 Manifesto7 Osaka. August 02 2007 23:18. Posts 24934 | Profile Blog # |
Blizzard Community Summit 2007
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Manifesto7/blizzcon_banner.JPG)
There is a wind of change blowing through the gaming industry, and it has to do with the way companies interact with their fans. In the past, the traditional approach to video game promotion was though print media. Developers invited the big magazines to come and test games, get screenshots, and ask exclusive Q&A's. With the advent of the internet, this model of marketing is now being phased out. Game magazines are dying as people turn to the net to get their information quickly, and free of charge.
Video game companies have been slow to react to this change, but with the success of Blizzard's community projects in World of Warcraft, they are learning. In recent months Blizzard has created a new department specifically designed for community building. This division is headed up by two people: Karune, who has been responsible for giving us information through the Q&A posts, and Stephanie, who performs her job in Blizzard's European office.
On Thursday, Blizzard gathered 13 people from 12 different StarCraft and WarCraft community sites together for a meeting. Many sites familiar to you were present including myself and Meat from TL, as well as people from GG.net, sclegacy.com, MYM, and broodwar.de. The purpose of this meeting was to bring together the leaders of this community and discuss ways in which we can better interact with each other and Blizzard. This was a valuable opportunity for us as community leaders to meet face to face with one another, and bind us together for a common future.
It is no secret that when StarCraft 2 arrrives, there will be a torrent of new players and activity. It is impossible for us to overstate how large the the effect will be. Blizzard is now taking steps to ensure that when they launch their game, there will be a community ready to welcome these new gamers. The Community Summit put existing sites into a position to make the transition to StarCraft 2. In this transition, Blizzard will be our partner as they help foster a strong community that will support their game for another ten years.
What does this mean for you, our visitor? This means that not only will Blizzard be paying attention to site leaders, but they will be paying attention to site visitors. It means that the opinions you express on this website will be tabulated, summarized, and sent on to Blizzard. Already you have experienced your influence on the development team through the redesign of the seige tank and the removal of protoss units. This influence will only get stronger as TeamLiquid and other sites have a direct pipeline to Blizzard and their developers. With this new Community Division listening to us, you yourself can help craft the very game you are about to play. The leader designer and balancer of StarCraft 2 both read our site. Think about that when you post.
In terms of community leaders, our discussion generated many good ideas on how to better coordinate the goals of Blizzard with the goals of these many community sites. Blizzard has many plans in place on how to better integrate the sites into their overall SC2 plan. One I am at liberty to talk about include a revamp of the Blizzard fansite program. Under the new guidlines, active sites would be granted priviliges and perks normaly only given to pring magazines and the large online news sites. Sites which work hard at community building will be given support on their projects and official exposure by Blizzard. The stronger the site, the stronger the support.
The future of StarCraft is approaching at an amazing pace. With your continued efforts, you can help ensure TeamLiquid will be on top of the scene with the best StarCraft forums on the net.
Blizzard is listening. What do you have to say?
I'd like to take this space to thank Kevin (Karune) and Stephanie for being such gracious hosts today, as well as the entire Blizzard staff for allowing us to tromp through their headquarters. In addition I would like to thank the other members of the community whom Joy and I met; it was a pleasure to foster stronger ties between all of us.Last edit: 2007-08-02 23:19:49 |
| | @Manifesto7 - Who says terran is underpowered! I'm #1 Gold |
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| CustomXSpunjah United States. August 02 2007 23:27. Posts 1093 | Profile Blog # |
| that is awesome, the reason why starcraft is still such a great game in this day and age many years after it was created is the love and attention that blizzard spends on creating these games. they know that its not just about pretty effects and big machines, its about all aspects of the strategy. Last edit: 2007-08-03 20:14:59 |
| | beware, the rise of the Protoss is upon us! |
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 Bill307  Canada. August 02 2007 23:30. Posts 9103 | Profile Blog # |
Looks like things are headed in a good direction  . Being in touch with each other can only benefit both Blizzard and us. |
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 Klogon MURICA. August 02 2007 23:31. Posts 15805 | Profile Blog # |
| Gosh, this looks like so much fun. Wish I could have gone. |
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| MuShu United States. August 02 2007 23:37. Posts 3221 | Profile # |
Woohoo, that's great news!
