Why does ZOS limit feedback to positive responses...

Eidolon

I find it interesting that ZoS only allows positive votes for posts, including thier own announcements. It appears that rather than looking for actual feedback you are looking only for affirmation of your news. "We just put out a 40 dollar DLC where the biggest pro is a new card game" (insightful agree awesome) or "We are working on hybridization for combat which will unbalance the game and create a single end game meta" (insightful agree awesome)...how about a button to let you know when your idea is terrible?

Mojmir

Damage control and thin skin

PeacefulAnarchy

This is common on forums, there's a feeling that downvotes generate foster a more combative and toxic atmosphere. Those options apply to all posts and it would be strange for their own announcements to have some unique interface. It has nothing to do with them not allowing negative feedback.

Elsonso

Are you talking about the "Awesome" "Agree" and "Insightful" at the bottom of the message?

They used to also have "LOL" but took it away. Apparently, before or near launch, they also had the "Disagree" that people could select. I do wish they had kept the disagree. As I recall, word is that using "Disagree" resulted in an opinion but did not say why the person disagreed. Taking that away forces an actual reply, but sometimes I have already said it elsewhere and just want to disagree without repeating myself endlessly.

Eidolon

PeacefulAnarchy wrote: »

..... it would be strange for their own announcements to have some unique interface. It has nothing to do with them not allowing negative feedback.

I agreed until right there. Still, all opinions are welcome here!

Jeffrey530

So feedback to you is merely pressing the buttons at the bottom of a post? Maybe do something more constructive and type out your feedback?

Eidolon

I just did!! Thank you!!

VaranisArano

This isn't Reddit (and even with Reddit, downvoting is supposed to be for off-topic posts). If you dislike something, explain why and if people agree with your take, they'll give it positive reactions in turn.

That being said, as long as you obey the forum rules, ZOS does allow a fair allow of criticism in the comments. That's especially clear on the recent feedback thread for High Isle.

Eidolon

VaranisArano wrote: »

This isn't Reddit (and even with Reddit, downvoting is supposed to be for off-topic posts). If you dislike something, explain why and if people agree with your take, they'll give it positive reactions in turn.

That being said, as long as you obey the forum rules, ZOS does allow a fair allow of criticism in the comments. That's especially clear on the recent feedback thread for High Isle.

Wait, let me give this an "awesome"

Kiralyn2000

It might have something to do with the way that a lot of forums with "downvote" systems, end up with them being used in/as flamewars/trolling/etc. I.e, not for actual feedback, but in 'forum pvp' between groups of people who dislike each other and/or certain topics.


tl;dr - downvote systems frequently end up as trashfires

Eidolon

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

It might have something to do with the way that a lot of forums with "downvote" systems, end up with them being used in/as flamewars/trolling/etc. I.e, not for actual feedback, but in 'forum pvp' between groups of people who dislike each other and/or certain topics.


tl;dr - downvote systems frequently end up as trashfires

I don't want a downvote system, just a dislike button.

LonePirate

Eidolon wrote: »

how about a button to let you know when your idea is terrible?

That exists. It's the Quote button.

Kiralyn2000

Eidolon wrote: »

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

It might have something to do with the way that a lot of forums with "downvote" systems, end up with them being used in/as flamewars/trolling/etc. I.e, not for actual feedback, but in 'forum pvp' between groups of people who dislike each other and/or certain topics.


tl;dr - downvote systems frequently end up as trashfires

I don't want a downvote system, just a dislike button.

Dislike, downvote, either way I've seen it 'misused' the same.

If you want to disagree with something, post a reply. There's nothing stopping you from doing that, at least until the thread gets locked.

Chips_Ahoy

Monkey see, monkey do.

The forum is full of them.

Reese_Flamelocks

Because people love to complain online? It's an outlet for all the grievance people have for the world they live in.

Eidolon

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

Eidolon wrote: »

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

It might have something to do with the way that a lot of forums with "downvote" systems, end up with them being used in/as flamewars/trolling/etc. I.e, not for actual feedback, but in 'forum pvp' between groups of people who dislike each other and/or certain topics.


tl;dr - downvote systems frequently end up as trashfires

I don't want a downvote system, just a dislike button.

Dislike, downvote, either way I've seen it 'misused' the same.

If you want to disagree with something, post a reply. There's nothing stopping you from doing that, at least until the thread gets locked.

Ok, then why note remove all feedback buttons

jaws343

Eidolon wrote: »

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

Eidolon wrote: »

Kiralyn2000 wrote: »

It might have something to do with the way that a lot of forums with "downvote" systems, end up with them being used in/as flamewars/trolling/etc. I.e, not for actual feedback, but in 'forum pvp' between groups of people who dislike each other and/or certain topics.


tl;dr - downvote systems frequently end up as trashfires

I don't want a downvote system, just a dislike button.

Dislike, downvote, either way I've seen it 'misused' the same.

If you want to disagree with something, post a reply. There's nothing stopping you from doing that, at least until the thread gets locked.

