I'm not leaving/Plea to the Community
by Chip Lambert · 01/15/2009 (4:51 pm) · 28 comments
I've noticed since the new website came online, the community has been in an uproar. People are leaving, some are looking to string up the web team, and a lot of people in general are just pissed off.
I will say I was taken back by some of the stuff that was lacking when the site came live. But now I've seen some of the old stuff coming back (like "notify me" yay!) and I'm confident more is coming. It'll just take time (I know the argument of "we should of had it when the site went live" but things happen)
I've been in the web team's shoes before. I performed a relaunch of a portal system for the college I use to work for, and was almost burned at the stake over it. Decisions were made by those above me and after the launch, they realized some of the mistakes that they made, and more changes were made and the users were happy again.
I beg the community to please lets be patient. I know it sucks losing the features we all knew and loved (at least guys, please have the featured blogs be sorted newest - last makes life easier when looking at them ;)). I know its a huge change and it was sprung on us pretty sudden, but lets give them a chance.
I know there is other options to move to, but I won't be moving on. GarageGames has helped us all out in the past and gave us a lot, so why don't we give them something back, and see where the changes go. It could be bigger and better things.
Let's all gather around the campfire and sing "Kumbaya" and come back together as a community. Thats what made this place great, and let's not let that fade away. The website doesn't create the community, we do. Lets get back on the forums and get back to helping each other out.
To Jacob and the rest of the web team, great work on the new design. I know it took a lot of work and you guys have taken some flak over it, but keep your heads up and keep up the good work.
I will say I was taken back by some of the stuff that was lacking when the site came live. But now I've seen some of the old stuff coming back (like "notify me" yay!) and I'm confident more is coming. It'll just take time (I know the argument of "we should of had it when the site went live" but things happen)
I've been in the web team's shoes before. I performed a relaunch of a portal system for the college I use to work for, and was almost burned at the stake over it. Decisions were made by those above me and after the launch, they realized some of the mistakes that they made, and more changes were made and the users were happy again.
I beg the community to please lets be patient. I know it sucks losing the features we all knew and loved (at least guys, please have the featured blogs be sorted newest - last makes life easier when looking at them ;)). I know its a huge change and it was sprung on us pretty sudden, but lets give them a chance.
I know there is other options to move to, but I won't be moving on. GarageGames has helped us all out in the past and gave us a lot, so why don't we give them something back, and see where the changes go. It could be bigger and better things.
Let's all gather around the campfire and sing "Kumbaya" and come back together as a community. Thats what made this place great, and let's not let that fade away. The website doesn't create the community, we do. Lets get back on the forums and get back to helping each other out.
To Jacob and the rest of the web team, great work on the new design. I know it took a lot of work and you guys have taken some flak over it, but keep your heads up and keep up the good work.
About the author
#2
01/15/2009 (4:56 pm)
I'm with Chip. There is simply too much good stuff in GG. It would all have to go away to run me off. The more I miss, the more I realize how much I've come to depend on (inside the GG community). 
#3
01/15/2009 (4:58 pm)
I can't sing Kumbaya but I can drink all beer before anybody touches it. But then I will probably fall face down in the campfire. 
#5
Go Torque!
01/15/2009 (5:07 pm)
I just hope us TGE owners aren't dropped from support to force people to upgrade to TGEA. I can't even download TGE from my account anymore, even though I paid to do so. I know it'll get fixed, it just seems like a very large oversight IMO.Go Torque!
#6
That's very odd, I still have the link under my account. You might want email/contact support and let them know. Could be a bug from where they converted us to using email accounts instead of usernames.
01/15/2009 (5:09 pm)
@OnverseThat's very odd, I still have the link under my account. You might want email/contact support and let them know. Could be a bug from where they converted us to using email accounts instead of usernames.
#8
As for tge not being listed, 1.4 is listed, but for some odd glitch 1.5 isn't. They have already acknoweleged it and are fixing the problem. :-)
01/15/2009 (5:22 pm)
Great blog Chip. I agree whole heartedly. Patience is always the key to new things.As for tge not being listed, 1.4 is listed, but for some odd glitch 1.5 isn't. They have already acknoweleged it and are fixing the problem. :-)
#9
Now buy the TGEA before I rip your lungs out you whiny pice of...
01/15/2009 (5:25 pm)
@Onverse, community is great. Sharing is everything. Helping eachother is all important. Man, I feel your pain, lets hug.Now buy the TGEA before I rip your lungs out you whiny pice of...
#10
Not sure if this is the problem with anyone else, but figured I'd post it just in case someone else is...uh...not quick? Like me.
01/15/2009 (5:27 pm)
Hey guys, if you have a bunch of stuff in your account (like I do) you might have missed it the first time (like I did) since it doesn't list a version number just Torque Game Engine. At the Bottom of the list is Torque Game Engine 1.42, but this is in the middle.Not sure if this is the problem with anyone else, but figured I'd post it just in case someone else is...uh...not quick? Like me.
#11
01/15/2009 (5:30 pm)
It sure is good to see blog's like this one after so much turmoil. I'll be staying as well. I do believe that after the dust settles, the community and GG will be stronger than ever. 
#12
01/15/2009 (5:56 pm)
I'm not leaving either. Besides, the website is still under development. And honestly, as times change, prices are gonna change. GG raising the price of TGEA by $35 is a reflection of our crappy economy. However, I believe that they should bring back the upgrade price for owners of TGE.
#13
The upgrade price is there, it's just not advertised. If you own TGE and add TGEA to the shopping cart you'll see it's listed as $145 to pay instead of the full $295 price.
Good to see a blog post with a little common sense and decent behaviour, frankly a lot of the uproar and "dramah" floating around at the moment is nothing short of hilarious.
01/15/2009 (6:37 pm)
Quote:I believe that they should bring back the upgrade price for owners of TGE
The upgrade price is there, it's just not advertised. If you own TGE and add TGEA to the shopping cart you'll see it's listed as $145 to pay instead of the full $295 price.
Good to see a blog post with a little common sense and decent behaviour, frankly a lot of the uproar and "dramah" floating around at the moment is nothing short of hilarious.
#14
01/15/2009 (7:16 pm)
Thanks for posting that Ross, I kept trying to but damned wireless router was acting up. 
#15
01/15/2009 (7:17 pm)
I kinda like the new website... other than some of the issues, but the design itself is nice. I just hope the watch list works correctly in this one instead of maxing out at a certain point like the old one did. 
#16
01/15/2009 (8:45 pm)
I like the design of the new site, but I don't like the fact the missing features.
#17
01/15/2009 (8:55 pm)
oh for goodness sake. I'll just say it, I hate change, I fear it.
#18
Maybe thats what we need, a "change" support group.... hmmm
01/15/2009 (9:10 pm)
Its ok Britton, we're here for you.Maybe thats what we need, a "change" support group.... hmmm
#19
01/15/2009 (9:55 pm)
This is so nice to read. Thanks Chip. <3 you guys =)
#20
01/15/2009 (10:05 pm)
No problem Brett.
Torque 3D Owner Andrew Brady
We have enough conspiracy people in this world without us turning into one's ourselves. Take a deep breath.. exhale.. work on your project, and wait alittle longer.
Peace