Blizzard

[Seppo]

Blizzard...I once respected this company. They were above all other game developers. With classics like Warcraft and especially Diablo they achieved a status in the industry which most can only dream about. But those days are long gone. And it all boils down to one game, World of Warcraft.

World of Warcraft is the closest to a perfect game I've ever seen, but that's not the point. The point is that Blizzard has turned into something they once fought against: a company that doesn't try to achieve perfection anymore, but instead listen to teenage fanboys who cry on the forums. The latest patch to WoW was the final blow. All who play the game are familiar with the forums and how they have been infested with whine posts. The latest patch confirmed to me that this company nor the game is no longer ran by Blizzard itself, but the immature fanbase. All the whine posts once again paid off when certain classes were nerfed in the latest patch, the exact classes that the forum spammers had long been crying about. This is not my main concern, no. It's just the best example of Blizzard's current state and how they have evolved into something I don't like. It's the fact that Blizzard don't have the balls anymore to just do what they know would be the best, but instead they do what the masses want. If that means the game will lose balance, it's fine as long as the biggest branch of fanbase is held pleased and that is the 15 year old morons.

It's unbelievable how this good game is slowly ruined by the fact that Blizzard have lost their touch. They are no longer in control of the game and affraid to lose customers, they actually listen to the immature fanbase. But then again, why should I expect more? Of course the main goal for a company is to make the most profit. But it's just sad how blatantly Blizzard want to please their customers. Hey I'm a customer too, but in the minority and there's nothing I can do except stop paying for a product I no longer enjoy.

Or maybe I just grew out of WoW and video games? Would be sad, since I'm only 21 and practically still a teenager.

Long post but you probably get my point anyway I'm not that good at typing in english.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

Or maybe I just grew out of WoW and video games? Would be sad, since I'm only 21 and practically still a teenager.

Long post but you probably get my point anyway I'm not that good at typing in english.

You had finished being a teenager when you reached 20 ;(

 

[Shakermaker]

So I take it something or other got nerfed and you're unhappy about it?

I for one am happy that engineers can now build flying machines.

 

[Ennui]

Don't say that, Starcraft II is on the horizon.

 

[Pesmerga]

I lost respect for Blizzard when they announced Wrath of the Lich King.

 

[Steel.Inferno]

What changes are so bad? I stopped playing WoW a while back and I'm not about to pore over the patch notes, they might persuade me to pick it up again...

 

[Sedako]

I quit wow a while ago. It just doesn't offer the same amount of grandeur it originally did. The game became a boring grind fest, and the cartoony models and textures just started to bug me. I haven't lot my respect for Blizzard. Just remember that Blizzard also isn't the same company they were when they developed their earlier titles.

 

[Seppo]

So I take it something or other got nerfed and you're unhappy about it?

I for one am happy that engineers can now build flying machines.

No that wasn't my point. I just used WoW as an example of how Blizzard have maybe changed since their past days.

But now that you mention it, I don't like the way Blizzard is treating "veteran" WoW players in order to lure more and more newcomers to play the game. Even before the expansion a year ago I thought that some of the changes will make the game too easy. Blizzard are trying to make the game the most easily accessible MMORPG out there, and I can't blame them of course they want their product to sell. But in every patch the game is slowly being made too easy for experienced players.

 

[golden_fang]

No that wasn't my point. I just used WoW as an example of how Blizzard have maybe changed since their past days.

But now that you mention it, I don't like the way Blizzard is treating "veteran" WoW players in order to lure more and more newcomers to play the game. Even before the expansion a year ago I thought that some of the changes will make the game too easy. Blizzard are trying to make the game the most easily accessible MMORPG out there, and I can't blame them of course they want their product to sell. But in every patch the game is slowly being made too easy for experienced players.

elitist tool

 

[Seppo]

elitist tool

Heh, so much for having an intelligent discussion. You actually have anything to contribute?

 

[Dog--]

So.. What happened? I'm a normal(ish) person who doesn't play WoW..

 

[Seppo]

Well to be honest it wasn't anything huge, but just the fact that Blizzard actually listened to all the people who spammed their forums and they make the most illogical changes or "nerfs" to desperately please the whiners. It's happened in previous patches too so in a way this is nothing new, but they should really listen to the people who actually have good ideas how to improve game balance.

So the thing here that annoyed me is that Blizzard don't use brains, they just do what the angry masses want.

 

[Wanted Bob]

So the thing here that annoyed me is that Blizzard don't use brains, they just do what the angry masses want.

Eh, its good business for them to appease the huge amount of people who love WoW instead of the Blizzard Veterans.

I too think its sad that they have resorted to just dishing out what the fans want, even though I dont care much for WoW.

Personally, I wish that they produce something thats not WoW, but related to Warcraft (aka WC IV).

