updated link to article:
http://www.intuitiongames.com/2009/03/my-dinowaurs-review/
Many good points.
Look around Kongregate what kinds of game are here. This proves your point about Kongregate users not being prepared at all for a competitive multiplayer game. They just can´t comprehand, that spending few hours on a game doesn´t immediately make them win.
You are right about unranked. I don´t get it, people complain about ranked all the time, but ranked IS THE HARDCORE EXPERIENCE, thats the serious stuff. What are people even doing in ranked, if they don´t feel like being prepared to compete and lose?
They are just stupid badge addicts, these people flame every game, don´t take them seriously. Greg should make a “throw your PC off the window badge” for these poor excuses of a gamer.
You mantioned leaderboards. but this game has no proper leaderboards. No real community. I made a whole thread about it. You must fix this, to keep the players who actually like the game. Stop caring for chronic noobs and badge addicts and people who hate competitive games. these will never be happy no matter what you do. But you at least need to fix the game for those who actually like it, or might like it – the more competitive casual gamers. At least start with proper leaderboard, and fixing the quiters.
I made a whole post on the intuitions website, how the bad DNA/win distribution encourages newbies bashing. Having same DNA for killing a complete 0/0 newbie as for killing 550/120 monster accomplishes the fact that the badge hunters, DNA hunters, and unfortuinately even some of the rating hunters automatically fortfeit matches against good opponents, and bash newbies 24/7.
You made a good game, but any multiplayer game needs constant work and updates that should be consulted with the players. I read about your plan the nerf villages. You should ask the top players about such changes (along with taking note of what most other players say in comments) For example the villages: nerfing them is a wrong move, because I can already own all of the villages just with SAM. I can show you this in the game. My point is, you must listen to what players say.
I understand if you don´t want to spend anymore time on Dinowaurs, maybe you though you can just release it, and it will work.
