Many years ago, when I was getting used to this thing called "email", I asked Mike Mulvihill if there were any plans for South America in Shadowrun. Mr. Mulvihill was SR's Line Developer back then, and his answer was a mile long brainstorm of cool ideas he had in mind.

Pure class, I say.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaI'm a strong proponent of game designers staying out of public forums.  Decent people eventually say something to piss off someone, the event gets blown out of proportion, and reputations that should have nothing to do with the purchase or play of a game suddenly become a deciding factor.  I'd rather not know that the author of my favorite game can be a prick.

You don't love me anymore *sobs*


Opinion: If you can't be courteous even to your detractors, then this is probably not the business for you. Me? I like gamers, I like people, and try and be friendly as I can--now sometimes I'm not, sometimes I get frustrated and mad, but its not that common.
Some important things to remember: Detractors might not have been someone you'd /ever/ have sold something to in the first place. At the same time, fans, are not always going to give you an honest enough opinion to help your products thrive.

Like Jong I've had relatively good luck with the people who work on Shadowrun. My emails have always been returned, and answered. I've met a few of them now in real life, and tossed back a few drinks with some of them, and I have walked away feeling good about them, not just because they're polite, but because they are also honest. They will speak their minds, even if it means an answer I don't like.

I don't know anyone else in the industry at all.

Quote from: SilverlionYou don't love me anymore *sobs*

No, no.  I'll always love you.  It's just that everyone can be a prick sometimes.  It's a matter of scale, really.  The Internet is so huge and potentially connects you with so many people, the chances of ending up on the short end of the stick with someone someday go up exponentially.  What I was referring to previously is that, for the most part, the designer/authors I've seen deal most successfully with the Internet have been those who have maintained the most discrete profile.  Not "no presence" at all, but "professional detachment".

!i!

Of course it affects my purchasing decisions.  The greater the impression (positive or negative), the greater the impact it will have.

I share the opinion of Justin Achilli that others have posted, above.

On the other hand, I've also had absolutely sublime interactions with other industry folk.  Despite my dislike for Deadlands Reloaded and a lot of decisions going on at Pinnacle / Great White, I think that Shane Hensley's one of the most courteous, coolest folks in the industry, for example.  That makes me want to buy stuff from him if there's any chance I'll like it.

I think what this whole thing boils down to is that you can't ignore the human factor.  Your actions not only reflect on you, but on the company you work for as well.  As usual, some understand this and some entirely miss the point.

Quote from: RedFoxOf course it affects my purchasing decisions.  The greater the impression (positive or negative), the greater the impact it will have.

You know, the only thing I find more strange than not buying a game because designer X is Not Nice is to actually buy stuff from third-grade losers based on sympathy. Not saying you do that but we see a lot of stuff like that over at RPG.net.

I remember the dude who released Children Of The Sun. He campaigned for over a year, being nice to everybody. Discussing every topic without overly plugging his game. He pulled all the right move and became friends with all the right people. Then he released his extraordinarily crappy game that some regulars pretended to like for something like three weeks and then the game flopped and he thankfully disappeared, along with his company. Nobody ever mentioned the game again and they all jumped to the next Nice Guy.

Give me a complete asshole writing/designing solid games any day over a nice incompetent. Of course, I prefer a nice guy writing nice games. Just saying, I've got my priorities where they should be when it comes to game purchases.

I buy the game, not the guy.

Well, the thing about stuff like this is that it isn't and doesn't have to be rational.  It's about impressions and personal taste.

Quote from: RedFoxWell, the thing about stuff like this is that it isn't and doesn't have to be rational.  It's about impressions and personal taste.

And seriously, why the hell should I give money to someone who displays a complete contempt for me and my fellow man?

If you walk into a store and the owner calls you an inbred dickmunch, do you not walk out?

This issue never really come up when I was totally oblivious about rpg forums. But when I started lurking a hell of a lot more esp at tBP, I saw some of the drama that happens when gamers and designers interact.

I'm all for professionalism in any business. If the company is not professional when it comes to delivery of goods, questions regarding the product etc, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't waste my time/money on the company's product.

As for the designer behaving like a wanker, hell most fans/gamers behave like wankers too. So, no, unless the designer does something really bad - I''ll admit, I'll think twice before I buy any of Wick's games - his/her behaviour is not a factor with me.

Regards,
David R

Quote from: Consonant DudeGive me a complete asshole writing/designing solid games any day over a nice incompetent.

Heh heh heh...not mentioning any names....

I try to be a good person wherever I am, internet or no. It's important to me whether or not it's important to my customers. It's seldom easy, but I find it is ultimately rewarding.

-clash

There are a few folks I won't buy from based soley on their attitudes.  If you want to be rude, flame back at constructive criticism and act like your customers are people you don't want to associate with then chances our I won't buy your product.

On the same token if your product doesn't interest me at all then I won't buy it no matter how nice you are.

Anyways back on the not buying from folks.  I can understand having different opinions, political beliefs and overall personalities.  It's when they start getting obnoxious with those differences and start insulting people who think different that I really get ticked off.  It's about that time that they end up on my ignore list on a forum and their company knocked off the 'buy some stuff' list.

Ah well.

There's been one person that I refuse to buy from because they are an unmitigated jerk.

I have found that the vast majority of RPG folk online are nice and treat others as they would like to be treated.

The thing to remember is: everyone has bad days and since game designers aren't in this business for the money, they have strong opinions about what they do (this isn't "just a job" to anyone- they'd make more money working at Walmart).

Quote from: Consonant DudeI remember the dude who released Children Of The Sun. He campaigned for over a year, being nice to everybody. Discussing every topic without overly plugging his game. He pulled all the right move and became friends with all the right people. Then he released his extraordinarily crappy game that some regulars pretended to like for something like three weeks and then the game flopped and he thankfully disappeared, along with his company. Nobody ever mentioned the game again and they all jumped to the next Nice Guy.

Ah, well Ben's a nice guy in truth - it wasn't something that he put on. I've maintained contact with him over the years, and he has remained as kind and generous as he was when I first broke into the business, whatever his abilities as a game designer.

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceAh, well Ben's a nice guy in truth - it wasn't something that he put on. I've maintained contact with him over the years, and he has remained as kind and generous as he was when I first broke into the business, whatever his abilities as a game designer.

Oh, I know it wasn't an act. I believe you can be sincere in your interaction, productive and still be conscious of the good PR and benefits.

He's just the first obvious example of that which came to my mind. Which is, a lot of people at RPG.net were going to buy his product sight unseen, based on the interaction they had with him.