 

[Anthraxxx]

Uh... so what about the last patch did you really not like? I think this patch is great.

1. Added Zul'Aman for guilds who have Karazhan on farm and aren't yet ready for Black Temple.

2. Mages got trainable Ice Block. Mages now have a bit more survivalbility.

3. Mages get ritual of vending machine, so they no longer need to constantly sit and make food/water and trade it to group members.

4. Hunters lose the dead zone, which is awesome for hunters.

5. Overall rogue dps output is increased by 15%

6. EXP gain between lvl 20-60 is increased. EXP needed to level up between 20-60 is reduced. Quests for the lvl 20-60 ranges give more exp and gold. Gear now have better stats. This is great for people who are just joining because it will help them get through to the end game content faster. This also allows people who join once the next expansion comes out to quickly get to the level where they can enjoy the 2nd expansion's content.

7. Guilds now have vaults so that bank characters are no longer needed.

8. Engineering flying mounts.

9. Minimap is now more user friendly.

10. Auction House sortings are now more efficient. No longer do you have useless options when searching for items. For example, all cloaks are cloth, yet there was an option to search for a 'back' item under plate, mail, and leather.


And there are just some of the good things in the patch. I don't see any explanation in any of your posts about the latest patch about why Blizzard is just giving in to whiney forum noobs. What about the patch is so bad? Why does it cater to people who complain on the forums? How does the patch negetively affect gameplay?

 

[Letters]

That actually took away the hunter's deadzone? Hahaha!

 

[Anthraxxx]

Yeah, now when you get out of melee range, they'll automatically switch to ranged. No in-between where you can bee too close for ranged and too far for melee.

 

[Pesmerga]

Trainable Ice Block for mages is pretty amazing. Also rogue dps increase = wtf. They ought to have nerfed the Warlock.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

A company listening to its paying customers? No way!

You realize that you can easily counter it by starting a thread, and if people feel like you then they will post and Blizzard will take notice.

If the noobs are the only ones saying anything, and the vets are staying quiet, what is Blizzard supposed to do? They aren't mind readers.

Perhaps the direction they want WoW to go isn't the direction you had in mind, say it. If you still think it's the end of the world, cancel your subscription. That way Blizzard won't get your cash every month, which tells them they are doing a good job.

 

[Synthos]

Blizzard is RAKING in money. They're a smart company and they will keep their customers I assure you. For every one of you that goes "Oh noes Bliz hates me and I quit!" there are 5 more that are happy with how things are.

 

[Docm30]

What do you expect when just about everyone responsable for Diablo, Warcraft (1 through WoW) and Stacraft have since left Blizzard? the company is now run by people who don't give a shit about quality, just about selling copies.

 

[Pesmerga]

What do you expect when just about everyone responsable for Diablo, Warcraft (1 through WoW) and Stacraft have since left Blizzard? the company is now run by people who don't give a shit about quality, just about selling copies.

Is there a list of those people that have left? And how have taken their place?

 

[Bad^Hat]

As an ex-WoW player I can only lol at some of those changes, but this one is so retarded I can't even muster a smile.

EXP gain between lvl 20-60 is increased. EXP needed to level up between 20-60 is reduced. Quests for the lvl 20-60 ranges give more exp and gold.

Jesus, Blizz. Either create more non-end game content, or ****ing CUT OUT the first 60 levels if you're going to be like that.

They don't give a f*ck anymore. I joined the game because it was fun to play and I enjoyed seeing my character advance and become gradually stronger. Hasn't that always been the crux of RPGs? There doesn't seem to be any bloody point to it anymore, just a meaningless grind so that you can have the best gear to do the next meaningless grind so that you can have the best gear to do the next meaningless grind so that you can have the best gear to do the next meaningless grind so that you can have the best gear to do the next meaningless grind so that you can have the best gear to do the next meaningless grind so that.....

 

[phantomdesign]

Like Bad_Hat just said, it's basically a massive meaningless grind fest.

Skill isn't rewarded much at all & many classes have been nerfed to hell. I keep wondering why blizzard doesn't BUFF classes instead? I mean why not give a class a cool new ability. Sure certain things occasionally need to be nerfed because of exploit-like behavior, however I think all classes should have tons of options at their disposal, make the game a little less predictable, make the skill-trees more diverse, and stop worrying about achieving the PERFECT balance.

I played a shadow priest to 70, the saddest thing ever is they nerfed the shadow priest to indirectly nerf the warlock. Sure the shadow priest when played very well, with good equipment could outclass most people in raids (DPS + HP + Mana), but I only cared about PVP.

 

[Kyorisu]

Complaining that Blizzard are listening to the majority of the user base? Really now? Why not get off your arse and form your own majority and suggest better ideas other than nerfing. God I hate nerfing it's what devs do because it's simple and easy. Why not give everyone else a buff, a new ability or something to counter the overpowered class?

