I don't think a patch is coming

[ScottD413]

Here is an email I sent to Firaxis:

Hello,

I have been a supporter of Firaxis for years now. I have always enjoyed your
games and appreciated your feedback to the community regarding issues that
arise. With that said, I think it is absolutely ridiculous that you have
been so silent with the community in regards to this game. There are many,
many, many gameplay issues that ruin the experience and we haven't heard a
single thing from you regarding them. Are you aware of the problems? If not,
please look here: http://forums.civfanatics.com/forumdisplay.php?f=213

Are you working on a patch? Please let us know what is going on. I think we
deserve to know if this game is ever going to be fixed or not.

I have supported your company for years, but this silence is making me
question whether or not I should buy any of your products in the future.

Thank You,
Scott

Here is the response I got:

Hello Scott,

If you are having an issue with the game itself, could you please reply back with what is happening on your computer, also include details on the computer in the form of a DXDIAG file, to do this;

- Press the "R" and "Windows" key on you keyboard.
- Click the Run icon .
- Type the word "dxdiag" (without the ") into the text box and press OK.
- In the bottom right hand side of the screen, click the "Save All Information" button.
- Save the dxdiag.txt file to your desktop.
- Attach the file to your reply to this email.

With more information on the issue and the system it is running on we can look into finding a solution.

Kind Regards

2K Games Tech Support

So the issue was basically ignored. I am less than pleased by this. I'm not sure I will buy from Firaxis ever again

 

[Öjevind Lång]

This really looks bad. How hard would it be for them to whip up a standard reply saying that they are aware of the issues with the game and working on a patch? They wouldn't need to write anything about when they think the patch will be finished.

 

[Shurdus]

You do realise that the guy responding to these mails are in no position to discuss anything except maybe stuff like helping you with your settings on the game, right?

It is not like the people who can make the call to spend a few thousand dollars in order to fix the game is sitting behing a computer answering random mail...

 

[Dale]

You'll find that your email went into an automatic emailing system which scanned your email, matched a couple of words in its database, and sent an automatic response back to you based on the best match in its database. This proves nothing one way or the other sorry.

If this saw a person, I'm Superman.

 

[ScottD413]

You do realise that the guy responding to these mails are in no position to discuss anything except maybe stuff like helping you with your settings on the game, right?

It is not like the people who can make the call to spend a few thousand dollars in order to fix the game is sitting behing a computer answering random mail...

The guy could have at least forwarded my email to the right people. Thats how it works.

When you call a business who answers the phone? the receptionist. Then she sends your call to the right person. The same thing applies here. Instead he just blew me off.

Thanks for the sarcastic response though

 

[ScottD413]

You'll find that your email went into an automatic emailing system which scanned your email, matched a couple of words in its database, and sent an automatic response back to you based on the best match in its database. This proves nothing one way or the other sorry.

If this saw a person, I'm Superman.

Wrong. The reply email was to an actual employee.

Look, I don't care if you guys believe me or not. I was tired of waiting for an announcement from Firaxis, so I tried to do something about it. Then I figured I would let the community know what happened.

 

[Dale]

We have an automated email system here at work to handle incoming enquiries. It does exactly that. Scans the email for keywords, emails an automatic response back with an employees "reply-to" email address.

It cuts out ~60% of emails to our staff that automatic email system. Works wonders.

So I re-iterate, if that email saw a human, I'm Superman.

(PS: My surname is Kent too! )

 

[Comraddict]

We have an automated email system here at work to handle incoming enquiries. It does exactly that. Scans the email for keywords, emails an automatic response back with an employees "reply-to" email address.

It cuts out ~60% of emails to our staff that automatic email system. Works wonders.

So I re-iterate, if that email saw a human, I'm Superman.

(PS: My surname is Kent too! )

probably 60% are pissed off thanks to your automatic reply and don't want to deal with your company more than they have to.

 

[YunDog]

Im with you scott if their response to your personally written email is an automated response

then I have an automated response for them

Firaxis/2k=dont buy game

This reminds me alot of the Cesar iv debarcle where fans were left guessing for 6 months with the game unplayable on most systems

when the patch did come some 1 year later - the damage had been done

most people had binned their copy of the game with this resolution

fool me once shame on you
fool me twice shame on me

Unfortunatley (cause I usually like the games these companies make), that like tilted mill, there wont be a twice

its small wonder there is so much piracy going on when I personally have been burnt out of some 400-500 bucks over the last couple of year on games that didnt even achieve the modest goals promoted on the box.

the time elapsed on this with no communication puts this game on the critically wounded and not expected to recover list

damage done - not forgotten

 

[Dale]

I never said it was a good situation, just saying that what I described is the most likely process.

 

[Supr49er]

Welcome to the Forums YunDog.

