Summer Sideshow Event: Impressed or Disappointed?

[John BigBoutie]

Steampunk Mr Foster

Steampunk Mr Foster

I'm really looking forward to a new excuse to work on achievements with friends... and the circus theme looks super cool. TWI continues to amaze me with their commitment to their customers and product line. I can't think of any other developer who consistently updates with free dl content for a 20 dollar game. don't stop!

now if only y'all would bring back the xmas event for a limited time so I could complete it. that would be nice.

and steampunk foster. you will be mine.

 

[-[SiN]-bswearer]

*sigh* again with the sarcasm from some of you (you know who you are)...... "the zomg i wantd 20 new weaponz" comments are what i'm talking about when i refer to kiss-asses. you're grossly exaggerating what people are saying when they are disappointed that there's nothing "major" being added to the game. nobody in their right mind would have expected or hoped for 20 new weapons, 5 specimens etc.... that's not what people are saying, so seriously, just cut the crap and stop trying to look good as it's making you look like (heaven forbid i actually use this term here...) fanboys

Oh sh*t, you are actually making sense.

i usually do....many people just typically refuse to acknowledge that

But the thing is, that while we are not getting a ferrari parked outside our garage with the keys left in, they still gave us a free, very nice paintjob on our trusty old van that still delivers the goods.

the problem with this analogy is that the "nice paintjob" will go away after a month.....granted we'll have a new map, a couple achievements and possibly an unlocked character (if you get it), all the "paint" (the "re-skinned" zeds) will wash away after the event just like what happened after the Christmas event. but hey, at least we can drive around with a new coat of paint for a month and then afterwards display a couple bumperstickers leftover to remember the event

But as you say, this is what we could realistically expect. And complaining when you get what you can expect instead of what you dreamt of is actually a sign of childish behavior.

again, the complaints from people aren't that bad.....what's more childish is the responses from people over-exaggerating the levels of disappointment being expressed. or worse, those trying to claim that those sentiments aren't valid or trying to pin these guys as "childish", ungrateful, etc....

This is specifically not to be taken against you. Your main argument seems to be that it will not increase the daily playerbase, and at that point you are right. However, there is still plenty of activity to keep the game going, and at each new event a few players stay to replenish our dwindeling numbers.

KF still has life, just as ROOST still has life 5+ years later.......but people must accept reality and realize that events like this, while nice, will never get KF back to where it was say, a year ago. sadly KF hit it's peak and without something major, it won't get back there. but that's ok....would rather see "little" events like this draw in some new players and get old players back into the game for a little bit.

it will definitely give me something to do for a month as i await RO2

 

[kablooie!]

Actually, I don't believe that Killing Floors player base is dwindling yet... I've managed to con more and more of my friends into buying it and it's a great game for LAN's, being ni the same room just makes it so much better. Me and my dad like to play this game together (he hates clowns, the only thing you coulda done to freak him out more would've been to make one of the zed models a doll or something ) and that wan to smack zombies aas a father/son team hasn't really diminished over time (I couldn't find a rock-on emoticon... Something needs to be done about that ).

AS for the update, I can't wait to destroy Pukey. He looks like he could use a Hunting Shotty to the face. And perfectly honest, if updates like this came out maybe three times a year (Christmas, Summer and maybe something else), I put money on the fact that players would remain. Of course game changing content would probably be more effective, but as mentioned above, it has a good potential to cause inbalancing issues. I would love new zeds/guns, but am resigned and even happy to go without. I've lived this long without them, I think i can continue living without them.

And one more thing, thanks for the update. Possibly the only game that I think provides balanced, interesting updates to a slowly aging game... Gotta give a little credit to the Unreal Tournament engine though for being so user and mod friendly... Gotta love Epic and their "Here's our game, you make of it what you will" attitude, it worked incredibly well for them.

