Are OCR (and Marketing) missing the marks?
By
Aura_Familia,
Posted on: 2010-09-08 17:14 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
I was just reading a recent issue of X-Men and was VERY pleased to see an advertisement for Going Rogue.
50s: Inv/SS PB Emp/Dark Grav/FF DM/Regen TA/A Sonic/Elec MA/Regen Fire/Kin Sonic/Rad Ice/Kin Crab Fire/Cold NW Merc/Dark Emp/Sonic Rad/Psy Emp/Ice WP/DB FA/SM
Overlord of Dream Team and Nightmare Squad
You said you wanted different pov so here is my thoughts on this...
Where to begin... this may come off disjointed.
You compare past staff to new staff yet their roles seem to have changed and expanded. In fact if I recall my staffing history right they are understaffed atm yet doing more stuff then I ever saw in game before. Let me remind you that the forum population is a very small percentage of the game population.
I bolded in game because you are implying that their interaction/communication is limited to the forums. I see Mod 08 (Ocho) in global channels chatting with the community alot. He also does communicate with the PvP community and is the only red name I have ever seen brave enough to talk in freedom arena chat. He also attended several of our league practice matches (based on the create a capture contest screen shots being of our practices lol)
Both he and Avetea have been running server events on a regular basis like the carnie invasions etc. as well as some of these in game contests. This is in addition to all their Going Rogue PR duties and their expansive meet and greet/con schedule. They ran that series of forum games as well.
They both volunteered their time to be auctioned on Justice. http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=229067 and Ocho took time out of his Sunday to attend the auction. Ocho also attended a tanker Tue recently.
On a more outsider view they also seem to be getting better swag for the PvPEC and PERC now I don't know if that is them or if the dev's are being more generous.
Honestly maybe they aren't replying to every fluff post on the forums nor should they. People also shouldn't assume their attention has been called to certain threads about issues/bugs they can't possibly read every post on these forums. Separate comment here on the Party Pack: the comment thread was not a beta input thread it was a "comment on this announcement thread" any thinking otherwise is on your (in the general sense) own ignorance. If you think comments there would lead to changes made in the pack then the failure of that logic is your (in the general sense) fault not theirs. I am sure that was a done deal already when that was posted, and has other parties involved in the decision making. Really if you don't like it don't buy it I am at a loss for the heated reaction there. (in retrospect they probably shouldn't have tested it in a huge combined beta, if that was even meant for testing)
In the end you are looking for blah blah blah and missing all their actions, so the adage actions speak louder than words is untrue here. Personally I prefer all the things they are doing.
On a really personal note I have had some trouble with harassment both on the forums and in game and both Mod 08 and GM Lloyd where absolutely fantastic regarding communication and assistance to me you can not ask for better.
"Play Nice and BEHAVE! I don't want to hear about any more of your shenanigans brought up in our meetings at Paragon"-Ghost Falcon @Tritonfree @Philly's 2nd Convenient CIGAL BoBC/INOANN Arts&Crafts Sporks
Average Joes FAP THE MENTOR PROJECT Justice Events
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Nor the only three. Or is it three dozen. Not counting heads m'self.
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Originally Posted by Scarlet Shocker
Not the only one.
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it's all a Dev conspiracy to destroy the game!
/em tinfoil hat
The Nethergoat Archive: all my memories, all my characters, all my thoughts on CoH...eventually.
My City Was Gone
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Actually, it came off as if you took my OP personally. Although I appreciate the PoV and the information in regards to PERC and Tanker Tuesdays, the tone of your post came off as hostile and defensive.|
Originally Posted by Phillygirl
You said you wanted different pov so here is my thoughts on this...
Where to begin... this may come off disjointed. |
Please understand that I've been here since well before 2008. Also understand that I don't criticize lightly. Although I personally grew tired at times with some of the idle chat of previous OCRs, they would also at least respond to concerns presented on the forums, such as the concerns in regards to the Party Pack. Many of us aren't asking to responses to fluff so much as responses to player concerns in general.
When I take a look at some of the more recent threads on consternation, I'm hard pressed to see a lot of meaningful interaction with the community. Don't get me wrong; contests are nice and all, but actually communication between players and the OCR could be better.
