An idea for improved communication - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

An idea for improved communication

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Ramius613
Oct 09, 2010 3:18:14 First off, this would require a complete change of the current policy of not announcing things until release, but if they were to change that here is what I would like to see, and hope that PaoloM is working towards with his improved communication that he mentioned.

Now the idea:

First: make it a monthly article. Call it i, since Dungeon, Dragon, and & are taken (although I thought & was supposed to highlight insider material as opposed to being a marketing tool for the latest products, but I digress). Post it when the new calender goes up. Also put a disclaimer on it that it is subject to changes/delays etc, and that notices will be sent if said delays/changes are significant (ie more than a couple of days).

I think having a monthly pressence would help a great deal to alleviate some of the frustration. I've noticed these things seem to go in cycles, people start to get frustrated about something (over the summer it was lack of tools, now its the sept update, etc). Discontent builds into a fervor, VCLs try to help alleviate the situation, but have limits on what they can disclose, so it doesn't really do much. Finally, a staff member posts something, which may or may not calm the situation.

What this article would include:

First, list the items that are planned for the current month's update, like we've been getting when we update the CB & MB. (Again subject to change).

Second, a list of bugs that have been fixed, followed by a brief list of the the higher priority bugs that are being worked on.

Third, and this is a big one, a brief but substantial progress report on the next Tool/App etc. No dates need to be mentioned, at least not until they are comfortable of meeting that date. Give the customers of an idea of what they are working on, and the progress that is being made.

Finally, throw in ways to take advantage of features of the current tools. For example, give a demonstration on how to make your own house rules in the CB. Show how to update the monsters to the new damage scale from MM3. There are a lot more topics that could be covered as well.

Edit: Another possibility is to answer some of the questions that are being posed on the forums? I'm sure MB, AL, and WS wouldn't have a problem providing them.

Obviously, this isn't going to please everyone, but I think it would help decrease the amount frustration that seems to build, die down, build, die down. Also, it would easier to find what is coming next.

Ramius
#2
loki-angel
Oct 09, 2010 3:39:29 Good idea.
#3
excalainen
Oct 11, 2010 16:39:40 I believe they are not doing this because they don't have manpower to fix bugs or improve the tools since all they are doing is making the web-based DRM-strict replacements for CB and MB, and that is not news they want to highlight. WotC correctly thinks that no news is better than bad news.
#4
KM.549
Oct 11, 2010 19:41:26 I have an idea for improved communcation. How about if WOTC accually you know, communicates with the customers.
#5
Nyarlathotep
Oct 11, 2010 19:53:28
I have an idea for improved communcation. How about if WOTC accually you know, communicates with the customers.

And give specifics on occasion fer cryin' out loud. Having a guy from WOTC occasionally pop on and say something to the effect of "We're working on something we can't tell you about and it will be done in a time frame we can't discuss" isn't really communication. I don't really know any more after reading something like that than I did before.

#6
Ramius613
Oct 11, 2010 19:54:29
I have an idea for improved communcation. How about if WOTC accually you know, communicates with the customers.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Ramius613 Oct 09, 2010 3:18:14	First off, this would require a complete change of the current policy of not announcing things until release, but if they were to change that here is what I would like to see, and hope that PaoloM is working towards with his improved communication that he mentioned. Now the idea: First: make it a monthly article. Call it i, since Dungeon, Dragon, and & are taken (although I thought & was supposed to highlight insider material as opposed to being a marketing tool for the latest products, but I digress). Post it when the new calender goes up. Also put a disclaimer on it that it is subject to changes/delays etc, and that notices will be sent if said delays/changes are significant (ie more than a couple of days). I think having a monthly pressence would help a great deal to alleviate some of the frustration. I've noticed these things seem to go in cycles, people start to get frustrated about something (over the summer it was lack of tools, now its the sept update, etc). Discontent builds into a fervor, VCLs try to help alleviate the situation, but have limits on what they can disclose, so it doesn't really do much. Finally, a staff member posts something, which may or may not calm the situation. What this article would include: First, list the items that are planned for the current month's update, like we've been getting when we update the CB & MB. (Again subject to change). Second, a list of bugs that have been fixed, followed by a brief list of the the higher priority bugs that are being worked on. Third, and this is a big one, a brief but substantial progress report on the next Tool/App etc. No dates need to be mentioned, at least not until they are comfortable of meeting that date. Give the customers of an idea of what they are working on, and the progress that is being made. Finally, throw in ways to take advantage of features of the current tools. For example, give a demonstration on how to make your own house rules in the CB. Show how to update the monsters to the new damage scale from MM3. There are a lot more topics that could be covered as well. Edit: Another possibility is to answer some of the questions that are being posed on the forums? I'm sure MB, AL, and WS wouldn't have a problem providing them. Obviously, this isn't going to please everyone, but I think it would help decrease the amount frustration that seems to build, die down, build, die down. Also, it would easier to find what is coming next. Ramius
#2 loki-angel Oct 09, 2010 3:39:29	Good idea.
#3 excalainen Oct 11, 2010 16:39:40	I believe they are not doing this because they don't have manpower to fix bugs or improve the tools since all they are doing is making the web-based DRM-strict replacements for CB and MB, and that is not news they want to highlight. WotC correctly thinks that no news is better than bad news.
#4 KM.549 Oct 11, 2010 19:41:26	I have an idea for improved communcation. How about if WOTC accually you know, communicates with the customers.
#5 Nyarlathotep Oct 11, 2010 19:53:28	I have an idea for improved communcation. How about if WOTC accually you know, communicates with the customers. And give specifics on occasion fer cryin' out loud. Having a guy from WOTC occasionally pop on and say something to the effect of "We're working on something we can't tell you about and it will be done in a time frame we can't discuss" isn't really communication. I don't really know any more after reading something like that than I did before.
#6 Ramius613 Oct 11, 2010 19:54:29	I have an idea for improved communcation. How about if WOTC accually you know, communicates with the customers.