What's the point?

[the_bUg]

In keeping with my history of malcontented posting, I have to ask, what is the point of a "questions for the team" forum if the team never responds?

2KElizabeth hot though she may be, hardly ever feeds us any relevant information, and understandably so as she is a PR representative for Irrational. I feel that the name of this forum is misleading since I have yet to actually see a post by an Irrational developer. I'm sure there are 1 or 2 somewhere hidden in these threads, but really, I can't seem to find them.

So my question for the team would have to be this, Could we possibly get some answers to our questions? If the only purpose to this forum is question initiated threads which are then discussed and theorized into oblivion by the fan community, I would suggest renaming it "Bioshock General 2" as it would be a more apt term.


The occasional, perhaps once every two days posting of fluff by 2KELIZABETH does not cut it, I'm very sorry.

Against my better judgement, I'm clicking submit.

EDIT: Insult to injury is that the actual developers are more active on the ttlg boards than they are here.

[Newbeing]

I can certainly see what your talking about, but at the same point I can understand why we are not seeing many responses to our questions. The entire team is probably very busy getting the game done. On top of that there may be questions asked that the developers can't answer now do to issues of confidentiality of information. So who knows, once more information is released or after the IG folks reach a certain point in the development we may begin to hear more from them.

But I can understand your concern.

[pn18]

well, I guess, your right. the whole team is very busy finishing the game, but if they would just spend 5 minutes of their working time on this forum, they could easily answer one question or add some comments to a thread. can't be that hard...

[Newbeing]

well, I guess, your right. the whole team is very busy finishing the game, but if they would just spend 5 minutes of their working time on this forum, they could easily answer one question or add some comments to a thread. can't be that hard...

Again true, but like I said it may be an issue of what they are allowed to talk about. I don't know exactly how companies enforce their policies on revealing info, but I would think one could get into some trouble if they accidentally write something they were not suppose to in the forums.

Also give it some time. TTLG's forums have been up for years and years, this forum has been up for a little over a month, so it may take time for the developers to take notice.

[v.dog]

Though you would think they'd notice the official forum. Go figure. :P

[ffanxii4ever]

they should follow ME example

[Hatesink]

Ken's posted here a couple of times, but probably all of the other posts from the development team were made at ttlg.com

http://forums.2kgames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162

Maybe it's because there are more people viewing at ttlg.com.

Generally speaking, is seems that some of the questions posed are answered in the various articles and podcasts that are being released.

[jackinthebox]

i think this forum-section is mainly for collecting the questions and releasing them in a Community Q&A 3...

[Raveness]

I've noticed what has been already said, and I do wish they would post here sometimes. The developer's would get more edification here, more acute discourse. No offense to TTLG and it's high standing, but the place doesn't seem to have many exclusive posters who can intelligently digest any morsels of info given to them. They seem more content bickering amongst themselves whilst arguing over the shortform of Bioshock.

[2K Elizabeth]

i think this forum-section is mainly for collecting the questions and releasing them in a Community Q&A 3...

the reason i did dream up this forum was to collect questions to be answered on the cult, which is more widely viewed than the forums. i don't ask the developers to come here for specific questions. i view the forums as a more informal meeting ground.

as for questions that don't get answered -- unfortunately, some stuff is still secret, or being finalized. often times, if you don't see a question answered it's because, at this point in time, we can't answer it.

i know that can be frustrating, but we, 2K, Irrational, and me, want to give you the most information possible (and it's to our benefit, as happy fans make more happy fans, right?)

thanks for bearing with us.

[v.dog]

We're not complaining about that inasmuch as the fact that TTLG seems to get more love from the devs than here.Maybe it's because there are more people viewing at ttlg.com.If that's the case, it's a catch-22.

[Xerxes]

Maybe they try to answer in the podcasts??? :confused:

[Hatesink]

No offense to TTLG and it's high standing, but the place doesn't seem to have many exclusive posters who can intelligently digest any morsels of info given to them. They seem more content bickering amongst themselves whilst arguing over the shortform of Bioshock.I don't really like the BioShock forum at ttlg, it's full of griefers and the moderators are just as bad. It's like a culture of intimidation. If the devs started posting here, some of the ttlg members might migrate which I don't think would be such a good thing. This forum's pretty mellow and I like it that way.

[v.dog]

I migrated from there and things haven't gone down the toilet.
Ultimately the Mods set the tone of the forum by what they allow and what they stomp on. And if the majority of users are mallow or gregarious, the greifers will either have to adapt or leave.

