Interview with EA Goodman's Community Team

[dbjs2009 25]

The German site CnCSaga.de has just posted a new interview with EA Goodman's team, In this interview they present themselves to the new community as well as discussing their work on the Official C&C Forums. Below are some of the questions.

 

Q: Due to the leaving of APOC there was a big hole in the CnC Community.

How does it feel to get such an important position?

A: Apoc made a massive contribution to Command and Conquer, and its community in particular, there is no doubt about it, and he will be missed. Apoc’s departure has brought one chapter of the Command and Conquer story to a close; however a brand new chapter is slowly unfurling before your very eyes! Goodman, who has considerable experience with a number of different titles, has stepped into the fold and brings with him his Community Team. You may already have seen some of the Community Team hanging around the C&C forum. The likes of Battlem0th, Shadeshooter, Silvanoshi, and U-238 have all been spotted on the forum recently.

The entire Community Team is extremely excited to be working on Command and Conquer. The C&C community is legendary, the level of dedication the community has shown the series is way beyond that of the vast majority of games, and the myriad of thronging fan and mod sites truly demonstrates the level of commitment the fans devote to one of the most amazing series’ in gaming history.

 

Q: You are the new C&C Community Manger, what do you do for EA besides?

A: The Community Team as a whole currently deals with a number of EA titles. Besides Command and Conquer, we work on Battlefield Heroes, Lord of Ultima and BattleForge.

 

Q: Is it hard to cover all the things you face while working for EA?

A: Heheh, it’s not always a walk in the park. We have quite a bit of ground to cover, but we put in the effort and get everything done J.

 

Q: Was it hard to find your way into the Command and Conquer Community?

A: No not at all, naturally the community was sad to see Apoc leave, but they seem to be happy that replacement Community Management setup was waiting in the wings, particularly one that has quite a bit of experience behind it. So far we have been welcomed with open arms on the forum.

The full interview can be found right here, You can also find the German version by clicking here.

[Silverthorn 0]

Q: What do you think about EALA? How are the circumstances there, and your colleagues?

A: EALA is a great studio. Things are fine there, nothing has burned down and everybody is safe J.

 

I kind of disagree on that part, yes, things are looking fine, Goodman, but wait till you see what the execs had in store for you. Don't forget how Greg Black (Mark Skaggs included) experienced & then he left. He maybe a developer instead of a community manager like APOC, but take note that EALA isn't all but a walk in the park.

 

Not to sound completely harsh, but be aware of what the goals of EALA is trying to do compare to Blizzard's.

 

--------

 

On the other side, I also hear no news of Jon Van Caneghem so far, but I prefer he & his team don't work in EALA at all, he will end up become our next Greg Black and then ready to follow the same sufferings just like Greg Black all over again. Sure, JVC maybe cool and all and I am NOT totally against him, but the execs are the ones who are their lethal drugs. And I'm pretty sure we don't like those execs one damn bit! If JVC actually already in EALA, I wish them good luck, AND they're gonna need it!

Edited July 25, 2010 by Silverthorn

[Sonic 296]

No comment on the interview, didn't learn anything. I want a direct interview with Goodman not bunch of volunteers. I asked Goodman if he wanted to do one, but I got no response.

 

To be perfectly honest I'm not entirely happy how things have shaped up. I don't think APOC has been replaced at all. The new management team is just a bunch of guys who also do work in other EA based communities, C&C has now been tacked on to their list of duties. At the moment C&C is being overlooked and second guessed. For a franchise as big as C&C it deserves as a dedicated community manager.

[Waraddict 0]

For a franchise as big as C&C it deserves as a dedicated community manager.

 

Not after what they've done to it.

 

After C&C4, they're either going to let it die or wait a few years (to make sure most people have forgotten it) before making the next one.

 

 

 

 

[[NE]Fobby[GEN] 10]

No comment on the interview, didn't learn anything. I want a direct interview with Goodman not bunch of volunteers. I asked Goodman if he wanted to do one, but I got no response.

