A great deal of anger, frustration, confusion & concern have been voiced in the forums since August. The lack of communication, shift in focus for the software tools, removal of functionality, & the dismantling of Dungeon & Dragon as compiled magazines have caused a great deal of finger pointing and debate. To support these decisions you have offered survey results & statistics. Numbers that are suppose to validate that in reality you are just trying to address our needs as customers.
Well I just noticed a number that may have escaped your notice. Look through the threads of this forum and take note of the number of overall posts a lot of the folks who are voicing their displeasure have. How many under 500? Under 300? UNDER 100?! The lurkers (Of which I am one), the ones who don't normally voice their opinions are doing so. And they are doing so in what appears to me to be significant numbers.
I'm no polititian, but I've seen the whitened knuckles and sweaty brows of those that are when the silent majority begins to raise their collective voice. Seems to me that maybe alarm bells might be in order, for in just days D&D Experience takes place. THAT is going to be one HECK of a Town Hall meeting. May I suggest flame retardent underwear?
Trevor & Company,
A great deal of anger, frustration, confusion & concern have been voiced in the forums since August. The lack of communication, shift in focus for the software tools, removal of functionality, & the dismantling of Dungeon & Dragon as compiled magazines have caused a great deal of finger pointing and debate. To support these decisions you have offered survey results & statistics. Numbers that are suppose to validate that in reality you are just trying to address our needs as customers.
Well I just noticed a number that may have escaped your notice. Look through the threads of this forum and take note of the number of overall posts a lot of the folks who are voicing their displeasure have. How many under 500? Under 300? UNDER 100?! The lurkers (Of which I am one), the ones who don't normally voice their opinions are doing so. And they are doing so in what appears to me to be significant numbers.
I'm no polititian, but I've seen the whitened knuckles and sweaty brows of those that are when the silent majority begins to raise their collective voice. Seems to me that maybe alarm bells might be in order, for in just days D&D Experience takes place. THAT is going to be one HECK of a Town Hall meeting. May I suggest flame retardent underwear?
They'll probably screen people and only let super fanatics in to ask questions (at the events where they are allowed). So I'm calling out to everyone that does not like the current direction. Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game. We have been playing it longer than WotC has been around, much less started breaking it. Let them know in no uncertain terms how you feel...
But seriously: I'd gone along with this up to the point where the monthly compilations were cancelled. You make a pretty good observation. Its getting to the stage where even the forum-shy are holding up their hands to say what they think.
Maybe something will come of it, maybe not.
Cheers
Blinkey ;)
So I'm calling out to everyone that does not like the current direction. Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game. We have been playing it longer than WotC has been around, much less started breaking it. Let them know in no uncertain terms how you feel...
What ? Like hey what the hell you think you are doing with MY game ?
Bro chill out. That you are negative on the Boards in 97,5% of your post is one thing, but that you start encouraging people to approach WoTC staff at a convention and confront them with harrassing questions about the direction of the corporation is another thing that so stupid. Please stop. Anyone trying to do this is likely to meet a blunt response to say the least. Don't worry, people will ask about the game's future.
You need to understand one thing Iokiare. D&D is not YOUR game or OUR game. D&D is WoTC's game in all due respect being the sole IP owner. They'll do whatever they want with it. Not happy ? Then go, no one forces you into it.
But don't encourage people to do idiocies.
And while we are here, stop pissing all over. Lift the cover.
So I'm calling out to everyone that does not like the current direction. Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand -
And I'm calling out users suggesting quasi-stalkerish behavior. Cut it out. Cornering writers IRL to continue internet fights? That's **** that gives nerds a bad name. Keep it to Q&A.
Honestly, no gamewriter worth their salt will buckle just because their cornered by some obsessive at a con.
Trevor & Company,
A great deal of anger, frustration, confusion & concern have been voiced in the forums since August. The lack of communication, shift in focus for the software tools, removal of functionality, & the dismantling of Dungeon & Dragon as compiled magazines have caused a great deal of finger pointing and debate. To support these decisions you have offered survey results & statistics. Numbers that are suppose to validate that in reality you are just trying to address our needs as customers.
Well I just noticed a number that may have escaped your notice. Look through the threads of this forum and take note of the number of overall posts a lot of the folks who are voicing their displeasure have. How many under 500? Under 300? UNDER 100?! The lurkers (Of which I am one), the ones who don't normally voice their opinions are doing so. And they are doing so in what appears to me to be significant numbers.
I'm no polititian, but I've seen the whitened knuckles and sweaty brows of those that are when the silent majority begins to raise their collective voice. Seems to me that maybe alarm bells might be in order, for in just days D&D Experience takes place. THAT is going to be one HECK of a Town Hall meeting. May I suggest flame retardent underwear?