 

[Baal]

Blizzard has made larger, more significant and bizarre changes than those before. None of this is surprising.

I'm just glad I don't play anymore. If you don't like something about the game, just quit. I did, and my life has been better ever since. I'm coming up on the one year anniversary of my quitting WoW!

Also, it's not that I didn't like the game, it's that I liked it too much that I had to quit.

 

[Naph]

They killed Starcraft Ghost and made Blizzard North split up and run about on their own. Me thinks the high authority of Blizzard are pretty jealous of Hellgate's success.

 

[Bad^Hat]

Also, goddamn - http://kotaku.com/gaming/world-of-warcraft/wow-population-hits-93-million-322914.php

That's more than twice as many people as live in my country. Somehow that flays my very soul. ;(

 

[Xeltsek]

But in every patch the game is slowly being made too easy for experienced players.

Seconded.

I Quit 2 months ago now.

 

[Absinthe]

I really don't like most of what they've done since BC. I'm pretty much in agreement and stuff like this just reminds me of why I quit to begin with.

I still sometimes feel the urge to play again, but then all I have to do is read about the new one hundred and one ways they've managed to piss me off with the game to dissuade me.

 

[Ravioli]

totaly agree. Never played WoW tho, but it seems like the wealth they are gaining from it causes them to not make any more titles with greater quality like in the past. Starcraft 2 has already taken long enough...and Diablo3??? They could have made these games plus many more if they actuall get to it, but they wont, instead they just use WoW as an income. I cant blame them tho, money is money.

 

[Xeltsek]

I'm not sure what will happen with Diablo 3 now considering the core team behind it is now Flagship Studios.

Hellgate: London had traces of Diablo but i beleive that www.mythos.com will have even more!

 

[Anthraxxx]

Didn't a bunch of the people who quit Blizzard go off to work on Warhammer?

 

[Gunner]

Well to be honest it wasn't anything huge, but just the fact that Blizzard actually listened to all the people who spammed their forums and they make the most illogical changes or "nerfs" to desperately please the whiners. It's happened in previous patches too so in a way this is nothing new, but they should really listen to the people who actually have good ideas how to improve game balance.

So the thing here that annoyed me is that Blizzard don't use brains, they just do what the angry masses want.

It's been like that since day one. I'm surprised that you just noticed.

 

[Pesmerga]

They killed Starcraft Ghost and made Blizzard North split up and run about on their own. Me thinks the high authority of Blizzard are pretty jealous of Hellgate's success.

lol whut? HG:L has a score of 6.4 on metacritic. The game is hardly a comparable success to WoW.

I still have faith in Blizzard; I know they understand they can't ride on WoW forever, so they're branching out into Starcraft II and, hopefully, Diablo 3.

I'm not sure what will happen with Diablo 3 now considering the core team behind it is now Flagship Studios.

Two people who were involved with Diablo/2 went to work on HG:L. Whoever was in charge of HG:L didn't know what the hell they were doing.

 

[Nitre]

Bah. The only part of WoW that i ever truly enjoyed was leveling up and PvP. Playing the rogue made things fun, but at the same time completely unfun. I'd say i was an above average player, but when looking for groups absolutely noone wanted a rogue. Anyway, i didn't enjoy dungeons that much anyway. Leveling up was brilliant because getting new skills was fun, and none of the classes were particularly overpowered at lower levels. Saying i didn't like dungeons is lying though, because i loved all the low level ones. Hated the ones at higher levels. I quit WoW over a year ago now though.

 

[nurizeko]

I got bored after struggling to lvl 51, played on a test realm with all the bestest gear and Outland and lvl 70 chars, came to the conclusion I saw everything I wanted to see, realized I didn't want to pay anymore money for the privilege of being bored, and quit.


OP, you've basically made a rant thread, with nothing worth discussing.

And from my personal opinion, for what thats worth, some of the changes are quite welcome and needed, shame they came months and months too late.

 

[TCfromBN]

I'll be thoroughly displeased if they don't get around to Diablo 3 any time soon.

Diablo 3 had better keep the same "dark" theme. I don't want any of this stupid Warcraft arcadey crap.

 

[[Matt]]

I quit wow too but not due to bieng a moaning git unhappy at changes made... I simply got bored.

What i am wondering is what this so called next generation MMO is all about that blizz are now working on?

 

[Seppo]

It's been like that since day one. I'm surprised that you just noticed.

I didn't "just notice" it. It just finally said it out loud.

What do you expect when just about everyone responsable for Diablo, Warcraft (1 through WoW) and Stacraft have since left Blizzard? the company is now run by people who don't give a shit about quality, just about selling copies.

You're right there