is to make a real difference, it's a chance. Already, at least one person I spotted - Ricky Honejasi - has taken the initiative and added his voice to the thread.
I am asking - pleading, here - Please, those of you with a vision for what SC2 could be if things were different, those of you who know and can compellingly-state the deficiencies in the editor, in the modding and publishing process, and more, make yourselves heard.
I say this here because I, myself, cannot post there (For reasons Blizzard's billing department can only speculate on, their online store will not allow me to purchase any version of SC2, and it's currently my only option for getting the game) - but despite not owning Starcraft 2 myself, I have read enough even-handed and reasonable reports of its shortfalls and shortcomings to know the problems that exist with the game as it stands.
The people who can make the most difference here are the ones who have hurt the most from going in early and saying the things that Blizzard wasn't ready to hear, and wasn't ready to listen to, and who were thusly ignored. Now, Blizz is listening, and there's a real opportunity to say the things that they desperately need to hear again. Even if we don't see some of these changes until Heart of the Swarm, it's better than not seeing them at all.
I dream of a Starcraft 2 community unfettered by any bounds but its own creativity, the community that very nearly existed in the heyday of the mapping and modding scenes, the community that was limited and hobbled by the editor and the engine that was forced upon them, the community that all of us know could actually come about this time with the new freedom and power afforded us by Starcraft 2's editor and gamecode.
I dream of the projects I have seen CC members and mapmakers and modders across the web embark upon, or plan out, or envision, for the original Starcraft, plans that were limited or demolished by the realities of what the game allowed, plans that could live and thrive in Starcraft 2, and come to fruition.
I dream of the fire of ten thousand minds forging the duraluminum of SC2's blood into glistening terasteel.
The gauntlet is thrown down. This is our chance to say what really needs saying.
Show 'em what you've got. Please.
http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/topic ... 291?page=1
~Kaoru
Part 0: Kaoru Talks Too Much
TL;DR Version: SC2's got a lot of problems right now with creating, publishing, hosting, and basically doing anything with custom maps. Blizzard has wised up enough to actually create a Feedback thread for this, and some CC forumites have already posted in it, but a lot of people with some very good points to make and a very compelling way of saying them, haven't.
Even if you already tried to offer criticism and feedback during Beta and got burned, this is an invaluable chance to say what Blizzard really needs to hear while they're still open to listening. Please follow the link above and contribute, because the mod-and-mapmakers at CC and other heavy-duty communities know better than Joe Customgamer what it is that makes for a sustainable, healthy and expansive custom game community.
Thank you.
Part I: Background and Condolences
Those of you who own the game and have tried to work with it are well-aware of the problems currently inherent in the various systems set up to deal with custom map-making and large-scale modifications.
Many of you participated in the Beta process. You offered lengthy and detailed feedback both to other members of the community, and to Blizzard and its representatives, on the shortcomings and failings of the system, and on ways to improve it and help the custom map-making and modding scenes to thrive.
And, for the most part, it seems you were ignored. Or that nothing was done in a timely manner to address your concerns.
The most passionate of you suffered the most during this process, as those of you who felt you had the most to offer to the burgeoning communities of Starcraft 2 mappers and modders were left feeling voiceless, helpless, and powerless in the face of an organization that apparently did not care about your struggles, nor about supporting you and the dreams and visions that you sought to create, for the enjoyment of players everywhere.
We are now two weeks past launch, and something has changed. Those of you still watching the Starcraft 2 Forums will be well aware of this. For nearly the past week there has been absolutely no official Blizzard contact on the forums - outside of technical support and customer support representatives. The Community Managers and other-such Blues have fallen silent, though they continue to post blogs. This is a stark change from the 2-3 posts-per-day they were all making up to this point.
Not only that, but Blizzard has opened up "Feedback" threads for both Battle.net and for Custom Maps. Users are encouraged to (reasonably) air their grievances with the workings of the current systems associated with these topics. Obviously, these threads have been a little mobbed. However, the Custom Maps thread in particular is mostly being mobbed by people who don't understand what the 'Custom Maps' moniker suggests - people complaining about the lack of LAN play, or the 30-second wait-time, et-cetera. The remainder of people are mostly complaining about the popularity system, and the lack of game names. This, coupled with the silence of the mods, suggests to me that the Blues are either listening and not speaking, or busily combing the feedback thread and waiting for word on the gameplan from Blizzard, or something similar.
There are those among you who are incredibly talented, or gifted. Those who have delivered sweeping and epic campaigns, vast and far-reaching modifications, who have participated in and become a part of the mapping-modding culture of Starcraft and Brood War. A great many of you are eloquent, well-spoken, and, most importantly, you understand the needs of actual map-makers and modders. You understand what needs to change and to happen in order for Starcraft 2's mapping and modding communities not to wither on the vine.
Again, something has changed. I believe that the overwhelming negative response Blizzard has received to many of their new features has forced them to step back and re-evaluate things. I believe they are trying to seriously evaluate the player-base and figure out how best to deal with them, and - let's be realistic, here - how best to provide for them in the most money-efficient and time-efficient way possible.
