• Blizzard taking close-mindedness to the next level?

    by
    HI5
    Published on 08-20-2012 04:19 PM
    16 Comments Comments
    As probably all of you know, since release of Diablo 3 and even earlier since announcement of Mists of Pandaria - blizzard is having big issues with taking criticism. Jay Wilson, Chris Metzen and other blizzard workers are constantly trying to convince us that their semi-good ideas are brilliant and that we will love them eventually no matter what we're saying.

    But just yesterday Blizzard took it to the whole new level - Jay Wilson and other Blizzard Developers has posted very non-professional and rude comments about incgamers interview with David Brevik, on Chris Haga facebook page (screen and link to the interview below). You might wonder why they've acted in such a childish way? was David Brevik rude in his interview? -no. Was he speaking honestly what he don't like about the game -yes (in a very polite way). Yet the Blizzard developers did something that professionals should never do (as example Jay Wilson comment "F**k that loser")

    This is not the way professional should act, and its very sad that long year game developers company not only can't take criticism from their own customers / fans, but also from the other game developers.

    You can find full article about this whole situation and the video with original interview on incgamers.com Blizzard react angrily to IncGamers David Brevik interview | IncGamers.com

    Screen with comments:

    This article was originally published in forum thread: Blizzard taking close-minded·ness to the next level? started by HI5 View original post
    Comments 16 Comments
    1. wowsc4p3's Avatar
      wowsc4p3 - 08-20-2012
      Sure, David Brevik is entitled to his opinion. The blizzard devs are, too. Unprofessional or not, that's how Blizzard have always been. They've always seemed more personal about business responses.
    1. Xel's Avatar
      Xel - 08-21-2012
      I would like to see some proof that these "devs" are actually people and not groups dedicated to act characteristic and
      arrogant to make the changes have a face. I don't know if you get me here, but it's better for Blizzard that people blame
      single persons for the changes than the entire game/company. So if there are multiple guys behind of what "Jay"
      says, it's no wonder they might sometimes cross the line (that's what they've most likely been told to, too).
    1. wowsc4p3's Avatar
      wowsc4p3 - 08-21-2012
      Quote Originally Posted by Xel View Post
      I would like to see some proof that these "devs" are actually people and not groups dedicated to act characteristic and
      arrogant to make the changes have a face. I don't know if you get me here, but it's better for Blizzard that people blame
      single persons for the changes than the entire game/company. So if there are multiple guys behind of what "Jay"
      says, it's no wonder they might sometimes cross the line (that's what they've most likely been told to, too).
      And I'd like to see proof otherwise. It's not the important matter. If people can say what they like about blizzard, blizzard can say what they like about people. If people don't like the game, then they wasted their money; Noone forced them to buy the game, they're entitled to an opinion but should leave it at that: An opinion. It's no wonder Blizzy reacted in the way they did if what you say is true.
    1. wowsc4p3's Avatar
      wowsc4p3 - 08-21-2012
      Double post because of glitch.
    1. cdmichaelb's Avatar
      cdmichaelb - 08-21-2012
      Because they work for blizzard they can't act like regular people on Facebook?

      I'm not defending blizzard's game decisions, I think they've been making some very poor choices design-wise.

      I'm sure they will still get in trouble with their PR(HR?) department, which I think is wrong but that's a discussion for another time.
    1. Gabbz's Avatar
      Gabbz - 08-21-2012
      I think you are reading and acting towards Blizzard and the comments on facebook because you feel it is directed to you and your comments in regards of games that you play.

      I think the blizzard developers acted normally. I dont know what relationship they have towards each other but i guess that David Brevik is someone those people was considered collegue within the game.

      I would be pretty upset if someone else that are a fellow programmer/producer started complaining that alot things would have been different and "better". Sure he is polite and he wants to not complain to much but he should, out of respect, not answered the questions about something he is not responsible. Why should he comment how Diablo 3 was being produced when he had nothing to do with it?

      If your coworker when asked about your work is saying that, well i would have done it differently and better of course you would be saddened with this kinds of comments. So what is it that is so big deal about this? Its not a customer but a collegue that they feels should respect them more then standing and complaining and saying he could do better.

      Nah i think you all should realise that Blizzard is not the evil company and that they respect thier customer base and listen. But sometimes they know more and listen to other people then you.
    1. jeremie_bs's Avatar
      jeremie_bs - 08-22-2012
      how about somebody post "Playing Diablo III is like playing a beta which you paid for"
    1. imdasandman's Avatar
      imdasandman - 08-22-2012
      Quote Originally Posted by cdmichaelb View Post
      Because they work for blizzard they can't act like regular people on Facebook?

