http://www.destructoid.com/videogame-fans-need-to-shut-up-about-everything-164476.phtml
http://igxpro.net/2012/03/21/editorial-yes-mass-effects-ending-was-terrible-but-the-really%20devoted%20fan-reaction-is-even-worse/1715249
http://www.destructoid.com/bethesda-ignored-fallout-nutjobs-when-making-fallout-3-102259.phtml
http://kotaku.com/5926626/monkey-island-creator-explains-why-ignoring-fan-expectations-can-make-a-better-game
http://www.vognetwork.com/editorials/4/The-Customer-is-not-always-right-When-video-game-developers-should-ignore-the-demands-of-fans/comments/
http://www.edge-online.com/opinion/videogame-designers-should-ignore-fan-protests


So after reading those article's, IDK how to feel. Should Fans(or fan boyz) be ignored? In one side, I kinda think they should, not fans, but fan boyz. They usually are a vocal minority who seem to think their opinions are the opinions of everyone's. They cover complaining with the word criticism.
How ever, I feel they shouldn't be totally ignored, some are actual criticisms(actual criticisms, not complaining or nitpicking).
So whats everyone else's opinions about this.

No. Fans are customers. Paying customers. You'd be foolish to ignore them. These articles are written by nimrods. Also, these hot topic are written for the sake of site hits. So quit linking them, and link articles with some integrity.

Yeah, that, pretty much. A minority do go too far, as is always the case, but it's become very fashionable lately to use it as an excuse to dismiss legitimate feedback as "entitled and whiny", which strikes me as being a rather unhelpful approach. And ultimately unhelpful for the people who expect to make a profit.

Everyone who wants to post, just copy and paste this. It is all the must be said.

Yes and no. Most of what gets thrown around the internet can be safely ignored, I think, but developers need to be able to tell when people are coming forward with a genuine complaint about something that frustrates them.

Fans and "fanboyz" are two seperate things to me.

Fans have money, so developers ignore their fans to their potential peril. That said, fans need to be prepared to vote with their wallet. Posting on the internet won't change anything if you keep feeding the beast.

Yes, some fans are overly nitpicky about minor details. Other fans are completely non-discriminating, and will automatically give a 10/10 rating to whatever the latest offering in their favored franchise might happen to be. Most of the arguments about pop culture on the internet seem to be between these two groups of fans... the ones who can see no virtue, and the ones who can see no vice. Underneath that din, there is a legitimate critique to be made of any piece of art (and yes, I count many video games as art).

Yep.

I think listening to your fans too closely is just as bad as ignoring them entirely.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/jimquisition/6187-Why-Boycotts-Fail-Where-Whining-Tantrums-Win has a good opinion on the matter.

Given the frothing insanity that comprises the most vocal parts of most internet game forums? (my main examples being Skyrim General, the Fallout 3 forums, WoW General, and the ridiculousness of the "hold the line"/ME3 ending protests )


Yeah, smart developers will learn to ignore a good chunk of the lunacy coming from the "fans".

A legitimate fans complaint? No. I believe if you properly take the time to wade through this forum, you will see that it's quite easy to seperate what's worth noting over what's inane yawp. But shutting out your fans and highly publicising a game we know next to know about makes me assume they know it's mediocre and hope to spoon feed crap to the willing masses who'll buy it, then trudge out the DLC. Quality is mismatch in the video game community.

Hmm... He does make a good point. It worked with ME3.

Assuming we're talking about fans that are paying customers and not just "fans" in general, then I say that the individual fan should be ignored, but the fanbase at large should be acknowledged.

Concisely put, and I'd agree.

I was actually a part of that back when ME3 came out. But looking back, it was crazy. Sending Bioware Cupcakes, Cosplay Protests at Bioware HQ, going from Worshipping Casey Hudson to hating him over night, Hating Traynor and Cortez because they were new and in ME3 made people Homophobic, The 3 stages of BSN(1. I love ME3. 2. I love ME3 except for the ending. 3. I hate everything about ME3) Getting lawyers to sue Bioware, Death Threats, making RE ME a game (I remember Florida Irregulars of the American Fleet). And we got Extended Cut, I liked it, But most of them hated EC and despise ME and Bioware now.
The thing is, there is always going to be the elitists you can never please, those are the ones tat should be ignored. People with criticisms should be listened to and taken seriesly.

The elitists are The Thalmor of a gaming community. They take the fan boy level to the extreme in their arrogance, and in turn, they expect if not demand the 'plebs' respect, but all they do is rouse ire. Because no one likes the Thalmor, unless you are one.

That is sig worthy, good sir.

People who think absolutely everything is wrong with a game and people who think absolutely nothing is wrong with a game. Lot of those types here on these very forums. Constructive criticism is kind of necessary for improvement and people who complain about all the complaining aren't doing any better.

Individually, fans are whiny and they should be ignored, but from the consensus it's usually rather easy to glean broad, common sentiments from whole consumer bases, and a lot of game companies do that well enough already.

Hell yeah, not to sound like a veteran or anything. I was there at the front lines of retake, we absolutely kicked their ass. We didn't get the giant victory many expected, but I knew better. The point was to show them the fan base was to be reckoned with, not just abused and ignored. So yes, if it's a legitimate cause being a whiny ass can get you a long way. It's when they get dumb about it that I get irritated.

Edit
There have been studies published showing that the people who play fair, no matter how amazingly fair and dignified are just not interesting. The people who play dirty, and act like idiots will win. When it comes to the debate for a lot of people its the victory that matters, not the topic. So on some level, if you want to win you can stoop to their level. I just pray to god you have some good points and don't get swept away in the retardation.

I can say many of my debates would go on for hours if I didn't resort to being an asshat (online ones at least). I bring the evidence and facts, let the crowd decide the bloody victor. Just give them a good show. That way your bringing all of the good evidence + underhanded tactics to subvert your enemy and get the crowd on your side. Screw with their minds if you can as well. It's almost like some sort of art of war mentality.

Edit2
Now if it's a genuine debate, with a skilled and intelligent opponent. I will be far more patient.

Edit3
TLDR: Approach debating like you would a Gladiatorial arena. Come to win, train, fight smart, and give them a damn good show. Know when it's over, not every fight ends in death.

This sums up how I feel about fans in general, people who complain about complainers are just as bad as those who complain about everything. If you find yourself writing exclusively about what you don't like about a game then there's little point to writing it.

OT: Fans should never be ignored. The games these companies make are intended for us, for those same companies to ignore us would show a very poor business strategy.

I could not agree more.
Gamemakers are not Piccasso's or Pollock's.


Also, I get a little annoyed by the term 'elitist'.
What does that even mean?
Does it mean people who like to game and who want to be stimulated and engaged by a game?
Does it mean people who will not blindly accept fridge logic, broken plots or silly macguffins?
Well then, everyone should be an elitist.

The implication of using 'elitist' as a put-down is that everyone should strive for and be happy to be mediocre.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with trying to be good at whatever it is that tickles your fancy and in fact I would say that its these people with their irrational hatred of anything that deviates from the average that should be shunned.

I agree with the bit about boycotts having the potential of sending the wrong message, but I really don't think the only other option is whining.


This.