affraid to talk

I never give my opinion here on the forum because I am affraid to be ban chat. So I don't comment the new quests, the game in general, nothing.

It's bad, because I have my opinions. 

I never give my opinion here on the forum because I am affraid to be ban chat. So I don't comment the new quests, the game in general, nothing.

It's bad, because I have my opinions. 

It is sad to see posts like this. This definitely shouldn't be happening in a gaming community. Why should people feel limited to voice their honest opinions about a game. I know there are more people feeling the same way, this is so wrong!!! I encourage those who are afraid to speak and voice their opinions to at least say that in this thread. This will demonstrate that there is a large number of people feeling this way.

I'm not so much afraid of the banhammer.  I am, however, cognizant of how it feels to be dismissed out of hand.  People may scoff, but customer service is EVERYTHING in retail.  Service doesn't mean only putting out a good product.  It includes the sales pitch and the maintenance of good relations to bring your customers back.  That goes for every industry, believe it or not, even mine. 

When I worked for a corporate entity as a staff attorney my clients (none of whom had a choice in who represented them I might add) were ALL sent survey forms about my performance as their attorney.  Enough negative reviews and my raise/bonus was downgraded.  Why?  Because the client could take their insurance business elsewhere and the company would lose money.  Now, I say that only to point out that every industry (even the hospitals here btw) thrives on good customer relations.   In retail we had a saying: The customer is always right.  :-)  Now, that may not always be true in this day and age but customer relations is still a vital part of any retail business.  And that is what this is, or hopes to be at some point.  Every retailer wants return trade.  Even undertakers want return business from families and friends all giving them good reviews.  :-)

That being said, I think some of what is happening here is constructive criticism being taken as just criticism for the sake of negativity.  I recognize that there are language barriers for many posting and some reading the posts.  I try to take such things into account in my a/c and I would urge people to do so here as well.   Negativity begets negativity in return and I miss the days when the players and the development team could exchange ideas in an atmosphere of comradery rather than combat.  :-)

After reading some posts in the past, here and elsewhere, I feel that sometimes, giving a negative feedback is taken personally or as a criticism. We are all here because we enjoy the game and it is no wonder that players can get frustrated when all they get in return for their feedback, is negativity and banned from talking. They are only desperately trying to help make this game the best it can be after all. 

 I too, cannot say what I would like to say for fear of being 'chat banned' as 'chat' is one of the most important things in the game, it is needed to communicate with friends and Alliance so I will not risk it.

I agree with those who have added to this thread, and I do hope others will add their comments also

Every single thing stated in this thread I completely agree with. That is the reason I have never added any comments to this forum. It's a bad place to voice opinons or ideas

I am not scared of being chat banned. it is kind of nice and quiet. :) 

What i don't like is, when we make it clear that we really like something, it gets downgraded (like with the sages, brigs, cats etc) and when we are perceived as negative we get chat banned. So we get punished no matter what we say!

There are always pros and cons in anything and this game is no exception. We can't go oooh and aaah all the time and when there is something that bothers us, we should be able to say it, without being afraid of repercussions. 

No idea why this was posted twice!

I have to just say that I agree with Diana and Tsunami .  I won't add anymore to what they said because there is no need.  I'm only sorry to see that it had to be said again

I felt, as relative newbie, my thoughts should be heard, as well. I am presently working on only my second victory, despite having many more heroes. I will complete this culture victory in the allotted time frame, not because 150 days was enough, but rather, I was exceedingly lucky! That being said, it will still take me better than 130 days to complete. I had to stop all research at beginning of industrial age to maintain 5 rainbows, and will probably require an alliance member to build me a town to convert due to absence of towns that fall within the 30 day rule.

I would have liked to progress further on the tech tree, and probably could have reached space age in time allotted but would have lost my 5 rainbows needed for victory.

I love this game, spend better than 6hrs per day playing! Being retired and disabled, I can say it has become my social life beyond my family and immediate friends. I would certainly hate to lose those friendships if they decided to leave the game. Please listen to all of the above threads. They come from the heart!

There is nothing to be afraid of if you are not breaking the rules:

http://www.totemtribe.com/game/rules/

I am brand new, just 31 days into my first hero. There's a lot to love about this game. Unfortunately, when you are highly invested in a huge project like this one, be it your time, money, or emotion, it's often hard to see clearly when criticisms truly are meant to be constructive. Some comments may not be phrased as well as they could have been. With no vocal or visual cues, reading the intention behind a comment is difficult, even between people who speak the same native language. Take the language barrier into account, and that makes misunderstandings and over-reactions all too easy. 
In the past month as a relative outsider, this is what I've seen: 
There is a group of passionate individuals who love this game. There are people with different ideas and opinions. Every one of them wants to see this game succeed. People who've been playing the longest have seen many changes, both good and bad, so some consideration for this is due. Bers, you have the control, but your players also are invested in making this game succeed. Without the players, there would be no game. The comments I've seen have been sometimes honest to the point of sounding harsh but coming from a desire to improve gameplay. With the level of investment in time and effort, it would be strange if people weren't passionate in voicing their opinions.
It makes me sad that, as outspoken as I am, I haven't commented where I normally would because I would not survive without the advice & support of my alliance. I need chat so I haven't wanted to risk a ban. Seeing others like Jade who feel the same way made me realize I should speak up about my feelings. In the short time I've been here, I've come to love the game & the people. I want to see this game succeed as much as anyone.

