A Moan About Frontier Releasing Info

[Alien]

I get it. No really, I do get it. I, like most of you, are the consumers or customers. In the ladder of where we rank, it's somewhere near the bottom, just above those who either have not bought the game, or got a refund. The only time we matter, is when Frontier (or any game developer) wants our money from us ... remember that, it'll be relevant in a minute.

So, today saw a gaming news site release some info about the 2.2 patch Frontier are going to release. They got this info from a press conference at Gamescom, in Cologne. Frontier are going to livestream tomorrow (Thursday 18th August) to tell us all about the new patch. Here's the issue ... we already know about it. By telling a load of journalists what is coming, Frontier's big reveal has been spoiled.

I get it. No really I do. A games developer attends these conventions to sell their games. They give the press exclusive access to what is coming to give them something to print (either physically or digitally) to not only sell their site/publication but to sell the developer's game. Everyone is happy ... or are they?

Gamescom is not the only convention Frontier attended. About a month ago, Frontier attended Lavecon, you know, a convention organised by fans of the game Elite: Dangerous, for fans of that game to gather and gossip and get exclusive insight into what is coming. It's why one of the two most popular parts of Lavecon this year were the Frontier Q&A and the exclusive reveal of the FEII theme by Dave Lowe.

Let's talk a moment about that theme tune. Dave Lowe allowed Lavecon to play a sneak preview of the theme. It was a preview by about a week, and only 95% complete, and was not streamed live and was played once and deleted straight away ... yet to hear it, filled the room. Dave Lowe allowed it because it was a thank you to Lavecon for getting the project funded on Kickstarter a year previously. The only other thing to fill the room like that was Frontier's Q&A, yet why?

A lot of questions were asked, and not much info was given out. The standard response was "Gamescom". It became a joke. So Gamescom is here, and did us, the fans, the ones who funded this whole thing 4 years ago, who re-invigorated Frontier Developments as a company, who pushed them to become a much bigger player in games development ... and what happens? Some no-name site gets an exclusive scoop. Thanks Michael.

So if Michael, David, Zac or anyone at Frontier is reading this ... you guys are very welcome at Lavecon. We do love you to bits. But for crying out loud, I feel that us, the fans, the paying customers, deserve better. If we go to the trouble of organising an event, could you please, please FOR THE LOVE OF BRABEN ... please actually give us, the fans, the customers, some exclusive stuff for a change, and not hide behind "Gamescom" for an answer.

Rant over.

 

[Fenris Wolf]

You want me glad to hear that the gaming new press release has been pulled.

Seems that they were a little too early releasing what they heard about.

 

[Alien]

You want me glad to hear that the gaming new press release has been pulled.

Seems that they were a little too early releasing what they heard about.

www.pcgamesn.com/elite-dangerous/elite-dangerous-aliens-patch-22

That one?

EDIT:
It isn't so much about the site releasing the info too early, but more about Lavecon getting nothing to talk about. If you were there at that Q&A, you'll know what I mean about the "Gamescom" response to nearly all the questions.

 

[MadDogMurdock]

What exactly do you think these games conferences are for?

 

[Leo Sagan]

EDITED : * nevermind *

 

[Fenris Wolf]

Yeah, the page has been edited down and the only video they have available it the one that FD actually released as a teaser with the ship launch thingy.

All the other info they had on there has been pulled and the longer video with the different ships, stations and other bits has been pulled altogether.

I'm guessing there have been a few rapped knuckles and threats of Mr Brookes visiting their offices with his axe!

 

[Cosmos]

So Allen is upset because they waited for Gamescom to release new details? The reasons for it have been clear for quite some time.. By giving the Press first look, they have an incentive to write about the game and this in turns leads to free marketing etc.. ED is competing in a tough market space and its not gonna be a good thing if they had nothing new to report there.

Sorry bud but Lavecon and Lave radio etc aren't well known outside the ED community. I'll agree that the Q&A at Lavecon was a quite light on details but I don't think its worth getting your knickers in a twist over.

 

[Alien]

What exactly do you think these games conferences are for?

I get it, I do ... these conferences are there to sell the games. They use the media to sell the games. The media want exclusives to get eyes on their products to justify charging for advertising rates. The media and the developers scratch each other's backs.

