#16: Hot Fudge Sundaes

[ShannonA]

Thoughts on Scott's rant against rants?

[murf]

A "critic" is a man who creates nothing and thereby feels qualified to judge the work of creative men. There is logic in this; he is unbiased -- he hates all creative people equally.
- Lazarus Long

Scott,

Yes, the mob is vicious, and yes, it’s hard to send your child out to be savaged by the unwashed masses. But that is still the soul of creative endeavor. Any work of art is incomplete until it has been experienced by an audience. Simple human nature dictates that some of the audience won’t like it. Some won’t like it because it was never really meant for them. Some won’t like it because it makes them uncomfortable. Some won’t like it simply because it’s not the way they would have done things. That’s just life.

Now, even you have to admit that criticism is sometimes warranted. The recent launch of WWII Online can be described as nothing short of a debacle. Yes, I’m sure it’s a labor of love. Yes, I’m certain many on the team are proud of many parts of the game. Frankly, I’m sure the audience is there to play it and the game will, when it gets its legs under it, be a champ. But enthusiasm alone, as powerful a force as it is, cannot guarantee good work. I’m sure the designers of the Titanic, a ship described as unsinkable, were very proud of their design work as well. We all know where the road paved with good intentions leads.

Money is truthful. If a man speaks of his honor, make him pay cash.
- Lazarus Long

Is this fair? Nope. Is it right? Everyone is entitled to their say. In realms as divisive as art and entertainment, you cannot make everyone happy. Disappointed people, especially disappointed paying customers, are going to let you know why. If you’re lucky. To an artist, critique is useful. To a business, it is critical. Complaining customers are doing you a favor. They could just as easily slip away without a word to you, depriving you and your business of valuable feedback you may need to keep your venture profitable. Not all critique is useful, of course, but winnowing the wheat from the chaff is something every business does every day, in almost every decision they make.

As paying customers, Lum and his crew are not only qualified to have and state opinions, theirs are the only ones that count. The opinions of all the best and brightest of the design community aren’t worth squat if they’re not backing it up with cash.

Brian