      I'm not defending blizzard's game decisions, I think they've been making some very poor choices design-wise.

      I'm sure they will still get in trouble with their PR(HR?) department, which I think is wrong but that's a discussion for another time.
      when you work as a professional game dev/ I guess a cleb. in the gaming industry... You have to always act professional on the job and in RL or shit will blow up.

      I am honestly surprised he dropped the f bomb but meh they already banned all 6 of my d3 accounts so I really could careless about d3 this point on
    1. JayDub808's Avatar
      JayDub808 - 08-23-2012
      Quote Originally Posted by wowsc4p3 View Post
      Sure, David Brevik is entitled to his opinion. The blizzard devs are, too. Unprofessional or not, that's how Blizzard have always been. They've always seemed more personal about business responses.
      I like that they showed how human/pationate they are.

      I would have said the same thing.

      Mine would have been something like "I make the fastest selling game. His opinion is just that and you know what they say about opinions. **** him"

      Pretty close to how I would respond.
    1. HI5's Avatar
      HI5 - 08-24-2012
      Quote Originally Posted by JayDub808 View Post
      I like that they showed how human/pationate they are.

      I would have said the same thing.

      Mine would have been something like "I make the fastest selling game. His opinion is just that and you know what they say about opinions. **** him"

      Pretty close to how I would respond.

      the reason game was selling fast wasn't because it was good - it was because of its franchise. They could either way release beta and the sales would be the same.
    1. JayDub808's Avatar
      JayDub808 - 08-26-2012
      Quote Originally Posted by HI5 View Post
      the reason game was selling fast wasn't because it was good - it was because of its franchise. They could either way release beta and the sales would be the same.
      I disagree. Unfortunately your logic only applies to a certain degree. It sold because of the great response it got from beta and because Blizzard are marketing geniuses.

      Look at SWTOR... good franchise, amazing IP and stellar developer (not in my opinion but a lot of gamers seem to think so). Sure it sold almost 2 million boxes, but it did not come close to Diablo 3.

      The annual pass was genius and counted towards sales.

      Nevertheless, I am not sure what your response has to do with what I said anyway. I didn't say that the reason the game sold so fast was because it was good. There is a reason that guy is not with Blizzard North anymore and they all had bad blood long before this interview. I just like the passion behind the responses and showing how they are still down to earth, gamers who rage just like us.

      Fans are mad when the developers turn all suit and professional, then when they loosen their tie they say they should act more professional. This just further proves how the gaming community always finds something to bitch and moan about.
    1. HI5's Avatar
      HI5 - 08-27-2012
      Diablo was never a nerd game, big majority of their marketing had literally nothing to do with sales outside of gaming community in this case (I was on the midnight launch event and barely anyone there was a gamer or even heard anything about the beta) The mistake you're making while judging the situation is looking at it from only one angle - you're looking at it as a gamer and commenting game community and game community only, which is ofcourse a mistake when it comes to games like Diablo where at least half of the customer base is outside of the gaming "society".

      And I was just disagreeing with your statement (as a Marketing specialist that is).

      and remember: We don't rage - we just make a comments
    1. Esset's Avatar
      Esset - 08-31-2012
      Buhu, someone trash talked our game, lets go all nerdrage because of it. Grown men and women should not act like this when they work for the biggest developer that exist right now.

      Do it smooth, hate in your mind and take on what he said was bad and see if it can be fixed and start listening to the people playing the game. Where is that PvP we were promised in D3!
    1. seafunk's Avatar
      seafunk - 08-31-2012
      It's funny at best, nothing to get worked up over imho. I don't know either of these people personally, there's much more important things going on with actual flesh-and-blood people in my life that I'd be wasting a thought over what celebrity said what to whom and was in rehab during which year and got ****ed by this or that other celeb. It's ****in pathetic imho and whatever it is they did, I doubt it did anything but promote the company further. There IS NO negative advertisement.
    1. xcrossover25x's Avatar
      xcrossover25x - 09-02-2012
      When the **** did this become a blizzard bashing website, this isn't news. This is equivalent to Snookie having a ****ing baby, grow the **** up whichever mods decided to post this shit.
    1. luburium's Avatar
      luburium - 09-07-2012
      This isn't "Blizzard" this is the Diablo 3 South & North development team, not the entire structure of Blizzard.

      So please don't have a title like "Blizzard".