I'd thought about dropping this in a private note a few weeks ago, but with a thread like this there's no reason to do so...
I will admit I'm impressed. I'm a triple-A fanboy, usually. If it ain't perfect; go rot. Two Worlds would be a perfect example of 'What the hell is wrong with you?!' types of interfaces that I'd like to shoot in public. To add to that, I expect that I'm merely a forgotten voice in a crowd of people with a billion ideas that are dead before I even thought of them... they were already discussed in the alpha and disregarded (thanks Square...).
Arcen has done more than make me give a flying crap about 'Indie Software' since the Big Blue disks of the 8088s and how impressed I was with Wildcatter (amazing for the time). I was 12 then.
Because of Arcen I've looked at other Indie developers and re-evaluated what they contribute. Because of Arcen I've re-evaluated how I deal with certain things in my own profession, and improved them. Because of Arcen I feel something I haven't felt in over 10 years (since I was involved in the Mount & Blade alphas)... that the player matters.
Chris, Keith, Josh, and the rest of the Arcen staff who don't typically post here and thus I don't know your names... thank you. It's just a game... in theory. However, the worlds you've built (or QA'd, or balanced, or ... ) are places we go to escape our lives in and spend those moments we have free to go smile for a while. Sure, I've cursed at Clockwork mobs and Raid Engines, but we keep coming back because you've given us a toy that we can't put down.
On top of that gift for a mere few movies worth of price, you've given us something else. A place we can dream in and affect. A company that does what all of us wanted, a model we could point to when someone else is 'Doin' it wrong'.
I'm not all that into AVWW, it's not my thing. However, I've watched you guys bounce back and forth on input, mechanisms, and methodology (and in some ways you've simply returned to what you've stated was the original vision) based on player input until you can find just that 'perfect' balance. You're transparent in your attempts, you're responsive in your decisions, and you're honest about your mistakes/choices. These are the things, for good or ill, that is making your fanbase rabid in support.
Is that fanboyish? Oh HELLS YES. I'm a fanboy. Your products are sound, and they sell the toy (it's a toy... and well, I buy toys) that you describe... but that's not why I'm a fanboy. I could find equivalent challenges elsewhere. I'm a fanboy because of your vision and your interaction. You take heaps of abuse on occasion, and instead of coming out with a defensive mindset you bring new ideas to the table, no matter if it's an old hand or a first time poster who bring it to you.
You are the model the AAA developers need to adopt. Not because I say so, but because they need to see the value this vision brings to their products. You remember you're human and can make a mistake at the core of an idea. You also know your players can make a mistake in interpreting the intent of said idea... And then you talk to them. In the end, both are better for it.
Eventually, I'm going to round the lot of you up in a good Irish Bar somewhere and there will be cab waiting for y'all to take you to your hotels at the end of the night pre-paid. The free beers are a given. Until then, this will have to do.
