Fanboyism in the Forums

[NASAFanboy]

I have started to notice a pattern in the forum ratings per thread. And it shows "Fanboyism", slightly somewhat.

Threads that complain about certain things in the game will likely receive a one-star rating.

Threads praising the developers will most likely recieve a five-star rating.

I don't know if it is just me, but I just noticed a pattern. Please don't hate or anything, but I don't this to become like Minecraft, with users hundreds of users worshipping the developers and hating those complaints and such into obilvion.

[rodion_herrera]

Minecraft is not exactly rocket science--KSP is. Just kidding!

[OtherDalfite]

There was a thread discussing this about 2 days ago. It didn't really end well as apparently people strayed off topic and the thread got locked.

[Holo]

How come? The developers deserve worshipping

[RoboRay]

It's not what you say... it's how you say it.

[ShroomOfDoom]

There was a thread discussing this about 2 days ago. It didn't really end well as apparently people strayed off topic and the thread got locked.

These threads never end well,wich is also a pattern. Anyway,while fanboys do promote the game (wich is good), they also do much harm due to their angry (sometimes even hateful) behavior towards those that criticise certain parts of the game that need an overhaul or bugfixing. Just my 2 cents.

[KasperVld]

If people want to express how they feel about a thread then that's fine. What should deserve attention is that all threads concerning people's feelings towards KSP whether positive or negative remain open and we keep an eye out so they don't get derailed or trolled by users with a different opinion. Discussion is fine of course, as long as it remains civil and is based on arguments rather than gut feelings.

[Sempiternal]

Never has an OP been more correct.

I think I know whre you might be from, internet wise.

[KasperVld]

The rating of a thread is nothing more than a visual mind you, it doesn't affect the placement or the visibility of a thread in any way.

[sal_vager]

KSP will not become like Minecraft, there are thousands of other Indie games that didn't become like Minecraft, KSP is and will be one of those games.

It's actually not very helpful to compare KSP to Minecraft to be honest, apart from both being sandboxes there really is no overlap, and KSP won't remain a sandbox when career mode is implemented.

Even the development process is wildly different, with Squad treating each major update as a mini development cycle, with a development period (Alpha), a testing phase (Beta) and then a release each time (Gold), much like a large developer will do, Squad does this with each update.

Minecraft, well, we all know how its development went, it bares about as much resemblance to game industry standard as custard does to Munar regolith

[NASAFanboy]

I notice that for example, there was a thread to the developers from a person that was dissapointed with the update. I can side with them, as many of us thought the Chemical Processor and the IVA for the Hutchhiker would be included. The thread got a one-star rating.

Someone posts a thread of people that are sastifed with the update. Gets 5-star rating pretty fast.

And I also notice that around 20% of the time, a post in the Bug Reports section is replied too with something like "Becuz its kerbalness" or like that, instead of a helpful answer.

Please don't let it slide downward.

[dr_jt]

Pachycephalosaurus

Edited June 6, 2013 by dr_jt

[KasperVld]

I notice that for example, there was a thread to the developers from a person that was dissapointed with the update. I can side with them, as many of us thought the Chemical Processor and the IVA for the Hutchhiker would be included. The thread got a one-star rating.

Someone posts a thread of people that are sastifed with the update. Gets 5-star rating pretty fast.

These ratings are given by users so if you disagree with a rating and it bothers you you can rate the thread yourself and adjust the average. Like I said though, the rating of a thread is nothing more than a visual and it doesn't affect the placement or the visibility of a thread in any way.

[Gniuz]

Personally I think compliants are pointless unless they have a meanigful approach like maybe suggesting a solution to the problem. I think the low star rating of threads containing compliants against those with high star ratings that praise the devs just goes to show the overall feeling in the community and not "fanboyism" as you so put.

A prime example of threads containing complaints can be seen on other forums like battlelog where people seem to complain just for the sake of doing so. I'm glad to say I haven't seen to many complaint threads on this forum, or threads praising the devs to high heaven. Its a game running on a computer programmed by humans, so there will be faults no matter what. People will get upset by some of the desicions made (MP being a big one for some folks) and others will be happy.

Just enjoy the ride is my philosophy and maybe throw some suggestions out there to help shape the game.

G.

[sal_vager]

The star ratings don't affect anything, it's not like Reddit where highly voted threads are closer to the top.

High traffic threads will remain near the top, such as exciting challenges or controversial discussions, that's what's more important.

[Richy teh space man]

I think tbh it's probably just the less mature members of the forum that one star threads just because they don't like it.

Most people on the forum will allow critical threads, so long as there's a credible argument behind it. At least in my opinion.

[Francesco]

the fact is, you are not entitled to complain about the game: constructive criticism is fine, even letting out your frustration once in a while (0.20 terrain lag, anyone?), but every single one of us has accepted what is written in the disclaimer that comes with this game.

fanboys and complainers are really two faces of the same coin: you can't always say "Squad is right", but at the same time, know that Squad doesn't owe you anything.

anything.

the mature players knows that the guys at Squad sometimes cannot present a perfect product, but is also aware of the love and dedication they are putting into this project.