BlizzCon's gonna be a blast too probably. |
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| HaXxorIzed Australia. August 02 2007 23:55. Posts 4695 | Profile Blog # |
| Blizzard's making one hell of a statement here. |
| | http://steamcommunity.com/id/HaXxorIzed |
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| SoMuchBetter Australia. August 02 2007 23:55. Posts 10604 | Profile Blog # | |
| AUSSIESCUM
TeamLiquid eSTROgeneral #1 • RIP | |
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 micronesia United States. August 03 2007 00:00. Posts 19292 | Profile Blog # |
| One thing I like about blizzard is how they don't always focus 100% on money. It's true that they want their game to be successful, but they also actually try to make their fans like them. That's why patches have come out for bw for so many years, and why they are even looking to the community of gamers for ingenuity and advice. I hope they continue to be miles ahead of other video game companies in this regard. |
| | Thanks Epoxide for all your help. Without you I never would have figured out how to install that boost gauge into my car. | |
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 IntoTheWow is awesome. August 03 2007 00:09. Posts 31040 | Profile Blog # | |
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| vhallee August 03 2007 00:14. Posts 898 | Profile Blog # |
| the fact that they responded to fan request (like the tank being redesigned) gave me confidence that blizzard is really listening. that is a pretty rare and great attitude we get to see from other developers. GG Blizzard! |
| | Marijuana causes amnesia and other things I don't remember. |
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| Storchen Sweden. August 03 2007 00:18. Posts 4352 | Profile # |
| a supermeeting in the world of starcraft then Very good initiative from Blizzard. |
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| terranmetal Canada. August 03 2007 00:37. Posts 153 | Profile # |
"you yourself can help craft the very game you are about to play."
ohhhhh EYE get it! |
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| evanthebouncy! United States. August 03 2007 00:41. Posts 10736 | Profile Blog # |
WE ARE FAMOUS!
Way to go blizzard! Our SC2 forum is not a complete waste of time then eh? Good news good news... |
| | Life is run, it is dance, it is fast, passionate and BAM!, you dance and sing and booze while you can for now is the time and time is mine. Smile and laugh when still can for now is the time and soon you die! |
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| a-game Canada. August 03 2007 00:42. Posts 4641 | Profile Blog # |
hmm i would say tl.net is the most "refined" source for fan feedback on things starcraft related, and even here there are 20 horrible ideas for every 1 good idea.
hopefully there is a plan to "listen" to the community without getting sidetracked by the noise, a process for weeding out the good suggestions from the bad.
however it's done, if knowledgeable, balanced people like FA are getting a chance to authoritatively whisper in blizzards ear, that would be a very crucial success.
edit/typoLast edit: 2007-08-03 00:46:46 |
| | you wouldnt feel that way if it was your magical sword of mantouchery that got stolen - racebannon | I am merely guest #13,678! |
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| StripedBlueCrow United States. August 03 2007 00:48. Posts 506 | Profile Blog # | |
| | Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth. |
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| StripedBlueCrow United States. August 03 2007 00:50. Posts 506 | Profile Blog # | |
| | Ransom notes keep falling out your mouth. |
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 NeoIllusions United States. August 03 2007 00:53. Posts 17815 | Profile Blog # |
Mani, you are fucking awesome, sir.
Please kill HB, he's building another proxy fact, lawlz |
| | For the Glory that is TeamLiquid (-9 | 155) | Twitter: @NeoIllusions | Jinteki |
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| Metaspace Austria. August 03 2007 01:20. Posts 665 | Profile # |
Although Blizzard games are in general among the most thought-through, stable, and best maintained, I cheerish this development, where direct feedback from gamers is bound to improve games even further.
Great development. Of course also in terms of marketing, risk managment, and generally making even more money a smart move :-)
For a full complement of buzz word's I'd even go so far to call it a win-win-situation :-)) |
| | Wir haben zuwenig Vespingas! |
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| Ilvy Germany. August 03 2007 01:34. Posts 2435 | Profile # |
| Thx for report Mani, wished i could have been there too |
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