Polling the poll

[-o-]

This poll is designed to answer whether or not asking poll questions about changing any part of ED is relevant.

If there is a significant No vote, it means most of the data from polls here is pointless as there is a already pre-determined vote against any change - regardless of what that change is, or its merits.

 

[JeffRyan]

I don't think a poll is gonna change whether they listen to polls or not.

 

[OpenFly]

Too binary - need a "Only if a fantastic new idea that no-one has thought of" option.
The further they go down the road of developement, the harder it would be to incorporate/test changes to the core of the game.

 

[Stormprooter]

I think most aspects of the game will not be changed based on polls in the forum. But when it comes to balancing, and other 'tweaks', then yes, the community (those partaking in testing anyway) do have some input, and the devs do listen, and when they agree, something is done about it.

I don't expect any major aspect to be changed based on this though, as DB has a clear vision of what he wants - some of the details along the way, are I feel, a bit more open to change and influence from the community.

 

[jabokai]

FD have used polls themselves so they must be of some use. Look at the in-system travel polls and the results of those and how they tie in to the frame-shift drive proposal to see one of the most obvious results of this.

The problem with most of the polls in the general forums is that they're usually posted by someone looking for support for their own view and, as such, the poll question and/or answers are often leading. If people posting polls can try and keep their own opinion out of it, for the initial post at least, I think it would be better.

 

[ToadMan]

The problem with polls here is that the majority of voters are doing it on the basis of youtube vids and perception.

Not that many people have played the Alpha, and even Alpha players haven't played the game in its final form.

So at this stage, FD must be allowed to proceed on the course they've planned and polls here to change things are irrelevant right now.

I guess alpha backer polls might be worthwhile on things actually in the alpha though. Everyone not in Alpha will have to wait until they play the game to really understand what they like and don't like.

Toad.

 

[Squicker]

This poll is designed to answer whether or not asking poll questions about changing any part of ED is relevant.

If there is a significant No vote, it means most of the data from polls here is pointless as there is a already pre-determined vote against any change - regardless of what that change is, or its merits.

As they are now in official testing, changes will only be made in a managed manner due to test output and test survey feedback.

Forum polls fall outside of the design\build\test process and as such will be ignored. For example, how would FD know someone feeding back via an informal forum poll was even in the Alpha, and not just getting their opinion 2nd hand from a Youtube video or blogging site, thereby rendering the feedback redundant.

 

[JeffRyan]

I can say changes have even been made in the design phase because of feedback. And we should distinguish between member polls and developer polls.

 

[Squicker]

I guess alpha backer polls might be worthwhile on things actually in the alpha though.

Yes, I imagine after each alpha release FD email a link to an alpha survey for that release which the alpha backers fill in. Plus they clearly have a lof of back-end data they can analyse themselves re performance metrics, stability etc.

So that is what they are now 'polling'; alpha player surveys, defect lists and their own datasets.

The purpose of an alpha\beta is to prove\disprove the theories formulated during the design. So to actually change the design and hence those theories, once engaged in actual testing, would take a lot of work and would invalidate all the testing done to date and mean all the future test plans had to be revisited. In short, massive effort and increased risk for no tangible value. Clearly FD were happy with the design when they entered alpha, or they would not have entered alpha.

Now, should they get to the end of alpha and there is a lot of data (both empirical and customer survey data) saying that their design is in fact lacking and needs modification, they will have to revisit the design stage in some form. But even then, they would rely upon the first hand alpha tester survey data to forumulate views on possible ways to remediate the design, rather than open forum informal polls, which could be filled in by any Tom, or Harry.

 

[MikeSnos]

If FD think an idea is of merit then they will take that on board.. There are several occasions where they've changed tack or tweaked based on Forum/DDF feedback...

 

[Frank]

I'm finding this difficult to get my head around. Could someone please explain to me what happens if I vote "No" to a poll which is asking if Frontier Developments should pay attention to polls?

 

[CMDR Texas Stu]

FD has already shown they pay attention and are willing to adjust based on player input.
Your poll proves nothing.
The problem with polls is they are by nature limited and do not usually offer proper reflection (or options) to a comment/question.
FD has shown some great flexibility but also resolution to their idea if what Elite should be and shouldn't be.

 

[Cmdr Andy B]

I don't think a poll is gonna change whether they listen to polls or not.

maybe we should take a poll on this to find out

but seriously FD have listened to the users, and as for the issue of non alpha backers voicing opinion based on video's/blogs etc. all FD would need to do is post said poll in the Alpha forum or the DDF to ensure they only got input from those who were participating in the alpha test.

 

[Rog]

I'm finding this difficult to get my head around. Could someone please explain to me what happens if I vote "No" to a poll which is asking if Frontier Developments should pay attention to polls?

The ensuing chaotic cascade of subatomic conflictions would destabilise the pan-dimensional Higgs field.

Our universe would wink out of existence, leaving only the background radiation from internet rants to echo around the void.

And we don't want that, do we?

 

[Commander Dave]

This poll is designed to answer whether or not asking poll questions about changing any part of ED is relevant.

Wasn't this what the DDF was for ?
We went through lots and lots of discussion about various aspects of the game and one of the fundamentals (getting around from point to point etc...) was changed accordingly once opinion had been canvassed.
It should be in the DDF Archive.

 

[nats]

I said yes because they would have to be mad to not consider the consensus of their customers, but I also think there is a definite line to be drawn and this forum is only visited by a minority of the potential players of this game.

 

[Cody]

<scratches head>

 

[Frank]

The ensuing chaotic cascade of subatomic conflictions would destabilise the pan-dimensional Higgs field.

Our universe would wink out of existence, leaving only the background radiation from internet rants to echo around the void.

And we don't want that, do we?

So... That would be bad... Right?

 

[CMDR Texas Stu]

As bad as if there was no DDF

 

[Memnoch]

I voted no. We don't want the tail wagging the dog, now do we!?