Pipe bomb

[Fadoka]

Good day/evening/night. Why do I write this? Because personally, I care about this game more than the most or even more than older staff at a point too. I've seen players go and I've seen denials of greater talents than the current staff team so I'll just go forward to the points I want to point out. I've also seen old veterans from the community quit or just go to play another pokemon games. I don't blame them but I have to ask why? It's because our game lacks the real care of updates and it lacks the upper staff members knowledge. Upper staff members are no longer pioneers and they just don't care. I've seen many outdated or old school staff members that don't really know the community needs or just afraid to implement something new that it might "unbalance". I'm just saying you can't unbalance what is already dead. If you really care about your game, you might need to have some guts implementing what the community really wants without fear.

Short and simple:
All you have to do is to check the suggestion from players (the ones that remained which is simply no one except me suggestion stuff) and try to implement them without fear because the game could be a lot better if you drop the element of fear of unbalance and put more care simply because there are demotivated staff or staff that are willing to fix the game but things seem to be lagging for many reasons.

Thanks @thunderclap for your contribution to the game. You won't be forgotten and you're getting all he credit and respect that you deserve at least by myself.

Fad~

 

[Fadoka]

I see a reaction from Feathers but Feathers has done a ton of great job than upper staff. I'm waiting a reply from actual upper staff I guess.

 

[Sushikraver]

I understand the frustration Fad, I do. As an active member of the Community these past years, I have seen the decline be it for one reason or another. Before joining as Staff last year, I felt very much in the dark and the future uncertain. I would be lying if I said those feelings were completely dissolved. Nevertheless, I will push back on some points to spark some conversation and thought as we reflect on PWO and our voluntary role in it.

First, I do not deny your passion, commitment, and as you simply put it, “care” for PWO. I rarely get to see someone (and their respective guild members) so persistent on pushing for change. BlaZe certainly does not go gentle into that good night. As someone close to the ground (on both sides), I obviously notice the rising concerns of progress and dwindling motivation. There’s no doubt we’re in a tough spot but I wouldn’t just say it was because we don’t “care.” You point out the lack of updates and our fear of imbalance, but I also would suggest everyone to ask themselves why? I’m not here to impart some narrative of what is and what isn’t, but I hope everyone reading this opens themselves up to other reasons than simply “because they don’t care” dust off your hands and call it day.

Everyone has their reasons to do or not to do something, as is their free-will. Naturally we look for better alternatives. If you enjoy another game over PWO, I see no problem with opting for that but there’s no need to bash on those still here. Is progress slow? Of course, we’re working with less than you can count on one hand and we’re limited in our ability and time to make changes. Seemingly simple things aren’t as simple when life gets factored in. As I’ve asked in interviews before: Why PWO? Progress here will admittedly be per usual as seen in the past. If that’s not good enough for you, find some place that is good enough; has all the things you want; gives you all the joy you’re desperately yearning for.

On a personal note: I too have experienced my share of doubt, demotivation, and cynicism in regard to PWO. But I’ll be damned if this place and its Community were to disappear. I will rage, rage against the dying light and won’t give up because “Oh they left..and this isn’t fixed, and that isn’t implemented.” Do what you wish with the time you have. I won’t judge you one way or the other. But please leave Staff’s names out ya ******* mouth. (No offense Fad or anyone else, you know it’s all love. If you know the reference, you know.)

Making PWO Great Again,
SK/AK~

 

[Fadoka]

I understand the frustration Fad, I do. As an active member of the Community these past years, I have seen the decline be it for one reason or another. Before joining as Staff last year, I felt very much in the dark and the future uncertain. I would be lying if I said those feelings were completely dissolved. Nevertheless, I will push back on some points to spark some conversation and thought as we reflect on PWO and our voluntary role in it.

