"AGS Games in production" forbidden for criticism?!

[Minimi]

I have this problem with the In Production thread. It seems like, it's kinda forbidden to give constructive criticism about games. I mean, like I want to say that a game sucks... but instead of that, I'll say "good effort, good luck one, keep up the good work", or something similiar.

So what I mean is, that it feels like there is some kind of mood like "Don't get to harsh on a game...because the creator is doing so much his/her best".

I think that just sucks. If I'm trying really hard making a game, and I come up with a lame story, stupid graphics with standard photoshop layers, gradients and lame animations.... and in reply to that, everyone tells me it's great im working on the game, and they are looking forward to it.... then I'm working my butt of, though actually being in a big glimps, not realizing, my audience won't even take effort to download/play it.

In short terms, I'd like to ask you to lighten up abit, and if I'm wrong here, tell me also. I just think that's it's good to be honest to eachother, because compliments are only to get yourself a good feeling, but critics are really handy for a creator.

Well... until I got some good answer, I'll continue for most part (unless where I really can't bear the view), wandering around without giving any comment.

[AGA]

Bear in mind Webspider isn't a moderator. The only people you should listen to is us moderators - " 3. If you're not a moderator, don't pretend to be one. If a thread needs to be moved or locked, the moderators will deal with it."

Just keep posting how you want to post, as long as any criticism you give is constructive, and ignore anyone who says otherwise...

[Mr Jake]

are you referring to WebSpiders reply to you?

Its fine for you to critic the games, otherwise there wouldnt be a point to posting in the GiP forum.

[Losttraveler unlog]

Call me a newb and what not, but I like the look of that remake...

[Ghormak]

There's a point to it other than getting comments.

Generating hype.

It's up to the reader of the threads if they want to post comments or not, and I'd personally like it if people were honest when commenting on the games.

[Darth Mandarb]

I need those types of constructive critisism when I'm working on something.

It's what makes me work better/harder on whatever it is.

So I say stick with it.Ã,  Now, granted, the Games in Production boardÃ,  isn't the Critics Lounge so you maybe shouldn't always be giving paint-overs and critiques ... but certainly you should offer your opinion.

I say don't sweat it.Ã,  If the authors [of the games] don't want that kind of critisism they shouldn't announce the game until they're done with it and not going to change anything about it.

[deadsuperhero]

Gee, it sure sucks when people criticize me.

[Mr Jake]

dont post in forums which are open to critisism if you dont like it.

[deadsuperhero]

Well, if people are talking about me, that's my concern.

[Andail]

Webspider, what are you getting at, and who are you being annoyed with?
Cause you seem a bit upset for no reason

[Ozwalled]

Well, I think that if you're going to be offering criticism there, try your best to have it be constructive, and it ought to be fine. Just as long as you relate what you don't like, maybe why you don't like it and a suggestion that you feel would be an improvement, I'd guess that any mature poster could accept that.

[Darth Mandarb]

Well, I think that if you're going to be offering criticism there, try your best to have it be constructive, and it ought to be fine. Just as long as you relate what you don't like, maybe why you don't like it and a suggestion that you feel would be an improvement, I'd guess that any mature poster could accept that.

The problem is that a lot of the new developers are of the younger teenage demographic.Ã,  And these younger members might think it's meant as an insult rather than constructive.Ã,  I think we should still offer it though (and calm any fires it might start) and, as you mentioned, just back up what is said with reasons.

Gee, it sure sucks when people criticize me.

You need to calm down.Ã,  Minimi was posting this because he was concerned about something that happened to him, not you.Ã,  You happened to be the one who told him to 'lay off' (or something to that effect) when he posted his comments in that thread in the GiP board.Ã,  I didn't get the impression anybody was criticising you (I don't think Hotspots remarks were intended for you.)Ã,  Just relax and enjoy this new hobby!Ã,  All will be well

[ghostface]

Well, I think that if you're going to be offering criticism there, try your best to have it be constructive, and it ought to be fine. Just as long as you relate what you don't like, maybe why you don't like it and a suggestion that you feel would be an improvement, I'd guess that any mature poster could accept that.

The problem is that a lot of the new developers are of the younger teenage demographic.Ã,  And these younger members might think it's meant as an insult rather than constructive.Ã,  I think we should still offer it though (and calm any fires it might start) and, as you mentioned, just back up what is said with reasons.

I agree with having the criticism constructive because if you don't hear helpful opinions, you may feel that no one will care if you spend all this time into this game.

There's a point to it other than getting comments.

Generating hype.

It's up to the reader of the threads if they want to post comments or not, and I'd personally like it if people were honest when commenting on the games.

Oh, how very true.

I have this problem with the In Production thread. It seems like, it's kinda forbidden to give constructive criticism about games. I mean, like I want to say that a game sucks... but instead of that, I'll say "good effort, good luck one, keep up the good work", or something similiar.

So what I mean is, that it feels like there is some kind of mood like "Don't get to harsh on a game...because the creator is doing so much his/her best".