[NASAFanboy]

KSP will not become like Minecraft, there are thousands of other Indie games that didn't become like Minecraft, KSP is and will be one of those games.

It's actually not very helpful to compare KSP to Minecraft to be honest, apart from both being sandboxes there really is no overlap, and KSP won't remain a sandbox when career mode is implemented.

Even the development process is wildly different, with Squad treating each major update as a mini development cycle, with a development period (Alpha), a testing phase (Beta) and then a release each time (Gold), much like a large developer will do, Squad does this with each update.

Minecraft, well, we all know how its development went, it bares about as much resemblance to game industry standard as custard does to Munar regolith

When I was on the Minecraft Forums during Alpha, this was the very same attitude the moderators there had. Be careful, you must tread a fine line between having a community of fans than one of fanboys.

[NASAFanboy]

These ratings are given by users so if you disagree with a rating and it bothers you you can rate the thread yourself and adjust the average. Like I said though, the rating of a thread is nothing more than a visual and it doesn't affect the placement or the visibility of a thread in any way.

Ah yes, but when it starts to become a repeating pattern over and over, that's I start suspecting Fanboyism.

[sal_vager]

I think tbh it's probably just the less mature members of the forum that one star threads just because they don't like it.

Most people on the forum will allow critical threads, so long as there's a credible argument behind it. At least in my opinion.

No, I think a lot of players are worried about how KSP will turn out in the future, we love this game and we don't want to see it ruined by bad derisions or pandering to the vocal minority, as what happened to Minecraft.

There is always uncertainty about the future, and peoples concerns can manifest themselves in threads like this one and those that came before it, when someone is concerned they will fixate on something as a focus of that concern, even if it is not the cause, it's the only thing they can see.

One solution is to realize that the concerns are unjustified, KSP is not like other games and Squad have a roadmap that they are sticking to, only self-imposed deadlines may slip, and occasionally new exciting ideas are added.

KSP is in good hands, even though Squad is still a fledgling developer, they are getting there and with the support of the players they will give us a great game

[Sabor]

I have started to notice a pattern in the forum ratings per thread. And it shows "Fanboyism", slightly somewhat.

Threads that complain about certain things in the game will likely receive a one-star rating.

Threads praising the developers will most likely recieve a five-star rating.

I don't know if it is just me, but I just noticed a pattern. Please don't hate or anything, but I don't this to become like Minecraft, with users hundreds of users worshipping the developers and hating those complaints and such into obilvion.

You have Fanboy in your name. Not that that is an issue as everyone should be a NASA Fanboy or Girl, no exceptions.

[KasperVld]

Ah yes, but when it starts to become a repeating pattern over and over, that's I start suspecting Fanboyism.

There will be fanboys and there will be critics, I really don't see the big issue here. This forum is open to all and the ability to post and the visibility of the posts is equal to everyone. If someone doesn't agree with a thread or the arguments used in it he or she can decide to rate the thread. Apparently someone rates threads according to how much criticism the devs get. Perhaps that person feels those threads aren't well argumented or perhaps that person likes the game and feels the devs are being criticized unfairly. Whatever the reason, it is up to the community to restore the balance in thread ratings if they feel it is needed.

[sal_vager]

Ah yes, but when it starts to become a repeating pattern over and over, that's I start suspecting Fanboyism.

There's been a fair bit of discussion recently about conflicting opinions not being allowed on the KSP forums, but then, those threads have done fairly well and were open for many pages, which pretty much shows that such opinions are allowed here.

This thread is no different, and shows that fanboyism is less of a problem than people think, we do have a strong community here, with people form many backgrounds who enjoy the game, sure their will be some fanboys but this is unavoidable, they make up a percentage of any gaming (or any other) community.

Don't let it get to you

[ShroomOfDoom]

There will be fanboys and there will be critics, I really don't see the big issue here. This forum is open to all and the ability to post and the visibility of the posts is equal to everyone. If someone doesn't agree with a thread or the arguments used in it he or she can decide to rate the thread. Apparently someone rates threads according to how much criticism the devs get. Perhaps that person feels those threads aren't well argumented or perhaps that person likes the game and feels the devs are being criticized unfairly. Whatever the reason, it is up to the community to restore the balance in thread ratings if they feel it is needed.

If thread ratings are purely visual,then why the fuss about it? I myself don't even notice the ratings. As long as the topic is interesting,then why should i care what rating the thread has been given?

A 1-star rating thread for example could have a far more interesting topic than a 5-star one. In the end it all comes down to peoples opinions on something.

[sal_vager]

I asked for the ratings to be re-instated mainly for the Challenges section, so good challenges would be easier to find, they make sense in Fanworks, SpacecraftExchange and other places too.

Maybe we just don't need them in GeneralDiscussion?