The New GarageGames.com and thick skin
by Rick Overman · 01/15/2009 (10:29 am) · 16 comments
It takes some seriously thick skin to weather criticism like this at GarageGames, it's not fun, it hard to not take it personally and get demoralized and harder yet to stay on course. I was at GarageGames a couple weeks ago and talked to Jacob Fike and expressed how happy I was that he had taken over the project and was rebuilding GarageGames. What he has managed to accomplish in a few long months deserves some kudos. Yeah I wish they could have held out for the community features to be completed, content and history republished, rss feeds working, etc. But the foundation they have laid will make adding these things, and lots of cool new things, so much easier.
The fastest way to help get these features back in is to start being positive and submit well written unemotional bug reports. Maybe they can put up a poll to help prioritize development of community features.
As Jeff said we don't have any influence on the goings on at GarageGames any longer but they welcome us when we drop by and we communicate often. Push Button Labs is rooting for GarageGames to succeed, in part because it was our baby but also because we are working on flash games. that we want to publish with the most indie friendly place around - GarageGames.
So hang in there Jacob you are doing a great job!
--Rick Overman, Co-Founder GarageGames
Push Button Labs
The fastest way to help get these features back in is to start being positive and submit well written unemotional bug reports. Maybe they can put up a poll to help prioritize development of community features.
As Jeff said we don't have any influence on the goings on at GarageGames any longer but they welcome us when we drop by and we communicate often. Push Button Labs is rooting for GarageGames to succeed, in part because it was our baby but also because we are working on flash games. that we want to publish with the most indie friendly place around - GarageGames.
So hang in there Jacob you are doing a great job!
--Rick Overman, Co-Founder GarageGames
Push Button Labs
About the author
#2
Those at GG must feel like they have targets strapped to their arses at the moment (if only I had time I'd photoshop that one) it should also show them that people really do care about they do, which to me just shows how worthwhile the site, products and work they do really is.
Should also motivate to get things right ;) but heh I've got kork and his crossbow ready next time they falter.
01/15/2009 (11:12 am)
It's not a great reaction granted but think things could have been better handled on both sides so anger and whining is to be expected - myself included I vented more frustration than was needed fuelled by a deadline to hit and not being able to access resources I really needed to, it wasn't helpful I know but heh that's human nature.Those at GG must feel like they have targets strapped to their arses at the moment (if only I had time I'd photoshop that one) it should also show them that people really do care about they do, which to me just shows how worthwhile the site, products and work they do really is.
Should also motivate to get things right ;) but heh I've got kork and his crossbow ready next time they falter.
#4
Your new venture is looking pretty slick, too.
01/15/2009 (11:16 am)
Thanks, Rick. I appreciate the support.Your new venture is looking pretty slick, too.
#5
The site seems slicker and more responsive. I'll give you guys some time to sort out the kinks, no worries. ;)
01/15/2009 (11:31 am)
@Jacob : I remember reading Jeff Tunnel (I believe it was) posting a comment a long while ago after one of the big criticism storms had hit the GG forums. He said "Working at GarageGames sometimes feels like being pecked to death by geese". Lol. I imagine you know exactly what he means.The site seems slicker and more responsive. I'll give you guys some time to sort out the kinks, no worries. ;)
#6
I'm sure your ISP didn't tell you to stop whining when your connection went down at GG and you complained.
01/15/2009 (11:34 am)
People whine because this was handled badly. This new site is missing everything that made the old site useful. The sales portion of the site looks really improved, and that gossips about their priorities.I'm sure your ISP didn't tell you to stop whining when your connection went down at GG and you complained.
#7
01/15/2009 (12:14 pm)
I think the new site looks great. It seems to be more inviting than the old IMHO. I think that the bugs will always happen no matter how well you attempt to plan a major change especially with so much development in other areas being planned as well. I just hope that the added changes drives he sales being sought after so that they don't have to resort to dramatic price differences for the products they carry or are going to carry soon.
