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An open letter to all of you who feel entitled to "fill in the blank"...

Dear Community,
  • Do you feel the monthly developer updates are "too long"?
  • Do you feel the game developers did not put enough time into preparing for a showcase?
  • Do you hate the creative director's ability (or, inability) to play and genuinely enjoy as he demos the game he is building brick by brick with his own money?
  • Are you sick of waiting for an Alpha 2, demanding that it be announced ASAP?
  • Are you complaining about a game in the Alpha phase for not offering you every little feature you expect to see in a perfect MMORPG?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you may be suffering from the "entitlement mentality" - a narcissistic sense that you deserve more from Intrepid, that they owe you when you are owed little or nothing.

I'm not sure how you became this person, surely, it wasn't because there were or are better examples out there... It's not like we have many self-funded, multi-10-million dollar MMORPGs in development with highly transparent, communicative development processes. Perhaps, it's impatience, greed, or concern that the game won't live up to your super-hyped expectations.

Whatever the reason is, it is time for all of us to take one step back and appreciate what we have in progress here.
  • Is the gameplay videos too long and cluttered with other detail you don't care about? Well, most of us enjoy longer videos... where a few players (developers or the creative director) genuinely enjoy a game that is still in development and share their experiences of this wonderful world they are building, getting distracted by loot, or the environment. This game plays that well and they are so proud! Do you want a shorter version with short clips, let your favorite content creator brief it for you the very next day.
  • Neither game developers, nor other staff owes us a highly prepped showcase. If they are doing it, it's because they genuinely feel like sharing it. By all means, share your opinions as to how you'd like the format to be, but don't expect them to go over and beyond their means of planning, preparing for it, editing, or revising it on your demand. They are hired to build this game, not sell it.
  • Do you feel the creative director should not showcase his own game? The sense of entitlement in that sentiment is beyond my understanding. The amount of bs Steven is receiving for his gaming skills is outrageous to me! If I will ever see a demo of this game being played, it'll be from the point of view of the one individual who spent the most resource developing this game, period! If you don't enjoy all the clutter, and distractions, skip through it. His skills are not to your expectations, don't watch it. It's not like any other game in development is offering you more... Eventually, your favorite streamer will play-test the game and review it for you.
  • Intrepid Studios already have a higher priority... to build the game we all desire to test or play as soon as possible. One can't be both asking for better quality monthly updates and a sooner Alpha 2 announcement. What we are getting is a sweet spot Intrepid must feel most comfortable sharing. Quite honestly, it's already more than all of us deserve. None of us ever expected to receive so many good updates, one after another one, full of gameplay, Q&As, and studio updates in the past year, and we are all over-hyped because of it.
  • Please don't let the same reason why we built all this hype also ruin it for us. A perfect MMORPG does not exist. There will be MANY disappointments down the road when Intrepid will not rise to the hype we built as a community, and that's OK. They welcome critique and they built extraordinary communication with their community like no other in the past. We've already witnessed much evidence of how we are heard. In almost every development update, we see these changes and additions based on our feedback. By all means, let us ask and suggest new features, or changes to the existing ones... But again, please shake that feeling of entitlement from "demanding" things! You are just an over-hyped amateur! Just because they are willing to hear your opinions does not mean you're special. Let's all be grateful for "being heard", and enjoy what we are being offered even if they don't fulfill all our requests. After all, they are the professionals, they are the ones who are putting all the time and effort into building this game for us, and I think they know a little better than even the most experienced game developers in our community.

I commend Intrepid for their compassion and patience with this entitled and vocal minority, and their continued treatment of everyone equally so this minority doesn't further feel inadequate or left out. As they should, I hope that Intrepid will be firm about declining unreasonable requests and maintaining appropriate boundaries, and their consistency as they receive unfair pressure as they did in the last few days.

A less vocal MAJORITY of this community supports you, acknowledges how groundbreaking this whole development process has been, and appreciates all you do even when we have constructive criticism.
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Comments

  • SongcallerSongcaller Member, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    This is the second open letter. Perhaps the devs should sell stamps.
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  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Lol! There is more to come if the loud, entitled minority keeps complaining.
  • GarrtokGarrtok Member, Alpha Two
    Please no open letters, its so clickbaity
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Garrtok wrote: »
    Please no open letters, its so clickbaity

    The title clearly indicates that it was for the entitled minority in our community. I don't know why you felt it was "clickbaity".
  • GarrtokGarrtok Member, Alpha Two
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Garrtok wrote: »
    Please no open letters, its so clickbaity

    The title clearly indicates that it was for the entitled minority in our community. I don't know why you felt it was "clickbaity".