First, I do not deny your passion, commitment, and as you simply put it, “care” for PWO. I rarely get to see someone (and their respective guild members) so persistent on pushing for change. BlaZe certainly does not go gentle into that good night. As someone close to the ground (on both sides), I obviously notice the rising concerns of progress and dwindling motivation. There’s no doubt we’re in a tough spot but I wouldn’t just say it was because we don’t “care.” You point out the lack of updates and our fear of imbalance, but I also would suggest everyone to ask themselves why? I’m not here to impart some narrative of what is and what isn’t, but I hope everyone reading this opens themselves up to other reasons than simply “because they don’t care” dust off your hands and call it day.

Everyone has their reasons to do or not to do something, as is their free-will. Naturally we look for better alternatives. If you enjoy another game over PWO, I see no problem with opting for that but there’s no need to bash on those still here. Is progress slow? Of course, we’re working with less than you can count on one hand and we’re limited in our ability and time to make changes. Seemingly simple things aren’t as simple when life gets factored in. As I’ve asked in interviews before: Why PWO? Progress here will admittedly be per usual as seen in the past. If that’s not good enough for you, find some place that is good enough; has all the things you want; gives you all the joy you’re desperately yearning for.

On a personal note: I too have experienced my share of doubt, demotivation, and cynicism in regard to PWO. But I’ll be damned if this place and its Community were to disappear. I will rage, rage against the dying light and won’t give up because “Oh they left..and this isn’t fixed, and that isn’t implemented.” Do what you wish with the time you have. I won’t judge you one way or the other. But please leave Staff’s names out ya ******* mouth. (No offense Fad or anyone else, you know it’s all love. If you know the reference, you know.)

Making PWO Great Again,
SK/AK~

I appreciate the reply. I respect what is being given from updates even if they are late but its pretty obvious that the reason from this thread is basically directed by commitment or by listening to people around and speaking out what they gave up speaking about.

Updates can be slow, they can be as slow as they can be but there has to be a basic surface that makes the game playable on daily basis because that would make it special. Basics have to work so people would use the current offers while waiting for newer ones. But it just lacks the basics like broken stuff that aren't looked at.

You as well as more staff have done great in the recent times and that's appreciated. And many do care or appreciate as well but they don't bother saying they do because they hold more frustration. However, everyone hopes for the best when they play. If they play.

 

[Isguros]

 

[Fadoka]

Will Smith had the script of the jokes being presented on Oscars days before so I find it funny.

 

[Fadoka]

More replies?

 

[shodan21]

you're not wrong, although i would say that any regularity of content updates is an unrealistic ask (especially new areas and such), but this has been a problem for the better part of a decade, so you're more or less yelling at a brick wall at this point. i had a peek behind the curtains with the pory event development, and i was pretty unimpressed with what i saw - in particular, text-based communication only works insofar as people actually bother to read what's written - so i have very little hope that this situation ever really improves.

 

[Isguros]

If it's replies you want, replies you get... but maybe not from the people you want to hear from.
If I understand correctly, your main gripe is that you think the staff team doesn't care about the game and its players.
I know, I'm not a staff member, so I can't chime in on that situation; but what I can tell you is that care comes in a lot of shapes and forms, and every player (and staff members as well) have their own things to care about, as well as their own values and priorities.
A lot of players wanted new, cool and strong spawns: they gave us Lucario and Volcarona;
others wanted Sevii: they gave us a Sevii;
a bunch would rather see more swarms and events with better Pokemon: and now we've got swarms every month with basically one unreleased and one UC Pokemon every time.
And even access to certain moves has come up from time to time, and now we've gotten... well, pretty much all of them.

If the staff team truly did not care or listen, we wouldn't have any of them; but the fact that we do, means they at least care in some way, whether the results are to your liking or not is irrelevant.

I know it's tough when you're the only one screaming for a change to be made, but no matter how loud, or how many times you yell; it doesn't change a lot. And you don't want to be labeled a serial persistent change pusher(?)... Sushikraver minced his words, but you're a complainer now. Welcome to the club. We'll never see a correctly spelled Burned Tower, I don't know if a not-broken battle timer (or whatever it is you're pushing) is plausible for the near future, but they've been dropping hints for a Sevii expansion here and there, so there's, as Sushikraver so aptly put it, 'passion and commitment' a plenty.

