Originally by: Lex Striker

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Edited by: Lex Striker on 10/08/2010 12:47:37
In my 24 years of experience in software development, I have noticed a few things...

1) It is much easier to write new code than to fix old code. If one can find a software developer that can work with existing code, grab that sucker and hold on to them... they are a rare find. I usually see this as a good programmer that is flexible and without an ego... which is indeed a rare find.

2) It has been shown that it may take from 4-10 times the resources to fix an issue after it has been released than if it were caught in the design phase. Thus it is not cost effective from a management standpoint to fix things, but to just introduce new features. Perhaps CCP is getting to a level of corporate mentality and maturity where the bottom line is much more important than customer satisfaction or even the product they produce itself... which eventually happens to the best of them, I guess.

3) Many software developers who have made a name for themselves do not want to fix code. All they want to do is make new systems and move on. Thus, to keep some developers around, some companies must always have new projects... else these 'sacred cows' will leave to work somewhere else. I guess this is just the creative nature of these developers; and why some believe that software development is an art, not a science. Fixing coding and design issues just is not fun and may eventually show that some of these developers are not wearing any clothoes.

4) A company like CCP is made up of specialists. Many of those positions are based on new development. So what happens to these people when one goes back to fix problems?... lay them off until they are needed again? To let someone go and rehire someone else is to not only lose expertise, but also to require a retraining period for the new person, which may take a very long time... something management does not want to hear.

5) Everything is not always what it seems. Appearances are much more important than reality... and management has a great way of pretending that all is fine. In many ways, they have no choice, especially if the horses are already out of the barn and running everywhere.

6) I try to remember, it is not 'what' people do that really matters, as much as to 'why' they do it. It would appear that CCP management has decided on new features, over fixing and finishing old ones because it is to their benefit to do so... at least in their eyes and in the short term. 'Walking in Stations' and Dust 514 will bring two new types of customers into Eve... thus translating into $$$$!!!!. Fixing old issues for customers has NEVER generated new revenue. So CCP management is obviously looking to expand its revenue rather than make old customers happy. So what if half of the old customer base leaves? The new customer base will make up for it. Mangament problem solved! That is why most companies will treat their new customers much better than their old ones. It is all about 'new' business. Old business is like... well... old.

I think CCP is doing what is best for itself and it is up to us to either follow along like sheep or find something else. I believe CCP has done a great job overall in producing Eve Online. However, it is not always the 90% that works that is most visible... but the 10% that does not. In this case, that 10% is a 'deal breaker' for most of us... making the game unplayable for some of us.

I have little hope that CCP will change its development approach. It is just not to its benefit to do so, at this time. Until the bottomline starts to fail, will CCP change anything. With 'Walking in Stations' and Dust 515 coming out, I do not see that happening soon. I also expect the CSM to be disbanded as a failed experiment soon, as it did not support the objectives of CCP. Oh well. Perhaps all this too shall pass... we will see.

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