#8
01/15/2009 (12:18 pm)
I'm not sure that "quit whining..." is productive. Is it "whining" when people expect TDN to be online? 
#9
Btw, we've featured Tim's blog about one of Push Button Lab's projects. It got bumped off by the multitude of new website related blogs. If you need a break from this web stuff, be sure to check that out with a few others that are project related.
01/15/2009 (12:38 pm)
@Jason - It most certainly is not. TDN being down is a valid concern and has been posted in the constructive comments, but that's not what Rick's comment was targeting.Btw, we've featured Tim's blog about one of Push Button Lab's projects. It got bumped off by the multitude of new website related blogs. If you need a break from this web stuff, be sure to check that out with a few others that are project related.
#10
That doesn't hurt, their beaks are blunt.
...maybe if it was from a turkey vulture or something with a sharp beak...raptor, hawk, etc.
01/15/2009 (1:07 pm)
@Geese pecking That doesn't hurt, their beaks are blunt.
...maybe if it was from a turkey vulture or something with a sharp beak...raptor, hawk, etc.
#11
The way I learned the saying was, "nibbled to death by ducks".
My grandparents had a small flock of domesticated geese when I was a child. They were meaner than a pack of yarddogs. :p
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Goose_attack.jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_goose
"Domestic geese have been used for centuries as watch animals and guards, and are the among the most aggressive of all poultry."
01/15/2009 (2:44 pm)
@Geese pecking...The way I learned the saying was, "nibbled to death by ducks".
My grandparents had a small flock of domesticated geese when I was a child. They were meaner than a pack of yarddogs. :p
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Goose_attack.jpg
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domesticated_goose
"Domestic geese have been used for centuries as watch animals and guards, and are the among the most aggressive of all poultry."
#12
01/15/2009 (3:13 pm)
Thanks Rick. It definitely does take some thick skin, but it's really great to be reminded how much people care too, even if it comes out in harsh ways at times. 
#13
I feel like I went to the doctor for a check up and he misplaced my testicles.
01/15/2009 (5:08 pm)
@Brett. Yeah man, and boy oh boy do we really care a great deal about what you do.I feel like I went to the doctor for a check up and he misplaced my testicles.
#14
What an amazing euphemism!
Medically speaking, I appear to be immune to the contagion of pnuemonic hysteria.
01/15/2009 (5:53 pm)
Quote:I feel like I went to the doctor for a check up and he misplaced my testicles.
What an amazing euphemism!
Medically speaking, I appear to be immune to the contagion of pnuemonic hysteria.
#15
In all seriousness I wonder where the line of "valid complaint" and "whining" is drawn. With all the stress to those directly involved, I am sure they both "mirk" the water as to make that line difficult to see.
I suggest to anyone that is aggravated: put on your coat and go for a walk, say hello to your neighbor and have a cup of coffee/tea. Life will resume when you return...and hopefully you're blood pressure will return to normal. :D
P.S. I wish I saw the post before it was edited, I heard it was 'interesting'
01/16/2009 (4:25 am)
I am in awe of the hysterics I have seen lately. The swearing, the rants !In all seriousness I wonder where the line of "valid complaint" and "whining" is drawn. With all the stress to those directly involved, I am sure they both "mirk" the water as to make that line difficult to see.
I suggest to anyone that is aggravated: put on your coat and go for a walk, say hello to your neighbor and have a cup of coffee/tea. Life will resume when you return...and hopefully you're blood pressure will return to normal. :D
P.S. I wish I saw the post before it was edited, I heard it was 'interesting'
#16
@Steve: "pneumonic hysteria" LOL! That's great!
01/16/2009 (12:56 pm)
@Charlie Higdon: Dude, a pissed off goose is mean as hell! A whole flock of them? You do not wanna mess! =P@Steve: "pneumonic hysteria" LOL! That's great!
Employee Michael Perry
ZombieShortbus
I'm loving what PBL is doing, and as I mentioned in Tim Aste's blog, I can't wait to get my hands on Grunts: Skirmish!