Posted by Craftz1

If you don't like the game then don't play it and go outside or something. There is more to the world than Graal.

lies  

Posted by Narcosis

Toonslab has the money to hire more devs. Why is this not happening?)

Devs don't get paid.  

Graal development has always been a volunteer basis. They aren't paid much, if anything... It's kind of a joke considering how profitable things are. With that in mind, it looks as though Classic must still be doing well for the company given the numbers.  

I feel bad that Dusty has to put up with crap like this. There's one developer and he's volunteering to advance the game for ungrateful people like you.

I know that there are some developers that would like to work on classic but management has an "invite only" system. Which I personally think is stupid. They should actually have an application to apply to develop the server. I feel like that's one of the reasons why there's only one developer in the first place.  

Posted by Fire Surge

I feel bad that Dusty has to put up with crap like this. There's one developer and he's volunteering to advance the game for ungrateful people like you.

I know that there are some developers that would like to work on classic but management has an "invite only" system. Which I personally think is stupid. They should actually have an application to apply to develop the server. I feel like that's one of the reasons why there's only one developer in the first place.

I'm not ungrateful. I even gave Dusty props in the post, if you had read it. I didn't know the devs weren't payed. I think things need to change, because this and the fact that they don't let devs apply is obviously contributing to the lack of updates and new content.

And to the person who said "don't play it if you don't like it", I knew someone would say that. I never once said I didn't like it. It's because I like Classic so much that I want it to reach its potential. I still enjoy playing it a lot of the time. But, well why do I have to repeat myself? It's all in my original post. It sounds like you didn't read it either.  

Posted by Narcosis

I'm not ungrateful. I even gave Dusty props in the post, if you had read it. I didn't know the devs weren't payed. I think things need to change, because this and the fact that they don't let devs apply is obviously contributing to the lack of updates and new content.

And to the person who said "don't play it if you don't like it", I knew someone would say that. I never once said I didn't like it. It's because I like Classic so much that I want it to reach its potential. I still enjoy playing it a lot of the time. But, well why do I have to repeat myself? It's all in my original post. It sounds like you didn't read it either.

So you are having so much fun but complaining how it is boring because of lack of updates? (Also not all big content updates are great. Take AP for an example)  

said it many times before, but it's foolish to complain about a lack of updates on a free game from developers who aren't paid

if there are people who can do a better job, then apply and work for free - otherwise, be grateful for our current volunteers
your displeasure should be aimed at the management of Graal, not iClassic's staff, because it's been clear for more than a decade that those two individuals have no clue what the hell they're doing anymore

if you want good content, you need to start paying and hiring developers rather than just profiting off of their work  

Posted by Thallen

your displeasure should be aimed at the management of Graal, not iClassic's staff, because it's been clear for more than a decade that those two individuals have no clue what the hell they're doing anymore

if you want good content, you need to start paying and hiring developers rather than just profiting off of their work

No, I agree. My displeasure is with the people on top. And I'm starting to at least understand part of the reason that things are so bad.

I'm curious, though, as to what the difference is with Era & Zone? Can you explain why these games seem to be thriving when it comes to updates, new content, and all that good stuff, while Classic gets the shaft?  

Posted by Narcosis

No, I agree. My displeasure is with the people on top. And I'm starting to at least understand part of the reason that things are so bad.

I'm curious, though, as to what the difference is with Era & Zone? Can you explain why these games seem to be thriving when it comes to updates, new content, and all that good stuff, while Classic gets the shaft?

Zone is a new and developing/growing server, so it has tons of options for what it can release. And Era has a ton of developers.

Ever checked the staff list on Classic? 2 coders. Maybe Dusty and Rufus pop in every once and awhile too, but they don't necessarily have the means to pump out content like Era or Zone.

