/LookingForGroup

The problem with people saying they are just going to use /lookingforgroup is pretty simple to see.

First off, it diminishes the use of the new tool and makes it harder for us to refine it in a way that makes it more useful for players.

Second off, it makes it hard on the people learning how to use it and enjoying it to be able to continue to do so.

By default you are the ones making the system not work because it only works if people use it.

Now, to add to that, there are other things to consider.

The new Honor system just went in. That means most people are spending time playing in the Battlegrounds and some even are forgoing honor to try out the new Arena System. If you look at the number of BGs that were running since we started the new system, you'd see a large increase in their use. That means there is a smaller pool of players actually looking for PvE groups let alone, smaller dungeon groups.

Aside from that, there are many players doing things such as finishing off quests, gathering resources, working faction as well in preparation for the launch of the expansion.

It is also coming up on the holidays so many people are doing things such as preparations for their holidays, holiday parties, holiday shopping, vacations, traveling and whatever else. It's a very busy time of year.

I have a feeling we'll see a slightly different result in the use of the LFG interface once the expansion launches, but that will largely have to do with the players deciding to use it and doing so. It's a good tool. Are there refinements people want? Yes. Will the tool get some more refinements? Most likely so since we want it to be something that people use and enjoy using. Will it be useful if people don't use it? No. It takes people using it to make it useful. The fault isn't as much in the tool as it is people's willingness to learn how to use it and try to use it on a regular basis.

I'm not saying 'don't use' a /lookingforgroup channel by any means. If that's your choice then great. But perhaps people that aren't liking the system haven't given it a fair shake and at current there are other factors involved in why it isn't being as successful as people would like for them to be.

Just a few thoughts for people to ponder on this fine Monday morning.

*Edit- Fixed a spelling error. :(

Q u o t e:


All of the concerns that are now being posted about on the live game were posted on the beta and on the ptr forums (by me and others). You already tested the system. You had time to refine it.

Thank you for the response. As I said, no one is forcing people to use it (otherwise we'd probably see more use out of it from those saying they don't like it ) but at the same time, it is only as useful as people being willing to use it.

I highlighted your above text for a reason. As much as you might think that this is a minor thing that should easily be able to be refined and adjusted within our time schedule, it's not. We have all been handling very large workloads and long hours and as much as we wish we had 72 hour days to work with, we don't. This expansion is no small creation. That's not to say that people shouldn't expect more changes, fixes, adjustments etc (although this too is coming down to the wire before the BC release), but please try to understand the time constraints we are under and put it into perspective. There will always be areas of the game that people feel should take priority over others but we will continue to do what we can on as many fronts as we can.

Q u o t e:


you're trying to force us to use a tool you admit is inadequate. If it was inadequate you should have left the /lookingforgroup alone until you got all the issues sorted out.

The pvp argument doesnt fly because there are a lot of people still running instances. I've used the new tool a few times so ppl do use it, it's just people also use it for about 5mins then do something else to occupy their time.. like pvp.

You underestimated the amount of passive lfg. I'm a full teir1 warrior, I don't need to go to ubrs or brd; under the old system a ubrs group might attract my attention because the carapace might drop. I diremaul group would look interesting because quel might drop. Force of will might drop, with this new tool can passively lfg anymore.

While it's possible to make your own makeup for the group it's not possible since not many people passive lfg. When I make the effort to do diremaul I exclude paladins from the group (obvious reasons). Or if I'm doing brd and I have a 55 druid I would find a paly or priest to do backup healing since druids generate too much threat.

No one is shunning the new lfg tool, it works ok but it's just limited. bring back lookingforgroup until you fix or enhance it.

The lookingforgroup channel is not returning. I am not underestimating passive LFG. I've joined groups when getting /tells before inviting me.

No, I'm not saying the tool is inadequate. I like the tool myself but have been doing other things and haven't needed a group for anything this past week. I'm saying that we will consider feedback and suggestions on making the tool better for players as a whole where we can and continue to refine the tool to be something that people want to use.

One thing I don't like is people putting words into my mouth or saying I don't understand where others are coming from. Believe me, I understand and hear what people are saying. I may not always agree with you, and you may not always agree with me, but that doesn't mean that I won't give you the perspective from this end and carry your perspective back to the rest of the team so that we can find out where we can make things better for everyone.

I'm hearing a lot of complaints though about a system that isn't in full use as of yet and until it IS in full use, we're going to continue to see these sorts of discussions.

(Just in case someone reads into this, I'm not the least bit upset or irritated. :) )