To moderators, game players & others
I feel the need to write this to inform everyone who has posted to this site. Aside from the discussions on game play or strategy a healthy portion of the posts have been concerning the satisfaction of individuals who have purchased Heart of Iron. Now before any moderator deletes this post - THIS IS NOT A GRIPE, CRITICISM, TRASHING THE GAME, OR VENTING, IT IS JUST INFORMATION OTHERS SHOULD HEAR. Please allow this post to be read.
I bought the game roughly two weeks ago and from day one had some issues. I came on here to find what could be done to remedy the problems. I noticed that there were a number of others who had had negative experiences with the game. I made a few posts, griped a bit on my own, vented more than I should have, got some more information on the game, fixes, patches, etc… I came to realize there is a great deal more involved than I thought. I reinstalled the game, downloaded the patch and at least the game has now stopped crashing, so I left it at that.
However in one post someone mentioned the software industry as a whole, how in his view they often don’t take into consideration customer satisfaction in releasing games prematurely or in putting out substandard products, etc... All valid opinions and ones that to some degree I agree with. My reply to this post was basically that placing posts on a web site complaining, whining, bashing, criticizing (both constructive and just plain old being mean) was going to do very little to improve this game let alone change the way software is sold to the public in general.
I suggested that those who buy theses kinds of games, or any games be more responsible in their buying. I know personally I should have done more before purchasing this game. Do a little bit of research into the software before buying, know what you are getting. If you just have to have the game and cannot wait until all the bugs are found and fixed, then go ahead and buy it. If you want a cleaned up, refined game then wait. But be aware of what you are buying.
If you don’t like games that are being refined and bugs are being fixed, then don’t rush in to buy it when it first comes out. Because by doing so you are telling those publishing the software that you don’t mind the policy they have of releasing software and then ironing out the issues. If you continue to buy it in this manner, they have no incentive to change the way they are selling it. And if you feel the situation is too bad, or you have issues with a particular company, and then don’t buy from them at all. At that point I was of the disappointed and frustrated camp, not necessarily the angry, rude, belligerent one. All of this is to give you an understanding of where I am coming from.
Here is why I am making this post. I got to thinking and I decided that perhaps there was something I could do aside from voting with my purchasing decisions. I wrote Strategy First. I tried to express my views and opinions to them in as clear, well thought out, effective manner as possible. My goal was not to vent, but to provide some feedback from someone who has purchased from them in the past and would like to do so again in the future. I also mentioned that I was not alone, and suggested they come to this site to hear the views of others, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Well low and behold while sitting in my office designing a road the receptionist buzzed me and told me I had a call. When I asked from whom she said Don McFatridge from Strategy First. The vast majority of people don’t know who that is, so I will tell you. Don McFatridge isn’t a customer service representative, he isn’t a manager, he isn’t in marketing, he is the president of Strategy First, Inc. Yes the president himself, the big cheese, the head honcho, the grand poopah, the president of the company who published this game.
Our subsequent discussion led me to want to come back here and share some of what I have learned. First Mr. McFatridge is a game player himself. So he is not only aware of game playing issues, he really does understand them and is concerned about them. He was incredibly gracious, helpful, and above all I can say that he is exceptionally responsive to my concerns and those of every other Strategy First customer.
Without taking up more room than I already have in this forum, I will summarize what I took away from my conversation. Strategy First and Paradox want their customers to be happy. They strive to put out the very best product they can. They appreciate the feedback from everyone and are very receptive to our feelings, opinions, and ideas. They realize that Hearts of Iron needs some improving, and they are working on that as quickly as they possibly can. He apologized for any problems that I or others who have bought the program have been experiencing.
I won’t mention specifics, but I was assured that within Strategy First some measures are going to be taken and some changes are being made to make sure that the products they are turning out meet the standards that we as consumers expect. He listened to my views, discussed some issues, and said he appreciated my contacting him concerning this game. I was very pleased that someone had heard my opinions, listened to me, appreciated what I had to say, and have and will continue to respond.
After getting off the phone with Mr. McFatridge Hearts of Iron is still sitting at home and hasn’t changed a bit, it is still the same game as last week. But I can honestly say I feel much better and I personally am willing to accept that software is a tough business and every effort was made to turn out a good product. Mistakes may have been made, egregious and perhaps unforgivable mistakes some may feel, but they are past. Everything humanly possible is now being done to remedy my and your concerns and issues with this game. An apology was extended and I accepted and am willing to be patient and reserve my judgment of the game until after the remaining issues have been worked out - I think we all should. Until then play and enjoy what you can and know that they ARE listening.
My personal thinking is that if you already own the game, just be patient. If you find playing it as it now is too frustrating, or if you dislike it so much then put it away until the bumps are ironed out. Then load the program, download the patches, and TADA! You will have the program that you want.
I personally will play it as it is until the patches come if only because it is the only game like it. And I think therein lies a significant point everyone should keep in mind. While not an excuse, consider this is a game on a scale, of a level of detail, of staggering variety and possibilities never before created. Its not exactly Pac Man level of work. As with any new venture there are bound to be bumps along the way. They will get ironed out, things will be fixed, these problems or issues will be addressed. Whether you feel the game was released too early for your tastes or not - be patient and I honestly believe you will end up pleased with one of the best strategy games ever made.
Thank you and just keep in mind: you are not helpless. You and I are consumers. Everything in the modern capitalistic economy revolves around us. Nothing works unless we buy. Companies know that and believe me they will respond. Companies can go from boom to bust overnight based on the power consumers hold. Use that power, you will be surprised what it can do.
