Am I Missing Something? Why Give The Media A Sneak Peek?

[Ziljan]

But press are important too. Without new people hearing about the game, we don't get new Commanders joining the awesome community.

This is interesting. You say you guys are still trying to get new players? And yet you let a cancer of engineer exploit modules remain in the game?

The fact that grandfathered exploit god-ships are still roaming the galaxy would be enough to drive off most new players. I really hope you guys realize (and soon) how important it is to communicate your strategy to resolve this issue in a very public way. Confidence in the integrity of the game is eroding, faster than you can say "Thargoids have Returned!"

 

[Infidel Deity]

Hi Alien,

I can explain and I hope you respect the absolute honesty and transparency in my answer.

The first thing I think it is important to note is that press and community are both very important. We all know community are important for all the reasons and more that you've mentioned. They create the most amazing content and they bring the game to life. Without the community the game is lifeless.

But press are important too. Without new people hearing about the game, we don't get new Commanders joining the awesome community. There are loads of other ways that we communicate to new, existing and old players too (not just press and community). It's all part of making sure that the community is as thriving, healthy and as active as it can be. Ultimately we all want the same thing.

One example of how we always keep our community in mind is E3. Rather than just showing content at E3 in press interviews alone, like many games do, we thought it would be better to have a community goal to incorporate a fun way to reveal the content in lore, try somethig new and then have that content out to the community at the very first opportunity. You may not always see it but we really do always try and make sure that the community are kept in the loop as early as possible. Ask any of the guys that came to visit the studio the other week.

As for the video. I understand that it can be frustrating not to be seeing one piece of content straight away but the truth is that having something exclusive to those interviews means that there's more reason for the press to write about the news, news that we all have a part of creating. E3 has a lot of games news so it's important to have that little extra sometimes. It's happens with all forms of communications and there's always balance to be had with however you get that content out to people.

E3 saw the community getting almost all of the E3 news first, with all the videos and content going live on our channels before the interviews were starting. This video was an extra exclusive to support those interviews as a way to.set the tone of what's to come.

I hope that answers your question. Please don't for a second think that the community isn't well loved or respected, they really are. I can hand on heart say (and I will at lavecon) that the company truly appreciates and values the support of the community and that shows in so many ways. I could list the countless ways community are put at the very front of events, updates, content and consideration and how this culture starts from the top and runs down the entire studio but it's late, i've spent too long on this reply lol and I'm heading to bed. Grab me at the lavecon if you want to discuss the details further. I'd be happy to explain in more detail.

All the best

Zac

P.S - Will the community see this video? Never say never.

A good answer!
And the only that is both logical and sane. [yesnod]

 

[Tuub t Tute]

This is interesting. <snip>

Ever considered that FDev are laughing and hard, at the fact that Open has now finally devoured itself? The irritation that "In my opinion" they never really wanted in the first place has finally made itself so toxic that even ardent Pro-Open / Pro-PvPers are not wanting to use it?

Meanwhile the majority of players, who play in solo or small private groups with friends, either ignore the noise altogether or try not to laugh at the drama.

It reminds me of an old First Nation-attributed saying: "When the last tree is cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish dead, we will discover that we can’t eat money"... What good then, will all their God ships be?

 

[Voz]

I think it's perfectly acceptable for a company to generate hype by showing content to the press in a controlled way, knowing that impressions and hints will drift out in news articles and generate some 'buzz'. There is nothing new in this.

Having said that I do think it would be perfectly reasonable to include Kickstarter backers (maybe at certain levels) in these sorts of reveals where possible to recognize that without their help the game would not be here.

P.S. I didn't get in as part of the Kickstarter.

 

[satrycus]

Why do the media get a sneak peek at E3?
Did they push for Elite IV before the kickstarter? No.
Did they back Elite Dangerous kickstarter? No.
Did they buy the game and the Horizons expansion? Probably not.
Can they report on what they've seen? No because you've given them a gagging order.

So could someone at Frontier please explain why the media get a sneak peek and the community don't?

What?! Is it that time of year already? Another post from Alien on the unfairness of press previews?

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.

And another reasoned response from (a no doubt exasperated) developer:

We did release some information exclusively at Lavecon - namely the response to the Jaques initiative, and some more details on the tourism. Our plan has been to make a big splash at Gamescom (which seems to be going well), but we did keep Lavecon in mind. Quite a few members of the team went and chatted to everyone about the game, and were happy to meet and interact with the fans who came - and for me that was the strength of Lavecon. It isn't about trying to sell the game, it's about meeting the players.