 

To be perfectly honest I'm not entirely happy how things have shaped up. I don't think APOC has been replaced at all. The new management team is just a bunch of guys who also do work in other EA based communities, C&C has now been tacked on to their list of duties. At the moment C&C is being overlooked and second guessed. For a franchise as big as C&C it deserves as a dedicated community manager.

 

Yeah, I agree. Apoc posted on forums every now and then (not just the official ones), he'd send news letters, he'd make his e-mail open to the public, he'd usually respond, and he'd do the community spotlights. What exactly are these guys doing? I can't find any contact information, and they seem to have no clue what's going on, both series-wise and community-wise.

 

The only thing I see them doing are these small community updates: http://www.commandandconquer.com/news/cc-community-news

 

Renegade X

A new trailer has been released highlighting an upcoming C&C Renegade mod renegade-x.com.

 

No embedding of the trailer, heck, no link to the trailer either

[Silvanoshi 0]

No comment on the interview, didn't learn anything. I want a direct interview with Goodman not bunch of volunteers. I asked Goodman if he wanted to do one, but I got no response.

 

To be perfectly honest I'm not entirely happy how things have shaped up. I don't think APOC has been replaced at all. The new management team is just a bunch of guys who also do work in other EA based communities, C&C has now been tacked on to their list of duties. At the moment C&C is being overlooked and second guessed. For a franchise as big as C&C it deserves as a dedicated community manager.

 

We're not a bunch of volunteers, we're members of staff . One thing that everyone will have to become accustomed to is the fact that there is a a Community Team in place now, not just a Community Manager. Community Management will be done by the Community Team as a whole, not just a Community Manager.

 

With regards C&C being overlooked. As Apoc mentioned before leaving, things will be quiet for some time to come on. That is still the case.

 

 

Yeah, I agree. Apoc posted on forums every now and then (not just the official ones), he'd send news letters, he'd make his e-mail open to the public, he'd usually respond, and he'd do the community spotlights. What exactly are these guys doing? I can't find any contact information, and they seem to have no clue what's going on, both series-wise and community-wise.

I'm posting here aren't I? . I do know what you mean though, we have only really had a presence on the official forum. I will try and stop by some of the fansites every now and again, but for the most part the commandandconquer.com forum will be my main haunting ground.

 

With regards getting in contact with us, our forum is probably best. You can PM us there, or start a thread if it's something more public, but if it's urgent don't forget to PM or Tweet us (the latter being more time efficient).

Silvanoshi

Edited July 25, 2010 by Silvanoshi

[AnNo1935 1]

No comment on the interview, didn't learn anything. I want a direct interview with Goodman not bunch of volunteers. I asked Goodman if he wanted to do one, but I got no response.

 

To be perfectly honest I'm not entirely happy how things have shaped up. I don't think APOC has been replaced at all. The new management team is just a bunch of guys who also do work in other EA based communities, C&C has now been tacked on to their list of duties. At the moment C&C is being overlooked and second guessed. For a franchise as big as C&C it deserves as a dedicated community manager.

I can say only this: Nice posting!

Edited July 25, 2010 by AnNo1935

[Gben 20]

Silvanoshi!

 

I anticipated the lull, I'm not bothered.

Good things will come to C&C fans... we just need bed-rest to heal properly.

[dbjs2009 25]

I asked Goodman if he wanted to do one, but I got no response.

 

Indeed, He don't respond for anything!!

We can wait and see what's gonna happen in the coming days..

[Mighty BOB! 5]

Whoa, I hadn't even heard of Battlem0Th, Shadeshooter, Silvanoshi, or U-238 before.

[CnC_Thomas 0]

To me, it seems like Goodman is not the person we need for C&C and we wouldn't be much worse without him. I don't like him, really.

Edited July 26, 2010 by Tesla Trooper

[Silvanoshi 0]

Silvanoshi!

 

I anticipated the lull, I'm not bothered.

Good things will come to C&C fans... we just need bed-rest to heal properly.

 

 

Glad to hear it .

 

Indeed, He don't respond for anything!!

We can wait and see what's gonna happen in the coming days..

 

To me, it seems like Goodman is not the person we need for C&C and we wouldn't be much worse without him. I don't like him, really.

 

Again, I would like to emphasise the fact that you should try to get used to the idea of a Community Team, rather than one person as a Community Manager. We have been posting on our forum, both asking and answering questions.

 

Check out my last post with regards getting in touch with us.

 

Whoa, I hadn't even heard of Battlem0Th, Shadeshooter, Silvanoshi, or U-238 before.

Well now you have, it's a pleasure to meet you .

 

Silvanoshi

[dbjs2009 25]

We have been posting on our forum, both asking and answering questions.

 

Check out my last post with regards getting in touch with us.

 

Thanks for that Silvanoshi

[Sonic 296]

Welcome to our forums Silvanoshi, as you can I've moved to our EALA group so people can easily see who you are.

 

Please don't take offensive to my earlier remarks. I was simply mis-informed about your role and what duties the came with. I honestly thought you guys were just some people that Goodman knew.

 

I can't stress enough how important it is for you guys to get out and keep tabs on the fan sites, not everyone posts/visits the official C&C forums. Remember there is more to C&C Community than the official forums and GameReplays.org.

[Silvanoshi 0]

Thanks for that Silvanoshi

NP .

 

Welcome to our forums Silvanoshi, as you can I've moved to our EALA group so people can easily see who you are.

 

Please don't take offensive to my earlier remarks. I was simply mis-informed about your role and what duties the came with. I honestly thought you guys were just some people that Goodman knew.

 

I can't stress enough how important it is for you guys to get out and keep tabs on the fan sites, not everyone posts/visits the official C&C forums. Remember there is more to C&C Community than the official forums and GameReplays.org.

Hey Sonic, thanks for setting up my usergroup and title. Perhaps I can make a small request of you. I am not actually part of the EALA, none of the members of the Community Team are. Perhaps you could change the user group to simply be EA. That would be more accurate .

 

Don't worry man, I haven't taken any offence, I understand that things aren't exactly easy for many dedicated C&C fans at the moment and that goes doubly for fansites. As I mentioned earlier though, we're all full members of staff and ready to help where at all possible . I'll try and pop into the forum every now and again. My time is limited, but I'll try and create some space in the day. If something comes up, tweeting me really is the quickest way of getting in contact with me.

[ORCaLoVeR 0]

Good to see that you guys visit Community sites like this

 

APOC was first in doing this, and its great AND important that you guys pick up the line

 

For some reason, my hope is being restored a little bit in C&C :'-)

Edited July 26, 2010 by ORCaLoVeR

[PurpleGaga27 40]

To be perfectly honest I'm not entirely happy how things have shaped up. I don't think APOC has been replaced at all. The new management team is just a bunch of guys who also do work in other EA based communities, C&C has now been tacked on to their list of duties. At the moment C&C is being overlooked and second guessed. For a franchise as big as C&C it deserves as a dedicated community manager.

 

Maybe right now C&C is dead and EA is using temporarily using guys from other departments to take over C&C. Until C&C is revived with a new development project, maybe EA will get a new community manager by then.

 

After looking in Facebook, still no signs of Sam Bass, Jason Bender and Jim Vessella leaving EALA to other companies, and their LinkedIn profiles are still unchanged otherwise. Maybe they might be secretly preparing to slowly develop Generals 2 or some other project without telling the public.

 

[dbjs2009 25]

Maybe right now C&C is dead and EA is using temporarily using guys from other departments to take over C&C. Until C&C is revived with a new development project, maybe EA will get a new community manager by then.

 

After looking in Facebook, still no signs of Sam Bass, Jason Bender and Jim Vessella leaving EALA to other companies, and their LinkedIn profiles are still unchanged otherwise. Maybe they might be secretly preparing to slowly develop Generals 2 or some other project without telling the public.

 

I hope so..