I have had this on my mind forever, minimi...thank you. I have not seen a comment on the GiP forum stating "this game looks bad, man, you should stop!" That must mean that we are all---kind magical folk only out to give a hand to the needy. If I am doing a game and don't know if I want to continue, I don't want to hear the same thing over and over...maybe I want to hear that I can quit the project and be free! Work on another game!
I'm gonna get pounded for this.Ã,  Ã, 

[Evil]

The problem is that a lot of the new developers are of the younger teenage demographic.Ã,  And these younger members might think it's meant as an insult rather than constructive.Ã,  I think we should still offer it though (and calm any fires it might start) and, as you mentioned, just back up what is said with reasons.

Thats the thing. I dont think people realize what constructive critism looks like. Things like "This part is stupid", "I dont like this", and even "Change so and so" are all bad comments.

They may be true, but some people get angry about these, even people we know well and think they wont be if we say it anyway.

Comments like "This part was good, and so was this other part, but I think it would be a lot better if it was like the first part." Thats a good comment even if it doesnt look that way. It may not be as detailed as some may think is needed, but it doesnt need to be.

"This part is really good and looks like you put a lot of effort into it. This other part however doesnt look like you put the same amount of effort into it and would look a lot better if you did."

Things like "I hate this, and I'll tell you why" are ok to an extent. I could bare this type of remark and respect it, but newbies I dont think would understand.

I agree that sometimes (Ok, most of the time) I don't have enough time to sit down and type out a long "nice" responce, but I know how I would wirite one. So even if you write fast comments like myself, think about what you are saying, if you are being clear, and all around helpful.

And if it comes down to it, please use a silly smilie to bring across a joking comment.


Oh yeah, I hate you all, but I'll tell you why...

(See how well that worked? )

[Alynn]

Oddly enough I see this kind of thing all the time... and the general thing is... its ALWAYS the younger people that have problems with it... my kid is no different (although she is only 6)...

from the other point of view though...

Imagine putting you heart and soul into something... looking at it... revising it... revising it again... spending hours upon hours until you think it's perfect... and you want to put up something you are so proud of... just so someone to say,

"Yeah it's good, but if you change this and this and this, it will be better." In a way you told this person "No matter how much time and energy you put into this, it's not good enough for me." Even though you may not have meant it that way...

Not all of us have inate graphical abilities... not all of us have inate abilities to write a good story, dialog, plot, or anything... so this is my idea...

1) If you post here expect to be critiqued... but also understand that these critiques are not to put you down, they are there to try to help you improve on your style. If you do not like these critiques do not post. Bottom line, if you can't let it roll off your back like water off a duck... then just save everyone the trouble...

2) Respect others... remember that some of them worked long and hard... even if you think their work is uber bad... they may have spent DAYS to get it looking THAT good... we aren't all diVinci... some of us don't have the drawing talent past stickmen, and even those are of dubious style. And please make sure it is CONSTRUCTIVE... Telling someone that their pic looks like it was drawn by a right handed chimp using its left foot... well you get the point...


So in the end... Post and expect critiques, critique, but remember we don't all have uber skill levels in artwork...

And I guess that's it

[Sylpher]

Games in production forum..

A place to brag and showcase what you have coming out.


There is a place people go if they want criticism about a story or image or character or even an entire game they are working on. (Give you three gueses which forum that is). If the games in production forum is open for criticism there is no reason to have both forums.

It is fine to say what you like and dislike about a game but you don't need to do an 18 point inspection or anything..

[Pumaman]

It's really all down to common sense. As Evil says, there's no point in posting "This game sucks" -- that's no help to anybody and will just offend.

However, posting "I'm not too sure about this, because of X and Y; but I do think that the Z part has potential" is more likely to actually be useful to the developer.

And some people will always take offence far too easily. Perhaps the solution is to make the minimum age 16 a mandatory requirement to post here, but I don't want to do that because age does not reflect maturity that well.

[shbaz]

Perhaps the solution is to make the minimum age 16 a mandatory requirement to post here, but I don't want to do that because age does not reflect maturity that well.

I hope you don't, because the latter is so true.

Plus it's very easy to lie anyway.

[Snake]

Sylpher said it perfect. In fact, he said it so well, here it is again:

Games in production forum..

A place to brag and showcase what you have coming out.


There is a place people go if they want criticism about a story or image or character or even an entire game they are working on. (Give you three gueses which forum that is). If the games in production forum is open for criticism there is no reason to have both forums.

It is fine to say what you like and dislike about a game but you don't need to do an 18 point inspection or anything..

Also this:

There's a point to it other than getting comments.

Generating hype.

EXACTLY. That's why this forum was created to begin with - To show everyone what you've got on the stove. Think of the game's thread as a movie poster or a preview of an upcoming game in a magezine.


--Snake

[Squinky]

Well, I'd say if you feel the game creator needs critic that much, try a private message asking him first if he'd be interested in your help. Then once he replys you can start explaining your point of view.

I really do think that the critics lounge is the best place for open critiqing though. Seems like  once someone points out a bad aspect of a gip thread everyone else jumps on too. I hate to see this happen to someone....