Hey Alien,

Please don't take this the wrong way, not bashing you or anything, I genuinely love your posts, this one included. Still, this is what I immediately thought reading it ( please pardon my poor english skills ) :

On one hand we have :

People organizing / attending Lavecon love the game = want it to be successful = want FD make $$$ so they can reinvest in the game and develop it further = money is good = please take *THEIR* money by giving them some exclusives

On the other hand we have :

Me love the game = me paid extra bucks for it = me devotes a tremendous amount of time to it = me feels I deserve some exclusives = me b*tt hurts when exclusives are given to the casuals = me raging

But in the end, updates are good (or not *lol*), money is good, and you should forget about all this and just play the game while the buzz is fading and we know (for real) what's going on.

Leo, I know you edited your post, but I am going to put here what you said, because I think you make an excellent point.
Yes we, as fans, want the game to be successfull and that means Frontier need to do what is necessary to sell their games (not just Elite Dangerous). But they could have had *something* exclusive for Lavecon. It was the fourth one Michael Brookes attended, so it's not like he didn't know we'd want *something*.

 

[Sans Daring]

I'm a little stunned at the moan. You seem to understand why, but refute it. Gamescon is a giant European Gamesfair. It's a major video-game media platform. If you're going to release new information, aimed at galvanising broad interest (not just customer interest) in a game, that's the place to do it. If you wish to position yourself, as many do in kickstarters, as some form of shareholder in terms of being recognized as a critical part of the product, surely you see Gamescon offers the best opportunity of exposure, interest, new customers, stable income, better development, better game?

I can appreciate those who have continually invested in Elite, both in the gamesphere and with such great convention scenes, might sometimes feel that they could have more acknowledgement, but in fairness, FDev seems pretty good at acknowledging fans. The acknowledgement of a strong fandom shouldn't be confused with the need to maximise product promotion, something that is critical and itself mandatory for any developers who have been funded.

Gamescon/Lavecon are two different things in terms of what Elite means. If you simply wish there would be more FDev representation at Lavecon, that's understandable. But you can't mix up a critical move in promotions with a loyalty issue. Elite is bigger than its core fanbase - and it has to be to survive. It's very easy for fans, through their own love and vocal visibility, to forget that their product isn't just about them - it's always about broader markets if it is to survive.

Like I said, this in no way (this post or FDev imo) diminishes the success and worth of Lavecon. With global media, you need good platforms, with high exposure/interest. This is all this is about. It's not a choice of "better" people/sites, it's just about which will benefit the game the most.

 

[Alien]

So Allen is upset because they waited for Gamescom to release new details? The reasons for it have been clear for quite some time.. By giving the Press first look, they have an incentive to write about the game and this in turns leads to free marketing etc.. ED is competing in a tough market space and its not gonna be a good thing if they had nothing new to report there.

Sorry bud but Lavecon and Lave radio etc aren't well known outside the ED community. I'll agree that the Q&A at Lavecon was a quite light on details but I don't think its worth getting your knickers in a twist over.

See my above reply to Leo

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

I'm a little stunned at the moan. You seem to understand why, but refute it. Gamescon is a giant European Gamesfair. It's a major video-game media platform. If you're going to release new information, aimed at galvanising broad interest (not just customer interest) in a game, that's the place to do it. If you wish to position yourself, as many do in kickstarters, as some form of shareholder in terms of being recognized as a critical part of the product, surely you see Gamescon offers the best opportunity of exposure, interest, new customers, stable income, better development, better game?

I can appreciate those who have continually invested in Elite, both in the gamesphere and with such great convention scenes, might sometimes feel that they could have more acknowledgement, but in fairness, FDev seems pretty good at acknowledging fans. The acknowledgement of a strong fandom shouldn't be confused with the need to maximise product promotion, something that is critical and itself mandatory for any developers who have been funded.

Gamescon/Lavecon are two different things in terms of what Elite means. If you simply wish there would be more FDev representation at Lavecon, that's understandable. But you can't mix up a critical move in promotions with a loyalty issue. Elite is bigger than its core fanbase - and it has to be to survive. It's very easy for fans, through their own love and vocal visibility, to forget that their product isn't just about them - it's always about broader markets if it is to survive.

