BlizzCon Unites: Everyone is Accountable

Saturday saw the conclusion of the 12th BlizzCon, hosted by Blizzard Entertainment. This convention allows us, the players, to celebrate and learn what is in store for the beloved franchises we play.

Additionally, we're given opportunities to speak with developers. Questions and concerns are raised about the games we play. We also get the chance to reconnect, or meet, with friends that we've played games with for years, but never met in person.

All-in-all, BlizzCon is a pleasant experience, because fans and developers come together to celebrate games, experience future content, and spectate the various world championships that are held. People who cosplay have a tradition of meeting outside the Anaheim Convention Center for a group photo, showcasing their talent, and love, of the games Blizzard develops.

Essentially, going to BlizzCon is like a pilgrimage, for fans of the many Blizarg games. It's an event where like-minded individuals converge, sharing stories and interactions they've experienced through the games. Happiness is the prevalent emotion (unless it's towards a recently announced mobile game), in that people who go often say they plan to return gain.

Blizzard opens up and answers questions. Fears are alleviated and hope is reassured. If only we could carry these feelings home with us. We should be able to maintain patience, rather than having knee-jerk reactions to every small change.

Rather than keep this same sense of camaraderie we have as gamers, it turns into attacks against each other. If people don't share your sentiment, attacks happen with intent to shame, embarrass, or mock each other. Far too often people flock to forums, subreddits, Discords and even their favorite Twitch chat to voice opinions and joke with those who agree, while insulting those who don't.

Rather than jump into the angry mob complaining about the next big issue try to step away from the keyboard. Consider it this way, you adding to the argument is doing nothing to help. You're essentially making it worse.

For a majority of this post, I've been focusing solely on the game I've played for many years: World of Warcraft, which I started playing in 2005. I've seen the game at its' highest, and lowest. I'm sure there are a lot of us out there. Trust me, while I love WoW, I know there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed. Two examples are time-gating advancement and the RNG* system frustrate me beyond belief. However, y own issues aren't the point of this post. I'm aiming for us, as a community, to keep this aura of positivity as we return to our daily routine.

Time-and-time again there are discussions on the state of the game. People are unhappy, and want answers. They frequent their favorite communities to voice their frustrations. If someone disagrees, an argument ensues and internet anonymity rears its' head. People say things that you wouldn't say to someone's face.

That's the age we live in. We can hide behind the screen of our computer where we can attack someone, or something, on social media. In a matter of minutes, we're able to put a scathing statement up for the world to see. Herm Edwards, now football head coach at Arizona State University, said it best years ago, "Don't press send!"

Personally, I don't think people understand one major idea: No one wants the game to fail. Concerns are voiced out of the love we have for the franchise. We all want it to succeed, and do well. WoW is a game some have played for the past decade, if not longer.

If people understood that maybe it would unite the community, rather than putting us against each other.

Blizzard, don't think that you don't have a hand in this too. While we get this brief amount of face time, far too often does it feel like players are ignored. I'm not referring to the multitude of angry posts that line your forums daily. I mean there's always a few bad apples in the bunch.

I'm referring to people who talk about bugs that existed in a beta, and can still be found when an expansion goes live. I'm talking about people who show how the leveling experience in old content is almost impossible to do.

I believe WoW Game Director, Ion Hazzikostas said it once: If you fix one thing, you break something else.

That makes sense. When you're working with 14+ years of code, oversight can happen.

Yeah, you guys hold Q&A's. But, wouldn't it be better to choose questions to more pressing matters? Like the hot button topics that are slowly taking over discussions.

Sure, you guys are a successful company, and you don't have to do any communication. Plus, you are all busy as well. Why should you take time out for us?

I think it's safe to say the WoW community, in s nutshell, is a unique animal.

Plus, if going off one of your eight core values, "Great ideas can come from anywhere. Blizzard Entertainment is what it is today because of the voices of our players and of each member of the company. Every employee is encouraged to speak up, listen, be respectful of other opinions, and embrace criticism as just another avenue for great ideas."

Every. Voice. Matters.

This is has to be why you host the Q&As, and do occasionally reach out to the community.

When there are oversights, or mistakes, frustrations build up. It's not just because people are mad. People just want to make sure something they cherish isn't ruined.

But, what can be done to stop the anger, and bring us close to the state of positivity that happens around the 1st weekend of November?

Is it even possible? How can we carry the feelings, and emotions, gained at BlizzCon and use them when we leave?

Do we, the fan base, set down the pitchforks? Is it on us to not suddenly react to a change that we are unsure about and feel it could be a detriment to the game?

Is it on Blizzard to be more open, and not be as quiet to the fans? Are they even able to respond to the issues players have? Is that feasible?

Honestly, I'm not sure if either are possible Blizzard is a large company, handling multiple games on a daily basis. The players are passionate about the games they love and play often. So, there's always going to be issues.

But, there could be a happy medium. Players need to show patience and not jump to conclusions. Blizzard could answer the pressing matters from the community.

There has to be an answer. One thing I know is everyone has to understand we're all wanting the same thing. If we can capture that feeling, and find ways to embrace positivity, maybe we can embrace being a positive community 365 days, instead of just two.

Over 14 years ago, we were given a game that still flourishes today. To make the game, and community, even better we need to change our attitudes. One thing is certain, everyone needs to be held accountable in working on this.

I'm sure there are many more options than the ones I suggested. I'm sure both players and the developers have their own ideas on how to make things better. Some of them might even be better than mine. What we need is communication. Peaceful communication. Working together to create a better community of gamers.

While we work on this, let's continue to have fun in a game millions of people have enjoyed, and still do.

Blizzard make sure you continue to follow your mission statement. We'll keep playing if you do.

What mission statement? This one:

*RNG, or Random Number Generator, is a phrase coined for the random chance of getting an item. More precisely, random number generators are algorithms used in computing when an outcome needs to be as random as possible.