I have a problem with community assistance. Community management was supposed to increase transparency in the first place, and while it has done that, it hasn't actually significantly increased transparency between the community and, say, the dev team or LT. I don't think much of that will change with community assistance.
In the end, I just have to ask - what's so difficult about being transparent without having these teams?
2
comments
In the end, I just have to ask - what's so difficult about being transparent without having these teams?
I honestly have to take this from the perspective of the employees who work as Mineplex. We call them "leadership" - but in actuality, they're employees and the people behind a business.
Game design studios are notoriously secretive about their work. A lot of game studios fail, a lot make really bad games over and over, a lot never even see the first paychecks sent before they close. It's a tough business - being secretive gives you an edge when you have a creative team.
Mineplex, whether we like it or not, do have a creative team. The kit system in champions is unique, the kits in games are unique, and some of the games in the past (and planned ones in the future) have unique aspects. Being transparent about these features just hurts you. Most communities don't need transparency - however, Mineplex is different as we have undoubtedly arisen from a gloomy period in our history. (I'm going to leave that last sentence at that, haha)
We came to the realization that the current teams don't have the time to do the work of interacting with the community - nor do they have the passion/expertise for it. We can take a horse to water but we can't make it drink.
Long story short:
I think these teams will try to bridge a gap that has formed because of unique circumstances - in the future, I believe things will be further consolidated so that we focus on developing with both business (focusing on innovation, expanding our platform) and community (finally just delivering what you guys want) perspectives in clear sight. Community interaction isn't what we should focus on - it should just naturally occur. We were unlucky to hit a rough patch that totally destroyed the ties we had prior, but we have an opportunity now to commit and put money where our mouth is.
Game design studios are notoriously secretive about their work. A lot of game studios fail, a lot make really bad games over and over, a lot never even see the first paychecks sent before they close. It's a tough business - being secretive gives you an edge when you have a creative team.
Mineplex, whether we like it or not, do have a creative team. The kit system in champions is unique, the kits in games are unique, and some of the games in the past (and planned ones in the future) have unique aspects. Being transparent about these features just hurts you. Most communities don't need transparency - however, Mineplex is different as we have undoubtedly arisen from a gloomy period in our history. (I'm going to leave that last sentence at that, haha)
We came to the realization that the current teams don't have the time to do the work of interacting with the community - nor do they have the passion/expertise for it. We can take a horse to water but we can't make it drink.
Long story short:
I think these teams will try to bridge a gap that has formed because of unique circumstances - in the future, I believe things will be further consolidated so that we focus on developing with both business (focusing on innovation, expanding our platform) and community (finally just delivering what you guys want) perspectives in clear sight. Community interaction isn't what we should focus on - it should just naturally occur. We were unlucky to hit a rough patch that totally destroyed the ties we had prior, but we have an opportunity now to commit and put money where our mouth is.
Aug 7, 16 · +2 · Like · Report