    Don't know why you're so much into stating out minorities, but the thread title is to describe to content of the thread "to all tank lovers" is not stating anything
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    I encourage you to check the meaning of "clickbait" before we branch out on this topic.

    I sure hope that the entitled people in our community are the "minority", otherwise, we are doomed.
  • DolyemDolyem Member, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Not sure if the "Do you feel the game developers did not put enough time into preparing for a showcase?" bit is entitled. Even Intrepid felt the need to re-record the showcase. And it was welcomed and praised for being much better in presentation.

    The other things are alright examples of what not to complain about. But you're never going to reach those groups by calling them a loud entitled minority.

    In the end, it's fine for the team to enjoy themselves, but they shouldn't let messing around effect their showcases presentation negatively.
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  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    edited January 2023
    Dolyem wrote: »
    Not sure if the "Do you feel the game developers did not put enough time into preparing for a showcase?" bit is entitled. Even Intrepid felt the need to re-record the showcase. And it was welcomed and praised for being much better in presentation.

    The other things are alright examples of what not to complain about. But you're never going to reach those groups by calling them a loud entitled minority.

    In the end, it's fine for the team to enjoy themselves, but they shouldn't let messing around effect their showcases presentation negatively.

    To be clear, we do have an entitled loud minority. They feel entitled to all or some of the above on my list. They are louder than most of us with their "demands", almost by definition of "entitlement mentality". Most importantly, they are in the minority of this community, which, if not carefully assessed, may mislead the rest of the AoC community, turning these updates into a toxic cycle. I don't feel compelled to sweet-talk to a group of people that are involuntarily harming something I care about, it's not like I am offending them or making this personal.

    It is about time we all take a step back as I am encouraging in my post. I feel there was no need for a re-record, it's purely a waste of time for the developers, but that's my opinion. The problem I see now is this minority will ask for a redo every time some feature or its presentation does not sit well with them.

    If this post helps some of the members of this "entitled" minority to see things a little bit differently, and clear their blindspots, I achieved my goal.
  • JahlonJahlon Member, Intrepid Pack, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    edited January 2023
    Congratulations on your recent job placement in the Gatekeeping of Opinions Department at Intrepid Studios. I wasn't aware they had hired an entitled individual who's job focus is to tell people what they can and cannot have an opinion about.

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    Make sure to check out Ashes 101
  • NerrorNerror Member, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Please just stick to voicing your own opinion instead of making shit up about a majority and minority that you know nothing of, and haven't surveyed or asked. You speak for yourself, and maybe a circle of friends you know personally. No-one else. You have no idea what someone thinks if they don't write anything about it or if you don't ask them. If you have hard data from a proper survey, please share it. Right now you're just kinda going from the argument from silence fallacy into the bandwagon fallacy.
  • SolvrynSolvryn Member, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    OP seems to think that criticizing a bad showcase means that we do not care about Steven on a professional or personal level.

    When in-fact, that word of mouth and those showcases are the main way they advertise the game.
  • DolyemDolyem Member, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    edited January 2023
    Going to have to side with @Nerror on this one. And regardless of a majority or minority of opinion, it is clear that Intrepid values feedback from players. Just saying "the majority aren't voicing themselves" is attempting to nullify ideas and opinions that are being voiced. If there really is an overwhelming silent majority, they better speak up if they want to see their views considered. Cant expect to do/contribute nothing and get results.
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  • gigachad post OP. One thing I want to bring up is that they can be as chaotic as they want to be when playing, I think this shows the usual experience we will have when playing -however I did like that they showed every move at the beginning in the second video, before adventuring, showing us how the abilities look. And I think that can be helpful, so that we can give better feedback on the visual effects :)
  • SathragoSathrago Member, Alpha Two
    Yeah no. Steven needs to get good or get someone who is good at showcasing the combat. This is not anger this is a suggestion. One that I have said for most likely years. Having someone who knows what their doing to show us what the true combat system looks like is very important. If this hurts Steven's feelings I get that, but he needs to also understand its more important to give his game a proper demonstration than it is for him to have fun making the video.
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    Commissioned at https://fiverr.com/ravenjuu
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Jahlon wrote: »
    Congratulations on your recent job placement in the Gatekeeping of Opinions Department at Intrepid Studios. I wasn't aware they had hired an entitled individual who's job focus is to tell people what they can and cannot have an opinion about.

