MinionJoe wrote:

EdCase512 wrote:Not enough for anyone to take notice.

Except that we've been assured that the developers and programmers are reading the forums.

*shrugs*

Yes, I'm sure they do read them. IF (and it's a big if) the game was universally slammed for NOT being science Spore (put aside all the other reasons it is/has been slammed for). Then maybe you'd see a focus shift. But here's the rub.

It isn't...hell the poll doesn't even represent a signifigant portion of registered forum users, never mind retail box sales.
The loudest voice does not always equate to the majority opinion.

To clarify I'd love Science Spore. I am just a realist.

EdCase512 wrote:To clarify I'd love Science Spore. I am just a realist.

You and me both, bub. I've no illusions that my complaining will actually accomplish anything.

I got one question. (that is because I only read the first two pages and don't care to go through all ten. So if its been awnsered, forgive me.)

What exactly is the "original vision" of Spore?

Should I be looking at what SpongB6F1 said on the first page?
(oh my, thats two)

Or did this "vision" come from other source?
(oh noes three! )

I hope they make it, but they probably won't. Look at the sims, it took until the sims 3 (which isn't even out yet) to get a feature people wanted since the original game, free roaming through the neighborhood. Its probably the same argument, its not feasible for them to do it yet.

EdCase512 wrote:
76% of less than 1% of recorded box sales. Not really an impressive number RG. Get 76% of recorded box purchasers on your team and they'd pay attention.
Not to say I don't agree with you on an intellectual level. But cold facts make for depressing reading don't they ?

And...what? You think they're going to assume that the numbers HERE aren't a microcosmic representation of the numbers out there? From what I've been seeing, the number of people still playing Spore are dropping sharply, critics are coming around and panning the game...at what point can the facts no longer be ignored?

It takes time for big entities to move.

It takes five minutes to post a, "Heard you; we're on it," update.

Give Maxis time.

They've had PLENTY of time; if they don't want to lose their fanbase, the time to issue a statement is NOW. (Actually, it was a month ago, but now will do. A month from now might be too late.)

And my god, we finally found who to blame for the gameplay half of this whole controversy. I'm guessing a lot of people are getting the tar and feathers right now. This guy made a mistake that permanently damaged seven years of work from Maxis. I'm more than a little angry.

Ditto. You'd think SOMEone at Maxis would sit up, take notice, and weigh in just a little bit. Seriously, it's been, what, more than a month? And we've done nothing but make our opinions known? And I, personally, have been trying to goad Maxis into making a statement? You'd think they'd have said something--ANYTHING!--by now, neh?

Its probably the same argument, its not feasible for them to do it yet.

Nope. We know now that it was upheaval, a kind of coup at Maxis, that created this crapstorm.

RocketGirl wrote:

EdCase512 wrote:
76% of less than 1% of recorded box sales. Not really an impressive number RG. Get 76% of recorded box purchasers on your team and they'd pay attention.
Not to say I don't agree with you on an intellectual level. But cold facts make for depressing reading don't they ?

And...what? You think they're going to assume that the numbers HERE aren't a microcosmic representation of the numbers out there? From what I've been seeing, the number of people still playing Spore are dropping sharply, critics are coming around and panning the game...at what point can the facts no longer be ignored?

No I do not assume that. I do assume that EA controls the purse strings. I do assume the money is in the bank. I most certainly do assume that the business plan is in place to attempt to recoup development costs. I do KNOW that changing business plans midstream will not achieve this lofty (corporate imperative) aim.
Never forget leisure software once done, standard practice = reassign anyone not working on expansions to next title.

If you, I and others are ever going to get "science spore' it will come later rather than sooner. Or at best be wedged in to the release as expansion 2 since the first one is already announced.
No amount of angst ridden wailing,moaning and gnashing of teeth will change this.

EdCase512 wrote:
If you, I and others are ever going to get "science spore' it will come later rather than sooner. Or at best be wedged in to the release as expansion 2 since the first one is already announced.
No amount of angst ridden wailing,moaning and gnashing of teeth will change this.

A large enough number of people staging a boycott might. I know that's a pipe dream, but you know what happens if we don't try?

Nothing.

boycotting a game.. to wait 5 years to get a new game.. sounds smart?

EdCase512 wrote:Yes, I'm sure they do read them. IF (and it's a big if) the game was universally slammed for NOT being science Spore (put aside all the other reasons it is/has been slammed for). Then maybe you'd see a focus shift. But here's the rub.