Seriously though Alien, you do yourself a great disservice by harping on about this. The community *does* get exclusive news at the fan run events and be fair, Lavecon attendees got an exclusive paint job! I've criticised both Frontier and the game on many occasions, but I think on this count you're being unfair and sounding a little ungrateful :/

 

[Watcher]

I understand the frustration but I also appreciate FD needing to be able to engage the press, if that means a little bit of extra content exclusively for them or a bit earlier than for us then fine.
We still have a game and FD do seem to be trying to keep us informed - even when that is rather in opposition to wanting to surprise us with stuff.

 

[kmwmtd]

Why do the media get a sneak peek at E3?
Did they push for Elite IV before the kickstarter? No.
Did they back Elite Dangerous kickstarter? No.
Did they buy the game and the Horizons expansion? Probably not.
Can they report on what they've seen? No because you've given them a gagging order.

So could someone at Frontier please explain why the media get a sneak peek and the community don't?

I guess they need time to research and write articles so that they are ready for publication when they get the go-ahead. Marketing and merchandising usually work that way these days.

 

[Tinman]

So could someone at Frontier please explain why the media get a sneak peek and the community don't?

*decloaks*

Could someone please explain why Alien keeps asking this question after been given an answer to that very question many MANY times already throughout the years and perfectly well knows the answer...

*reengages cloak*

 

[Ziljan]

Ever considered that FDev are laughing and hard, at the fact that Open has now finally devoured itself? The irritation that "In my opinion" they never really wanted in the first place has finally made itself so toxic that even ardent Pro-Open / Pro-PvPers are not wanting to use it?

Meanwhile the majority of players, who play in solo or small private groups with friends, either ignore the noise altogether or try not to laugh at the drama.

It reminds me of an old First Nation-attributed saying: "When the last tree is cut, the last river poisoned, and the last fish dead, we will discover that we can’t eat money"... What good then, will all their God ships be?

Open is apparently the most popular mode in the game, so no, I seriously doubt that Frontier are celebrating that Open player activity has fallen off a cliff.

 

[amigacooke]

Please don't for a second think that the community isn't well loved or respected, they really are.

Go on, have a go at convincing me that the macOS community is well loved and respected.

 

[wstephenson]

*decloaks*

Could someone please explain why Alien keeps asking this question after been given an answer to that very question many MANY times already throughout the years and perfectly well knows the answer...

*reengages cloak*

Frontier are apparently testing procedurally generated community members, Alien has been allotted the 'awkward squad' archetype, and they have set the 'originality' value too low in its config.

Good to see you again....​where'd he go?

 

[K-Rose]

Go on, have a go at convincing me that the macOS community is well loved and respected.

Isn't what you're saying here kind of like buying a motorbike to carry a wardrobe, then blaming the wardrobe manufacturer for not making their wardrobe not motorbike friendly?

I mean blame Apple for not upgrading their hardware to run Horizons, don't say FD don't support you, I'm sure they'd love to sell you Horizons and take your money.

 

[GreyAreaUK]

I mean blame Apple for not upgrading their hardware to run Horizons,

It's not a hardware problem.

 

[K-Rose]

It's not a hardware problem.

OK probably a discussion for another thread, my point still stands that I'm sure FD would love to sell mac owners Horizons, it's more money for them.

 

[Ruskodisco]

What im really hating is that Frontier is acting like a company that sold us a full product. If youre going to sell us promises of content and an unfinished product, then you have to be more open in your communication. Elite Dangerous was funded by early access and kickstarters. Whatever people say, Seasons = early access. That means that the early money you have received for an unfinished product has a price

 

[Theodrid]

Sorry to break this to you Alien but I heard TJ told Frontier to do it to annoy you.

 

[StiTch]

Because they already have your money.

 

[Cmdr Delmonte[VR]]

Because the media are less likely to look at the Skybox and solve it! Won't give out spoilers or write a thread to moan about it........ And yet create just enough hype to get players excited and engaged. it's call "PR" o7

 

[Vasious]

Thanks, Zac, for the honest response.

You could give the community at least some info (specific, not announcements of announcements). Everyone just wants to know where we are and what the plans are - roughly.

You realise you asked for them to be roughly specific or specificly rough

 

[Nidhöggr]

w tf is this shi...?

srsly, thats so common in the industry the inform the press bevorhand because it's actualy free advertising and they also can prepare the news to release it on day X.

how arrogant can a (part of the) community be and proclaim the right to always have the news first?