[General Kane Nash 0]

Talking about things, the official forums are more messy than usual, which is to say something, not that I really expected too much from them but at least in the old times EA had a decent control over what happened there and had no problems removing people who infringed the TOS, I mean, seriously, getting insulted, not just critizised, but insulted, seeing people smurfing and other stuff like that running rampant, makes me thing EA is allowing this in order to further kill the C&C franchise, after all, it's a marketing tactic to kill a franchise by degrading it if it can be a problem for other products of the same company, and with games like Battleforge having more potential to generate money we may expect EA burying C&C in the most deep abyssal pit of their corporative archives.

 

Anyway, not the first time a RTS brand died, Empire Earth, Act of War, Age of Empires, they are all dead now, and none of them will go back, Petroglyph attempts to make RTS games have failed to create a new legend, it seems they even failed to be a decent economic success, the only RTS series which is strong, economically profitable, well supported and shinning is Starcraft, small consolation when compared with all the dead series.

 

But seriously, you know there is something going terribly wrong when you see a company allowing people to say they shouldnt buy their games to newcomers in their own forums, there is a line between criticism and hatred and the lack of interest speaks volumes of what is going on on that place.

[Silverthorn 0]

I agree with you, Nash. I still wanted the C&C franchise to give an honorable RIP, but as usual, does the EALA execs ever listen or even look at how we are in & still falling apart? But if they still say "No, we want the franchise to go on. We got to have, MONEY...", then the same war will still go on, and on and on......

 

Not to say I finally hate the franchise, I just want to say and hopefully if any of you remember, if I were the franchise and if it has a life, I would say while I'm on my electric chair : "Please, just kill me already! Don't torture me until I nearly die and live again to go for more humiliation and pain in the future! JUST KILL MEH!! PLEASE!!"

[F15pilotX 4]

With regards C&C being overlooked. As Apoc mentioned before leaving, things will be quiet for some time to come on. That is still the case.

 

 

 

I'm posting here aren't I? . I do know what you mean though, we have only really had a presence on the official forum. I will try and stop by some of the fansites every now and again, but for the most part the commandandconquer.com forum will be my main haunting ground.

Whatever the new game will be isn't the only game in the series. I realize y'all have multiple franchises to work with, but considering how many more are on staff, and how many games there are to work with, why should it be 'quiet'?

 

On the other hand, if it's going to be quiet from the 'official side', then it WOULD be good to spit up the 'C&C Community' news into individual posts. It's helpful for all the users browsing the site, and I'm sure the people putting time into the projects making the news would appreciate it a lot. You could move the facebook & preorder ads to the left side and shrink them, which would give some room for each post to have a description as well.

 

I appreciate you coming over here Silvanoshi, even if my post doesn't sound like it.

 

Anyway, not the first time a RTS brand died, Empire Earth, Act of War, Age of Empires, they are all dead now, and none of them will go back, Petroglyph attempts to make RTS games have failed to create a new legend, it seems they even failed to be a decent economic success, the only RTS series which is strong, economically profitable, well supported and shinning is Starcraft, small consolation when compared with all the dead series.

Those are strong series, but not nearly as much so as C&C. Honestly, I see no reason C&C shouldn't be as 'well supported and shining' as the Starcraft series - it's quite frustrating, actually. When the community starts making patches for games, that should be a rather strong hint there is a problem.

[General Kane Nash 0]

I am sure the only reason why there are still some guys from the C&C devp team at EA is because as managers they have some laboral advantages which saved them from being fired inmediately after the release of C&C4, think about it, and put yourselves in EA's executives minds, "So this franchise is not making cash? Well fine, we will keep part of the team working in some anniversary game pack, then, once sales drop below the critical line we will fire them too, by that time they will no longer be covered by their laboral benefits so we will not have any kind of legal issues with them".

 

Besides, I am sure all that people of the community team are not getting paid any extra money for having to work with the C&C brand, they will probably be happy the faster EA decided to definitly bury C&C (let's be honest, who would want to work with a franchise in such state, just look how awful are teh official forums right now), they will have their extra free time back, and also will get sure the next time they made a contract they will forbide any clausule which could force them into a similar situation.