And I still play the original Doom series... I'm about to finsih Final Doom on Ultra-Violence... Officially the hardest game I've played of all time, no doubt about it. I've played Doom 1 so many tiems I can complete it on Ultra-Violence without dying... apart from at the end of Knee Deep In The Dead, where you are meant to die I wish ID Softwares next installment of Doom reverts back to the old game play, but Doom 3's intense feel and intensity would make for a truly incredible game

 

[Deafmute]

again, the complaints from people aren't that bad.....what's more childish is the responses from people over-exaggerating the levels of disappointment being expressed. or worse, those trying to claim that those sentiments aren't valid or trying to pin these guys as "childish", ungrateful, etc....

They actually really are. Maybe not in the forum, but I've heard people in-game and even on my friends list whining at exactly the intensity we unreasonable "fanboys" are referring to. Of course I lambaste them at every opportunity I get because most people have no idea how much work Tripwire puts into these events, and if that makes me a "fanboy", then so be it.

 

[[TW]Wilsonam]

Random question: Are you guys really renting the top floor of a church as headquarters? Heard that somewhere on the net before and also saw a google maps screenshot of some church-like building.

No, it is a lie. We rent a chunk of the second floor. There is another floor above us, so we don't get the top floor. But it is a church. Yes, really.

 

[Jazzycakes]

TWI makes zombie games in a church....

Bitter Irony.

 

[C_Gibby]

TWI makes zombie games in a church....

Bitter Irony.

You just gotta love that these HORRIBLE ****ING FREAKS featured in KF were spawned in a house of god. :IS2:

 

[starxpilot]

You just gotta love that these HORRIBLE ****ING FREAKS featured in KF were spawned in a house of god. :IS2:

I'm now frightened by the TWI staff LOL :IS2:

 

[Entangler]

*sigh* again with the sarcasm from some of you (you know who you are)...... "the zomg i wantd 20 new weaponz" comments are what i'm talking about when i refer to kiss-asses. you're grossly exaggerating what people are saying when they are disappointed that there's nothing "major" being added to the game. nobody in their right mind would have expected or hoped for 20 new weapons, 5 specimens etc.... that's not what people are saying, so seriously, just cut the crap and stop trying to look good as it's making you look like (heaven forbid i actually use this term here...) fanboys

No, son, they didn't literally expect 20 weapons and 5 specimens, though in a few cases it wasn't far off. What they did literally expect was a bunch of free content that the already-preoccupied staff of Tripwire Interactive didn't owe them. The caricatures might be laid on a bit thick but they do accurately capture the prevailing sense of entitlement.

i usually do....many people just typically refuse to acknowledge that

You mean you still haven't outgrown that pariah complex?

the problem with this analogy is that the "nice paintjob" will go away after a month.....granted we'll have a new map, a couple achievements and possibly an unlocked character (if you get it), all the "paint" (the "re-skinned" zeds) will wash away after the event just like what happened after the Christmas event. but hey, at least we can drive around with a new coat of paint for a month and then afterwards display a couple bumperstickers leftover to remember the event

Given that the Christmas event is confirmed to be making a comeback, it's not much of a stretch to assume this one will too.

Anyway, why is it a problem that it's temporary? It was never heralded as a major game-changing development; it is what it is.

again, the complaints from people aren't that bad.....what's more childish is the responses from people over-exaggerating the levels of disappointment being expressed. or worse, those trying to claim that those sentiments aren't valid or trying to pin these guys as "childish", ungrateful, etc....

See exhibit A.

If I suddenly asked you to give me $200, would you do it? No, of course you wouldn't - because you don't owe me anything. Likewise the people who are demanding that the paid professionals of Tripwire Interactive take real time and spend real money to create extra content for a game that is already complete.

Sure, some new content (that fits well and doesn't break balance) would be nice, but it's far from necessary; and more to the point, it was never promised. There are no grounds for disappointment because there was never any reason to harbour such expectations in the first place. Tripwire Interactive is not responsible for its customers' imagination.

