Could we do with a long-term game plan?

We've heard mention that they have things planned up until Issue 29. We've also heard in the past that they don't like announcing things in case they cannot deliver.

I understand the second part, and I also understand wanting to keep some surprises in store.

On the flip side though, there are things often complained about that we feel don't get heeded. Such as the lack of 30-40 and 40-50 content (where in Blueside's case a lot of that content dates back to issue 0/1).

What I'd love to see is a game plan for the next 9 major issues and any half issues/issue updates of what they're hoping to deliver. No specifics.

So say, Issue 22: Solo + Small Team Incarnate Content, iTrial, Trial

Issue 23: 30-40 content Blue/Red/Gold side, base update, PVP changes

Issue 24: 40-50 content, so on, so forth.

They could chuck disclaimers saying that these things aren't final, subject to change, and all the other usual suspects. A game plan for the future would show things such as commitment to the game for the long haul, time to raise queries and suggestions for the later updates and a chance for player/dev interaction on their plans and goals, and our hopes and expectations.

They have a long-term game plan. The playerbase is not included in it.

Saying they have a "long term plan" doesn't really mean anything, when they'll change it soon enough anyway. As mentioned in that thread by Memphis Bill that apparently was too hot for the forum (what the heck?), it seems that their nine issue plan for the future changes every two issues.

While I agree, and would love to see something like this, I do not think they will ever do it. Reason being: Staff Melee has not been officially even mentioned by anyone at Paragon Studios (the only evidence being a video of moves that surfaced for about an hour one day) and look how much talk that has garnered here on the forums. Just imagine how much hype and build-up stuff would receive if they were to offer such information, no matter how laden with disclaimers it was? They would set themselves up for an attack if they failed to meet one or more of the objectives because this is the forums and we are unreasonable, haha.

"OMG Devs said they'd do this in Issue whatever and now they aren't! They lied!!!"

Still waiting for his Official BackAlleyBrawler No-Prize

It isn't just making promises to players and not keeping them. Announcing things years in advance lets your competitors know what you are doing.

plans change, and people get their hopes hung up on things and go ballistic when they are changed. This would only cause trouble. plus, if you dont really care about things in the next 2 issues and unsub till the third one that looks interesting, congrats, now they have less financial resources to make the thing in the third issue you wanted, so some features get cut and now you are mad. Its a nice sounding idea, but it would blow up in their face. and no, the usual disclaimers haven't worked so far in preventing this, they really wouldn't work out in the long term.

Take the Magic: The Gathering 'What Color Are You?' Quiz.

Nah.

See, the problem with them saying anything like that is that they can't guarantee they'll follow through. The Universities were being built back (I believe) in Issue 5, for use in the SSOCS (the "super secret" out of combat skill system, as I recall it meaning) - giving other ways of improving your character. That was scrapped for "not being fun."

Or, well, Statesman's comment here:

See my Guides and Tutorials

It's a nice to have, but clearly very difficult for the Devs to release that kind of info - if they don't deliver then they get hanged for it.

Maybe some kind of compromise would be a "Devs Wish List" where they can say they are looking at but not guaranteeing stuff, and projected possible delivery time, without it being even close to binding.

"You got to dig it to dig it, you dig?"
Thelonious Monk

Although I'd love to know what's coming in the future, there's also a potential financial impact too.

Let's just say I'm an avid base builder and the Devs announce that bases will get some love in issue 27. They then run the risk that I'll cancel my sub until that issue comes out.

That said, I understand the frustration. I would love, love, love to see some material coming out for the 30 - 50 levels.

There's also the issue of the competition. If you announce your plans too far in advance, you give others too much time to counter it. "City of Heroes might have Clown Summoning power set in four years, but play our game and you can command your clown armies TODAY!"

Because when they released the GR video a year or a bit more [cant remember] just that much in advance, the whole population was getting more and more frustrated with it taking so long to come out

I'ld be one of them, im one of those people that if i KNOW something is coming out then i just refuse to play that part of the game or halt alts just before it so they can experience it. For example when i knew First Ward was coming out and knew the level range, NONE of my new alts made it past level 20 since i wanted them all to experience the zone from the start. Yes they waited months

Information about upcoming content is as much a carrot as the content itself, it has to be portioned out carefully.

I hope they make the I22 Overview page avalaible soon with:
Jiggle boobs tech
Animated hair
PP/APP/PPP Epics customization
Martial arts secondary for blasters

Fair points made by all.

What about a marketing style survey, even if it was just 'Pick 10 things out of these drop down menus you'd like to see.' rather than a more in-depth questionnaire?