Current News September 10, '09

[John Silverhawk]

Originally Posted by MacIronhawk

We can't prove the developers actually go in, and we can't disprove. Unless there's footage of one of the developers playing as Captain Walter during an event, we'll never know. Odds are, we never will know. All we can do is make the educated guess and say Disney is smart enough to put other staff members on the job and let the developers work on the game.

I don't want the developers coming in the game anyways. Do you? Wouldn't it be better to have staff members go in the game to see what players want and then tell the developers?

Most other games don't have interactive "staff members" because they don't need to be. Frankly, if this is the only game with in game events, I'm glad. I've been playing the game since beta 2 and all I've gotten from them is a handful of half eaten candy bars with an I.O.U. I'm sure some of us long term members are upset, and if Disney would rather have their developers play the game than work on it, I should stop wasting my money.

The developers should be working on the game while other staff members go run around in the game hosting events. I don't want to pay for a game when I know the developers aren't working.(I don't consider hosting events working either)

"We can't prove the developers actually go in, and we can't disprove."
Ah, Yes Mac, exactly my point as well, and well said Mate, I am in total agreement with you there, that is exactly why if someone was to say "the POTCO developers don't come in and interact with us, but the other staff members do" would probably be a inaccurate statement since it is emphatic, or in other words, like stating this is absolute.
But, like you said, "we can't prove who they are" and wasting the time and energy on that topic is like researching the existence of a one ended stick.

You also said "I don't want the developers coming in the game anyways. Do you? Wouldn't it be better to have staff members go in the game to see what players want and then tell the developers?" I would have to reply "Absolutely!", having the developers that actually come in game and interact is like having Walt Disney himself riding on the Tom Sawyer Steam Boat for it's maiden voyage or, more aptly put, like having Walt Disney ride the Pirates of the Caribbean for it's first run and many more for there is no better eye to spot improvements and flaws like the creator(s) Relaying information second hand is useful but not nearly as accurate as first hand experience. That would be like you asking your peers to level your Pirate for you and not actually experiencing the excitement, the difficulties, the needs improvement and more importantly, the interaction with other Pirates.

I can certainly respect your interaction with the game since beta 2, most honorable, as you are a Founder of the game. I can easily read perspectives from many other Founders and actually the vast majority who have played since beta 1, from what I can read, feel they have been handed gold nuggets, not "half eaten candy bars and i.o.u.s".
Matter of fact, I rarely hear of them saying they feel Disney owes them anything, they just don’t seem to use that term, from what I’ve read. I am sure a few (very few from what I can read in many different locations) long term members are feeling like they have not received what is due to them, but it appears to me, again from what I read, many long term Founders that have been playing since beta 1 just simply love the game and carry the outlook of joy, adventure and anticipation of what lies ahead. - all about perspective I suppose and how we choose to view things, positive or negative we all have a choice to be constructive or destructive, but I totally agree, that is a individual choice.
I love to smile.

I am very hopeful, as I stated before, that Disney leadership allows their employees, regardless of job title (developers, managers, artist, engineers, etc.) of the game to play a little (10% at least) mixed in with their 90% of tedious and at times, most likely, stressful time deadlines type work.
Mac, wouldn't you want to see people enjoying their work place and be allowed some time to play? All work and no play would seem to me to make for a very hard taskmaster wouldn't you say? Or, do we all feel Pirates Staff members are commoners not worthy of mingling with us noble Pirates? (all joking intended)
Hopefully Mac, You and I are not that harsh of people that we would only want developers staring at a screen for 8-10 hours inputting code lines.

I too do not necessarily consider hosting a event working per say, depends on the conditions, but then if not working, is it on their free time?
Is it on a weekend where they would rather be out enjoying the outdoors or whatever else is involved with their lives? Did they set aside personal events for events that we benefit from? That would imply many selfless acts on behalf of Pirates Staff members wouldn't it? Dare we say they have our best interest at heart and desire to see the game flourish as well? I imagine they have greater stakes in this than we do.

I would gladly pay for a game that is well rounded, and since it is Disney, and I love Disney stuff, all the merrier!