Bers, if I have to read a list of rules before I write my opinion, it has a bad effect on me. I don't feel free to say what I think. But here is my opinion (and I take the risk to be ban chat). I was mad for the new gypsy quest. The bug just changed everything for me. I would like to have some finish stories like the amulet that is suppose to go in NK. I'm often bored of waiting (build, train, etc), even I donate. I don't know what is the mission of this game now. It's not clear for me. It was a war game, but now... I don't know. I see very good and long time player go and it's a demotivation. I play since the very end of last alpha. It's also demotivating to be in appocalyps with the smoke and the bad music. I hate that. Not fun at all. I think to quit the game sometimes. I can tell you more, but it's enough for today.

What we are trying to say is that some players are getting frustrated because they feel their views/suggestions etc are being ignored and they may also take that personally don't you think? There is no constructive discussion about certain things, just bang, banned, that is it. It would certainly frustrate me (You stated that the 150 day rule will not change despite a lot of players giving a lot of feedback on it, and give no reason, this is a classic example)  Negativity met with negativity does not produce a positive outcome for anyone.

There is nothing to be afraid of if you are not breaking the rules:

http://www.totemtribe.com/game/rules/

I am brand new, just 31 days into my first hero. There's a lot to love about this game. Unfortunately, when you are highly invested in a huge project like this one, be it your time, money, or emotion, it's often hard to see clearly when criticisms truly are meant to be constructive. Some comments may not be phrased as well as they could have been. With no vocal or visual cues, reading the intention behind a comment is difficult, even between people who speak the same native language. Take the language barrier into account, and that makes misunderstandings and over-reactions all too easy. 
In the past month as a relative outsider, this is what I've seen: 
There is a group of passionate individuals who love this game. There are people with different ideas and opinions. Every one of them wants to see this game succeed. People who've been playing the longest have seen many changes, both good and bad, so some consideration for this is due. Bers, you have the control, but your players also are invested in making this game succeed. Without the players, there would be no game. The comments I've seen have been sometimes honest to the point of sounding harsh but coming from a desire to improve gameplay. With the level of investment in time and effort, it would be strange if people weren't passionate in voicing their opinions.
It makes me sad that, as outspoken as I am, I haven't commented where I normally would because I would not survive without the advice & support of my alliance. I need chat so I haven't wanted to risk a ban. Seeing others like Jade who feel the same way made me realize I should speak up about my feelings. In the short time I've been here, I've come to love the game & the people. I want to see this game succeed as much as anyone.

it is so well said :)

We always listen to what people say, but that does not mean we will do everything what they say. We take into account various opinions, but it's our game and implementation of our vision, not community sourced project.

For once I totally agree with you.   This is not a community based game.   I rarely comment, not because I am afraid to be chat banned but because others say what I am thinking so much better.  But I do read the comments and sadly agree with most of them. 

What we are trying to say is that some players are getting frustrated because they feel their views/suggestions etc are being ignored and they may also take that personally don't you think? There is no constructive discussion about certain things, just bang, banned, that is it. It would certainly frustrate me (You stated that the 150 day rule will not change despite a lot of players giving a lot of feedback on it, and give no reason, this is a classic example)  Negativity met with negativity does not produce a positive outcome for anyone.

We always listen to what people say, but that does not mean we will do everything what they say. We take into account various opinions, but it's our game and implementation of our vision, not community sourced project.

You are a business man, a company owner. It's up to you to listen to your clients or not. But your decisions have consequences. On you and your clients... and your incomes. Look at the opinion of having a deal on donation. I am canadian. So if I donate for 50$ I will pay 68$. A USA player will pay 50$ for 50 $. It would be nice to have the right price too. This is business!! But you said no to any deal. I cannot agrre with you.

There is nothing to be afraid of if you are not breaking the rules:

http://www.totemtribe.com/game/rules/

I have to say that, although English is not your first language, Rule #1 is expertly written.  The reason i say this, is that you state that players need to 'justify' any negative feedback by explaining why they don't agree with something and offer other solutions, if possible.  However, if you don't agree with the suggestions that are made, you tell them that they are not being 'constructive', or they are just whining and you delete the post.  It's like a fall back for you to be able to randomly delete posts that you don't like, citing that it's not 'constructive', therefore, giving the impression that the only posts that matter are the ones saying how great everything is.  I have said this before (but it was deleted), that if you are asking for feedback, you should be open to hearing both the positive and negative.  And that the negative should be welcomed even more so that you can make changes, if necessary.

Being someone that has been chat banned repeatedly, who has had a number of posts deleted, and who has offered suggestions that are either simply ignored or rejected with no reason why,  i've pretty much given up providing feedback when asked for it.  My opinions clearly do not matter, so why bother wasting my time giving them?  I realize that this post will likely be deleted as well.  The problem is, that other players read and watch the dev reactions, and can clearly see the squeaky wheels get treated this way, so it makes them fearful of voicing their own opinions unless it's 'positive'.