Originally Posted by
TrustyJam
We added a much requested server admin tab menu tool in the last update.
I don't think it entirely valid to state that we are not doing anything.
I very much agree with Lefir's point regarding server passwords not bringing in more players - instead it might (it most certainly will due to some of the remarks I've read here stating that it will become so game changing that entire companies will forget about their game fatigue due to this simple change) make companies play exclusively behind closed doors, until they see that the inclusion of server passwords to keep out non company players, of which several tools to enable to you remove the worst offenders have already been released, have little to no effect on the game fatigue their members are experiencing which is why their companies are bleeding numbers which is likely why they are asking for server passwords in the first place as they seem to have selected the lack of server passwords as the entire reason for general game fatigue (others have chosen to select the lack of hitmarkers as the reason for the very same).
The arguement stating that company member game fatigue will vanish and they'll return to much happier and active days with password protected servers added is problematic even if true (which I doubt as per my above comments). IF the arguement is true, however, no serious and active company will play on the non-password protected servers (as per the arguement that non password protected servers are so horrible for events, unit teamplay, etc).
This means we'll have a divided community for good (again I think this is highly unlikely, but this is what happens if the reports of the people wanting password protected servers are correct).
As Poorlaggedman pointed out, this will result in "artificial feedback" from the majority of our companies, meaning that since they exclusively play behind locked doors with certain rules enforced (they will be if the claims that the addition of password protected servers make entire companies return and play and removes their game fatigue are correct) we only ever get game feedback from a large portion of the community given based on a safe environment with specific rulesets enforced which is going to hurt the development of the game going forward.
Here's my prediction of what will happen if we introduce password protected servers:
Company activity will, probably, at first increase. Events will be set up in the above mentioned safe areas. Artificial feedback will be given, etc. Once the shine of the new feature has died down companies affected by game fatigue will continue to bleed members even in their safe, artificial, environments.
Companies will stick to the passworded option as that is what is treated as the scapegoat of the game fatigue and continue to bleed members.
Eventually, the focus will shift to requests for more game modes, more army branches, lack of hit markers, etc. as the cause for the general game fatigue - one can hope that the community will reunite at that point.
- Trusty