I feel the need to write this to inform everyone who has posted to this site. Aside from the discussions on game play or strategy a healthy portion of the posts have been concerning the satisfaction of individuals who have purchased Heart of Iron. Now before any moderator deletes this post - THIS IS NOT A GRIPE, CRITICISM, TRASHING THE GAME, OR VENTING, IT IS JUST INFORMATION OTHERS SHOULD HEAR. Please allow this post to be read.
I bought the game roughly two weeks ago and from day one had some issues. I came on here to find what could be done to remedy the problems. I noticed that there were a number of others who had had negative experiences with the game. I made a few posts, griped a bit on my own, vented more than I should have, got some more information on the game, fixes, patches, etc… I came to realize there is a great deal more involved than I thought. I reinstalled the game, downloaded the patch and at least the game has now stopped crashing, so I left it at that.
However in one post someone mentioned the software industry as a whole, how in his view they often don’t take into consideration customer satisfaction in releasing games prematurely or in putting out substandard products, etc... All valid opinions and ones that to some degree I agree with. My reply to this post was basically that placing posts on a web site complaining, whining, bashing, criticizing (both constructive and just plain old being mean) was going to do very little to improve this game let alone change the way software is sold to the public in general.
I suggested that those who buy theses kinds of games, or any games be more responsible in their buying. I know personally I should have done more before purchasing this game. Do a little bit of research into the software before buying, know what you are getting. If you just have to have the game and cannot wait until all the bugs are found and fixed, then go ahead and buy it. If you want a cleaned up, refined game then wait. But be aware of what you are buying.
If you don’t like games that are being refined and bugs are being fixed, then don’t rush in to buy it when it first comes out. Because by doing so you are telling those publishing the software that you don’t mind the policy they have of releasing software and then ironing out the issues. If you continue to buy it in this manner, they have no incentive to change the way they are selling it. And if you feel the situation is too bad, or you have issues with a particular company, and then don’t buy from them at all. At that point I was of the disappointed and frustrated camp, not necessarily the angry, rude, belligerent one. All of this is to give you an understanding of where I am coming from.
Here is why I am making this post. I got to thinking and I decided that perhaps there was something I could do aside from voting with my purchasing decisions. I wrote Strategy First. I tried to express my views and opinions to them in as clear, well thought out, effective manner as possible. My goal was not to vent, but to provide some feedback from someone who has purchased from them in the past and would like to do so again in the future. I also mentioned that I was not alone, and suggested they come to this site to hear the views of others, the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Well low and behold while sitting in my office designing a road the receptionist buzzed me and told me I had a call. When I asked from whom she said Don McFatridge from Strategy First. The vast majority of people don’t know who that is, so I will tell you. Don McFatridge isn’t a customer service representative, he isn’t a manager, he isn’t in marketing, he is the president of Strategy First, Inc. Yes the president himself, the big cheese, the head honcho, the grand poopah, the president of the company who published this game.
Our subsequent discussion led me to want to come back here and share some of what I have learned. First Mr. McFatridge is a game player himself. So he is not only aware of game playing issues, he really does understand them and is concerned about them. He was incredibly gracious, helpful, and above all I can say that he is exceptionally responsive to my concerns and those of every other Strategy First customer.
Without taking up more room than I already have in this forum, I will summarize what I took away from my conversation. Strategy First and Paradox want their customers to be happy. They strive to put out the very best product they can. They appreciate the feedback from everyone and are very receptive to our feelings, opinions, and ideas. They realize that Hearts of Iron needs some improving, and they are working on that as quickly as they possibly can. He apologized for any problems that I or others who have bought the program have been experiencing.
I won’t mention specifics, but I was assured that within Strategy First some measures are going to be taken and some changes are being made to make sure that the products they are turning out meet the standards that we as consumers expect. He listened to my views, discussed some issues, and said he appreciated my contacting him concerning this game. I was very pleased that someone had heard my opinions, listened to me, appreciated what I had to say, and have and will continue to respond.
After getting off the phone with Mr. McFatridge Hearts of Iron is still sitting at home and hasn’t changed a bit, it is still the same game as last week. But I can honestly say I feel much better and I personally am willing to accept that software is a tough business and every effort was made to turn out a good product. Mistakes may have been made, egregious and perhaps unforgivable mistakes some may feel, but they are past. Everything humanly possible is now being done to remedy my and your concerns and issues with this game. An apology was extended and I accepted and am willing to be patient and reserve my judgment of the game until after the remaining issues have been worked out - I think we all should. Until then play and enjoy what you can and know that they ARE listening.
My personal thinking is that if you already own the game, just be patient. If you find playing it as it now is too frustrating, or if you dislike it so much then put it away until the bumps are ironed out. Then load the program, download the patches, and TADA! You will have the program that you want.
I personally will play it as it is until the patches come if only because it is the only game like it. And I think therein lies a significant point everyone should keep in mind. While not an excuse, consider this is a game on a scale, of a level of detail, of staggering variety and possibilities never before created. Its not exactly Pac Man level of work. As with any new venture there are bound to be bumps along the way. They will get ironed out, things will be fixed, these problems or issues will be addressed. Whether you feel the game was released too early for your tastes or not - be patient and I honestly believe you will end up pleased with one of the best strategy games ever made.
Thank you and just keep in mind: you are not helpless. You and I are consumers. Everything in the modern capitalistic economy revolves around us. Nothing works unless we buy. Companies know that and believe me they will respond. Companies can go from boom to bust overnight based on the power consumers hold. Use that power, you will be surprised what it can do.
