Tezlia said:Personally I loved the design they went for, an old school feel in a newer design. But it does seem to turn off people or give an offsetting impression for some reason.
It isn't the design that turn people off, its the complete lack of current information that turns people off. Screenshots that consist of a whole 16 images from 6 years of development, A FAQ that is god-only-know how far out of date, concept art from 2013, a video page that was last updated in 2017, dev diary page last updated 2016...just to name a few issues. And VR is hopeful on getting more pledges with such an abysmally amatuerish and laughibly outdate web site? Good effing luck with that.
Oh, and this isn't something that VR doesn't already know. We've only been telling them their website needs updated for 3 effing years.
Agreed. As a fairly new pledger (Dec 2019) I can say that 95% of the up-to-date info I've gotten is from the forum, not from the website. The website is actually a little misleading. A person shouldn't have to spend hours on end reading through forum posts to get accurate information about a game that's being developed.
Everything on the site, including the FAQ, is 3+ years old now. The forum upgrade plans themselves are ~5 years old. It's embarassing.
I've long since stopped referring people to the site. Where's the value proposition in that? So they can get outdated information? Sure. Great idea. :)
vjek said:Everything on the site, including the FAQ, is 3+ years old now. The forum upgrade plans themselves are ~5 years old. It's embarassing.
I've long since stopped referring people to the site. Where's the value proposition in that? So they can get outdated information? Sure. Great idea. :)
"Everything on the site is 3+ years old"?
Except the News, funnily enough. Regular additions, updates and links to recent streams, etc.
And the Media In Game images.
The concept art is old! But, erm, the concept is the same as it was... more recent art is in... the News section.
Video links could do with being updated (although links to everything are in the News...)
Audio has some bad links yeah.
Races are 'old'? Oh noze the Skar and Myr art doesn't exactly reflect the latest graphical models! But is extremely similar... The rest is good.
Classes were updated last year with a load of detail including ideas of what their abilities will be like.
The tenets still stand. It's kinda good they haven't changed, no?
The FAQ hasn't changed since 2017. What is wrong in there though? Not much. Also, as is stated there "we also reserve the right to change or modify these answers as we get closer to beta and release". Are we near beta or release?
VR are current on Twitter and Facebook and post on the forum. Maybe they should divert development energy to update the website though? Maybe they will when it's more important, relatively.
Yes, the website needs attention, but even if it were all 3 years old (which it isn't) I pledged on the strength of it and the links it had 4 years ago and there is *much* more in there than there was back then.
So, yeah, I direct people to the website. I tell them some of it hasn't been updated for a while, but to read all the News and follow the links to streams, etc. People I send that way are nothing but enthusiastic. Maybe it's just that I'm not feeling pessimistic and jaded about the whole thing...
well this webpage is a trainwreck beyond belif vandraad nailed it corect like a sniperbullet with 200% accuracy
This should be the main page for information not disinformation and please if you are going to market or attleast promote your product use a good and understandable webpage.
First objectiv clear upp everything make it easy and reliable make it easy to find things the only thing that is working is the community.
second this is in your interest to get people interested with a crap page you get less people better page you get more people the equation is rather simple.
yeah i understand people defends vr but facts are facts some potential future gamers just takes a peek and just says nope.....that i understand
Like when was it they changed the logo for pantheon 6 month ago and you cant find it here ??? i mean the LOGO for the game ???
yes it might cost money and manpower to fix this page but you might even get more money after it is finished !!!
beside why not ask if someone is interested in the community to help you in making the webpage many talent people with great ideas around the corner.
Make the webpage a better place for everyone Aqua
While I agree, the website should be updated. I just don't think they have it set as a high priority right now. My guess it that they are waiting till Pantheon is in Alpha maybe beta to get the website updated. They don't seem ready to hype or push this game yet.
There is probably very little if any direct gain or reward for them to update at this time...The juice just isnt worth the squeeze right now (again my assumption).