This likely means that - as is standard procedure for a company - the most intensive and far-reaching changes are being blocked out and decided upon right now, the changes that Blizzard will spend the next year or so until Heart of the Swarm, and perhaps beyond, working on. During the Beta, Blizzard was - for the most part - able to write off the complaints on many issues as not being representative enough of the total number of people who would eventually play the game. They were able to assure themselves that once the general public experienced their new systems, they would love it, and Blizzard would be validated.
That is a fallacy they can no longer put faith in, and it appears they are, as such, gauging how to realistically deal with the situation they've put themselves in.
Part II: Summation
This is a call to action. There are those of you - individuals such as Lavarinth, RazorclawX, IskatuMesk, Desler, and so on - who have an unbelievable amount to contribute to this game, if you choose to, if you're able. There are certainly others, as well. But if there were ever a time to speak up about what needs to be done, that time is now.
I know many of you have already done so, earlier in the Beta process, or likely even in various locations on the Starcraft 2 Boards. You have invested time, energy and effort into the crafting of arguments, opinions, requests or outright pleas that Blizzard and the development team address your concerns. You may feel like there's no point in doing so any further, no point in sidling up to the bar again to re-tread what some of you must feel you've said a thousand times by now, for nothing. And maybe you're right.
But maybe you're not. Whatever their failings, the developers and programmers of Starcraft 2 have delivered an amazing game that is unfortunately hobbled by a great number of logistical shortcomings. With two expansions left to go, they have a decided interest in ensuring that interest in Starcraft 2 remains high, and I have no doubt that they will do everything in their power to make that so.
Yet, in the swarm of superficial responses the Custom Map Feedback thread has received, I worry that deeper and more meaningful criticisms and notes - tendered and submitted before the existence of the thread - may be swept under the carpet or simply forgotten about.
Unless the developers are reminded. On this forum alone, I've seen compelling and heartfelt diatribes about the shortcomings of the SC2 editor (related more to its form than its functions), the state of custom map publishing and a variety of other topics. Like many of you, I invested a significant chunk of my life into Starcraft, playing and making and editing maps, creating or playing mods, and in general having the kind of good time I've found couldn't be quite matched anywhere else, since. Various inadequacies and failings limited Warcraft 3 in this regard, and Starcraft 2 is currently similarly-limited, but it doesn't have to be.
It's true that, like Warcraft 3's problems, they may never do anything about Starcraft 2's. But Warcraft 3 didn't have a tremendous, well-entrenched and experienced map-making and modding community making the jump over from its predecessor, to my understanding, and Starcraft 2 definitely does. For whatever reason, the developers are actually soliciting feedback on the state of affairs in SC2, right now, and however big or small a chance it is to make a real difference, it's a chance. Already, at least one person I spotted - Ricky Honejasi - has taken the initiative and added his voice to the thread.
I am asking - pleading, here - Please, those of you with a vision for what SC2 could be if things were different, those of you who know and can compellingly-state the deficiencies in the editor, in the modding and publishing process, and more, make yourselves heard.
I say this here because I, myself, cannot post there (For reasons Blizzard's billing department can only speculate on, their online store will not allow me to purchase any version of SC2, and it's currently my only option for getting the game) - but despite not owning Starcraft 2 myself, I have read enough even-handed and reasonable reports of its shortfalls and shortcomings to know the problems that exist with the game as it stands.
The people who can make the most difference here are the ones who have hurt the most from going in early and saying the things that Blizzard wasn't ready to hear, and wasn't ready to listen to, and who were thusly ignored. Now, Blizz is listening, and there's a real opportunity to say the things that they desperately need to hear again. Even if we don't see some of these changes until Heart of the Swarm, it's better than not seeing them at all.
I dream of a Starcraft 2 community unfettered by any bounds but its own creativity, the community that very nearly existed in the heyday of the mapping and modding scenes, the community that was limited and hobbled by the editor and the engine that was forced upon them, the community that all of us know could actually come about this time with the new freedom and power afforded us by Starcraft 2's editor and gamecode.
I dream of the projects I have seen CC members and mapmakers and modders across the web embark upon, or plan out, or envision, for the original Starcraft, plans that were limited or demolished by the realities of what the game allowed, plans that could live and thrive in Starcraft 2, and come to fruition.
I dream of the fire of ten thousand minds forging the duraluminum of SC2's blood into glistening terasteel.
The gauntlet is thrown down. This is our chance to say what really needs saying.
Show 'em what you've got. Please.
http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/topic ... 291?page=1
~Kaoru
Part 0: Kaoru Talks Too Much
TL;DR Version: SC2's got a lot of problems right now with creating, publishing, hosting, and basically doing anything with custom maps. Blizzard has wised up enough to actually create a Feedback thread for this, and some CC forumites have already posted in it, but a lot of people with some very good points to make and a very compelling way of saying them, haven't.
Even if you already tried to offer criticism and feedback during Beta and got burned, this is an invaluable chance to say what Blizzard really needs to hear while they're still open to listening. Please follow the link above and contribute, because the mod-and-mapmakers at CC and other heavy-duty communities know better than Joe Customgamer what it is that makes for a sustainable, healthy and expansive custom game community.
Thank you.