[Hatesink]

That's true, and it does seem to have got a little better. I think there are plenty of people there who'd be content just to chew the fat if they didn't get shouted down every time they post (which almost seems like a sport for the older members). Anyways, I guess it'll all sort itself out in the end.

[IrrationalJoe]

Hey Cultists of Rapture!

We at IG may have been quiet, but we are actively reading the forums and are very interested in hearing what you have to say and answering whichever questions we can. Elizabeth is right when she says that some questions can't be answered due to us needing to control what information is released at a given time.

Please don't be discouraged! Keep posting and voicing your questions and we'll do our best to respond.

- Joe Faulstick
- Associate Producer
- Irrational Games Boston

[jackinthebox]

that's good news... thx for appearing ;)

[a rabid chicken]

Hatesink, I'm not sure, but I think many or most of the ttlg-ers (such as myself, if I can be called that even though I only joined very recently) are active on both forums. I obviously don't know that for sure, but I think at least some of the ttlg people are here too. I think it's kind of a mixed bag with ttlg. There probably is more bickering and whatnot, but the average person there also knows much, much more about BioShock. I read both.
Also, on the whole "why aren't the devs answering more questions?" thing, I think most of the threads in this forums really aren't questions worth the time of the devs. Many of the threads are fine, but many also can be answered by people on the forums because the information is already out there. Alternatively, sometimes threads ask questions that are a little too silly or specific, or perhaps just not questions that the devs want to answer yet.

[Hatesink]

To be honest I was just a little confused because I thought they would have posted here to support the 2K forum (I'm not criticising, it's just an observation). I just figured they were reaching more people by posting at ttlg.com

Whatever the reason I guess it's not that big a deal (although Raveness seems pretty worked up about it).

In any case, thanks IrrationalJoe, for letting us know we're appreciated. ;)

[Irrational_Alexx]

...it may be an issue of what they are allowed to talk about. I don't know exactly how companies enforce their policies on revealing info, but I would think one could get into some trouble if they accidentally write something they were not suppose to in the forums.

This is very true. If I were allowed to say anything I wanted here -- well, I wouldn't have any time left over to actually work, for one thing!

Also give it some time. TTLG's forums have been up for years and years, this forum has been up for a little over a month, so it may take time for the developers to take notice.

Ayup. I've had a TTLG login for years, but it always takes me a while to get around to registering on a new forum. But I'm here now, and will hopefully be checking in at least once a week!

Alexx Kay, Designer -- Irrational Games

[Adam Nuhfer]

I visit both

TTLG has been around for a lot of years and is made up of some very die hard Followers. Very knowledgeably bunch. Very dedicated fans. They do it out of deep devotion. Love if you like. Call it what you will, their hearts are very much behind their motivation. I got hooked up with them do to my in depth following of System Shock 2. They cover a wide variety of material. They're a good bunch of folks. Hardcore in them makes them come off a little bit different at times. They're good to go.

These 2K forums, they are geared for everybody. It's more laid back. Hardcore, casual, no matter, just about anyone. Most of us are here for any tid bit of information IG/2k wish to give us relating to upcoming BioShock mostly. 2K also benefits from us. We help them out with their marketing of the game. 5000 Die hard followers won't make BioShock a profit on the game. All the awards in the world won't help to pay the bills either. They need to make a profit on this one. That's where we the followers will help out. Word of mouth. By the time BioShock is released, if we've done our part, enough Joe average gamers will have heard about BioShock from a lot of sources. So, if they are in Best Buy come end of August on a "I can only afford one game" budget, BioShock needs to stand out form the rest of the competitors offerings. From the looks of things, BioShock will have some serious competition.

IG/2K see a lot of our postings, no matter here or over at TTLG. They themselves only have so much they can do as they themselves answer to others. If they didn't care, this site wouldn't even be here. Keep in mind, 2K is paying Rapture Moms wages to keep an eye on her "Kids". I alone can be a handful for her at times. So, it can't be she does this strictly for the money.
Which means, when she posted, "I Love you Kids", it came from the heart.

[Hatesink]

I appreciate your enthusiasm for ttlg A.N., but when I was posting there I'm pretty sure it wasn't their love I was feeling :p ;)

As for 2Kbeth, I'm sure there are a lot of things she'd rather be doing than dealing with our squabbles.

...I'm here now, and will hopefully be checking in at least once a week!
...cool :)