Does our feedback matter one bit to Blizz Writers?

[MajinX]

I'll probably get lynched for this, but I really don't think fans should have much, if any say on a story for anything, unless the nature of said story is by essence based on said choices (e.g. the Warhammer global campaigns, where registered results dictates the story or organized fanfiction).

It may be because I've written extensively, why I only begin posting a multi-chapter after completely writing it. This way, I feel the story succeeds or fails purely on my own ability, not on me reacting to other people's suggestions (as in content, I'm open to the likes of spelling or grammar). If it succeeds, it's not my accomplishment. If it fails, I'm liable to fall into "it's someone else's fault." You may argue that such feedback can make a story better, but if it's based on external opinion, it will inevitably make it worse for others.

If there's one thing the Internet has taught me, it's that people can complain about anything. People are certainly entitled to their opinion, but I think that in the realm of fiction and the like, care must be taken. There are cases where not listening to fans have definately paid off, times where listening to them hasn't. Personal experience for me points towards the former having the better results.

Now if you excuse me, I'll get going. I see a mob coming my way.

Quoted for good insight and actual thought-out reasoning rather than what your emotions sway you to at the point in time u are typing a reply.

I dont see why our feedback should matter, if it did I can see many ppl complaining saying bliz doesnt do their job, might as well not make a story and make it fully MP or if the story the fans wanted sucked dick they would have complained even more. No1 is happy with wat they get coz our of world today, there is just so much we can do with a couple mouse clicks.

[RussianSpy27]

Quoted for good insight and actual thought-out reasoning rather than what your emotions sway you to at the point in time u are typing a reply.

I dont see why our feedback should matter, if it did I can see many ppl complaining saying bliz doesnt do their job, might as well not make a story and make it fully MP or if the story the fans wanted sucked dick they would have complained even more. No1 is happy with wat they get coz our of world today, there is just so much we can do with a couple mouse clicks.

Hawki has a point, but I agree with that point in reference to telling writers what story to write.

However, when it comes to seeing a product that contains a bunch of badly sewn together pieces, illogical parts and inconsistencies, we're entitled to critique it, like prof. critics do when they grade such works without telling the authors actually what to write.

[GnaReffotsirk]

George Lukas needed his critics.

When during the Story Q&A where Mitzen said something like there was no opposition, that they kind of just Blitzkrieg-ed, I was kind of worried.

I personally would be very very nervous when no one protests against my ideas. I'd rather have a loyalist who would challenge my decisions, than a thousand cheek smackers.

I mean, we're not just fans who would like things go this way or that, some good critique are actually based on solid ground.

[Alex06]

The video is clearly a concept pass and has likely changed.

BUT Blizzard does indeed treat us like children, because they themselves are just children fingerpainting games with nerdgasm juice.

If this forum had a like button, I would certainly press it now.

[pure.Wasted]

I agree with Hawki. Blizzard has the right to write their own story and not listen to anyone. This is neither good nor bad in and of itself. It's just as easy to ruin a good story with bad fan feedback as it is to help a bad story improve.

I can't even say I wish we had more influence. I don't agree with 90% of the suggestions made by 90% of the posters. I don't think they would help. So who would Blizzard be listening? Me or the 90%?

[RussianSpy27]

Pure.Wasted, You mean not listen to anyone including fans and professional critics? Blizzard does not HAVE to listen to criticisms, but wouldn't you agree that the decision not to listen to critique of a product that has gotten mixed reviews (storyline) may not be beneficial? What good developer of any kind refuses to listen to constructive criticism? (Unless of course, the $ flows in regardless of the quality of the part of the game, in which case they of course may not care).

So let's say I'm Metzen. The game comes out. I'm sitting at my pc with a big cigar and browsing criticisms. There are a bunch of barking forum going doggies typing something away..."ha big deal...who can read all that bs anyway?" BlizzCon mob sucks up to be brave on the mic - ha see they like my story yeaah! There are some positive storyline reviews - "that's it I'm golden yahoooooooooo (puts a cowboy hat on)"

Or...he can ask an assistant (QA) people to compile a common list of logical criticisms, as well as critical professional reviews, sit down, put the Lucas style pride away in a closet and seriously discuss how to improve on the noted weaknesses of the campaign, so as not to repeat the same error in HotS.

There is also an option that everything had long been written and shot (e.g. ending video) and all of the reaching out to the community is a kiddie show.

[hyde]

I agree with Hawki. Blizzard has the right to write their own story and not listen to anyone. This is neither good nor bad in and of itself. It's just as easy to ruin a good story with bad fan feedback as it is to help a bad story improve.

I can't even say I wish we had more influence. I don't agree with 90% of the suggestions made by 90% of the posters. I don't think they would help. So who would Blizzard be listening? Me or the 90%?

No they don't. What the hell do you think this is? Creative writing 101?
Uh Blizzard is a subsidary half of Activision Blizzard which is held accountable by it's share holders. Over 50% of the shares are owned by Vivendi Corporation.

If they start to seriously eff up, the board of directors or Vivendi can easily vote any of their butts out of there.

Also, they hold some responsibility to their customers. We pay for the game, we supply Bobby Kotick with his Oyster lunches. Metzen's tinted perscription glasses.
If they abuse that fact around, less people will buy their games.
You are pretty naive to think that they "don't have to listen to anyone" . They make a commercial product that depends on DEMAND for sales.

[Freespace]

How could you guys possibly think this wasn't made my Blizzard or a hired third party? There is no way anyone but Blizzard could of had the time, models, or voices to make this video.

I invite you to see StarCraft: Final Metamorphosis, when it's out in January/February. (teaser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWZacvUMomA )

[DemolitionSquid]

I invite you to see StarCraft: Final Metamorphosis, when it's out in January/February. (teaser http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWZacvUMomA )

You mean the video you guys did which doesn't include accurate models of Raynor, Kerrigan, and Mengsk, nor their voices?

You're good. But not that good.

[Freespace]

I mean the video I'm making, alone. That doesn't feature Raynor or Mengsk in it. But thanks.