The lack of information on the website, to me indicates just how long we have to go before launch. There’s Races, Classes and Lore, nothing about Harvesting, Crafting, Progeny system or anything else related to the game, not much in discussions either.
Were now 5 months into 2020, no sign of entering PA5 never mind Alpha and beta. 2022 is 17 months away, sounds like a long time but back in 2016 we (or at least I) learned about the climbing system https://youtu.be/slWD1F7_WUM?t=9713 and were now learning that spiders cant also climb 3 and a half years later.
Launch is probably a lot further down the road than 202X
HemlockReaper said:The lack of information on the website, to me indicates just how long we have to go before launch. There’s Races, Classes and Lore, nothing about Harvesting, Crafting, Progeny system or anything else related to the game, not much in discussions either.
Were now 5 months into 2020, no sign of entering PA5 never mind Alpha and beta. 2022 is 17 months away, sounds like a long time but back in 2016 we (or at least I) learned about the climbing system https://youtu.be/slWD1F7_WUM?t=9713 and were now learning that spiders cant also climb 3 and a half years later.
Launch is probably a lot further down the road than 202X
We are also now learning that they have developed tooling that allows designers to make and test tailored encounters without any interaction from coders which speeds development up considerably and we have heard about similar advanced tooling in other areas.
As always, some people are depressed and negative, some are optimistic and positive, even both seeing the very same information. Some are just patiently waiting. How you feel is up to you.
"nothing about Harvesting, Crafting, Progeny system"?
"We've got tons of stuff this month from new Twitch streams to Crafting and Harvesting info" April's 2017 Newsletter
"find rare items out in the world, by adventuring or by crafting" Pantheon Difference section
"Carry on your legacy with progeny—retire a character and have his or her child resume the adventure" Game Features section
"Players will be able to 'retire' high level characters and then create their children as new characters, but these new characters, the 'progeny', will have certain abilities, stats, etc. that make them slightly yet noticeably better than a completely brand new character (but not to the point that it unbalances things)" Pantheon Difference section
That's just from 2 minutes looking in the main sections. If you actually read the newsletters linked or watch the videos there will no doubt be more.
"or anything else related to the game"
What? You're suggesting there isn't "anything else related to the game" on the website? Huh? Front page, at the top, click the banner arrows (incidentally more about progeny), click "Learn More" and you get to a page with a ton of info in "What is Pantheon?", "The Pantheon Difference", "Game Features", "Game Tenets", etc. Some essential reading if you want to know the VR vision for Pantheon.
"not much in discussions either"
There is a ton in the discussion forums, but, yeah, mostly us public folk. The devs don't often respond, but it does happen. How often is normal? I think they are busy...
Look, I don't want to attack anyone who feels the website isn't good (or anyone else) - I agree it needs attention - but to suggest there is nothing much there is just... odd. Actually reading the website and following some links rather than just scanning the main page gives you a ton of info.
Yes, it needs an update and could use some of the more pertinent information being presented in a more immediately digestable format to hook those with short attention spans, but the website was even more basic years ago when I happily pledged. Those wanting to support a game development might want to look a little closer than skimming a few web pages anyway, no? The very first, very oldest play session video had me hooked straight away.
And I don't want to attack people frustrated with the project progress either, but I'd suggest that if you look with a positive attitude there is plenty to be happy with and plenty of reason to be confident and reassured. If you look with a negative attitude you will only see things to depress you.
"no sign of entering PA5"
I know it's frustrating when they use phrases like "very soon" and "we are very close", especially when they've been using them for quite a while, but that hardly means "no sign of entering". Like I say, you choose how you feel and your attitude effects what you see (or *how* you see what you see) fundamentally.
disposalist said:HemlockReaper said:The lack of information on the website, to me indicates just how long we have to go before launch. There’s Races, Classes and Lore, nothing about Harvesting, Crafting, Progeny system or anything else related to the game, not much in discussions either.
