Why has the Community Manager virtually abandoned the forums?

[TheNavvie]

I don't watch the livestreams, I think watching youtube videos of people playing computer games is the most boring thing ever. The very last thing I want to do is see somebody else discover something in a game that I'm playing, before I've seen it first hand for myself. It's like reading the last page of a book when you've just finished the second chapter.

I'd much rather the Community Manager and/or Team were more active on the forums, which I do read and post too, than making youtube videos.

I know the above about youtube videos makes me a tiny minority, but figured my 2cents was worth adding.

 

[amigacooke]

It's true that not every post can be answered but I can promise you that they are read and that information is compiled in a way that then feeds into the development teams working on the game.

Lord knows what the macOS information feed looks like then.

 

[Candy Man]

When FDev originally introduced the role of a Community Manager we got lots of interaction on the forums. I believe the idea was to allow the developers to get on with developing the game, rather than wasting time on the forums answering questions:


However these days he seems to spend most of his time (preparing for?) making YouTube streams (which I personally have no interest in), rather than posting on the forums answering serious questions about the game :-( . e.g. In the last month he made 35 posts, but 14+ of them were to do with his YouTube videos, so that's less than 5 posts per week about non-video stuff.

So now it is almost impossible to get an answer out of FDev about important issues (e.g. 1, 2).

Am I the only one who wishes he'd spend a bit less time doing (IMHO boring) YouTube streams, and instead answer some serious questions on the forums?

Is there any chance FDev could ask him to allocate a bit more time to the forums? It seems like his role has changed from "Community Manager" to "YouTube PR Manager".

edit:
P.S. Contrary to some speculation, this post is not an attack on Ed, who I have no complaints about (he seems a great guy). It's about how FDev assigns his time, which currently seems 99% YouTube, 1% forums (at best). Also this post is NOT about the beige planet issue, that is just a clear example of the lack of communication from FDev over the past year.

I think you have a fair point although could have been a little more diplomatic.

 

[babelfisch]

Lord knows what the macOS information feed looks like then.

AFAIK every question regarding MacOS has been answered.
"Will there be Horizons on Mac?"
"Nope."

 

[Shadowdancer]

#freeDAV

Only if he #SavesThePanther!

 

[Crank Larson]

The thread in example one of the OP's post is a request by the community for an update on the beige/terrain situation. Please?

You quoted Michael Brookes stating "That's not going to be in 2.3 though." with reference to the issue. Considering that we are still in 2.3, what further update is required?! Wait until 2.4, and if it is still an issue then that is the time to start requesting an update (most likely with added salt )...

 

[Shadowdancer]

AFAIK every question regarding MacOS has been answered.
"Will there be Horizons on Mac?"
"Nope."

They could now change that to just post Amazon affiliate links for XBoxes or PSFours, that way people can have something that's good for playing games and something that's great at being a Mac

 

[babelfisch]

You quoted Michael Brookes stating "That's not going to be in 2.3 though." with reference to the issue. Considering that we are still in 2.3, what further update is required?! Wait until 2.4, and if it is still an issue then that is the time to start requesting an update (most likely with added salt )...

Don't be reasonable. It might break the forums.

 

[Crank Larson]

Don't be reasonable. It might break the forums.

No, I've been trying to do that for years. It's the most stable part of the game.

 

[the100thmonkey]

#freeDAV

I'm gutted I repped you earlier in the thread, before I saw this.

More numbers!

 

[Winterwalker]

I'd much rather the Community Manager and/or Team were more active on the forums, which I do read and post too, than making youtube videos.

Back at Elite Meet (Bristol) in Spring, it was good sport trying to get Ed to give away spoilers over lunch (we failed horribly of course) but probably illustrates that while the Community Team are here to liaise with, and help the game's Community to develop it's probably not fair to expect them to be fully part of it. Frontier is still a business with a game to sell after all. In any case I think they tell us as much as they realistically can, given NDAs and the publicity value of releasing news in synch with game industry schedules, for which I definitely blame TJ.

