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Open letter to wgt.

rated by 0 users
Wed, May 4 2016 3:35 PM (3 replies)
  • G0LD
    358 Posts
    Wed, May 4 2016 1:39 PM

    Years ago, when I complained about the baby blue borders flanking the courses, you obliged me by changing them to black to match the frame of most computer monitors. A true full screen would have been much preferable, but it was a start. Since then, however, I cannot think of a single suggestion, no matter how legitimate it was, that did not fall into deaf ears, much to my regret.

    Now, please consider the following: I have regularly been playing your golf game on my iPad and occasionally on my iPhone, and it occurred to me that in both cases, despite different screen form factors and resolutions, the game during play fills the screen. So here is my question to the developers: if the game is adaptable to different screens on the mobile side of things, why is it that to this day, while playing the game on the computer, we still have to contend with those darn black margins flanking the courses? Sure it is better for these margins to be black, as opposed to baby blue like in the early days, but don't you think it is high time that you accommodate PC players whose modern computer monitors are typically widescreen, in the same way that modern TVs are widescreen. This is without a doubt very doable, if only with the willingness to modernize your game.

    Also, while I am on the subject of modernization, what about the course interface which has virtually not changed since the dawn of WGT? The style of this interface is clearly outdated, with visually intrusive, blue and white menu and info blocks at the top left and right corners of each course. What an improvement it would be to introduce transparencies that would only preserve relevant menu and info items in white, so that the courses are left unobstructed in all their natural beauty!

    Let me throw in another observation: the putting grid has always been plagued with confusing and frustrating inconsistencies in a number of instances, with putting and pitch views, or front and reverse views, being at odds with one another. How about modernizing that as well?

    Finally, the space bar is the only key that has any use in the game. Why not extend the functionality of the keyboard to make it easier to adjust the spin of the ball and the position of the flag? You have no idea what an improvement that would be, especially for people with physical disabilities who struggle with the current setup. Imagine only having to click anywhere on the ball at the bottom right of the screen or the flag wherever it is to activate the directional arrows on the keyboard that could adjust the spin or the position of the flag that determines the aim of the shot. How sweet that would be!

    I understand that at first blush it is not nearly as tempting to make the improvements I am suggesting, versus putting out new equipment for generating revenue, but don't you think that improving the user overall experience would strengthen the loyalty of your members and bring in new ones, which all could translate into a bigger profit margin?

    Please, resist the temptation to settle complacently in the status quo. Your game is already very good. Why not make it great?

  • alanti
    10,564 Posts
    Wed, May 4 2016 2:07 PM

    G0LD:
    Your game is already very good. Why not make it great?

    All very valid points and suggestions (and I could add many more), but WGT seems to accept good is enough and no-one within the company is either capable or driven enough to pursue excellence.

    The primary focus is on revenue rather than player satisfaction, and effectively being a monopoly is part of the problem. Competition is good, and would force all companies to raise their game.

    As you say, suggestions just fall on deaf ears and all your suggestions have been requested in the past. 

    The irony is by not listening and improving the experience of the game, many players simply stop playing or play less. But like I said, without someone at the top being capable or having the foresight in terms of direction, the bean counters will prevail.

  • ZioMio
    4,680 Posts
    Wed, May 4 2016 2:25 PM

    G0LD:
    Why not extend the functionality of the keyboard to make it easier to adjust the spin of the ball and the position of the flag?

    I would be in favor of some keyboard  inputs for game functionality.

    CTRL + F = toggles flag

    CTRL + A + arrow keys = moves aimer

    CTRL + S + up/dn arrow = adjust spin

    CTRL + Shift + </> = fade/draw

    CTRL + C = Jump cursor  into chatbox

     

  • ct690911
    7,205 Posts
    Wed, May 4 2016 3:35 PM

    alanti:

    "...no-one within the company is either capable or driven enough to pursue excellence."

    Maybe Chad is following these conversations from the beach-house he's been at since selling the site a while back?

    Anyway, as the Mods have stated, this "merger" has provided additional resources to improve the wgt experience...cough

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