Like I said, this in no way (this post or FDev imo) diminishes the success and worth of Lavecon. With global media, you need good platforms, with high exposure/interest. This is all this is about. It's not a choice of "better" people/sites, it's just about which will benefit the game the most.

See my reply to Leo

 

[Monk]

I will never be able to make it to a Lavecon but I can understand the desire to have something special for all the very loyal support.

News on upcoming release is just not something you are going to get though. It goes against any sensible marketing strategy. Besides, you'd still have to sit on that information (which would get shared with everyone else) until it comes to release...that seem like a lot anticipation to the point of fatigue for exclusive peek.

However, there should be something extra for folks who make it to Lavecon...but it will never be exclusive information, it just adds too many variables.

 

[h347h]

I get it. No really, I do get it. I, like most of you, are the consumers or customers. In the ladder of where we rank, it's somewhere near the bottom, just above those who either have not bought the game, or got a refund. The only time we matter, is when Frontier (or any game developer) wants our money from us ... remember that, it'll be relevant in a minute.

So, today saw a gaming news site release some info about the 2.2 patch Frontier are going to release. They got this info from a press conference at Gamescom, in Cologne. Frontier are going to livestream tomorrow (Thursday 18th August) to tell us all about the new patch. Here's the issue ... we already know about it. By telling a load of journalists what is coming, Frontier's big reveal has been spoiled.

I get it. No really I do. A games developer attends these conventions to sell their games. They give the press exclusive access to what is coming to give them something to print (either physically or digitally) to not only sell their site/publication but to sell the developer's game. Everyone is happy ... or are they?

Gamescom is not the only convention Frontier attended. About a month ago, Frontier attended Lavecon, you know, a convention organised by fans of the game Elite: Dangerous, for fans of that game to gather and gossip and get exclusive insight into what is coming. It's why one of the two most popular parts of Lavecon this year were the Frontier Q&A and the exclusive reveal of the FEII theme by Dave Lowe.

Let's talk a moment about that theme tune. Dave Lowe allowed Lavecon to play a sneak preview of the theme. It was a preview by about a week, and only 95% complete, and was not streamed live and was played once and deleted straight away ... yet to hear it, filled the room. Dave Lowe allowed it because it was a thank you to Lavecon for getting the project funded on Kickstarter a year previously. The only other thing to fill the room like that was Frontier's Q&A, yet why?

A lot of questions were asked, and not much info was given out. The standard response was "Gamescom". It became a joke. So Gamescom is here, and did us, the fans, the ones who funded this whole thing 4 years ago, who re-invigorated Frontier Developments as a company, who pushed them to become a much bigger player in games development ... and what happens? Some no-name site gets an exclusive scoop. Thanks Michael.

So if Michael, David, Zac or anyone at Frontier is reading this ... you guys are very welcome at Lavecon. We do love you to bits. But for crying out loud, I feel that us, the fans, the paying customers, deserve better. If we go to the trouble of organising an event, could you please, please FOR THE LOVE OF BRABEN ... please actually give us, the fans, the customers, some exclusive stuff for a change, and not hide behind "Gamescom" for an answer.

Rant over.

Entitled much?

Lavecon is cute and all but hardly a place to present big information. FD is a business after all and blowing all the important information at Lavecon would be bad business.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

That was an impressive rant.

I'm still not quite sure i understand what you think is wrong.

That a developer released some information to journalists? Well, bless my 10 tiny toes!

 

[Mephane]

I get it. No really, I do get it. I, like most of you, are the consumers or customers. In the ladder of where we rank, it's somewhere near the bottom, just above those who either have not bought the game, or got a refund. The only time we matter, is when Frontier (or any game developer) wants our money from us ... remember that, it'll be relevant in a minute.

So, today saw a gaming news site release some info about the 2.2 patch Frontier are going to release. They got this info from a press conference at Gamescom, in Cologne. Frontier are going to livestream tomorrow (Thursday 18th August) to tell us all about the new patch. Here's the issue ... we already know about it. By telling a load of journalists what is coming, Frontier's big reveal has been spoiled.