As for the size of the forum community, it's irrelevant, all things considered. Although few players may actually post on the forums, many people read them, both players/ subscriber and the general public. If that weren't the case, we could very well discuss about any subject we wanted on the forums. However, I think the recent changes to the CHCV forums indicate that people within NCSoft take moderation of the forums with a bit of seriousness.
And although in-game events are always appreciated, to a lot of us, it's old hat, especially Rikti Raids and Zombie Invasions. Certainly, events where OCRs personally attend are infinitely more cool, as you pointed out. Perhaps I've just missed them, to my discredit. If the OCRs are making arrivals to these events, that's a lot of kudos.
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That would be Optical Character Recognition to someone like me who is dyslexic. |
Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow
What's an ORC, by the way?
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It wasn't so much personal/hostile as much as i really do think they are doing more. I tend to post with my heart so i get very passionate on my subjects (PvP and Communiy groups/events especially) Lord knows I have bumped heads with Niv and 08 i have an inbox full of pm's from them. Moderation of the forums has never been an issue for sure >.>|
Originally Posted by Obsidius
Actually, it came off as if you took my OP personally. Although I appreciate the PoV and the information in regards to PERC and Tanker Tuesdays, the tone of your post came off as hostile and defensive.
Please understand that I've been here since well before 2008. Also understand that I don't criticize lightly. Although I personally grew tired at times with some of the idle chat of previous OCRs, they would also at least respond to concerns presented on the forums, such as the concerns in regards to the Party Pack. Many of us aren't asking to responses to fluff so much as responses to player concerns in general. When I take a look at some of the more recent threads on consternation, I'm hard pressed to see a lot of meaningful interaction with the community. Don't get me wrong; contests are nice and all, but actually communication between players and the OCR could be better. As for the size of the forum community, it's irrelevant, all things considered. Although few players may actually post on the forums, many people read them, both players/ subscriber and the general public. If that weren't the case, we could very well discuss about any subject we wanted on the forums. However, I think the recent changes to the CHCV forums indicate that people within NCSoft take moderation of the forums with a bit of seriousness. And although in-game events are always appreciated, to a lot of us, it's old hat, especially Rikti Raids and Zombie Invasions. Certainly, events where OCRs personally attend are infinitely more cool, as you pointed out. Perhaps I've just missed them, to my discredit. If the OCRs are making arrivals to these events, that's a lot of kudos. |
I also think people forget they changed parent companies. One impression i got last year is that there is a certain leash on what they can and can not comment on. Just my opinion from some observations. That was even the speculation on lighthouses' "quick" exit. It happened shortly after he made a certain post in the PvP section. First and formost this is their job not a hobby like it is to us.
Also you are wrong about the size of the forum community and it's readers regardless of how many post only a small percentage of the coh population visits them or even knows they exhist. One of the first things i tell new players when i find them is to visit the forums and introduce themselves on the server forums. I agree though that i think they expected an influx for GR and tideyed them up.
I agree with you on the invasion events they get a bit old to me but I am always suprized by how much people seem to like them even vets. Though the zombie and rikti ones are not what i meant I was refering to the OCR spawned ones which though it's not really my thing the Vet's on my server really seemed to enjoy them (not the horrible lag they created though).
"Play Nice and BEHAVE! I don't want to hear about any more of your shenanigans brought up in our meetings at Paragon"-Ghost Falcon @Tritonfree @Philly's 2nd Convenient CIGAL BoBC/INOANN Arts&Crafts Sporks
Average Joes FAP THE MENTOR PROJECT Justice Events
Fair enough 
Sorry about coming to the wrong conclusion on your previous post.
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Originally Posted by Nethergoat
it's all a Dev conspiracy to destroy the game!
/em tinfoil hat |
Your post is irrelevant to this thread
Thelonious Monk
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I weep to have failed your litmus test.
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Originally Posted by Scarlet Shocker
Your post is irrelevant to this thread
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The Nethergoat Archive: all my memories, all my characters, all my thoughts on CoH...eventually.
My City Was Gone
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Originally Posted by Nethergoat
it's all a Dev conspiracy to destroy the game!
/em tinfoil hat |
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Originally Posted by Obsidius
I'd rather be paranoid than right
 |
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Originally Posted by Bender
No one. Your mom. Shut up. Take your pick.
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Delicious salty tears?
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Originally Posted by Nethergoat
I weep to have failed your litmus test.
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@Golden Girl
City of Heroes comics and artwork
Expecting to be sated by words from OCR or devs is pointless, IMO.
