Left 4 Dead is a product..... To release a product without any documentation to support it, whether its front end or back end - is poor, very poor.
How about, Zanussi releasing a washing machine without any manual or support? Or Sony releasing a DVD player without any information on it? Think people would be happy or even buy them? Why doesnt the update tool create a server.cfg that is relevant and completely correct for the game it is updating? Why isnt the update tool configured to just "do it" correctly and save hours and hours and hours of our time? I'd reckon that 80-90% of the questions asked on this list need not be asked if Valve actually recognised that they have an obligation to document and provide support for the product. You'd think, with the brains that are in Valves building right now (very clever brains) and the fact that Gabe's signed checks for 10 million dollars in advertising, someone, just one person, could have been paid to compile and configure and study the product rollout. Not only did we have to pay to be BETA testers in the "ohhhh, better pre order this quick" campaign, but now we have to deal with the un-ending problems that we face with just wanting to connect to our own servers and play with our friends. I must have to f**k about for at least 30mins each time i want to set up a game and connect to my servers and play with my friends. Great game, useless marketing (Lombardi) and non-existant product documentation. I think you need a new structure as far as rolling out products go. Server admins are the only reason valve makes good money - because of the sheer time, effort and scale that these non paid (in fact they're out of pocket most of them) put in to this list and the games valves makes. I'd love to see every sever admin turn off their CS:S, TF2 and L4D et al; server for a couple of days and see the flood of crap that would no doubt sling its way into valves mailboxes. Valve, you should have a close knit mailing list aside from this one thats by invitation only. You know who the hardcore clever bods on this are, invite THEM to it and give them free BETAs of your products and test test test it with them WEEKS in advance of any release. IMHO, peace and respect - happy easter, hows the wife and kids? Pat _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds
