Balance is definitely a living set of numbers, we will continue to adjust balance as we go. We’ll collect data and feedback and continue tuning. The more detailed folks can be in their feedback the more helpful it is for our team.
The PTR is a super important opportunity for us to collect feedback and bug reports. I know it might feel like if you don’t see that feedback implemented in the next release it is being ignored but that isn’t the case. We are definitely listening even if it takes some time to see those changes implemented.
Regarding data, the team receives a ton of game telemetry on all kinds of gameplay, so it probably depends on which team is working on which aspect of the game.
In terms of feedback, we listen to the in-game feedback tool entries, survey results, these forums, Discord, social media, content and press coverage, we gather feedback where ever it is being offered.
The most helpful feedback focuses on detailing the experience you are having and the experience you want to be having. Sometimes it is tempting to design the solution before you fully articulate the problem. So its really valuable when folks walk us through the problem.
This is solid feedback, thanks. I will make sure to include in our reporting.
This feedback for example doesn’t really tell me much. Just you preferred the previous bow balance. But I don’t really have anything specific I can share with the team.
My comments were about what feedback is most helpful.
Please understand that even though we may not comment on all of the feedback we receive we do gather them into our reporting.
Please understand that New World is a live game that will continue to change over time, there is no final form. I understand that each patch feels like a final statement on things like balance but again, these things will continue to change over time, driven by data and feedback.
I understand folks are frustrated. We are listening, we are collecting feedback from not only the PTR but on the live game as well. I understand that only when that feedback produces changes that are created, tested, and implemented will you believe we were listening. That unfortunately can take time.
I understand that because the feedback was not implemented in the next release it feels like it was ignored. Only when changes are created, tested, and implemented will it feel like feedback is heard.
I want to address the idea that we used PTR as a “hype server”. Having content go into a PTR prior to release is the opposite of hype. It actually prevents us from marketing changes effectively, but it is more important to us that we invest in testing, bug squashing, and feedback more than create hype.
I have worked in games over a decade, this is by far the worst part, the delay between feedback or ideas and implementation. It is very emotionally unrewarding for both the folks who make the game and the folks who play the game. By the time you implement the changes everyone wants to see, it usually means half as much to them.
I think you hit the nail on the head, right? The PTR was released too close to the scheduled release for much of the feedback to be implemented in that build, which was the player expectations. The lack of changes in the next release created the impression that none of the feedback was listened to or influenced the work the team was doing. So when future builds reflect the feedback we gathered it likely won’t overturn the impression of feedback being ignored. The team does understand this and we’ll continue to improve the way we use PTR moving forward.
Weapon balance is an ongoing process. While during other phases of development it might not have been our top priority, you will see continued work there now that we are in a live service state.
We do review these reports. In addition to other methods of detection. I believe when it comes to botting we handle them in massive sweeps. I don’t want to speak to much about the process because my understanding is information about our methods to identify and deal with bots would be useful information for the folks who create them.
We agree that we need to improve on the thoroughness of our patch notes. Folks are assigning malicious intent to error or oversight. We don’t purposefully leave notes out, we are working as a team to make sure we’re better at catching and communicating all changes.
We will not always put all content or features in a PTR, so please don’t expect that moving forward. We will use the PTR to test thing, but it may not be all things.
The story about harming the game for personal profit just doesn’t make any logical sense. We are legally required to work on New World, any employee can leave at any time.
The divide between these two player styles, PvP and PvE, will be a long term challenge for us. Anything we do that improves the gameplay experience for one group will result in the other group feeling targeted, left out, or victimized.
We’ll continue to listen to the community, consider the desired game play experiences for each of these play styles and do our best to make sure both groups feel their desired gameplay is fun and rewarding.
I am not sure I understand, i am talking about employees working on the game can leave at any time, we wouldn’t need to harm our own business to get out. I changed the word “anyone” to employee to be clearer.
We just launched our first PTR. We are working to incorporate it as a tool into our development process. We’re learning how to use it to produce the best possible outcomes for everyone. So the feedback we receive is helpful, but yea, generally game studios don’t put everything they work on in a PTR.
Thanks, I understand folks are frustrated. I will do my best to provide insights into what is happening on our side and continue to work with the team to make sure feedback is heard.
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