Why doesn't he just come back?

[PGaither84]

Operation Sports at one pont was a place where you would find constructive [being the operative word] critisisim and very little bashing of the developers themselves. This is no longer the case. Part of the problem is many of those who post here don't understand that you should leave the developers out of the conversation completely. While everyone likes to hear "I love you man!" [insert bud light comercial here] That doesn't "belong" here any more than "You are an idiot," or "just suck it up!"

The developers came here to get feedback on the game. Over time they were getting venom from internet jerks far more often than feedback. Who would want to come back day in and day out and read that? Until OS returns to a state where people can leave the developers out of the discussion, I doubt we will see them return.

^ READ AS: Stop being jerks and just focus on the game.

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by PGaither84

The developers came here to get feedback on the game. Over time they were getting venom from internet jerks far more often than feedback. Who would want to come back day in and day out and read that? Until OS returns to a state where people can leave the developers out of the discussion, I doubt we will see them return.

While I understand the point - is there a game developer in the world that does NOT get venom from some segment of their user base? I mean, if I go to boards about a RTS or another sports game, or whatever, there are venomous people there too.

While I don't disagree that people shouldn't be that way - fact is, they are, and I bet they are on EA's own boards.

In fact, the more users you have the more likely some will be venomous. It's almost a law of averages. It just seems like it was some level of 'surprise' that there was such venom even in existence. Maybe it was just the culture of the board before I arrived here that makes me not 'get it' in terms of just OS, but in the gaming world, so to speak, in general, it doesn't seem all that odd to get venom. NOT getting it would be more striking, imo.

[TheWatcher]

I think there is a lot of constructive criticism here, I think that's impossible to ignore. But then you have some things that go overboard. I particularly find it amusing that there are some people who post entire in-depth threads about EA's operations as if they know anything about them at all, even though they've never stepped foot through their doors, and have never met or spoken in-person to any of them. Then I cringe when I watch other posters take it as if it's gospel.

I can completely understand why some folks on the Madden Team get frustrated because a ton of posters start following people who lead the charge of negativity and people like I described previously, it becomes a mob mentality at times, and that can become unreasonable to work with.

The average gamer will never accept that a lot of problems in sports games have a great deal to do with the short cycle and the way that things have to be prioritized as a result. Let's be real... Madden this generation was built on shaky ground, we know that, and they know that. They've tried to make the best of it and fix what they could, and I think Madden 10 was a good example of them trying very hard to turn things around. The fact that a lot of it was rejected pretty much says that nothing they do will ever bring certain people to their side.

I've complained about things for years, the same things, and even did so in person with the Madden Team... but I understand that it's not easy to fix everything, I also understand that some things are relatively easy fixes but priority decisions move it down (or off) the list and there is an explanation behind it even if I don't always agree with the thinking (and I do often disagree). In fact, one of my biggest complaints based on my perception of how they view certain things (and that perception comes from talking to them face-to-face) is that if hundreds or thousands of people aren't asking for something that probably means nobody cares about it and wouldn't want it or use it. But I think it's unanimous among others who have been there and spoken on this same issue (because I've spoken to those people and have gotten this information), that it's not about how many people ask for something all the time... it should be about doing something because it's simply the right thing to do. If I ask you why you didn't add something that you see perhaps every week during the playoffs for example, and you say it can be added fairly easily, but you still don't do it even though it's something you see all the time in the NFL, there comes a point when you have to step back and ask yourself "If the motto is everything you see on Sunday, see it in Madden NFL... and we know we can do it without greatly disrupting the flow of production... then why would we NOT do it?"

Finally, I think OS management has done a great job of handling things, and I don't think it could've been done any better. It's just one of those situations where things don't work out as well as you hoped and you have to move forward. Nobody in EA owes us any explanations as to why they don't post often or if they decide not to altogether. The only thing they owe us is to deliver the product they promise. If only people would stick to criticizing just that and not call developers names and make accusations, perhaps what we're discussing now wouldn't even be a discussion.

[Valdarez]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheWatcher

I think there is a lot of constructive criticism here, I think that's impossible to ignore. But then you have some things that go overboard. I particularly find it amusing that there are some people who post entire in-depth threads about EA's operations as if they know anything about them at all, even though they've never stepped foot through their doors, and have never met or spoken in-person to any of them. Then I cringe when I watch other posters take it as if it's gospel.

What threads are there on their operations? I'm not sure I've read any. I posted a thread awhile back about their business practices and how they are affecting the consumers. Is that what you are alluding to?

