Should Developers Listen To All Gamer Feedback?

Posted by simoniker on Wednesday December 3, 2003 @12:11AM from the make-it-harder-easier-longer-shorter dept.

Thanks to GameSpy for their 'Spy/CounterSpy' editorial discussing whether the videogame developer should listen to all fan feedback regarding in-development titles. The writer suggests: "Who in their right mind ignores advice from the people who are going to pay for your product? And in the end, that's what it comes down. Fans pay the bills - and they deserve respect." Bit he also points out the negative angle: "Fan suggestions are usually what would make the game better for that one individual. Developers need to consider the global effects of any suggestion and work to keep the majority happy." Are there some game titles or genres where a vocal minority's agitation for change has resulted in an inferior title?

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Also Jedi Knight II by smcv · 2003-12-03 00:55 · Score: 3, Informative

In response to (a vocal minority of) players whining, Raven Software tweaked the game balance (force powers, lightsabre moves) in each released patch for JK2. Since they overreacted to perceived problems, the result was that the "overpowered" force powers and techniques became completely underpowered in the next patch.