KF still has life, just as ROOST still has life 5+ years later.......but people must accept reality and realize that events like this, while nice, will never get KF back to where it was say, a year ago. sadly KF hit it's peak and without something major, it won't get back there. but that's ok....would rather see "little" events like this draw in some new players and get old players back into the game for a little bit.

it will definitely give me something to do for a month as i await RO2

A year ago... Say, weren't you making absurd statements about how TWI should allocate its resources back then, too? ("The M14 should be replaced with a completely new weapon, because that's less work than changing numbers in a few text files!") Huh... I guess some things never change.

 

[-[SiN]-bswearer]

They actually really are. Maybe not in the forum, but I've heard people in-game and even on my friends list whining at exactly the intensity we unreasonable "fanboys" are referring to.

i'm just observing the forums as that is (or should be) the primary source of customer feedback for TW....and i've not really seen anyone saying anything to the extent that some individuals have made it out to be.

No, son,

please don't address me as "son"...that is extremely improper, offensive and simply a childish attempt at insulting me

they didn't literally expect 20 weapons and 5 specimens, though in a few cases it wasn't far off.

can you link me to a case in which said exaggerations weren't "far off"? because i've yet to really see one.

What they did literally expect was a bunch of free content that the already-preoccupied staff of Tripwire Interactive didn't owe them. The caricatures might be laid on a bit thick but they do accurately capture the prevailing sense of entitlement.

most would expect to see another major free content update since it's been quite a while.....the Christmas and Portal updates weren't really on the level of say the LevelUp update, which correct me if i'm wrong, was the last major content update. if you think about it, that's really not having too high of expectations.

You mean you still haven't outgrown that pariah complex?

again, you're making an attack at my personal character and not my arguments.

Given that the Christmas event is confirmed to be making a comeback, it's not much of a stretch to assume this one will too.

that doesn't refute my statements in regards to the lack of this "added" content not being permanent or contributing to adding more long-term growth for the game.

Anyway, why is it a problem that it's temporary? It was never heralded as a major game-changing development; it is what it is.

explanation to this is above ^. also, labeling this the "Event of the Summer!" is heralding the development as being pretty major......there was just as much, if not MORE promotion for this and the Christmas event when compared to the LevelUp and Heavy Metal updates

See exhibit A.

thanks for the link to that post....i honestly see nothing wrong with what he posted as the statements are completely valid. although, i notice that member has been banned......just searching his recent posts, i see no infractions. if he was just banned because of that post, all i can say is poor form to the mod/admin who banned him as that's pretty immature.

If I suddenly asked you to give me $200, would you do it? No, of course you wouldn't - because you don't owe me anything. Likewise the people who are demanding that the paid professionals of Tripwire Interactive take real time and spend real money to create extra content for a game that is already complete.

that comparison really doesn't work.....at all. why would you have any reason to ask me for $200? you'd have none because yes, i don't 'owe" you anything. on the other hand, in the reality of the matter, these are costumers who have already made investments into TW as a company. while TW doesn't literally "owe" costumers anything other than what they paid for (the game as is), companies wisely take into account what costumers would like to see. for the most part i praise TW for giving tons of costumer support for their games over the years. but realize that nobody is demanding anything. some are just expressing their dissatisfaction that work that was/is being done on the game and the time/resources used could/should have been used in a more efficient manner in regards to adding more content that would have resulted in more potential long-term growth.

Sure, some new content (that fits well and doesn't break balance) would be nice, but it's far from necessary; and more to the point, it was never promised. There are no grounds for disappointment because there was never any reason to harbour such expectations in the first place. Tripwire Interactive is not responsible for its customers' imagination.

i (and obviously others as well) beg to differ. the game could definitely use some tweeks in terms of balance and gameplay mechanics. and there's always grounds for disappointment. some feel that more could be done with the game and they see this update as not doing that. sure nothing has been promised, but when you legitamitely look at it, people see that TW employees spent ex. amount of time creating all this stuff for this update......granted as Ramm said, the employees working on the new content were only in certain departments due to availability because of others working on stuff for RO2......without an explanation, people just get the immediate impression of "TW spent ex. time working on _____ for this update, when they could have been working on ______ instead ".