[Crazypirate]

So John Silverhawk how long have you worked for D as part of the POTCO Staff?

[Dr. Zeppers]

Agreed John

Love the line about a one-ended stick, good chuckle for the day.. thanks!

[MacIronhawk]

Originally Posted by John Silverhawk

Hopefully Mac, You and I are not that harsh of people that we would only want developers staring at a screen for 8-10 hours inputting code lines.

I too do not necessarily consider hosting a event working per say, depends on the conditions, but then if not working, is it on their free time?
Is it on a weekend where they would rather be out enjoying the outdoors or whatever else is involved with their lives? Did they set aside personal events for events that we benefit from? That would imply many selfless acts on behalf of Pirates Staff members wouldn't it? Dare we say they have our best interest at heart and desire to see the game flourish as well? I imagine they have greater stakes in this than we do.

Actually, developers don't work on the weekeneds. That's why there are never any updates during the weekeneds. If there are, they're probably getting some over time, because on toontown we know that most of the time the developers don't work on weekeneds. Neither do other staff members, and that's why customer service/live chat is closed.(But that's when live hcat was working. I believe some people say it's closed)

And imputting codes 8-10 hours a day? I am heartless enough to say I would like them doing that. I, however, am not heartless enough to say I think they deserve to have some fun time every once in the while. I even believe that they should take turns playing POTCO, so they can test it out and throw in their own ideas.

I don't, however, think that on regular days they should fluff off and play the game. It's their job, and they should enjoy it! If you go to a job everyday, you should like going to it everyday. There is no excuse for you to go to a job that you hate everyday, unless you really need it because of money, and you can't get a job you like.

I want to be able to do what the developers do, and would love an internship to work on POTCO, but that may never happen or might not happen for a while. These guys are lucky to have such great jobs, and if they work that many hours a day, they should enjoy the job.

[Rattlebones]

<short reality injection regarding developers>

Developers work when they are told to work. If they have a deadline they'll put in 20 hour days and work weekends until the code is ready for release.

Most developers are salaried and not hourly and get no additional compensation for "overtime". As one large computer employer is fond of saying, "You are hired to do a job, not put in time."

Now Disney may be compassionate, but it sounds more like a logical business case... why interrupt the game during our primary audience's primary playing time?

I am quite certain, however, that Di$ney does pay it's developers to develop. While that does not mean hammering out code 8-10 hours a day it does mean mean if they aren't developing code they are in meetings or doing support work to developing code.

</short reality injection regarding developers>

I do wish you well in finding a job that meet's the criteria you set forth above... of course I'd like a mansion built out of dark chocolate too.

[MacIronhawk]

Originally Posted by Rattlebones

I am quite certain, however, that Di$ney does pay it's developers to develop. While that does not mean hammering out code 8-10 hours a day it does mean mean if they aren't developing code they are in meetings or doing support work to developing code.

I do wish you well in finding a job that meet's the criteria you set forth above... of course I'd like a mansion built out of dark chocolate too.

They must be having a lot of meetings then. But then again, that's just the biased part of my brain talking. I guess i'm just bored of not having a second story quest, so it's been very easy for me to get irritated.

And about that choocolate mansion, don't we all? I'm also years away from getting a job like that, but it looks really fun, so if I can get a job I want to be an intern for POTCO. Odds of that happening are slim.

[Captain Sammie Megatoon]

Originally Posted by Dr. Zeppers

Well, I do see they are now saying the notoriety reps on mastered weapons is intentional. Dont know what to think as far as how this effects the big picture. I've been on the "i'll believe it when I see it", and otherwise will do the best to enjoy the game when I can.

I honestly believe this has been the fate of the Kraken (or at least its cause for delay). So many times they've hinted it was close, but we havent seen it yet.
Getting more patient as I get older I reckon.. lol. At least we have some progress!

I do believe the Kraken will be coming out 100% as when you are buying "Grape Shot" for your cannon it say "Used only for Crews in SVS & Sea Monsters.

[Sarah]

I appreciate your optomism Sammie, however the description of Grape Shot has been that way since day one. Still waiting patiently