They'll probably screen people and only let super fanatics in to ask questions (at the events where they are allowed). So I'm calling out to everyone that does not like the current direction. Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game. We have been playing it longer than WotC has been around, much less started breaking it. Let them know in no uncertain terms how you feel...
Wow, man... just wow. You're really starting to push it on these boards. I don't think I've seen you contribute something meaningful to a conversation in a long long time. All you ever do is try to instigate, or try to bring threads down.
As far as this post, you might want to give people a good route to escape security. You're on the border of suggesting threatening them.
yeah, that's not what I said. You may want to go back and read the post without your Fanatic glasses on. I said to politely and respectfully express your displeasure with the direction their going. Nowhere did I encourage stalkerish behavior...
demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game.
That's not requesting them to politely do anything. Putting respectfully in front of that doesn't change your perceived intent at all. There's nothing respectful about that.
They'll probably screen people and only let super fanatics in to ask questions (at the events where they are allowed).
Yeah, because when you bought tickets, you were required to let them know whether you liked 4E/DDI/LFR/etc or not.
/sarcasm
I said to politely and respectfully express your displeasure with the direction their going.
There's nothing polite about:
Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game. We have been playing it longer than WotC has been around, much less started breaking it. Let them know in no uncertain terms how you feel...
You use the word "respectfully" and then you proceed into a rant that's anything but. Phrases like "WTH" are still not considered "polite" even if they are acceptible in modern discourse. Then you proceed to espouse an entitlement attitude that has no logical answer. Do you know what I would do if someone came up to me out of the blue and started demanding I explain myself regarding his game? I'd call security.
It shows some level of disconnect from reality. That possibly they are too involved with a game, and that changes to a game, are threatening their life.
Also, I am sure D&D Experience will be "interesting". I do not, however, condone confrontations or demands, respectful or otherwise. I WOULD like to see WotC acknowledge our concerns, whether they can do anything about it or not.
Let's face one overwhelming fact, whether any business likes it or not, because of the luxury of instant comunication they either have or should change the way they approach their customers. I, for one, don't feel WotC, or certain departments therein, have met the bar that other businesses in this industry have set.
Finally, I am kind of taking this personally. As I stated in another set of threads, there was a time when I felt I was part of the process of making D&D better. I feel that connection has been lost, and I'm afraid that sense of "working together for the benefit of all" will not return.
Folks, remember this is just my two cents. How I see this whole scenario playing out. I get angry. I get frustrated. But I refuse to lash out at the people who are caught in the middle of all of this; the employees of WotC. The majority of them have no say in any of this. I think we should all remember that. . .
I'm no polititian, but I've seen the whitened knuckles and sweaty brows of those that are when the silent majority begins to raise their collective voice. Seems to me that maybe alarm bells might be in order, for in just days D&D Experience takes place. THAT is going to be one HECK of a Town Hall meeting. May I suggest flame retardent underwear?
They'll probably screen people and only let super fanatics in to ask questions (at the events where they are allowed). So I'm calling out to everyone that does not like the current direction. Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game. We have been playing it longer than WotC has been around, much less started breaking it. Let them know in no uncertain terms how you feel...
Oh joy, the Tea Party mentality is starting to creep into D&D. Soon the outraged "slient majority" will be filling their posts with words like "remedies", "real D&D fans" and "fascism", and encouraging each other to attend events with actual flamethrowers.
I'm no polititian, but I've seen the whitened knuckles and sweaty brows of those that are when the silent majority begins to raise their collective voice. Seems to me that maybe alarm bells might be in order, for in just days D&D Experience takes place. THAT is going to be one HECK of a Town Hall meeting. May I suggest flame retardent underwear?They'll probably screen people and only let super fanatics in to ask questions (at the events where they are allowed). So I'm calling out to everyone that does not like the current direction. Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game. We have been playing it longer than WotC has been around, much less started breaking it. Let them know in no uncertain terms how you feel...
Oh joy, the Tea Party mentality is starting to creep into D&D. Soon the outraged "slient majority" will be filling their posts with words like "remedies", "real D&D fans" and "fascism", and encouraging each other to attend events with actual flamethrowers.
that...already happens...
I'm no polititian, but I've seen the whitened knuckles and sweaty brows of those that are when the silent majority begins to raise their collective voice. Seems to me that maybe alarm bells might be in order, for in just days D&D Experience takes place. THAT is going to be one HECK of a Town Hall meeting. May I suggest flame retardent underwear?They'll probably screen people and only let super fanatics in to ask questions (at the events where they are allowed). So I'm calling out to everyone that does not like the current direction. Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game. We have been playing it longer than WotC has been around, much less started breaking it. Let them know in no uncertain terms how you feel...