A year ago... Say, weren't you making absurd statements about how TWI should allocate its resources back then, too? ("The M14 should be replaced with a completely new weapon, because that's less work than changing numbers in a few text files!") Huh... I guess some things never change.

absurd is a pretty derogatory word choice there....if you actually go back through those suggestions, you're not even close to the truth of the matter. but thanks for again attacking my character instead of the discussion at hand. yeah, i guess some things do never change

but yes, a year ago i believed that more major work could have been put into improving various aspects of the game that imo would have most likely given the game more long-term sustainability. 10-12 months later, i now realize that TW probably won't have the ability to do said work for a long time as they are nearing the completion of a major production with RO2.....so for the time being i personally don't mind these events (Christmas, Portal, Sideshow). although i do argue that instead of doing these events over the course of the last 6-7 months, that time could have been put towards one grand content update instead of 3 smaller events. i also look at the fact that these updates are only temporary and personally feel as though that's a waste of work........if the Christmas zeds would have been kept on Santa's Lair, and these new circus zeds are kept on the new "Amusement Park" map, then i'd consider that work more worthwhile as the added content will make more lasting impacts on the game.

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in summary, am i happy with what's going to be in the new update? of course....but i, like most every other KF player, would have been happier to see more of a "major update" than another event similar to the Christmas Event. there's nothing wrong for people to express those feelings, but imo it is wrong for people to gang up on individuals calling them "ungrateful", or saying they're "whining" etc... just because they're giving honest feedback.

 

[Dwin]

@bswearer mainly (because I haven't read every single post)

I don't see how there could be a legitimate expression of disappointment at this update. The alternative to having a special event would be no update at all, or for TW to pull developers off RO2 to work on something substantial for KF, and the latter is obviously not an option. The way I see it, given that RO2 is nearing release and TW is a small company, KF shouldn't have received any attention at all. I wasn't expecting to hear anything about KF at all any time soon, and when I saw news of the update I did a double take because I didn't think TW would "waste" manpower working on KF when RO2 needs to be finished.

 

[Dolphin Buff Man]

Perfectly honest, i see completely where BSWearer is coming from and admire the fact that they are standing up for a very valid point. I myself are stoked with the Sideshow event, i think it will be great fun and I'm counting down the days, but when the thread asked "Sideshow event: Impressed or Dissappointed?", you can't expect to only get the "i love the idea" posts.

Yes, game changing content would be bloody brilliant, but it doesn't mean I'll enjoy this any less, as I said, I can't wait. There are a few balances and bugs that could be addressed, but I'm thinking this update like the Christmas update will trya dn cover those, but as for guns, zeds, etc, I'll happily wait and if they never come, so be it. I just don't understand why there have been so many personal attacks made on BSWearer, particuarly from Entangler.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion and when someone makes a thread that asks for people to state their opinions, god forbid anyone actually say what they feel Cos you will for sure get text raped and really it's completely unnecassary. it's all healthy debate until things like "Pariah" are introduced to the converstaion, so how bout we all take a step back, calm down and get the hell back on track cos this is god damn ridiculous.

Sum up: Most people like update, some don't. Fantastic.

 

[sverek]

If TWI actually added new guns and maps, on next holy day, whiners gonna whine about balances and guns being OP. And once TWI and testers fix balance, whiners gonna whine about lack of update!
So here we got a loop...

Those people who non-impressed about update doesn't really seem to play KF at all, they just come, whine, and go back to their COD or whatever they play. They just come and leave, nothing changes.

Whoever paid $49.99 for COD, did you get any free **** from Activision? Did they released any proper update without overpricing it up to $14.99?

I don't think it possible to impress non-impressed without turning game into complete **** like COD, where Developers and Publisher just don't give a **** to whiners and what is it interesting, they seem to like it! Still need better explanation how to make whiners not whine?

Face it non-impressed guys, you trying too hard here. All what needed to be left here is, "Thanks TWI for impressive $0 update."