We're consumers of a product. Either the product satisfies or it does not. You provide feedback and see if the product is altered to suit. Anything else is rubbish.
Support the Mentor Project - http://tinyurl.com/citymentorproject
[JFA2010]Mod08: And I will strike down upon thee (enrious) with great vengence and .... oh wait wrong script
@enrious, @sardonicism, @MyLexiConIsHugeSon
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Ahh, the old Vending Machine Analogy |
Originally Posted by enrious2
Expecting to be sated by words from OCR or devs is pointless, IMO.
We're consumers of a product. Either the product satisfies or it does not. You provide feedback and see if the product is altered to suit. Anything else is rubbish. |
I'm afraid the days of having community reps are behind us.
On the flip side, we've got some great event announcers now...
Maestro Mavius - Infinity
Capt. Biohazrd - PCSAR
Talsor Tech - Talsorian Guard
Keep Calm & Chive On!
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OCR did not change companies, it has always been handled by NCsoft employees (starting with CuppaJo and onward).
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Originally Posted by Phillygirl
I also think people forget they changed parent companies. One impression i got last year is that there is a certain leash on what they can and can not comment on. Just my opinion from some observations. That was even the speculation on lighthouses' "quick" exit. It happened shortly after he made a certain post in the PvP section. First and formost this is their job not a hobby like it is to us.
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Originally Posted by Creole Ned
OCR did not change companies, it has always been handled by NCsoft employees (starting with CuppaJo and onward).
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So they where never part of cryptic? Even so i am sure decision makeing had to be effected by CoH going from Cryptic to NC Soft.
"Play Nice and BEHAVE! I don't want to hear about any more of your shenanigans brought up in our meetings at Paragon"-Ghost Falcon @Tritonfree @Philly's 2nd Convenient CIGAL BoBC/INOANN Arts&Crafts Sporks
Average Joes FAP THE MENTOR PROJECT Justice Events
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Agreed, it's almost zen anti-marketing to be able to pull that off.*|
Originally Posted by Leese
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There is an ever decreasing amount of red name feedback on the boards as a whole. A couple of months ago this was put down to "They are busy with Going Rogue". Now that is complete I can't see what excuse anyone could give for the ever decreasing amount of redname interaction (ignoring GGs witless "Jam tomorrow" style excuses).
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It's possible they may have updated policies once the game was fully owned by NCsoft. Lighthouse was pretty hands-on after the switch, though, as was Ex Libris, so if there was a change I suspect it happened after they left.
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Originally Posted by Phillygirl
So they where never part of cryptic? Even so i am sure decision makeing had to be effected by CoH going from Cryptic to NC Soft.
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I think having everyone under one roof facilitated communication and engendered goodwill among the parties.
50s: Inv/SS PB Emp/Dark Grav/FF DM/Regen TA/A Sonic/Elec MA/Regen Fire/Kin Sonic/Rad Ice/Kin Crab Fire/Cold NW Merc/Dark Emp/Sonic Rad/Psy Emp/Ice WP/DB FA/SM
Overlord of Dream Team and Nightmare Squad
This thread is interesting when there are about a half a dozen threads elsewhere in these forums started by Devs specifically asking players for their opinions on things they want and those answers are translating into future plans for the game.
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Correct. The forums, and the community relations/marketing people have always been NCSoft employees.
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Originally Posted by Phillygirl
So they where never part of cryptic? Even so i am sure decision makeing had to be effected by CoH going from Cryptic to NC Soft.
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Originally Posted by Hy-Beams
This thread is interesting when there are about a half a dozen threads elsewhere in these forums started by Devs specifically asking players for their opinions on things they want and those answers are translating into future plans for the game.
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Other than Castles alternative animations for powers (something which has in the past been something much more likely to be asked by BaBs) most of the other ones started ages ago though (like Jays cossie request one).
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In addition to that thread, I was thinking specifically about the All Things Art threads and BaBs "granite" thread.
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Originally Posted by Carnifax_NA
Other than Castles alternative animations for powers (something which has in the past been something much more likely to be asked by BaBs) most of the other ones started ages ago though (like Jays cossie request one).
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The main things that worry me about marketing are things like this and this.
For an expansion that was extremely important to the game, GR sure launched with an almost complete absence of coverage from the mainstream gaming websites.
"The Hamidon is a what what of what?" - Brian the mission guy.