Were now 5 months into 2020, no sign of entering PA5 never mind Alpha and beta. 2022 is 17 months away, sounds like a long time but back in 2016 we (or at least I) learned about the climbing system https://youtu.be/slWD1F7_WUM?t=9713 and were now learning that spiders cant also climb 3 and a half years later.
Launch is probably a lot further down the road than 202X
We are also now learning that they have developed tooling that allows designers to make and test tailored encounters without any interaction from coders which speeds development up considerably and we have heard about similar advanced tooling in other areas.
As always, some people are depressed and negative, some are optimistic and positive, even both seeing the very same information. Some are just patiently waiting. How you feel is up to you.
"nothing about Harvesting, Crafting, Progeny system"?
"We've got tons of stuff this month from new Twitch streams to Crafting and Harvesting info" April's 2017 Newsletter
"find rare items out in the world, by adventuring or by crafting" Pantheon Difference section
"Carry on your legacy with progeny—retire a character and have his or her child resume the adventure" Game Features section
"Players will be able to 'retire' high level characters and then create their children as new characters, but these new characters, the 'progeny', will have certain abilities, stats, etc. that make them slightly yet noticeably better than a completely brand new character (but not to the point that it unbalances things)" Pantheon Difference sectionThat's just from 2 minutes looking in the main sections. If you actually read the newsletters linked or watch the videos there will no doubt be more.
"or anything else related to the game"
What? You're suggesting there isn't "anything else related to the game" on the website? Huh? Front page, at the top, click the banner arrows (incidentally more about progeny), click "Learn More" and you get to a page with a ton of info in "What is Pantheon?", "The Pantheon Difference", "Game Features", "Game Tenets", etc. Some essential reading if you want to know the VR vision for Pantheon."not much in discussions either"
There is a ton in the discussion forums, but, yeah, mostly us public folk. The devs don't often respond, but it does happen. How often is normal? I think they are busy...Look, I don't want to attack anyone who feels the website isn't good (or anyone else) - I agree it needs attention - but to suggest there is nothing much there is just... odd. Actually reading the website and following some links rather than just scanning the main page gives you a ton of info.
Yes, it needs an update and could use some of the more pertinent information being presented in a more immediately digestable format to hook those with short attention spans, but the website was even more basic years ago when I happily pledged. Those wanting to support a game development might want to look a little closer than skimming a few web pages anyway, no? The very first, very oldest play session video had me hooked straight away.
And I don't want to attack people frustrated with the project progress either, but I'd suggest that if you look with a positive attitude there is plenty to be happy with and plenty of reason to be confident and reassured. If you look with a negative attitude you will only see things to depress you.
"no sign of entering PA5"
I know it's frustrating when they use phrases like "very soon" and "we are very close", especially when they've been using them for quite a while, but that hardly means "no sign of entering". Like I say, you choose how you feel and your attitude effects what you see (or *how* you see what you see) fundamentally.
The teaser information you posted is even labeled as April 2017. It’s old and not even close to detailed. Theres nothing depressed or negative here, it’s realistic. There are no FLESHED OUT sections concerning the topics I mentioned, only Race.Classes and Lore, nor are there open discussions between the Community and the DEVS regarding crafting, progeny ect, The many topics slated for discussion at a later date, presumably before launch.
There is a load of detailed info to be gained from watching streams and listening to roundtables, all linked from the website.
Much more than race, class and lore has been openly discussed in them via dev Q&A, sometimes live during streams.
A lot of information is old, because it hasn't changed, like the tenets and whatnot. Statements about The Vision are almost all still valid, so why update it?
Yes, some of the information given in streams would be good to be clearly 'displayed' on the website, but an awful lot of it is subject to change since we are still in pre-alpha. A lot has had much work done to it, but is not 'finalised' until testing is complete, so they don't *want* to put detailed information public when it might well change.
*shrug* like I say, it's how you look at it and that's up to you.
disposalist said:There is a load of detailed info to be gained from watching streams and listening to roundtables, all linked from the website.
