Rate the Devs Performance Lately, the Devs have been taking quite a bit of grief from players. I thought I would put together a thread where players can give the devs their thoughts as well as something like a performance review. I'll list some categories and then score the devs what I feel they deserve. I'll score each category 1/1.5 – 10, 10 being an outstanding performance and 1 being exceptionally poor. Cost/affordability: 8 I think a lot of people will disagree with such a high score, but the plain truth is, you really COULD play this game without spending a cent. It may be true that you won't have access to all features of the game if you don't spend some amount of money, but hey, this is a business to them. If this game stops being profitable, it will have to become something else or discontinued. If you want access to the payed portions of the game, either reconcile yourself to paying for it, or stop playing. That's the choice you have and the only one you will ever have, so fire or clear. You pay money for other games. Why should this be any different. Artistry/design: 7 I've actually enjoyed a lot of the art they have produced for the game. I remember the only real hitch, in my opinion, was when t5 buildings came out. I really didn't like the way the creatures from the buildings looked. However, I do realize this is very much a subjective category. In any event, I feel that they have put some amount of effort into creating designs and art that is ascetic and original. Creativity: 7.5 In my opinion, the devs have done a really good job of creating different aspects to this game for players to explore. There is a wealth of different eb's and equipment for players to experience. Estocs Edge no matter your complaint, is a success. They've put on Summer all-star wars, double and triple paying eb's and now they've put out a Halloween special. Community: 9 This is their highest score, and deservedly so. Really, this score has just as much to do with the players as it does the designers, but I believe the score is appropriate. Their is a strong community of players which has produced relationships that have lead to its own internal world of politics and and kaw-ethics. The devs get the credit for creating the frame that supports the community of kaw. Community Responsiveness: 4 This score is up from where I had it a couple months ago when every other off topic thread was about the ee matching system. Before Moose and Eagle come on this thread and defend the devs, please understand that this is not about whether the matching system operated well or not. The community of Kaw was up in arms over the matching system as well as a couple other issues, and it did seem like the devs were impressively quiet about it all, not addressing much of anything. In fact, they seemed to be just carrying on with the matching system as though there was not a growing problem in the community they were working for. From a business aspect, this issue had less to do with whether the matching system worked and more to do with the communities confidence in the product. The devs really needed to find a way to restore confidence in the matching system by either changing it or demonstrating that it worked some how. Two months ago I would have scored them a 2. However, they seemed to rally well and Kaw Admin became a more regular presence on the kaw boards, JUST before it seemed like the estoc community was about to collapse, and since then, has continued to be involved. Final Score: 7-7.5 The devs in general, I feel, have created something that deserves a good score. They've drawn in many new players while managing to retain many of the veterans that have been here for more then 2 years by remaining cost effective and creative. Even their low score on responsiveness seems to me to be trending up and will only increase so long as it continues. I hope to read what others have to say. Though it can't be forced, it would be appreciated if posters could keep their reviews in an organized fashion whether you retain the frame I have produced or not. Add categories, use a different format, but make it user friendly.
Re: Rate the Devs Performance I've been addicted to KaW more than WoW/Minecraft/Skyrim combined...must be doing something right
Re: Rate the Devs Performance I won't pick apart your thread or attack your opinions. Its a well written OP. Also, if your rating for devs response to issues went from a 2 to a 4, thsts a satisfaction increase of 100%!
Re: Rate the Devs Performance 9.7/10 The only thing keeping it down is Arasoka (?) is still on the cover in front of a battlefield. Let's put her on a dragon in front of a battlefield, because I like looking at cool things when my game loads
Cost/affordability- 9 I feel that although many players seem to spend large amounts it really is not necessary, I have managed to play kaw since shortly before the introduction of the clan system and apart from buying nobility once to tinker about with owning a clan and one pro pack I have never spent money on kaw Artistry/Design - 6 Although I used to like the design of kaw I feel it has steadily declined as more and more features were added, to be fair the devs can't really help that the more they add the more cluttered the game becomes. Creativity - 4 Although the devs have done a great job of expanding kaw the game has not really done anything that is that ground breaking and the devs tend to add the slightly less creative but more functional features to the game Community - 11 This is the area that kaw comes into its own and the devs have always tried to nurture this side of kaw, from the original release having such a well functioning forum to the implication of the clan system and easy to use PM's (also walls allow players to express themselves and communicate very well) the devs can do no wrong in this area. Community Responsiveness - 8 While the devs have made slip ups in the past generally the community responsiveness is good and gets a lot of unwarranted criticism, such as the fact that although the devs have a rather small presence in the forums (although that is changing slowly) the responses that you get if you e-mail them or if a large amount of players send feedback is fast and effective. Also remember that when the community has had a major problem with something the devs generally react (P-wars being replaced via mirthil and EBs is a good example) Commitment - 10 I thought that it was worth mentioning that kaw still gets a huge amount of attention from the devs and at least for a iOS and android based game it has received unheard of amounts of updates and new features (although I am aware this is more common for PC games) and it is to the devs credit that they have kept kaw going for as long as they have with no signs of slowing down yet. Overall - 8 - 9 The devs have out in an immense amount of effort into getting kaw to where it is today and continue to update and address players concerns as effectively as any games devs can.
This games not only addicting, but also very well made. Do i like decisions the devs make at times..... no. But they gotta do what they feel profitable.
Despite the incessant grumblings (what do you expect with this many players?), the devs have hit on a winning formula. They've kept it fresh and challenging.
Re: Rate the Devs Performance Cost: 6.5. True that you can play this game for free. But difficult to do so. Artistry/design: 7. I'd give the game design a higher score if these were separate. This really is a good game. Creativity: 6. Nothing new here. But ATA is good at maximizing an idea. Community: 10. The community here is really what keeps bringing people back. It's great in my opinion. Community responsiveness: 1. If I could give ATA a negative value here I would. Final score: 2. For me, this game has become tainted by ATA's poor customer service. A bit like having a wonderful meal, then finding a roach in your desert. Final note: ATA you are better than this and KAW deserves better as well.