It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
General discussionY U NO BUY?(16 posts)(16 posts)
(16 posts)
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Posted December 05, 2015
There are games in my wishlist that I keep postponing to buy them or others that I simply can't/won't consider for various reasons. But the problem is neither GOG or the developers/publishers have any chance to know what are my reasons. So it's really painful when I love some games but I can't play them in Linux or I don't like the release here on GOG, or whatever else might be the reason.

I made a wishlist item for this very reason, because I wish it would be very easy for us to offer feedback and equally easy for GOG to process our feedback, so they can talk to the developers and publishers to improve anything that can be improved.

So if you had this problem, kindly support that community wishlist item. Thanks a lot! And GOG, please consider this. I want you to want and get my feedback.
Posted December 05, 2015
That's not a bad idea. Sadly, my reason for not buyin usually comes down to "there's other stuff I need to buy more", but I see how this could be of use.
Posted December 05, 2015
Yeah, with me it's "there's a massive backlog already. So this is going to have to be super cheap to tempt me right now."

Maybe what GOG could do is have a multiple choice check box:

I would buy if there was a:
-Mac version
-Linux version
-Soundtrack
-Big Discount

That would help GOG quickly ascertain the popularity of some of the things they could do to increase sales.
Post edited December 05, 2015 by Navagon
Posted December 05, 2015
I like the idea, voted!
Posted December 05, 2015
That's definitely an interesting idea, and could potentially be useful. Of course it would be best to have an [other] comment area so people can give any reason not listed.
Posted December 05, 2015
Interesting idea, my only issue is for me it isn't easily quantifiable. An other option such tfishell suggested would be worthwhile.
Posted December 05, 2015
As long as it does not bug me in any way, yea, why not? But if we're talking about an popup with the squirrel asking me every 5 minutes why i'm not buying an specific title, i would not like that.

I personally don't see any reason to give GOG any kind of advice. They do their thing for few years and they have success at it. They know better than anyone what are their problems. If they would have needed any kind of feedback, they would have asked for it.
Posted December 05, 2015
avatar
mindblast: As long as it does not bug me in any way, yea, why not? But if we're talking about an popup with the squirrel asking me every 5 minutes why i'm not buying an specific title, i would not like that.

I personally don't see any reason to give GOG any kind of advice. They do their thing for few years and they have success at it. They know better than anyone what are their problems. If they would have needed any kind of feedback, they would have asked for it.
No squirrels for me either! No, just a simple feedback button somewhere on the page.

But while they can ask for feedback, it would be virtually impossible to ask that for all the games in their offer. On top of that, the request-based feedback can't go on forever (time-limited), so they would reach out to less people willing to provide it, due to... just life. So having this kind of "passive" feedback that can be gathered in time, completely optional, would help them focus even better. They know what (most of) the problems are but the feedback would help GOG prioritize them as they see fit. And whatever comes good out of it, it's good for us as well. :)
avatar
Couchtr26: Interesting idea, my only issue is for me it isn't easily quantifiable. An other option such tfishell suggested would be worthwhile.
Indeed, it would be really great. The problem is it would only complicate things because some people would ask questions and expect answers. Forcing GOG to reply would add an extra burden, which I'm sure they don't need. I would rather let them focus on fixing/enhancing games while hunting new ones for our libraries. As much as I'd love to send GOG my own words and feelings about whatever bugs me, it's best for everyone if they keep it simple.
Post edited December 05, 2015 by kneekoo
Posted December 05, 2015
avatar
kneekoo: There are games in my wishlist that I keep postponing to buy them or others that I simply can't/won't consider for various reasons. But the problem is neither GOG or the developers/publishers have any chance to know what are my reasons. So it's really painful when I love some games but I can't play them in Linux or I don't like the release here on GOG, or whatever else might be the reason.

I made a wishlist item for this very reason, because I wish it would be very easy for us to offer feedback and equally easy for GOG to process our feedback, so they can talk to the developers and publishers to improve anything that can be improved.

So if you had this problem, kindly support that community wishlist item. Thanks a lot! And GOG, please consider this. I want you to want and get my feedback.
You can provide this feedback directly. It won't be public, but it will go directly to GOG. Just go to this page, select Other (general feedback, suggestions, kudos... etc), click 'Continue', and fill in the 'Subject' and 'Message' sections with whatever you wish to tell them. That's what it's there for! ; )
Posted December 05, 2015
I think it would be good if there was a "Missing Content" checkbox, that covers DLC and expansions.
Posted December 05, 2015
avatar
HunchBluntley: You can provide this feedback directly. It won't be public, but it will go directly to GOG. Just go to this page, select Other (general feedback, suggestions, kudos... etc), click 'Continue', and fill in the 'Subject' and 'Message' sections with whatever you wish to tell them. That's what it's there for! ; )
True, but you need a human operator to read and categorize this kind of feedback. If you have a poll-like feedback from the users you would know how many people want this, what percentage wants X, Y and Z and so on. This would be the "cheapest" way to gather valuable feedback. The users need very little time to check some boxes and GOG would simply have a report based on the figures. That's what I'm talking about. :)
Posted December 05, 2015
avatar
HunchBluntley: You can provide this feedback directly. It won't be public, but it will go directly to GOG. Just go to this page, select Other (general feedback, suggestions, kudos... etc), click 'Continue', and fill in the 'Subject' and 'Message' sections with whatever you wish to tell them. That's what it's there for! ; )
avatar
kneekoo: True, but you need a human operator to read and categorize this kind of feedback. If you have a poll-like feedback from the users you would know how many people want this, what percentage wants X, Y and Z and so on. This would be the "cheapest" way to gather valuable feedback. The users need very little time to check some boxes and GOG would simply have a report based on the figures. That's what I'm talking about. :)
You'd need a human to interpret the data in your scenario, too. At some point, someone would have to collate the feedback and provide it to the appropriate parties. (GOG isn't like Steam, where publishers/devs apparently have direct control over their store pages.)

