I have read on these forums in many threads that the percentage of the games population that visit and actually post is actually too small to warrant the level of interaction that those that post demand. The argument being that recourses are better spent elsewhere, where a greater percentage of the SWTOR subscriber base can benefit. This is not a view that is deemed unique, using Blizzard as an example, ex employees have stated this is the actual stance taken with regards to their forums.
I have to say I totally disagree with this opinion and would go as far as to say that BW along with many companies that release MMOs underestimate the impact the forum community have on their games.
I've played MMOs for about 6 years now, and from reading each games forums over the years, a trend I have noticed is that the representation here, of the more proactive players in-game, is much, much higher than how many pro active players actually exist in any one games subscriber base.
By proactive, I am referring to the players such as the following:
- Guild gms
- Guild officers
- Regular PUG organisers
- Chat channel 'characters'
- Top end players
Now these proactive players, are so important to an MMO it is unbelievable. They are the people that put in the time and hard work that actually allows for guilds, raids and events to actually take place. Without them, no matter how much you throw into the next content patch, your whole player base will not get as much enjoyment from the game as they would with them.
Further more, even though the forum community is so small, they are indeed the people that communicate to the subscriber base the thoughts and opinions which become wide spread rumours and ill feeling im sure we all know exists in game... and im not just referring to SWTOR here.
The point is, the forum community influences the majority, if not all of the subscriber base to a varying degree. So by actually investing resources into communicating with the forum users, rather than maintaining a level of communication which can only be described as minimal, BW you have the ability to voice your thoughts/feelings to the masses. Through relative silence, the only message being spread is one of uncertainty and discontent. Heck, by actually working closer with the forum users you would probably make the game itself better.
For the record, I'm not naive enough to think these forums are made of gold... yes you have a lot of trolls, but in all fairness, it doesn't take long to filter them out as you read. I just feel if I had the ability to communicate my product's direction and development to my customer base, by at the very simplest of levels, asking members from each of my departments to spend a little time interacting with those wanting to talk to me, I know what I would do.