I also think that one of the reasons that classic releases much less content is because they actually have pretty good management, that is picky about what they release. Ever noticed how all of classics updates are actually really organized and come together? Thats because their management is actually good enough not to throw in whatever they make. If you think the problem is Classic's management then you really dont have an idea what good development is.  

There isn't enough development for a game with 3,500 players on at a time. It isn't the developers' faults because I understand they're doing as much as they can. Maybe if management actually paid developers or made an application system so they could get more, there would be several big updates every year instead of one or two.

Do you know why era and zone have more developers? They have an application system to become a developer. Frankly, I don't know why classic doesn't have the same. Why should you have to be picked to volunteer develop their game?  

If you go to the Minor Tweaks and Updates thread, you'll find plenty of updates. Heck today there was an update with new emoticons which are pretty cool :0  

Just sell all the UN hats to idev hat shops. Everyone would be happy!  

Posted by Fire Surge

There isn't enough development for a game with 3,500 players on at a time. It isn't the developers' faults because I understand they're doing as much as they can. Maybe if management actually paid developers or made an application system so they could get more, there would be several big updates every year instead of one or two.

Do you know why era and zone have more developers? They have an application system to become a developer. Frankly, I don't know why classic doesn't have the same. Why should you have to be picked to volunteer develop their game?

It sure seems like a pretty obvious solution. So why does classic not apply this same application system? Clearly it's working for Era and Zone. Classic has a bigger playerbase than both those games.

Can we push to have this implemented? Surely there's plenty of developers that would love to work on Classic. Is management listening to any of this? Can we start some kind of petition? This is just so frustrating. A lot of the current devs are doing a really great job. I can't stress this enough. It's become very clear to me that the problem is lack of devs, and the fact that new devs are unable to apply. It also doesn't help that they're not paying them.

Back when Classic had 1k players on during peak hours, it was a different situation. Classic's playerbase has shot way up, and they haven't compensated for it with more developers. It's just so clear that there's a problem and (most) everyone can see it.  

Posted by Reece

If you go to the Minor Tweaks and Updates thread, you'll find plenty of updates. Heck today there was an update with new emoticons which are pretty cool :0

Don't think the majority cares about trivial "tweaks".
I guess the lack of updates is due to just how classic is. A social game with hats with a other small things. How else can you change the current set up?
Only thing I can think of is maybe opening up a new area kinda like york but larger give people something to explore and find things to do...
Idk..  

"Lack of updates" threads are immature enough, but this. It's difficult to explain how stupid this particular thread is.

Posted by Narcosis

I didn't want to make this thread but, well, I did. Someone had to.

Have the devs given up on Classic? Besides a few hats here and there, what have we gotten? Yes, bug fixes are good, and the few house changes/additions a while back were very welcome (magnifying glass icon/new grid system/new gate furniture item), but content updates have been severely lacking. And not even just new non-hat content, but opening revolution or nexus, even admin events.

...

Graal Classic has more players than ever. God knows plenty of them are buying gralat packs. Toonslab has the money to hire more devs. Why is this not happening? Unless there's something REALLY big in the works, this just isn't acceptable.

If you agree with me, post here. Make them pay attention to this great game that's just being completely ignored. Classic deserves better.

(Note: There are some devs/admins/etc, like Dusty, who are doing a great job. There's just not enough of them)

Do you even understand what content is? Or the difference between development and graphics staff? Developers dont make the cutesy little hats. Thats the graphics team's job. That's their job; make graphics. The hats that get released have absolutely no relevance in the development of content.

If you read anything that Dusty posts, you know that he is able to multitask between big things (things that will take ~1yr+ to complete) and small things like bugs.

All Graal servers have voluntary staff (not paid), so the money that Toonslab makes on gralat packs also has no relevance in game development. Era gets more attention with the graphics-related releases, because its the money-making pay2play server.

And then in your 'note' you say Dusty is doing a good job, but he is one of only TWO development staff Classic has. And Fp4 doesnt post here often, so I dont know what hes done recently.