Anyway, come back Ed, I really miss you man ..
<wafts> the delicious smell of pizza

 

[Alec Turner]

PS - don't forget to tune in to Thursday's stream... we're playing some CQC on PS4

You see that top floor? Yeah... that's for me.

Wow, the sass from yesterday's livestream continues unabated! I'm starting to worry what exactly was in the last batch of "biscuits" you reviewed.

Seriously tho - thanks for answering so quickly guys buuuut ... there are some valid points being made here and while I agree they shouldn't be targeted at an individual it is perhaps fair to target them at a job title? (whether that be Community Manager or Head of Communications or whatever), especially if that job title would seem to cover answering questions and concerns raised around the internet, and very specifically, in the official Frontier forum?

There are a lot of people like TheNavvie (below) who aren't interested in twitch and youtube and the like who don't want to be entertained, they just want to be able to raise genuine issues about the game and have some reasonably regular, informed responses and debate (me? I love the livestreams, but I think that point of view is fair enough) and surely this forum is the first and foremost place to do that?

So, errr, I guess what I'm wondering is ... perhaps a bit more input on the forums ... occasionally? Perhaps a teensy bit less entertaining and a teensy bit more information? (eeek, you can sense me squirming as I write this can't you? I'm gonna close my eyes and hit Post now before I bottle it completely).

 

[babelfisch]

No, I've been trying to do that for years. It's the most stable part of the game.

The forums only break if reason reaches critical mass, something that is very unlikely but still possible. You are playing a dangerous game.

 

[Mohrgan]

My two cents are: FD has one of the best Community Management Teams, Engagement level, and Processes of any of the many games I have, and continue, to be involved with. All of this caterwauling is an embarrassment. Adults know, that there are more issues afoot, than can allow personal attention to each pet peeve.

 

[Terry Bruge-Hiplo]

Is it time for Bono.... Live Aid 3303.... Rebuild The Love

Only if we can have a CG to stop Bono performing...

 

[yodajedifishmaster]

Only if we can have a CG to stop Bono performing...

or one to ferry sedatives and other medicines to the audience to help them survive through it

 

[Bran Tse Mallory]

What he said...

In all seriousness, I'm actually extremely busy at work. As Zac says, It's not just prepping and hosting streams (I wish that was it). I'm genuinely very passionate about this community, the company and the games we make.

PS - don't forget to tune in to Thursday's stream... we're playing some CQC on PS4

Well said that man...

Many people don't realise the amount of personal time these folks put in for us... At EliteMeet earlier this year I met several of them, Ed included.

Did they have to be there? No.
Was it effectively them giving up their free time to spend with the community? Yes.
Would we like more forum posts? Obviously but as pointed out the community is large and diverse in the media we use to keep informed and quite rightly Frontier know this and are doing their best to accommodate us. For instance, I would never be seen dead on redd... (I don't even want to type the word so vile is site in my eye's) but I do use the forums and watch far to much YouTube.


P.S. Ed, I've not forgotten about letting you know of any more charity stuff I plan on doing for Special Effect... Been looking at possibly a half marathon followed by a full one which will need lots of training as I've not been to the gym since, well lets just say pound coins were the stuff of SciFi

 

[Mohrgan]

Not wanting to see Bono, and U2 perform is a mistake from any perspective. I've seen them a number of times, from Boy, to recently. It is a show one shouldn't miss.

 

[lokvette]

Have to say, over the 18 odd years i've been online gaming and for the amount of CM's and the like FD has the level of interaction is somewhat low when I compare it to others I have been in or around.

I personally think Ed Lewis does a great job and hats off to him for it, the others I think I have seen post here and there from time to time.

 

[Brett C]

Just adding a post from me here, simply because i've read this thread (and i've lost count of i don't know how many other threads today).

Just because we don't post in every thread, doesn't mean we don't care. Many times, we don't post as it is allowing for feedback from multiple points of view without getting a modified response due to us replying to a discussion.