Quote: Originally Posted by TheWatcher

The average gamer will never accept that a lot of problems in sports games have a great deal to do with the short cycle and the way that things have to be prioritized as a result. Let's be real... Madden this generation was built on shaky ground, we know that, and they know that. They've tried to make the best of it and fix what they could, and I think Madden 10 was a good example of them trying very hard to turn things around. The fact that a lot of it was rejected pretty much says that nothing they do will ever bring certain people to their side.

What was rejected? I think that's a misrepresentation, at least per my experience on the forums here at OS. Can't speak for other places, but most of their changes were well received by the community though some feel as some of the promised items didn't make it into the game or aren't as apparent as expected, which is true to one extent or another depending on the topic at hand.

Quote: Originally Posted by TheWatcher

Finally, I think OS management has done a great job of handling things, and I don't think it could've been done any better. It's just one of those situations where things don't work out as well as you hoped and you have to move forward. Nobody in EA owes us any explanations as to why they don't post often or if they decide not to altogether. The only thing they owe us is to deliver the product they promise. If only people would stick to criticizing just that and not call developers names and make accusations, perhaps what we're discussing now wouldn't even be a discussion.

Agreed.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Valdarez

What threads are there on their operations? I'm not sure I've read any. I posted a thread awhile back about their business practices and how they are affecting the consumers. Is that what you are alluding to?

I can't speak for TheWatcher, but I can certainly agree where he is coming from. Comments regarding David Ortiz's days and people not agreeing to accept a new person in charge because the last 4 games on NG were terrible. I'm always open to allow a new person in charge get their feet wet and hit the ground running. Some people on here didn't want to hear that, they wanted to still pound the drums of the last 4 Madden's being lousy. I'm not saying they weren't, but there isn't anything we can do change the past Madden's, but possibly we can try to help the new person out.

I've been trying to tell folks lately that we aren't privy to the inner workings of EA, but people would rather speculate what they think is right.

For instance, let's take the hiring of Mark Turmell. Right away, people see his background and hop on the speculation train that they are dumbing down Madden. Ian had to go on Twitter and tell everyone that wasn't true.

It could be people speculating what is a higher priority to get in the game(online franchise vs presentation vs game play, yada yada yada)

Or it could be as recent as this thread on people speculating the whereabouts of the developers after the game is dropped. I'm sure most of them go on vacations after putting in 60-80 hours per week. They need to recharge the batteries just like we do.

Well said TheWatcher.

[Tyrant8RDFL]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

So, you don't think locomotion is a step in the right direction?

To be very honest here my answer is no, because I have to see how it is implemented. I would never say Madden is heading in the right direction till I get my hands on the game, as of right now Madden is a poor game.

I'am not a fan of the engine Madden uses to develop its game. I have only witnessed from Madden since the birth of XBOX 360 and PS3 as a game with way to many problems.

Anyway until they can truly put out a solid product. Anything that they mention as a advancement for Madden is something I have to see for myself in the actual gameplay.

Quote: Originally Posted by Valdarez

I disagree with this, but it might just be semantics. SCEA is already producing a great game. It's already there from a gameplay, presentation, immersion standpoint. Madden isn't there, but last year led me to believe it's finally headed in the right direction. Madden 11 will show us whether the current team has the chops to get it there.

We shall truly see if the game is headed in the right direction. I hope it finally is.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tyrant8RDFL

To be very honest here my answer is no, because I have to see how it is implemented. I would never say Madden is heading in the right direction till I get my hands on the game, as of right now Madden is a poor game. I'am not a fan of the engine Madden uses to develop its game. I have only witnessed from Madden since the birth of XBOX 360 and PS3 as a game with way to many problems. Anyway until they can truly put out a solid product. Anything that they mention as a advancement for Madden is something I have to see for myself in the actual gameplay. We shall truly see if the game is headed in the right direction. I hope it finally is.

Have you ever played FIFA 10? If you haven't, then perhaps you should download the demo.

I love the way FIFA 10 plays on the field.

Just a suggestion.

[JMD]

Quote: Originally Posted by Titus1108

I go to MLB the show board frequently as I have the game. And I always see Russell and Co. on the boards commenting. Creating threads asking for suggestions for MLB 11 already etc... SCEA is the best period because of their overall game, and most important their customer interaction. I'm sure this thread will be closed, but seriously why did he leave the boards? I heard it was czuz of certain ppl bashing him or whatever, but until they(EA) has the interaction that SCEA does, Madden imo won't ever overwhelm what are expectations are, and instead will always dissapoint year after year like it has for a while now. Please don't think I am creating this thread to bash EA cuz I didn't. I am just curious why he left? IMO, Ian just has to suck it up and accept the criticism/bashing(and its over the internet so c'mon, seriously?) and interact with us gamers again.

I didn't realize he left. He just posted on the 7th, a few days ago. Bottom of the page.
http://www.operationsports.com/forum...eenshot-2.html