Dear Rocket. We crave direction!

[The Killing Joke 43]

Hi Rocket,

I know you and the Forum Mods have been busy. I know you guys have been working your collective asses off, and we all appreciate everything that you've done.

I would like to ask for more direction, in two places. One, on the forums, and two, in what you perceive the game's direction will be.

For the forums, we need some structure, and I believe we need more Mods to be able to help out. (I would happily throw my hat in the ring, if you're accepting resumes for Forum Moderator.) Right now, we could use more stickied posts, more merged posts, and more control over what is being posted.

We have an insane number of threads on the same topic, and a little bit of Mod enforcement. I'm certain this is due to the overwhelming popularity of the mod, and this is why I'm not complaining. I've moderated a number of forums in the past, and I know how hard the job is.

(Forum Mods, you are to be commended for your work! It sometimes seems like a thankless job, but there are a mass of us who appreciate what you are doing!)

From the game aspect, we would like to know what you're working on, what your hopes and dreams are for the future, and just to know you're 'out there'. From my personal point of view, I would LOVE to see more activity on the forums, and I think it would be amazing if we had a "front page" post - or running blog post - from you on a regular basis. Let us know that you hear your thoughts, and give us some insight into where you think we're right and wrong.

We, as players of your mod, want you to succeed as much as you do. For this to happen, I feel that we need MORE of you, directly. (Hell, I haven't seen this much love for a dev since Gabe Newell. It's amazing, and I can only imagine how you feel about it.)

In a nutshell, feel free to ask for help on the forums - I'm sure there are others who, like myself, have skills and the initiative to help you out, where you need it. Help us to help you. If you have the bandwidth, please be more active in the community.

We are craving this game like few others. We want to know what you think, too.

Thank you.

TKJ

[Legacy (DayZ) 1091]

You're looking out for the community, I'm beginning to like you much more now.

As a community person I've seen quite the few forums go up and down (*cough* Minecraft Forums.) and all around, I've moderated and administrated a few forums during my time as well, (IPB, phpBB3, SMF) I just encourage people now on where to post and I report the posts so the mods can deal with the rest if necessary. If it isn't the staff that you need to encourage it is our userbase so they know what to do and where, alot of people don't bother with the report button and try to tell the poster on what to do. Being a former active poster of MC Support sub-forum and being a chan op of #minecraft I'm beginning to see how staff handle large communities and I hope they will do the same.

[The Killing Joke 43]

You're looking out for the community' date=' I'm beginning to like you much more now.[/quote']

Thanks, Legacy! I know I can be a pretty rabid poster from time to time, but that's only because when I get passionate about something, I'll fight tooth and nail to make my points heard when I'm faced with a completely 180 degree viewpoint...

(Usually to the point of nausea of others, and for that, I apologize.)

I just encourage people now on where to post and I report the posts so the mods can deal with the rest if necessary. If it isn't the staff that you need to encourage it is our userbase so they know what to do and where' date=' alot of people don't bother with the report button and try to tell the poster on what to do.[/quote']

QFT.

I've seen more than a few posts that have been downvoted because of 'helpful prodding' into a different thread. Obviously, that doesn't make it too much to help out. Whatever WE can do to help the Mods, and the community base, should be a focus. Before we get overrun, I'd like to see some threads merged, others shut down, etc. I, myself, requested my own thread to be closed when it became too ... passionate?

I'd like to invite discussion into this thread. Mods, what do you think? Do you need more help? And to Rocket, we need you buddy. Give us a sign!

:D

TKJ

[robertstuartmarshall 1]

lol I saw the thread title and was all ready to rush in here, anger blazing, and say "No, I love the game as it is with no damn quest markers or storyline to complete" .... then I read your post, and calmed down.

I think the direction on the forums would definitely be a good thing, because as of right now the Suggestions section is making me cringe with just how specific and game changing some of them actually are. The game is amazing as it stands, and whereas it does need a few tweaks here and there to do with AI and glitchy stuff like tents disappearing, overall I think rocket has got this game and it's style down perfectly.

Maybe if he did road map the next few months with some definite areas he is working on that would stop all the "I demand you put this in ..." crap.

[oktyabr 53]

rocket is the hardest working man in the apocalypse. Understand that time he spends here reading and replying to posts is time he is NOT coding. Which would you prefer? ;)

I know that he does read and occasionally reply, especially if a thread has a specific, concise title and isn't one that's already appeared a dozen times before. Please make good use of the "search" function before you start a new thread, contribute to an existing one if the topic is already being discussed, and IF you start a new thread please keep the title descriptive and the first post to the point.

Finally, even if you think your topic is of great importance (and it might be!) don't feel that it is being ignored if it is not replied to by a dev.

We are looking into recruiting more mods for the forums but need folks who can be on the forums *reliably* in fairly specific time slots. There are several candidates being reviewed now and the interest expressed here has also been noted. A high post count isn't required but you might think of it like a resume', your track record as a forum member is looked at when being considered as a moderator.

Meanwhile the mods here, myself included, appreciate it when some of you guys that have been around for awhile (you know who you are) help us out by helping the newer members get pointed in the right direction as well as reporting threads and posts. Even if you aren't a moderator (yet) we thank you for your help!

