Honestly, if they weren't in a place so crowded as California and I thought I had the talent my goal someday would be to work for them in some capacity. Everyone I have met from the company, the way the love their own games, and the quality they aim for all impresses me. They make me happy.
Now I know that all seem contrary to the comment I made above. I mean, I'm sitting here fan boying a bit, and you know I'm a fan since I run this blog, but my title implies something different. The truth is after my last post on flying in Legion my mind has been on the big flight controversy in Warlords.
I stated at the time and I will state it again. I'm a firm believer that the biggest issue with the announcement of no flying was the way in which it was handled. At the beginning of the expansion we were told flying would be added in a later patch, and then right before the final patch there is an interview where (I believe it was Hozzikostas) casually mentioned they had decided not to implement flying. And the roar from the fans shook Azeroth. Or at least Draenor.
Much of the problem was with the way they presented it. This should have been something aimed directly at the fans. A post or a video you click on in you Blizzard loader that has Hozzikostas, or Metzen, or one of the other recognizable heads address the community head on and say "hey, we have decided to removing flying, and this is why..." Instead having it said in the interview made it feel like it was something Blizzard was hiding and that it may have been a slip. It raised the question, "If they hadn't said it here, would they have said it at all?"
I admit to having a short term memory, because I don't remember many other outroars that were that big. I know there was the moment when Blizzard decided to post on the forums your real name would be shown, but beyond that, nothing.
It does feel however that when it comes to Warcraft we are not getting as much communication as we used to. I remember there being blue posts and messages constantly through other betas/alphas but both the betas for Draenor and Legion have felt quiet. After Warlords dropped it felt a lot like Blizzards focus was on their other games. I believe it's part of the shift where World or Warcraft used to be Blizzard's #1 property, and now we are sharing the spotlight. It however does not feel good when it feels the focus has gone away and it leaves people wondering.
Here is where I give some suggestions to Blizzard (I know, I'm a short fat dude and they have no reason to listen to me. I'm going to speak anyway.)
First of all, next time you have a decision that may be controversial take a moment and discuss it with the community rather than just making the decision. The flight issue would have been mitigated by a lot if there had been some threads in the forums by blues saying "This is what we want to do and this is why, but we want your opinions." Yes I know there would be a lot of whining and pointless crap to sift through, but you could also take the pulse and get the feedback from the community before making a change. If it's something that would effect flying or another major mechanic you have given us, hold an open discussion with your fans.
My other piece of advice could work for all your games. Make sure you are talking to all your fan bases on a regular basis. I don't know if having a monthly update on the state of the game is the way to go, but fight the feeling the community gets of, "well, we are in Alpha, I've got months before the next expansion and Blizzard doesn't care, I mean they are focused on Overwatch." Make sure the doors of Blizzard tower feel open. Find ways to communicate that you do care. There is a reason that there is a #threetiersinthreeyears hashtag. It's painful, but there it is. Warcraft needs to continue to feel like it's important to you as well as the community. Long silences get interpreted by the community as you don't care. Even though I know for myself that is not the truth.
I know it seems over simple. But this is a relationship we have with you Blizzard. Like any relationship, you need to let the important people know you think they are important. Otherwise overtime you loose them.
Anyway, until next time.
Lag.
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