TL;DR: stop talking and sit your cul down

 

[Jinji]

If it helps, I can confirm that fixing the Battle Timer is indeed something we're working on, but it's proving to be much trickier than any of us thought.

 

[Jobey]

If it helps, I can confirm that fixing the Battle Timer is indeed something we're working on, but it's proving to be much trickier than any of us thought.

If it makes yall feel better, time in general is tricky! I've been trying to find a way to make 12 hour shifts at work go faster for quite a few years now!

 

[thunderclap]

Good day/evening/night. Why do I write this? Because personally, I care about this game more than the most or even more than older staff at a point too. I've seen players go and I've seen denials of greater talents than the current staff team so I'll just go forward to the points I want to point out. I've also seen old veterans from the community quit or just go to play another pokemon games. I don't blame them but I have to ask why? It's because our game lacks the real care of updates and it lacks the upper staff members knowledge. Upper staff members are no longer pioneers and they just don't care. I've seen many outdated or old school staff members that don't really know the community needs or just afraid to implement something new that it might "unbalance". I'm just saying you can't unbalance what is already dead. If you really care about your game, you might need to have some guts implementing what the community really wants without fear.

Short and simple:
All you have to do is to check the suggestion from players (the ones that remained which is simply no one except me suggestion stuff) and try to implement them without fear because the game could be a lot better if you drop the element of fear of unbalance and put more care simply because there are demotivated staff or staff that are willing to fix the game but things seem to be lagging for many reasons.

Thanks @thunderclap for your contribution to the game. You won't be forgotten and you're getting all he credit and respect that you deserve at least by myself.

Fad~

I appreciate the recognition, but I'm not leaving to make a statement or to express dissatisfaction. That couldn't really be less true. PWO has simply become too time consuming for my life, at the expense of other things. If anything I'm leaving because the frequency of events/swarms/content releases that I feel compelled to play excessively to take full advantage of them. For me it's all or nothing. Having my prized collection trapped me here -- the sunk cost fallacy -- so that's why I've been giving everything away.

I feel great respect and deep appreciation (and sympathy) for the staff team defiantly carrying PWO on their backs despite endless cynicism and demands (including from me ). I firmly believe the staff who care are already doing absolutely everything they can, so complaining doesn't really help. Also deeply grateful for all the friends and acquaintances I've met and BSed with here. My decision to leave was made with regret for negative impacts (however negligible) that it might have on player number or motivation for others including said staff. The butterfly effect and stuff. But it was simply time and necessary, for me, to stop playing.

The last couple years have been some of the strongest and most hopeful years for PWO that I can remember and I hope the game continues to exist/grow/thrive. All that said, I do plan to stick around the forums and Discord at least for now.

 

[Fadoka]

you're not wrong, although i would say that any regularity of content updates is an unrealistic ask (especially new areas and such), but this has been a problem for the better part of a decade, so you're more or less yelling at a brick wall at this point. i had a peek behind the curtains with the pory event development, and i was pretty unimpressed with what i saw - in particular, text-based communication only works insofar as people actually bother to read what's written - so i have very little hope that this situation ever really improves.

I agree Shods, It's just that we have to try our best at what we could at least on different times lol. But one can't get what he wants unless he pushes for it too.

 

[Dege3C]

PWO Never die to me. I love this game.

 

[Future~Sight]

I've been a member of the staff for a few years, and friends with Fadoka, and also away from this game long enough to make me believe that my opinion is unbiased towards either sides.

I would just say that PWO was absolutely great, and the best pokemon MMO, a decade ago. Now there are better funded, better managed, and more active similar games out there. The infrastructure on which PWO is built is not sustainable or scalable, and hence I don't see any reason why PWO will be the leading pokemon MMO ever again. This is NOT a diss on the staff or the community - I love both. But at the same time, it is unrealistic to expect unpaid volunteers to feel extremely motivated towards implementing changes - be it small or radical. So frankly, and sadly, I don't think these posts are necessary or fair. Even with the entire pipeline of current projects and all your suggestions implemented tomorrow, PWO will not have a very active community again (at least not for longer than 2 weeks) - everyone who used to be an active player 10years ago have moved on with their real lives, and no new users will choose PWO over other options 9 out of 10 times. I'm not saying give up or quit, but at this point I would just enjoy the game in whatever form it is, as a form of nostalgia, instead of trying to put a lot of manpower into nothing and saying the staff doesn't care.