 

[YunDog]

Welcome to the Forums YunDog.

Thankyou

I wish it was under better circumstances

 

[Antilogic]

I hope everybody realizes that Firaxis is likely staying silent on purpose. Does anyone remember the vitriolic threads of the vanilla release and early BtS era, demanding patches and violent rants against the employees who would release such a broken game? It's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't kind of thing, so why should they waste valuable time?

They probably don't read these forums any more because some people are simply too immature.

Seriously, read the OP letter a second time, and tell me if you think it comes off as a little aggressive or demanding. Read these two lines and think like a Firaxian that has been tarred and feathered on these forums.

With that said, I think it is absolutely ridiculous that you have been so silent with the community in regards to this game.

I think we deserve to know if this game is ever going to be fixed or not.

 

[Öjevind Lång]

I hope everybody realizes that Firaxis is likely staying silent on purpose. Does anyone remember the vitriolic threads of the vanilla release and early BtS era, demanding patches and violent rants against the employees who would release such a broken game? It's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't kind of thing, so why should they waste valuable time?

They probably don't read these forums any more because some people are simply too immature.

They should read them whether they think the posters are immature or not. The people posting are their customers. They are not their fanbois. They are not their worshippers. They are not their personal slaves. They are customers, the people who pay for their products, the people who ensure that they can put food on the table. Checking what the customers think is simply common sense. Anyway, I can't help feeling that some of the people from Firaxis posting here have also been immature on occasion.

 

[Snazzye]

Thats just a generic response E-mail they send out. Almost all companies have that crap. Ever tried to E-mail Ebay? Anyways, it doesnt mean they arent gonna have a patch. It also doesnt confirm they will either. More then likely though they will probably release at least one patch I would guess. It sure is taking them awhile but maybe they are trying to make it a worthwhile patch.

 

[Lord Shadow]

I've put my current game on indefinite hold, till a patch comes out and/or Dale's mod progresses some more. Even though I'm disappointed, I'm still patient.

Many people are still around complaining (basically repeating themselves over and over at this point) just as much as they were on the week after release. They have every right to do so, but personally I find it a waste of time. Shelf the game or just return it, get your money back and go on with your life.

I personally have other things to do, other games to play, so getting worked up about this and ranting (or answering to rants) on an online forum for two months straight is pretty much pointless.

 

[Antilogic]

They should read them whether they think the posters are immature or not. The people posting are their customers. They are not their fanbois. They are not their worshippers. They are not their personal slaves. They are customers, the people who pay for their products, the people who ensure that they can put food on the table. Checking what the customers think is simply common sense. Anyway, I can't help feeling that some of the people from Firaxis posting here have also been immature on occasion.

"Should" and "will" are two very different words. Also, focusing too much on these boards will only give a distorted image of the public opinion of the game--people typically post when they have complaints, but are less likely to post when everything is going well. The one major benefit Firaxis can still derive from these forums are identifying bugs; it is, as the pollsters say, a biased sample of opinions.

In terms of maturity, there is no comparison. I don't feel like digging up all that...well, you know what I'm trying to say, from months ago. I am more than willing to let it die.

In response to the OP, I can only say: remember when everyone was complaining to the Firaxians when they said 3.13 would be released, and then delayed it a week? And then everyone started whining? And then they suprised everyone out of the blue one weekend with the new 3.17 patch when people were convinced they abandoned BtS after 3.13? They might follow the same formula for a Colonization. Just be patient, and know that certain handful of people on this forum might be part of the reason why they aren't giving a direct comment.

 

[ScottD413]

WOW

I'm sorry I posted anything at all. Way to flame me for no reason. Just to set the record straight:

1) I have not been on these, or any other, boards for months "whining". I just created this account

2) I don't think I was being aggressive. I work in a customer service environment and I was a lot more pleasant then most people who are having tech related issues.

3) I can't stress this enough. That is not an automatic reply. I have recieved two more emails from this guy (Anthony) since then wondering if I resolved the problem(s). Now that is good customer service on his part, but I can't get him to understand that I just want confirmation on a patch.

4) I am being patient. I have put the game aside while I play others. I just thought I would pass along some information to the community. I'm actually very surprised that I am being recieved this way. I thought this community was better then this

 

[Antilogic]

Please don't misunderstand me, I am not flaming you. I am talking about what happened before.

I'm sorry if it seemed like I was attacking you. I was just remarking about Firaxis's history with this board, and saying I thought your letter seemed a little aggressive from that perspective.

 

[mostly-harmless]

I have recieved two more emails from this guy (Anthony) since then wondering if I resolved the problem(s). Now that is good customer service on his part, but I can't get him to understand that I just want confirmation on a patch.

I would see this as very strong evidence that you are talking to a can.

mh