Changing a Live Game: Lessons Learned and Techniques Applied
Change is both needed and dreaded within a live MMO environment. It is a difficult (and often painful) process to identify weaknesses in the game that are hurting the overall subscriber base--especially when the players themselves may not recognize it. Every feature and every aspect of a live game has someone who likes things exactly the way they are, even if metrics behind the scenes reveal flaws that need to be addressed. And when changes are necessary, proper messaging to the player community can be the key to whether your existing players will adapt or move to a different game.
This panel is aimed at helping developers identify what kinds of changes need to be made to serve the greater good and ensure the long term health of the game. It covers such questions as “When is an exploit not an exploit?”, “When is a good time to rebuild weak or poorly designed systems?”, “How do you work with Community to correctly message the changes and minimize player anxiety?”
Intended Audience: Primarily for Designers and Community Managers on a live MMO team.
Prerequisites: Attendees should have experience in the development process of an MMO and be familiar with how changes to the game can impact the overall experience.
Format: Panel
Track: Design
Date/Time: Wednesday, 9:00 AM
Room: Harbor