    I loled at that title - "Gatekeeping of Opinions Department" :smiley: The amount of irony in that response is hilarious, Jahlon! Thanks for a good laugh! Way to accuse me of being an "entitled individual" when I am clearly making an argument against it. Surely you will follow that by pointing out
    • how I am "entitled" by using the definition of the word... "believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment".
    • where and when I "tell people what they can and cannot have an opinion about".

    I am in no way entitled to your response of course, but you made an accusation. In my defense, when I accused part of a community of having an entitlement mentality, I listed why I think that way. Let's keep this discussion civil and offer courtesy by justifying our points rather than bland "angry" albeit hilarious responses.
  • DolyemDolyem Member, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Let's keep this discussion civil and offer courtesy by justifying our points rather than bland "angry" albeit hilarious responses.

    Right on, justify your post by providing clear and concise data backing your claim of this "loud minority" you're referring to. This will require proof of the silent majority and their unanimous view as well.
    GJjUGHx.gif
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Nerror wrote: »
    Please just stick to voicing your own opinion instead of making shit up about a majority and minority that you know nothing of, and haven't surveyed or asked. You speak for yourself, and maybe a circle of friends you know personally. No-one else. You have no idea what someone thinks if they don't write anything about it or if you don't ask them. If you have hard data from a proper survey, please share it. Right now you're just kinda going from the argument from silence fallacy into the bandwagon fallacy.

    Let's refer back to where I used "the less vocal majority":

    "A less vocal MAJORITY of this community supports you, acknowledges how groundbreaking this whole development process has been, and appreciates all you do even when we have constructive criticism."

    Do I really need a survey on that? Do you have any ounce of belief that the community that is supporting this game acknowledges its qualities and appreciates it with constructive criticisms is the MINORITY?

    Let's indeed stick to voicing and discussing opinions rather than side-tracking to needlessly evaluate assumptions based on common sense.
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Dolyem wrote: »
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Let's keep this discussion civil and offer courtesy by justifying our points rather than bland "angry" albeit hilarious responses.

    Right on, justify your post by providing clear and concise data backing your claim of this "loud minority" you're referring to. This will require proof of the silent majority and their unanimous view as well.

    I justified my opinions about how one may be suffering from the "entitlement mentality" in a few bullet points, You may have missed it if you haven't read the OP. If you disagree, I am sure you will make counterarguments against it, or you will take Jahlon's approach and respond with some "humor".

    Are we really at this level of disagreement on how arguments, opinions, and claims are asserted in a public forum?
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Deba wrote: »
    gigachad post OP. One thing I want to bring up is that they can be as chaotic as they want to be when playing, I think this shows the usual experience we will have when playing -however I did like that they showed every move at the beginning in the second video, before adventuring, showing us how the abilities look. And I think that can be helpful, so that we can give better feedback on the visual effects :)

    Agreed, I think the introduction of skills worked better in the next video. I think this is a learning process for them as they are navigating this novel way of showcasing the game. Constructive criticism works wonders!
  • DolyemDolyem Member, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Dolyem wrote: »
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Let's keep this discussion civil and offer courtesy by justifying our points rather than bland "angry" albeit hilarious responses.

    Right on, justify your post by providing clear and concise data backing your claim of this "loud minority" you're referring to. This will require proof of the silent majority and their unanimous view as well.

    I justified my opinions about how one may be suffering from the "entitlement mentality" in a few bullet points, You may have missed it if you haven't read the OP. If you disagree, I am sure you will make counterarguments against it, or you will take Jahlon's approach and respond with some "humor".

    Are we really at this level of disagreement on how arguments, opinions, and claims are asserted in a public forum?

    Stating there is a "silent majority" isn't an opinion. If you're going to make that claim in an effort to discredit a vocal group, you need evidence for that claim. That is all. Otherwise, all you can say is the entire original post is your own opinion, and you hope there is a silent majority that shares your opinion.
    GJjUGHx.gif
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Dolyem wrote: »
    Stating there is a "silent majority" isn't an opinion. If you're going to make that claim in an effort to discredit a vocal group, you need evidence for that claim. That is all. Otherwise, all you can say is the entire original post is your own opinion, and you hope there is a silent majority that shares your opinion.