It isn't...hell the poll doesn't even represent a signifigant portion of registered forum users, never mind retail box sales.
The loudest voice does not always equate to the majority opinion.

To clarify I'd love Science Spore. I am just a realist.

I'll agree that the forums aren't a microcosm of the customers, as RocketGirl suggested. However, a vast majority of the people who bought the game won't ever post online, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't agree if they did. What is seen on the forums should be taken with a grain of salt, HOWEVER, the forums are a distilled reaction of the more interested portion of the customers. What happens here can be used as a measure for what happens elsewhere, somewhat. And I can tell you that both the other people I've seen play the game, who would never post on a forum in their life, are annoyed that the game is too cutesy.

I think the thought that goes through a lot of people's minds when they play Spore is "This isn't as innovative as I expected. It's too simple. That's disappointing." I think you'd find the majority of people would agree with us, even if they haven't thought enough about it to realize that they would.

Neruu wrote:boycotting a game.. to wait 5 years to get a new game.. sounds smart?

I'm not sure it would be five years. Spore already has an engine, and the code is obviously already written--I assume they've saved it--for the physics and stuff. A few art fixes, some code tweaks, a lot of testing...I would imagine a year or two, tops, honestly. Having been involved in game production...a year or two is generous. Seriously.

Neruu wrote:boycotting a game.. to wait 5 years to get a new game.. sounds smart?

It IS smart, because if EA has to spend five years developing a new Spore, that's five years that they won't be getting money from it. When if they had just done it right the first time, instead of trying to put out a game that could make the most money humanly possible, they'd have been collecting money hand over fist for five years.

Which makes me think that Hell will freeze solid before EA decides to develop SciSpore, unfortunately.

But really...people complain that we "ruin the game" for them by barging into threads and complaining. Coming in and saying "your boycott is a stupid idea" is different in what way?

RocketGirl wrote:

EdCase512 wrote:
If you, I and others are ever going to get "science spore' it will come later rather than sooner. Or at best be wedged in to the release as expansion 2 since the first one is already announced.
No amount of angst ridden wailing,moaning and gnashing of teeth will change this.

A large enough number of people staging a boycott might. I know that's a pipe dream, but you know what happens if we don't try?

Nothing.

Large enough to impact the bottom line ?
Too late the deed is done the boxes are sold. Expansions can be cancelled. Support in the form of patches can be reduced.
Potential sequel giving you what you crave ? CANCELLED due to unwise business investment decision.

Good grief, PC titles are frankly "niche" in the overall gameplan of companies such as EA. Depressing ? very much so.
Truth currently ? sadly yes.
You need to realise that after saying your piece. It's time to stop. If they are going to notice, they've done so already.
Currently your actually counterproductive. You are in actual danger of (potentially) making people avoid this forum. Or draw the conclusion that Spore is not worth their time. Changes do not occur to a "dead title".
We get it RG, we understand. But you are becoming repetitive and sounding ,frankly, petulant.

RocketGirl wrote:

Neruu wrote:boycotting a game.. to wait 5 years to get a new game.. sounds smart?

I'm not sure it would be five years. Spore already has an engine, and the code is obviously already written--I assume they've saved it--for the physics and stuff. A few art fixes, some code tweaks, a lot of testing...I would imagine a year or two, tops, honestly. Having been involved in game production...a year or two is generous. Seriously.

They intend on milking the engine too for other platforms.

EdCase512 wrote:
Large enough to impact the bottom line ?
Too late the deed is done the boxes are sold.

As any good retailer and product-maker can tell you, the bread-and-butter of making money is repeat business.

Think about that...I'll wait.

You need to realise that after saying your piece. It's time to stop. If they are going to notice, they've done so already.

Then let them SAY SO. I'm not asking a lot, just an official word on the subject, explicit and unambiguous.

Currently your actually counterproductive. You are in actual danger of (potentially) making people avoid this forum. Or draw the conclusion that Spore is not worth their time.

While this is not my intent, I wouldn't mind having this effect; all the more likely that a sudden drop in attendance and playership would finally get the attention of EA/Maxis.

We get it RG, we understand. But you are becoming repetitive and sounding ,frankly, petulant.

...and?

Let me point out the fact there is a very defined line between record sales and the desire for Spore 05. One being that, everyone who probably wants Spore 05, already owns Spore 08. Sales figures mean nothing in a pole like this because we're asking people who OWN THE GAME!!!