Much more than race, class and lore has been openly discussed in them via dev Q&A, sometimes live during streams.
A lot of information is old, because it hasn't changed, like the tenets and whatnot. Statements about The Vision are almost all still valid, so why update it?
Yes, some of the information given in streams would be good to be clearly 'displayed' on the website, but an awful lot of it is subject to change since we are still in pre-alpha. A lot has had much work done to it, but is not 'finalised' until testing is complete, so they don't *want* to put detailed information public when it might well change.
*shrug* like I say, it's how you look at it and that's up to you.
That was exactly the point I was making. “The lack of information on the website, to me indicates just how long we have to go before launch”.
When nearly everything about the game is “subject to change” and other areas (Crafting/Progeny for example) are mostly unknowns with no open discussions, the game is clearly years away from Launch. The website shows this by being void of those details, unless launch will be bare bones with crafting,progeny and many other systems being added post launch.
The website is a reflection of the game, Not round tables,twitch streams, or social media sites. Those are all tools to get people to the website, where the meat of the informations should be ready for consumption.
They have said multiple times that new website and forums are in the works.
I suspect that they will unveil the new website when PA5 goes live. I think PA5 is going to be a new major push by them for crowd funding due to the game being available to demo in a pretty near-finished state for the Faerthale related zones.
bigdogchris said:They have said multiple times that new website and forums are in the works.
I suspect that they will unviel the new website when PA5 goes live. I think PA5 is going to be a new major push by them for crowd funding due to the game being available to demo in a pretty near-finished state for the Faerthale related zones.
Unless there has been some new development on this front, the new website and forums project was put on ice for the time being after the mysterious disappearance of Mary the Webdev last year.
disposalist said:There is a load of detailed info to be gained from watching streams and listening to roundtables, all linked from the website.
Much more than race, class and lore has been openly discussed in them via dev Q&A, sometimes live during streams.
Potential new players dropping on the web site to see if the game looks like something they'd be interested in are not, on average, going to go watch hours and hours of streams to try to understand the game. All of that information needs to be collated, categorized and posted to the main web site for easy digestion if you want to interest new players.
But, as others have said, I don't think VR is quite ready for that. Pulling people in too early and then making them wait forever will turn a lot of those people away. Take us, for example. Look at how jaded many people are becoming after waiting years for something we were all so excited for at the beginning. I used to watch these forums constantly but now only drop in now and then to see if there is any news. I find many of these threads have turned rather sour compared to a year ago or more. Drawing more people into this quagmire right now is not the best strategy.
I'm sure that as soon as the ball starts rolling again we'll see a shiny new web site, new forums and a higher level of communication and information coming from VR. It's just the waiting that sucks.
Good points. Sometimes I feel like I somehow cheated because I didn't even discover this game until 6 months ago. When all is said and done I'll have waited 6 years less than some people.
(I went through a 10 year period where I lost interest in video games because the challenge was gone, that's why I'm excited about this one).
There are many things that I applaud the team for, the website upkeep isn't one of them. For me, it is less that the webpage design needs updating - it is what it is, but with a crowdfunded MMO especially, free marketing should always be at the forefront. And, disposalist, you're not wrong, if you want to find the information - it's there, and while I'm all for a challenge - finding new information about the game shouldn't be part of that challenge.
If you have new screenshots, videos, teasers, information, etc. it should be blasting in the viewers face - not having them scrape and claw through pages and multiple links and various other outlets outside the Official Forums to find it. You should get people excited, hooked and not wanting to leave - giving people reasons to open their pocketbooks versus giving reasons to shrug and leave.
And I'm sure many here would be more than willing to volunteer their time to add updated links, correct grammatical errors, post screenshots, etc. etc. (I get it, copyright, NDA, etc., but just offering a suggestion).
But, at this point, I'm guessing a new rollout of a website at best will come when larger testing phases occur - alpha/beta etc. and the forums will then be used mainly to gather feedback versus have general discussions.