    For that, I'll refer to this.
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Let's refer back to where I used "the less vocal majority":

    "A less vocal MAJORITY of this community supports you, acknowledges how groundbreaking this whole development process has been, and appreciates all you do even when we have constructive criticism."

    Do I really need a survey on that? Do you have any ounce of belief that the community that is supporting this game, acknowledges its qualities and appreciates it with constructive criticisms is the MINORITY?

    Let's indeed stick to voicing and discussing opinions rather than side-tracking to needlessly evaluate assumptions based on common sense.

    I disagree, I really don't need a survey or evidence for common sense assumptions.

    What would be your survey question? As a community member, do you support Intrepid? Do you feel this game development process has been groundbreaking? Do you appreciate our game development process even when you may have (constructive) criticism? I prefer to stick to the topic, this is an uninteresting side-track.
  • Mag7spyMag7spy Member, Alpha Two
    This post is just the opposite take of the other one, and that one was full of entitlement the moment person said devs don't respect his time for a monthly dev video...
  • SolvrynSolvryn Member, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Dolyem wrote: »
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Dolyem wrote: »
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Let's keep this discussion civil and offer courtesy by justifying our points rather than bland "angry" albeit hilarious responses.

    Right on, justify your post by providing clear and concise data backing your claim of this "loud minority" you're referring to. This will require proof of the silent majority and their unanimous view as well.

    I justified my opinions about how one may be suffering from the "entitlement mentality" in a few bullet points, You may have missed it if you haven't read the OP. If you disagree, I am sure you will make counterarguments against it, or you will take Jahlon's approach and respond with some "humor".

    Are we really at this level of disagreement on how arguments, opinions, and claims are asserted in a public forum?

    Stating there is a "silent majority" isn't an opinion. If you're going to make that claim in an effort to discredit a vocal group, you need evidence for that claim. That is all. Otherwise, all you can say is the entire original post is your own opinion, and you hope there is a silent majority that shares your opinion.

    There is very little use in arguing with the extremely fallacious.
  • AlmostDeadAlmostDead Member, Alpha Two
    edited January 2023
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Dear Community,
    ...

    Complete agree. I appreciate your post because it saved me from having to spend an hour doing it myself. I find much of the feedback about how the updates are being presented to be pathetic and self-entitled.

    Looking at you @Leviojima ffs

    The January stream was good. The re-recorded gameplay was better. I feel grateful for Steven's relentless pursuit of Ashes, and think Steven and Margaret are both top notch.
  • DolyemDolyem Member, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Dolyem wrote: »
    Stating there is a "silent majority" isn't an opinion. If you're going to make that claim in an effort to discredit a vocal group, you need evidence for that claim. That is all. Otherwise, all you can say is the entire original post is your own opinion, and you hope there is a silent majority that shares your opinion.

    For that, I'll refer to this.
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Let's refer back to where I used "the less vocal majority":

    "A less vocal MAJORITY of this community supports you, acknowledges how groundbreaking this whole development process has been, and appreciates all you do even when we have constructive criticism."

    Do I really need a survey on that? Do you have any ounce of belief that the community that is supporting this game, acknowledges its qualities and appreciates it with constructive criticisms is the MINORITY?

    Let's indeed stick to voicing and discussing opinions rather than side-tracking to needlessly evaluate assumptions based on common sense.

    I disagree, I really don't need a survey or evidence for common sense assumptions.

    What would be your survey question? As a community member, do you support Intrepid? Do you feel this game development process has been groundbreaking? Do you appreciate our game development process even when you may have (constructive) criticism? I prefer to stick to the topic, this is an uninteresting side-track.

    My entire point is you are claiming to have an army of like minded individuals backing your opinion. And discrediting anyone who doesn't hold the same opinion as you as "entitled" is harmful to the community.

    Making things up, even when trying to do what you think is right, helps nobody.

    What is my take? My own take is that Intrepid should aim to have fun with their creation while developing it, but also prioritize delivering quality discussions and showcases as a professional company, representing the game efficiently and positively. And since they welcome ALL feedback, then all feedback both positive and negative should be taken into account. And if feedback says people want an improvement on presentation, then Intrepid should take it into consideration, and they did with the reshoot of the showcase.
    GJjUGHx.gif
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Solvryn wrote: »
    There is very little use in arguing with the extremely fallacious.

