Just yesterday, we reported that a Battlefield 2042 dev has mentioned that the teams are working on being more transparent on the game’s top issues to the community. It looks like that outside of this, more communication from DICE is happening already.
- Related Reading: Ex-Battlefield Devs Comment on Battlefield 2042 Missteps; Asks If Quality Control Was Non-Existent
Battlefield Global Commmunity Manager Adam Freeman (also known as PartWelsh on both Twitter and Reddit), has commented on why he, along with other members of the dev team, have stopped replying and communicating on the game’s subreddit.
As for the tweet, it leads to this:
The suggestion that we ignore feedback is unfair. What's been stated is that I won't engage with it.
There are constructive thoughts on the game shared, and fair expressions of how the game today makes folks feel
But the environment isn't constructive.https://t.co/9g6jz5MJeo
— Freeman (@PartWelsh) February 14, 2022
In addition to those statements, Freeman has also answered some of the questions Battlefield fans have regarding communication, and states that there is “no value in pretending” that the subreddit is a constructive environment.
You can communicate with me directly here on Twitter – If you have feelings you want to express you might want to find a longer medium platform to do that and link me to it.
If there's something confusing you I can help to explain or break down I'm always down to do that.
— Freeman (@PartWelsh) February 13, 2022
If you're looking for me to give insight about something that hasn't been shared prior, I don't do that. We're one team, and I represent all of our team – in that regard, we publish to the Battlefield website, @Battlefield and @BattlefieldComm
— Freeman (@PartWelsh) February 13, 2022
I'm not engaged on Reddit anymore – there's no value in pretending its a constructive environment.
— Freeman (@PartWelsh) February 13, 2022
However, this doesn’t mean that Freeman or the people at DICE aren’t sensitive to the plight of Battlefield 2042 players, it’s just that some redditors have seemingly resorted to death threats (?!), personal insults and whatnot to attack the devs because of the game.
That's not to say that hub of community isn't listened to or read, it always is and forever will be. There's wisdom in crowds (even if the crowd itself is toxic at its core).
— Freeman (@PartWelsh) February 13, 2022
While it’s unfortunate that Freeman and the rest of the devs at DICE have stopped being active on the game’s subreddit, given how hostile and toxic the subreddit has been, I don’t really blame them. Heck, it’s been so bad that the mods have even contemplated closing it entirely.
Look, I get it; a ton of people are disappointed at how Battlefield 2042 turned out. Even we are disappointed, which is made evident in our review. But hurling personal attacks — especially death threats — are never OK. At the end of the day, the devs and everyone working on the game are still people, and doing these idiotic things is just making things worse, and not to mention harmful to their mental health. Criticizing a game or a studio is fine, but death threats? Personal insults? Yeah, that’s never fine.
I mean dude got a point. Why interact when it’s all hateful vitriol?
He may have a point (to a degree), but refusing to even engage with community members will just fuel the hostility and toxicity that already exists. As a community manager, it’s literally in the job title to “manage the community”. Maybe should get a different job, if he can’t handle it.
Instead, try being honest and open about what’s going on, when people might expect things to get better. People will be far more understanding as a result.
Let the man be, to be honest why can’t anyone have a coherent conversation not just a bunch of toxicity. At least for now we know the reason why they’ve gone rafio silent.
There’s something about reaping and sowing that can be said.
He’s 100% right. F reddit.
I mean, their politics are just as bad as those on Reddit. But when you crap the bed with 2042 how can you blame anyone for giving you crap? What else does one say to 2042? You missed every opportunity possible and found a way to not listen to anyone. At least the community manager has increasing less people to manage. And seeing as how the people sticking around don’t have taste, standards or a will to live his job must be very easy.
I agree with no responding on Reddit. When I’ve corrected things people say that wasn’t correct I’ve had people slam me over it. That part of the battlefield community is sooo toxic. I stopped even looking at that subreddit. Started my own “players of battlefield 2042” and for real nobody was interested because I think people only go to Reddit to whine about things. Though there were in the beginning some very constructive comments. It’s just gotten so far out of control now. I still play Battlefield 2042.
For those who are against the Reddit community: It’s a very large community, and for all large communities, there will always be some people taking it too far.
I’ve been following the subreddit a lot, and my impression is that generally, people just want the game to be good. There is a lot of constructive feedback on there, and by far most of the users on the subreddit are against the toxicity. If you look at the posts that people upvote, you will not see any that are just pure hateful, instead, they just mention what they don’t like about the game and the lack of communication from Dice. They are angry, but I sure think they have a right to be, considering how Dice has treated their community.
Don’t single this out on the few people that take it too far and make threats to the developers. That is not the stand of the community. They few places I’ve seen that, have been massively downvoted the Reddit community
I mean he himself called the game a disappointment yet as consumers we are limited to twitter? This significantly reduces what conversations can be had because of the platform. How then are we to express our disappointment or to ask what the hell happened to a franchise that so under delivered that they might have completely broke the community?
I mean listen death threats, insults yeah that’s completely unacceptable, but is it that much more unacceptable than the head of community management saying he won’t talk on specific platforms?
If you can’t handle the heat then find a new job maybe? You’re job I would “assume” it’s too sort through the toxicity and find solutions to real in game issues being brought to you’re attention by the community. To work with the community on any platform to make the gaming experience better for all.
Not whining cause you get a death theat. Stop being sensitive and do your job!
Did you report any of those threats to the authorities? Probably not… why cause you know it is what it is. How about not focusing on toxicity and focusing your attention and energy on fixing a broke game?
Just my thoughts.