If it launches out of EA without some form of native support for a party of 6, it will be really hard not to feel that our EA feedback was basically ignored.
What it would mean is they listened to the feedback from a very small group of individuals and didn't agree with it. These threads can create an echo chamber where folks think their feedback is more popular than it actually is. Out of the million plus folks who got early access what percentage have given the feedback that they want two extra players in their party? (Answer: An incredibly small percentage)
I would hate a party of 6 as it would lengthen every combat even if you only took three companions (as the game would have to be tougher to accommodate a party of 6.) Party of 4 is perfect for me and I sincerely hope they don't change that.
much love fam, but i find it ironic that you say that the threads create an echo chamber where ppl think their own feedback is more popular than it is - and then you go on to state your opinion/feedback thinking its the popular take (but that couldve been the goal, lol).
The only opinion I represented was my own.
I asked what percentage of the people that have purchased EA have posted their desire for a party of 6 and factually stated it was a very small percentage. That tells me the issue is only important to a small number of people, it says nothing about what the folks that didn't post would prefer. I then stated my personal opinion -- I never claimed to speak for anyone but myself.
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Originally Posted by Alodar
Larian is not ignoring EA feedback. Your feedback is just not universal (nor is mine) In the end Larian will make the game that they want to play and that they think is the most fun for the most people.
also, im glad we circled back in your original post and acknowledge that ppl have differing opinions, which is the basis for why we are all here posting in the forums so larian can reference and identify whats most important for the success of bg3 at this stage in development, but i think your last statement walks a dangerous line for game developers in general - they shouldnt be making a game that 'they/larian' wants to play they should be making a game that the community consensus wants to play, and that part about what is most fun for the most ppl should happen organically bc of the feedback that larian is getting from here and other community feedback portals helping to improve the game.
your echo chamber metaphor can also apply in reverse to larian here where feedback that may be critical of 'larian's fun' in an effort to improve the game may be ignored or poorly rationalized away to the detriment of the community and the final product.
Larian's "echo chamber" is the only one that matters. It's their company that's on the line, their financial risk. They listen to feedback more than most companies but In the end they need to make games they are passionate about making and hope that there is an audience that likes the games they make.
appreciate the response fam! i think we both can agree that we want bg3 to succeed, so my please dont take critics too personal and sorry for any misrepresentation of your initial post, but i still disagree with your conclusions - which is fine, its what ea is all about - i just hope that when/if larian sees these posts they lean more towards my side than yours
my apologies again for any misrepresentation, but i still am having issues getting to the same conclusions? yes, it is likely that a very small percentage of current players are posting this specific feedback (4v6 - although i would be interested if we have had a poll here on the forums to see what the consensus is? - i may have missed it), but i have a hard time inferring that this small, and specific type of consumer (ea access and forum posting) creating threads and commenting about a 6slot preference now in ea means that it will remain important to only a small number (or percentage) of the eventual overall player base - we simply cant draw those conclusions at this point - you even say 'it says nothing about what the folks that didnt post would prefer' and it works both ways. id likely have to search through the forums, and who knows how reliable such data would be, but overall my impression in the forums here is that a larger percentage of ea players prefer 6slots/more player choice than limited to only 4slots - but i could be wrong (which gets back to itd be a nice nod to the community if larian included some related comments in future updates, even if brief)
your second response i just flat out disagree with, lol. im of the opinion that 'the customer is always right' - and sure there are some outlandish and unreasonable requests by fans, but i dont think a 6slot party falls into that category. a video game developer that makes games with the strategy of being successful built on the 'hope that there is an audience that likes the games they make' is great and all, but that doesnt sound like you are giving yourself much room for error, arent giving alot of credit or agency to your player base, and i would also argue doesnt work to build much rapport or engagement with your player base either.
as the game stands now, i enjoy it, but regarding this specific game design it just is not the game i was expecting (or hoping for years we'd ever possibly get). granted i may not be as familiar with larians history as some others may be, but does the studio have a history of listening to and incorporating community driven feedback in advance of full game launches or do they usually go with their own vision? and there is more than just larian's financial risk on the line here, wotc's investment/branding for one, as well as general investors/supporters of larians.
lastly, the whole 'echo chamber' is mentality is bad imo - like in life. idk how you can grow as a game developer (or person) if you only always listen to your own opinion/perspectives that align with your own without any critique or introspective.
Last edited by nation; 04/11/2002:38 AM. Reason: quoting