Not all games have a glorious ending or big 'shut down' events, but rather just very slowly and painfully fall into oblivion and vanishing player base. It is completely fine to keep PWO up-and-running, to have a server for people to come back to and chill, but frankly expecting an insane amount of effort from staff for no measurable outcome is unfair. I apologise for the negativity, I just want people to be realistic on both sides and manage expectations.

 

[Jinji]

I feel as though there are many assumptions being made about the aims, goals, and motivations of PWO and its team, some of which vary wildly in their accuracy.

 

[Future~Sight]

I feel as though there are many assumptions being made about the aims, goals, and motivations of PWO and its team, some of which vary wildly in their accuracy.

Just to set the record straight (and also cause I don't like speaking in vague mysterious phrases) - I don't think anyone can question your dedication and motivations towards PWO, Jinji. You've been here longer than everyone and spent your entire adult life on this game.

My post specifically just highlighted the following personal views (not staff or active player views):

• Even with everything currently planned implemented, PWO will not have a measurable active playerbase again (anything close to past / comparable to other platforms)
• The dev/content staff (I literally don't know any of the new ones) must certainly be dedicated to doing what they can, say give 6-8 hours of focused work every day to PWO (i'm sure the numbers are higher, this is an example). From what I've seen they have put out some high quality stuff and have a decent roadmap to new things (Sevii, Hoenn, or whatever)
• What PWO hypothetically needs, is 50 staff members working 12 hours every day to be able to (i) catch up to latest generations and content and mechanics (ii) add proprietary content and recurring events, and most importantly (iii) market the game and attract new audience. All of this - hopefully obviously - is just not gonna happen. Let me know if I'm wrong though and the plan is to make PWO one of the biggest and most active MMOs in the world?
• So, I'm not saying the staff is not motivated, I'm just saying it's unreasonable to expect them to be SO motivated to work 24 hours every day trying to make a false reality happen.
• Hence, I am just hoping that the community accepts these terms instead of having unreasonable expectations from the staff.

And two things to just backstop the above:

• People should absolutely feel free to ignore my views given I am not an active player and don't know much about the planned updates, latest bugs etc. I have no dog in the fight (I don't even own a Windows PC anymore so can't actually play)
• None of this (from my end) is against players like Fadoka or any of the staff - I'm just trying to hopefully reconcile this recurring frustration between players and staff into a more mutual understanding of expectations

 

[Jinji]

It never really was the goal of PWO to be the biggest; though I do admit some of us do feel a deep sadness in the way PWO's active player base has dwindled from its glory days. However, we've always lived and died on worth of mouth and genuine interactions with people, rather than promotional campaigns — and that'll never change. I do feel your assessment of PWO's current situation is fair, and indeed I agree with you that there is a strong need for the community to reconsider their expectations — which is actually the point I was trying to make. However, I can also assure you that, even with our small player base and lack of staff manpower, PWO is not going anywhere, and discussion and development of new content and new ideas continues all the time.

 

[Future~Sight]

It never really was the goal of PWO to be the biggest; though I do admit some of us do feel a deep sadness in the way PWO's active player base has dwindled from its glory days. However, we've always lived and died on worth of mouth and genuine interactions with people, rather than promotional campaigns — and that'll never change. I do feel your assessment of PWO's current situation is fair, and indeed I agree with you that there is a strong need for the community to reconsider their expectations — which is actually the point I was trying to make. However, I can also assure you that, even with our small player base and lack of staff manpower, PWO is not going anywhere, and discussion and development of new content and new ideas continues all the time.

Thanks for that - and glad to hear that Jinji! The community was and hopefully will continue to be the best part of PWO, and I hope everyone appreciates what we have and the work being put in to keep things going.