TO ROCKET:

I agree with these guys. I appreciate your update threads and the fact that often you stick around to discuss them. To help the community coalesce it might be worth your time to occasionally share with us what your priorities are, where you would like this mod to go, in the short term. If you are thinking about adding or changing things please share them with us as the topics of discussion, like your "Should the bandit skin go?" thread. Most of all keep up the good work and don't forget to breath once in awhile ;)

[The Killing Joke 43]

rocket is the hardest working man in the apocalypse. Understand that time he spends here reading and replying to posts is time he is NOT coding. Which would you prefer? ;)

Honestly' date=' I would think a [i']balance would be best, for both him and us. I've developed some software in the past - certainly nothing like this! - and I know how burnout can affect your overall health, for one thing.

Even if there was some one-way communication where Rocket didn't want to respond/comment on everything everybody says (like a regular blog post) we can pretty much have our own conversations regarding the content.

I know it would definitely go a long way to stem the tides of discussion, especially when (not if - ha ha) he makes the inevitable, "The Removal of the Morality System" post. (OMG guys, I'm KIDDING. Sort of. Wink, wink.) Obviously, knowing which direction various things are going could help in defusing the obvious arguments that are going on, and that could only be a good thing.

As I see it, there are questions regarding actual bugs, things regarded as bugs but aren't, current functionality tweaks, and future functionality, that are outstanding at the moment which could be remedied by this communication.

Every little bit helps!

TKJ

[dizzymagoo 19]

Rocket,

One more thing that could use a little more direction and organization would be server hosting. There are lots of people out there looking to host servers but there is a lack of communication between the people hosting and your team providing us with confirmed information. Maybe a dedicated forum section for people who are hosting? A blog for people who are hosting? Or an email list would even be sufficient!

It seems as if maybe the team could use more server administrators(From a SQL and moderator stand point). I would be more than willing to donate my spare time to the community if it provides an easier environment for people.

Dizzymagoo

[Marou_ 1]

I've been a professional software developer for 16 years and have run/moderated an MMO gaming site since 2000. I have extensive experience with SQL servers of all flavors and various client/server models. If you need any help optimizing your central DB/hive, or moderating the forum; I have some time on nights and weekends, and would gladly help out. You have my email attached to my profile

[Leechman 8]

Most deceiving topic of the century :P

Excellent post OP.

I too would like to offer myself if help is needed, particularly forum-side. I've had experience moderating forums of similar member sizes and would be glad to do anything to help pick up the slack during any hours (Australian Uni student here -my waking hours are rather flexible). Even simple janitorial work around the forums.

[The Killing Joke 43]

Most deceiving topic of the century :P

Excellent post OP.

Thanks Leechman. Sadly' date=' it looks like people would rather measure their e-peens over in the "Bandit/PvP Y/N" threads, than to stand up and be counted in this one.

;)

I too would like to offer myself if help is needed, particularly forum-side. I've had experience moderating forums of similar member sizes and would be glad to do anything to help pick up the slack during any hours (Australian Uni student here -my waking hours are rather flexible). Even simple janitorial work around the forums.

I love the fact that people are offering up their time to give back to the community. Thanks everybody, for standing up for this game. It's great, and it's only going to get better.

TKJ

[spacingtonflioniv 2]

I actually started a similar thread a few days ago that disappeared into the fray. Glad to see someone else had the same thoughts/feeling that I did.

Having a statement of intent from the development team would really help with narrowing the focus of the suggestions around here.

[callousdisregard 2]

TKJ has my vote for forum admin( as if my vote counts for anything).

But I like the "lack of direction" as it concerns the gameplay because it adds to the overall tension of the mod.

[lewisuk 38]

I for one agree with you TKJ, if we could vote for admins/mods of the forum i would defiantly vote for you :D

[pogoman979 4]

I think moderators should be more liberal with closing threads. Like if they see a thread with an idea that has been suggested before, link to the old thread and then close. It prevents people posting in the repeat suggestion thread over and over flaming and trolling the OP and means the thread isn't bumped to the top continuously, pushing down other good threads.

Plus people will start thinking/searching before they make a thread if they write an essay about an idea that has already been suggested, only to have their thread immediately closed without getting any closure on their ideas.

[The Killing Joke 43]

I think moderators should be more liberal with closing threads. Like if they see a thread with an idea that has been suggested before' date=' link to the old thread and then close.[/quote']

Sounds good to me.

[pilot 13]

Despite my disagreements I have had with a number of TKJ's suggestions, he gets my vote because he always makes sense. Even if its not exactly what I agree with he ensures its sensible. which is hilariously backwards considering his forum name, and avatar.

Two guys are trying to escape an asylum y'see? oh have you heard this one before?

[Turnipski 3]

Yes completely agree with OP. I see a lot of threads where replies to the OP start suggesting new ideas in totally random directions. I understand that people can get excited by an idea and start spewing their own but it's really counter-productive to understanding how the community feels about a specific issue.

Could it help to have a sticky thread of 'short-listed ideas'? I have a feeling I've already seen this somewhere actually but it was very long. Perhaps it should be the threads that the dev staff have taken specific interest in.

[jesquik 75]

I love it. I feel like the forum is a sea of great ideas without any focus, and if those ideas continue to be spread widely and in old unused posts it will remain difficult to hold quality conversation.

Some stickies on the forum for the most common and well thought out threads with some additional merging of similar ones would be very welcome!