DeMichael Crimson wrote:In my opinion the CSM is suppose to be a sounding board that not only provides feedback to CCP about their current and or future projects but also provides feedback to CCP about player ideas and issues pertaining to the game.
The problem I see is that CSM members are only doing the first part and are basically ignoring the second part.
There's a couple of sub-forums where the CSM should be very active but they, as well as CCP, rarely ever visit them. I'm talking about the sub-forums 'Assembly Hall' and 'Player Features And Ideas Discussion'. Maybe they're just stealth browsing the threads in those sub-forums so they don't give the impression of showing favoritism towards specific threads.
Now that sounds reasonable and I can understand why they would do that but personally I'd much prefer it if they actually participated in the thread discussion. They don't have to agree or disagree with the thread topic, just show some interest by asking a few questions. I think that would definitely let the player base know the CSM is at least doing something other than getting free trips to Iceland.
As for this thread and it's question - CSM: A Publicity Stunt Or Actually Useful? Currently it seems to me the correct answer is both.
DMC
CCP won't comment on player ideas unless they seem real potential on them and want to encourage discussion. The CSM won't comment on them because PFAID is a cesspit and 99% of what's posted there is a terrible idea that doesn't need any encouragement.
None of that means people at CCP, or the CSM for that matter, aren't browsing them.
I'd also point out that it's not the player's or the CSM's job to try to be game designers, which is a lot of what those threads are trying to do. It's not "this is a problem, CCP can you please look at a solution" it's "Here is my one line/three page idea, please implement this ASAP thx".
If you want to see the CSM being active look for either:
- The few threads with well written legitimate complaints along the lines of "hey X thing is clearly broken" or "this is bad gameplay and here's why"
- The meeting minutes and the things the CSM brings up that have been brought to them by players.
IMO if you want CCP and the CSM more active on the forums make them less of a Piranha tank environment, but that would probably involve filtering them and locking them down pretty hard, and I don't think anyone actually wants that.