They actually have done at least one user poll in the past, but it only asked about specific topics regarding possible future moves GOG might look into. It would be a bit much to expect an open-ended survey to be implemented for every game in the catalog, as you seem to be suggesting. Especially since I'm not aware of any other store (game or otherwise) having done such a thing. I'm guessing the system as it stands works well enough for everyone involved; I'm sure the devs of individual games hear plenty of feedback through reviews and forum posts on Steam, here, and on other stores; on Twitter and other social media outlets; and on their own sites, via e-mail and their forums. Probably other ways as well.

Moreover, GOG would be the last company I'd want to attempt something like you're asking for, at least at the present time. They seem to be chronically understaffed, and the site as a whole (but especially the Community and Support sections) seems much of the time to be held together by duct tape and prayer. I frankly don't think they could pull off what you want from a personnel standpoint, and maybe not from a technical one, either.

It's an interesting idea, don't get me wrong, but I don't think this is something they should exactly prioritize.
Posted December 05, 2015
avatar
HunchBluntley: You'd need a human to interpret the data in your scenario, too. At some point, someone would have to collate the feedback and provide it to the appropriate parties. (GOG isn't like Steam, where publishers/devs apparently have direct control over their store pages.)
There's nothing to interpret. The scripts would do that automatically. And I'm not thinking about anything complex, but rather counting some checked boxes by the users. Nothing else. Relaying the information to the appropriate parties is still something that's up to GOG. Depending on how exactly they would implement this and how far they'd like to go. But initially, it would be as simple as handling the 5-star user ratings.

avatar
HunchBluntley: It would be a bit much to expect an open-ended survey to be implemented for every game in the catalog, as you seem to be suggesting. Especially since I'm not aware of any other store (game or otherwise) having done such a thing. I'm guessing the system as it stands works well enough for everyone involved; I'm sure the devs of individual games hear plenty of feedback through reviews and forum posts on Steam, here, and on other stores; on Twitter and other social media outlets; and on their own sites, via e-mail and their forums. Probably other ways as well.
Maybe what I said is not clear enough, or maybe you could've given it a second read and it would seem simple to you too. But as I said, this would be something similar to user ratings, only without comments - which means way simpler. And it shouldn't be seen as a survey but rather some feedback that doesn't require any action on GOG's side. The feedback they would collect would simply make it easier to make some decisions every now and then. Or whatever useful twist they add to this feedback component, it could serve them even better.

avatar
HunchBluntley: Moreover, GOG would be the last company I'd want to attempt something like you're asking for, at least at the present time. They seem to be chronically understaffed, and the site as a whole (but especially the Community and Support sections) seems much of the time to be held together by duct tape and prayer. I frankly don't think they could pull off what you want from a personnel standpoint, and maybe not from a technical one, either.
I wholeheartedly agree that any extra stress on the GOG team is definitely unwanted. So my suggestion shouldn't even be treated as a high priority. This is rather a business development checklist item, but it's still something with great potential for the involved effort. As a developer I know this can be done in maximum 2 weeks with 2 persons. Even one is enough but you still need a project manager to oversee the development process and make sure it goes as planned. Of course, with an initial plan that makes a point in keeping things both simple and easily used for future development *if wanted*.
Post edited December 05, 2015 by kneekoo
Posted December 05, 2015
avatar
kneekoo: [snip]
All fair points. But I would still say the way to give feedback to developers and publishers in the clearest voice possible is to contact them directly -- no middleman. If a customer (current or potential) feels strongly enough about offering constructive feedback to a company, that customer should be willing to write an e-mail or tweet or whatever to said company. This is also the best way to judge whether one's criticisms are being taken seriously -- if you tell GOG to tell a developer why you're not buying his game, the most GOG can reasonably do (having a business relationship with said developer) is pass on the info and, if pressed, say to you, "We passed on the feedback; all we can say is they received it." You likely won't ever get any feedback on your feedback ( =) ). But if you send a message straight to the developer (especially if it's one person, or a very small company), they're likely to answer you directly, and the manner in which they do (even if they avoid speaking to your actual concern) can give you some indication of how seriously they take your feedback. Even the lack of any reply in this scenario can tell you a lot.

Again, not against your idea; I just think there are better ways to go about it, especially for a company of GOG's current (staff) size. : )
Posted December 05, 2015
I like the idea. Voted.
Pages:
1
2
This is my favourite topic
Community
General discussionY U NO BUY?(16 posts)(16 posts)
(16 posts)