The relationship between a video game publisher and developer and the gamers who play their titles is an important one. In fact, we’d say it’s vital in some cases. However, there are times when a community goes overboard in judgment against a developer/publisher. Sometimes it is justified, and sometimes it’s not, it just depends on the circumstances. For example, EA is the subject of a lot of hate because of certain things they did last year with games like Mass Effect Andromeda, Battlefront 2, and Need For Speed Payback.
The latest title in the long-running racing game franchise was met with mixed feelings when it launched. One of the reasons for this was the incredibly tough progression system as well as microtransactions. But more recently, a planned update got delayed, and gamers went nuts, throwing a lot of shade at the game’s developer, Ghost Games. Well, Ben “F8RGE” Walke of Ghost Games took to Reddit to address this, and debunk some rumors that have circulated because of the game.
“First up, the game is not ‘dead’. There are plenty of people playing the game,” he notes in the post.
As for those who want to see the sales figures of Need For Speed Payback since its launch in November, Walke states that it’ll happen “in the correct, and professional way.”
He went on to note that communication with the community is very important for Ghost Games, but they ask for the same respect that they give players. Yes, he admits they have screwed up in the past, but that doesn’t warrant much of the things that have been said or done in the time following the delayed updated. Furthermore, they’re looking to improve the communication situation:
“We’re also looking at ways we can communicate and interact with our community. I don’t have anything else to share on that yet, but it is something that’s being worked on.”
In the end, we should treat the game developers with respect, even when they frustrate us. They’re trying to do good by your and by them, and that deserves acknowledgment.