Oh joy, the Tea Party mentality is starting to creep into D&D. Soon the outraged "slient majority" will be filling their posts with words like "remedies", "real D&D fans" and "fascism", and encouraging each other to attend events with actual flamethrowers.
rsaintjohn, my quote in your post was not intended to be a "call to arms", Tea Party mentality or otherwise. I was actually warning WotC to be prepared. A warning they probably don't need.
Think about Town Hall, School Board, or even a volunteer organization meeting when an unpopular change in policy is to be addressed. In one word; MESSY. Not every one will be rational, emotions will be high, and things can sometimes get out of hand. It is the nature of the beast, & I've seen those polititians shifting uncomfortably in their seats as they are berated by their constituents.
In this case WotC (the Company, not the people) are the policy makers, and we their constituents. This gives rise to the possibility of a scenario that may not end well during D&D experience.
PLEASE! Those of you that are attending; make the interaction with WotC constructive, not destructive!
May cooler heads prevail . . .
rsaintjohn, my quote in your post was not intended to be a "call to arms", Tea Party mentality or otherwise. I was actually warning WotC to be prepared. A warning they probably don't need.
Think about Town Hall, School Board, or even a volunteer organization meeting when an unpopular change in policy is to be addressed. In one word; MESSY. Not every one will be rational, emotions will be high, and things can sometimes get out of hand. It is the nature of the beast, & I've seen those polititians shifting uncomfortably in their seats as they are berated by their constituents.
In this case WotC (the Company, not the people) are the policy makers, and we their constituents. This gives rise to the possibility of a scenario that may not end well during D&D experience.
PLEASE! Those of you that are attending; make the interaction with WotC constructive, not destructive!
May cooler heads prevail . . .
Oh, it's much more effective to parallel your statement to a group that is (perceived as) threatening. That's how propaganda works. His argument works against him, however. The Tea Party has a message and people listened and their candidates were voted into office, despite all of the media portrayal of them.
The parallel could have been just as easily made with regards to people wanting the truth to revealed about Roswell or JFK, the forefathers of the USA, or the Underground Railroad. But the Tea Party is a much better target since they are the relevant villain in this day and age.
Applying a bit of common sense to your "request," it is obvious that your intent is that you were merely asking for people to try to get some answers about the future of D&D, not asking them to pick up pitchforks and torches and go on a witch hunt to burn WotC at the stake.
Forever.
- the end -
I'm no polititian, but I've seen the whitened knuckles and sweaty brows of those that are when the silent majority begins to raise their collective voice. Seems to me that maybe alarm bells might be in order, for in just days D&D Experience takes place. THAT is going to be one HECK of a Town Hall meeting. May I suggest flame retardent underwear?They'll probably screen people and only let super fanatics in to ask questions (at the events where they are allowed). So I'm calling out to everyone that does not like the current direction. Approach the WotC employees who are at the convention and respectfully demand to know WTH they think they are doing with OUR game. yes OUR game. We have been playing it longer than WotC has been around, much less started breaking it. Let them know in no uncertain terms how you feel...
Oh joy, the Tea Party mentality is starting to creep into D&D. Soon the outraged "slient majority" will be filling their posts with words like "remedies", "real D&D fans" and "fascism", and encouraging each other to attend events with actual flamethrowers.
Cue someone posting a picture of Mike Mearls with a Hitler Mustache or made up to look like the Joker.
This thread is getting awfully close to turning into a political discussion. Those are verboten on the community site.
If you are going to DDXP, the way in which you present yourself will have a great deal of play in whether your concerns are placed in the category of "concerned user" or "homeless dude on the corner." (Note, exaggerated for effect.) If you are polite with the devs, they will be polite back, and your concerns are more likely to be met with a receptive ear.
Is that clearer?
So, I guess it's not your game.
The people at the fairs and cons probably arent the ones making the decisions so being polite and cutting them some slack probably would be a good thing.
I'm all for asking wotc employees whats going on and what the plans are but one thing to keep in mind...The people at the fairs and cons probably arent the ones making the decisions so being polite and cutting them some slack probably would be a good thing.
In that case rather then asking a question of someone that will stare back at you like a deer in the headlights just boycott the event. I think an empty convention center would speak volumes. Not gonna happen but I think that would have a more profound impact.
I'm all for asking wotc employees whats going on and what the plans are but one thing to keep in mind...
The people at the fairs and cons probably arent the ones making the decisions so being polite and cutting them some slack probably would be a good thing.
While I think that's a good plan, just don't be frustrated if they don't give any good information, cause a NDA, is a NDA.