 

[Kris1596]

if the Christmas zeds would have been kept on Santa's Lair, and these new circus zeds are kept on the new "Amusement Park" map, then i'd consider that work more worthwhile as the added content will make more lasting impacts on the game.

This is the only complaint I can throw out there but in the long term it's great.

 

[hal-]

I've enjoyed Killing Floor for hundreds of hours, just like most, and have recently been pulled away by other new releases. I, for one, am really excited about the Sideshow update because it just flat out looks like fun.

Both the Christmas update and this summer event are very clever and honestly, is any other developer doing anything remotely this cool - and for free? There aren't many.

I understand that some people may have expected something different and are disappointed that their wish wasn't granted, but it's a little late in the life of this game to reasonably expect changes that could require extensive playtesting. Even so, you have likely gotten ten times your money's worth of entertainment out of the game and when lodging your complaint you could be at least a tiny bit gracious for the effort that has thus far been put forth.

 

[MORDRED]

This is the only complaint I can throw out there but in the long term it's great.

Yeah, that would be great if these Circus Zeds will remain on Circus-themed map, as well as Christmas Zeds, will remain on Santa's Evil Lair map

 

[Freshmeat]

KF still has life, just as ROOST still has life 5+ years later.......but people must accept reality and realize that events like this, while nice, will never get KF back to where it was say, a year ago. sadly KF hit it's peak and without something major, it won't get back there. but that's ok....would rather see "little" events like this draw in some new players and get old players back into the game for a little bit.

I think this might be the root of the argument. If I read you correctly, you imply that KF could get a major boost back to its peak activity and interest by making a substantial update. On that assumption, you are right in pointing out that this update is accidental, not substantial. However, I do not think that such boost will be possible, and that the ressources needed would be better utilized in making a follow-up game on an updated engine.

As for the level of whining, I think it is a matter of personal limit of tolerance. And a few people crossed my limit quite far.

 

[C_Gibby]

However, I do not think that such boost will be possible, and that the ressources needed would be better utilized in making a follow-up game on an updated engine.

This ^ I think KF could do with a total re-write. Don't forget, the Killing Floor we all know from 2009 release was made in just a few months building on what Alex Quick had already done. To my knowledge, there's a lot of dodgy workarounds to be found in KF's code to get past undesirable things and because of the way KF was built from back in 2005, it's apparently harder/impossible to add certain things because of how KF was actually built in the first place. The framework just sometimes doesn't fit with what you're trying to put into it.

If a KF2 were to be made, I'd say that it should be done from scratch and it'd have a lot of room for stuff like newer and more complex ZEDs that do things differently to the AI we know now that is magnetically attracted to players and follows paths. You know, a suitable framework to add things like community-made gamemodes and "story" missions without having to resort to dodgy workarounds. A new game that retains the stuff we love so much, but built in a way that lets much more get added by both TWI and the community. It's also likely that it'd be on UE3, too.

 

[horzineplumpudding]

If TWI actually added new guns and maps, on next holy day, whiners gonna whine about balances and guns being OP. And once TWI and testers fix balance, whiners gonna whine about lack of update!
So here we got a loop...

Those people who non-impressed about update doesn't really seem to play KF at all, they just come, whine, and go back to their COD or whatever they play. They just come and leave, nothing changes.

Whoever paid $49.99 for COD, did you get any free **** from Activision? Did they released any proper update without overpricing it up to $14.99?

I don't think it possible to impress non-impressed without turning game into complete **** like COD, where Developers and Publisher just don't give a **** to whiners and what is it interesting, they seem to like it! Still need better explanation how to make whiners not whine?

Face it non-impressed guys, you trying too hard here. All what needed to be left here is, "Thanks TWI for impressive $0 update."

The poll could have been worded in a better way. Being impressed and being disappointed are indeed correlated but not mutually exclusive.

 

[Skalli]

this ^ i think kf could do with a total re-write.
[...]

if a kf2 were to be made, i'd say that it should be done from scratch and it'd have a lot of room for stuff like newer and more complex zeds that do things differently to the ai we know now that is magnetically attracted to players and follows paths.

+1