Ok, then why note remove all feedback buttons

Because usually agreement or compliments require no elaboration. Whereas negative opinions on a topic or comment are better served by actual explanation rather than a negative vote.

jaws343

This thread is actually a perfect example of why downvotes are not engaging enough. This thread, if downvotes existed, would just be downvotes with few comments. Whereas here you get actual feedback on why negative voting is a bad idea.

SilverBride

WoW forums used to have it so if you got enough disagrees it would actually hide your post. If anyone wanted to read it they had to click on it to open it first. I assume their logic was if it was that disagreeable it didn't deserve to even be seen. Of course this system was abused by posters to get the posts of those who disagreed with them hidden. We don't need that here.

Eidolon

SilverBride wrote: »

WoW forums used to have it so if you got enough disagrees it would actually hide your post. If anyone wanted to read it they had to click on it to open it first. I assume their logic was if it was that disagreeable it didn't deserve to even be seen. Of course this system was abused by posters to get the posts of those who disagreed with them hidden. We don't need that here.

I remember that from my WoW days!! That post hiding thing was silly lol

AlnilamE

If you disagree, it's more useful to reply to the post and explain WHY you disagree.

Just clicking a button is not going to be useful feedback except for very narrow yes/no statments like "Khajiit ar the best race hands down"

Whereas agreement doesn't necessarily require an explanation because the person you are agreeing with already said what you agree with.

Consider how you would feel if we had all just clicked "disagree" on your post rather than replying.

Eidolon

[/quote]Consider how you would feel if we had all just clicked "disagree" on your post rather than replying.[/quote]

I would know you disagree!!

AlnilamE

Eidolon wrote: »

Consider how you would feel if we had all just clicked "disagree" on your post rather than replying.

I would know you disagree!!

But you wouldn't know why.

Also, you can also make a poll. And I will point out that people who make polls usually ask people to explain if they choose the option that disagrees with their stated opinion/idea.

N00BxV1

I disrespectfully agree.

Edit:
Up-voting gets abused just as much as down-voting. You can't have good without bad, positive without negative, agree without disagree, compliments without complaints. If all you have is one way then it's just a lie.

FeedbackOnly

Eidolon wrote: »

I find it interesting that ZoS only allows positive votes for posts, including thier own announcements. It appears that rather than looking for actual feedback you are looking only for affirmation of your news. "We just put out a 40 dollar DLC where the biggest pro is a new card game" (insightful agree awesome) or "We are working on hybridization for combat which will unbalance the game and create a single end game meta" (insightful agree awesome)...how about a button to let you know when your idea is terrible?

It wasn't always this way. The forums have changed a lot over years.

I except this post will eventually be closed for some arbitrary reason later.

TheInfernalRage

Try joining the party of @ZOS_RichLambert in game and utter your feedback. Try to see what happens.

Amottica

There is a difference between providing constructive feedback and what they remove. They do not seem to remove formative or productive messages.

Wandering_Immigrant

Eidolon wrote: »

I find it interesting that ZoS only allows positive votes for posts, including thier own announcements. It appears that rather than looking for actual feedback you are looking only for affirmation of your news. "We just put out a 40 dollar DLC where the biggest pro is a new card game" (insightful agree awesome) or "We are working on hybridization for combat which will unbalance the game and create a single end game meta" (insightful agree awesome)...how about a button to let you know when your idea is terrible?

I disagree

Paulytnz

I don't know I think it might be the opposite of what you think actually....

Think about it. If you just wanted positive feedback you would do the opposite right? You would have the options ONLY for negative. Because people could tick that little circle and then that is done with it. You don't see ANY reasons for why they are ticking that box. On top of that, since there is no option to support the thread via a click circle you have to then go to the trouble of actually replying to the thread/post to get your message across. A lot of people wouldn't. But those that would, would fill the actual replies with nothing but good replies....

You see what I mean? Since you can't DOWNVOTE your opinion you have to type it out with valid reasons for it. Which is actually more clearer than just clicking a circle. On top of that, since the option to upvote is there, you are cutting out a lot on the clutter of actual replies being positive. So in a way they are ENCOURAGING the threads to be filled with more opposition via actual replies.

I hope all that makes sense lol.

PS - I also assume a lot of people ignore the upvote things as I did for a long time, heck I didn't even see them at first lol. I look straight to the text and barely notice those vote things.

PPS - having said all this I expect 1k Awesomes - thank you!!!!

Jierdanit

Jeffrey530 wrote: »

So feedback to you is merely pressing the buttons at the bottom of a post? Maybe do something more constructive and type out your feedback?

Ah yes, type out the feedback to then get banned from the forums for bashing

Elsonso

Jierdanit wrote: »

Jeffrey530 wrote: »

So feedback to you is merely pressing the buttons at the bottom of a post? Maybe do something more constructive and type out your feedback?

Ah yes, type out the feedback to then get banned from the forums for bashing

Simple solution: don't bash!

(Edit: Yes, it is possible to get reprimanded for "bashing", even if you don't bash... Still, YOLO, and that is not the norm, it's all in how things are interpreted...)