I get it. No really I do. A games developer attends these conventions to sell their games. They give the press exclusive access to what is coming to give them something to print (either physically or digitally) to not only sell their site/publication but to sell the developer's game. Everyone is happy ... or are they?

Gamescom is not the only convention Frontier attended. About a month ago, Frontier attended Lavecon, you know, a convention organised by fans of the game Elite: Dangerous, for fans of that game to gather and gossip and get exclusive insight into what is coming. It's why one of the two most popular parts of Lavecon this year were the Frontier Q&A and the exclusive reveal of the FEII theme by Dave Lowe.

Let's talk a moment about that theme tune. Dave Lowe allowed Lavecon to play a sneak preview of the theme. It was a preview by about a week, and only 95% complete, and was not streamed live and was played once and deleted straight away ... yet to hear it, filled the room. Dave Lowe allowed it because it was a thank you to Lavecon for getting the project funded on Kickstarter a year previously. The only other thing to fill the room like that was Frontier's Q&A, yet why?

A lot of questions were asked, and not much info was given out. The standard response was "Gamescom". It became a joke. So Gamescom is here, and did us, the fans, the ones who funded this whole thing 4 years ago, who re-invigorated Frontier Developments as a company, who pushed them to become a much bigger player in games development ... and what happens? Some no-name site gets an exclusive scoop. Thanks Michael.

So if Michael, David, Zac or anyone at Frontier is reading this ... you guys are very welcome at Lavecon. We do love you to bits. But for crying out loud, I feel that us, the fans, the paying customers, deserve better. If we go to the trouble of organising an event, could you please, please FOR THE LOVE OF BRABEN ... please actually give us, the fans, the customers, some exclusive stuff for a change, and not hide behind "Gamescom" for an answer.

Rant over.

I completely agree. The whole "exclusive closed room preview for select press people" thing is especially frustrating because news, especially gaming news, have not been working like that for a long time. You announce something on a convention for the whole public, and if it is noteworthy half an hour later major gaming news sites have it on their front page anyway.

And then beyond the particular issue of press-exclusive events-within-an-event there, it is generally extremely annoying when some actual news (as in, entirely new to the dedicated player base who soak up every bit of available info) comes on some (sometimes mostly unknown) third party site - or even worse: only in a printed magazine (I am still salty about you giving away an exclusive paintjob with a print magazine issue... this is just so backwards). When I want the news, I check the official YT channel, official forums, official twitter (already that becomes questionable if social media are the only source). I have no desire nor time to scour all the gaming news sites all the time in case there is something that we, as the players and customers, should know about.

 

[DefiledDragon]

Entitled much?

Lavecon is cute and all but

Way to drop a log all over the fans there bro, grats.

 

[Jukelo]

Doesn't Frontier typically give special decals or paintjobs to those going to Lavecon already?

 

[Alien]

Way to drop a log all over the fans there bro, grats.

But he had a point. Is revealing exclusive content at Lavecon going to sell Frontier's games? No, of course not. Lavecon is attended nearly completely by people who have already bought the game. there is no profit to be gained there. That is why events like EGX, PAX and Gamescom exist, for people to make profits.

But a thank you to those at Lavecon, many of whom literally threw money at Frontier long before we knew what game we were getting *cough*Star Citizen*cough*No Man's Sky*cough*Limit Theory*cough* ... something for those people, would be a nice thing to do.

I'm not talking reveal everything, of course save lots of stuff for the events that matter, but preparing an exclusive or two for Lavecon would be justified.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

Doesn't Frontier typically give special decals or paintjobs to those going to Lavecon?

Not what I am discussing here.

 

[Bacalao]

Way to drop a log all over the fans there bro, grats.

Or maybe just drop some perspective? More of us fans are anticipating Gamescom than Lavecon. It's great you all get to have lunch with the devs, but most of us are looking forward to traditional outlets for information.

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

I get it, I do ... .

If you did then this thread wouldn't exist.

 

[Alien]

If you did then this thread wouldn't exist.

If I just accepted the status quo, THEN this thread wouldn't exist.

 

[Jukelo]

Not what I am discussing here.

And yet in the same post you're asking for a token of gratitude from Frontier. What do you think those free vanity items they hand out at Lavecon are?