    Here's a survey for you to see if you're in the majority or not... The majority as in "MAJORITY of this community supports you, acknowledges how groundbreaking this whole development process has been, and appreciates all you do even when we have constructive criticism.":
    • As a community member, do you support Intrepid?
    • Do you feel this game development process has been groundbreaking?
    • Do you appreciate our (communicative, transparent) game development process even when you may have (constructive) criticism?
    Did you answer yes to all of the above? Do you really doubt the majority would say "yes" to these questions? Don't you think "the extremely fallacious" is a little "extreme"? :wink:
  • SolvrynSolvryn Member, Alpha One, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Solvryn wrote: »
    There is very little use in arguing with the extremely fallacious.

    Here's a survey for you to see if you're in the majority or not... The majority as in "MAJORITY of this community supports you, acknowledges how groundbreaking this whole development process has been, and appreciates all you do even when we have constructive criticism.":
    • As a community member, do you support Intrepid?
    • Do you feel this game development process has been groundbreaking?
    • Do you appreciate our (communicative, transparent) game development process even when you may have (constructive) criticism?
    Did you answer yes to all of the above? Do you really doubt the majority would say "yes" to these questions? Don't you think "the extremely fallacious" is a little "extreme"? :wink:

    When you make a statistical inference, you back it up with data. You don't use fallacious reasoning to further invalidate your own arguments.

    Feedback can be both positive and negative, expecting professionalism is a part feedback. Going into an alpha 2 and still not having finalized combat and class design is also feedback, nothing the 6+ years of development time and not thinking its groundbreaking at all is feedback.

    I guess you just do not understand data and decided to take some faux moral high ground.



  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    edited January 2023
    Dolyem wrote: »

    My entire point is you are claiming to have an army of like minded individuals backing your opinion. And discrediting anyone who doesn't hold the same opinion as you as "entitled" is harmful to the community.
    I think it's more harmful in the long run not to point out the blindspots, entitlements, and super-hyped expectations. I may receive backlash or a toxic reaction from an offended but loud minority but I stand by my post.
    What is my take? My own take is that Intrepid should aim to have fun with their creation while developing it, but also prioritize delivering quality discussions and showcases as a professional company, representing the game efficiently and positively. And since they welcome ALL feedback, then all feedback both positive and negative should be taken into account. And if feedback says people want an improvement on presentation, then Intrepid should take it into consideration, and they did with the reshoot of the showcase.

    I respect your opinion, thanks for sharing. My opinion is, the "feedback", albeit helpful and constructive in this case, should be assessed based on need, and not on a vocal minority's demand. I am concerned that we may see more of these little demands here and there, and it may set a negative precedence that turns into a toxic "progress update" cycle.

  • DolyemDolyem Member, Alpha Two, Early Alpha Two
    Galaturc wrote: »
    Dolyem wrote: »

    My entire point is you are claiming to have an army of like minded individuals backing your opinion. And discrediting anyone who doesn't hold the same opinion as you as "entitled" is harmful to the community.
    I think it's more harmful in the long run not to point out the blindspots, entitlements, and super-hyped expectations. I may receive backlash or a toxic reaction from an offended but loud minority but I stand by my post.
    What is my take? My own take is that Intrepid should aim to have fun with their creation while developing it, but also prioritize delivering quality discussions and showcases as a professional company, representing the game efficiently and positively. And since they welcome ALL feedback, then all feedback both positive and negative should be taken into account. And if feedback says people want an improvement on presentation, then Intrepid should take it into consideration, and they did with the reshoot of the showcase.

    I respect your opinion, thanks for sharing. My opinion is, the "feedback", albeit helpful and constructive in this case, should be assessed based on need, and not on a vocal minority's demand. I am concerned that we may see more of these little demands here and there, and it may set a negative precedence that turns into a toxic "progress update" cycle.

    You can't call it a loud minority if you can't prove it is a loud minority. Again, you're discrediting your opposition without any data to say you are the majority.
    GJjUGHx.gif
  • GalaturcGalaturc Member, Alpha Two
    Dolyem wrote: »
    You can't call it a loud minority if you can't prove it is a loud minority. Again, you're discrediting your opposition without any data to say you are the majority.
    Oh, but I just did! I think you are a little too obsessed with the "majority/minority" concept and how much evidence is needed in the context of how I describe these fractions of communities in my OP. When in doubt, use common sense. If that's not sufficient for you, start a survey to test it. I don't need to prove to you that the majority will agree with the "silly" survey questions I posted above. If you do conduct a survey, however, please share the results here. :wink:

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