Hi everyone. MFGG is a great place full of creative, friendly people. Over the past few weeks, however, I've been noticing some attitudes on the MFGG forums that could use improving. I'm not referring to any specific member or topic, because I'm noticing this pattern from quite a few different members in topics on every forum on MFGG. In particular, I've seen some members who aren't very good at taking criticism, but I've also seen some members who are too quick to jump on members they view as immature or annoying.
As for those whose work is being criticized, it's not fun to be the center of criticism. If you've spent dozens of hours trying to turn your dream into a reality, you probably want everyone to tell you just how awesome it is! You may well be bummed when someone comes along and tells you that your idea needs a lot more fine-tuning, or that they found a game-breaking bug that you have no idea how to fix. But just remember that constructive critique is not a personal assault upon you. In fact, constructive feedback is one of the most valuable things you can get as a creator. People dispensing advice may have more experience and a different skillset from you. Plus, it's far easier to be objective when you're testing someone else's game than it is when you're playing your own game.
I have a few words for those dispensing the criticism, too. This is a difficult pill for some of you to swallow, but
how you say something can matter just as much as
what you say. Dealing with stubborn people can be frustrating indeed, but getting angry is not going to help anything. In fact, a rude or condescending attitude is likely to do nothing but make the other person even more stubborn and defensive. MFGG is a community that focuses on two things: programming and art. These are two of the most difficult subjects under the sun. Programming is hard because it involves speaking a language with a syntax that is totally unlike that of what humans are accustomed to speaking, and art is hard because it's inherently subjective. If you're experienced in these topics, it's important to remember that you started in the same place they did: at the bottom. It wasn't easy getting started, and you probably had patient people to help guide you along the way, so be patient with those who are in the same position you once were.
Regardless of whether you're receiving or giving the feedback, MFGG is like every place where humans congregate, whether physically or digital. It's a place full of imperfect people with problems in their lives. Many members are dealing with things that we don't know about. It might be a disability, a family problem, or other real-life issues that affect their interpersonal relations. These things don't justify being rude or immature, but it's still important to consider that other people may be experiencing difficulties that you're not fully aware of.
Once again, MFGG is an awesome place full of awesome people who make awesome things. I just think we could do a better job of being patient and understanding towards one another. Making games is about having fun and expressing yourself - it's not a life-and-death struggle. You don't have to get the "last word" in every argument.
Lastly, have a random photo of Yoshi. It is impossible to be unhappy while you're looking at a cute Yoshi picture.
Hi everyone. MFGG is a great place full of creative, friendly people. Over the past few weeks, however, I've been noticing some attitudes on the MFGG forums that could use improving. I'm not referring to any specific member or topic, because I'm noticing this pattern from quite a few different members in topics on every forum on MFGG. In particular, I've seen some members who aren't very good at taking criticism, but I've also seen some members who are too quick to jump on members they view as immature or annoying.
As for those whose work is being criticized, it's not fun to be the center of criticism. If you've spent dozens of hours trying to turn your dream into a reality, you probably want everyone to tell you just how awesome it is! You may well be bummed when someone comes along and tells you that your idea needs a lot more fine-tuning, or that they found a game-breaking bug that you have no idea how to fix. But just remember that constructive critique is not a personal assault upon you. In fact, constructive feedback is one of the most valuable things you can get as a creator. People dispensing advice may have more experience and a different skillset from you. Plus, it's far easier to be objective when you're testing someone else's game than it is when you're playing your own game.
I have a few words for those dispensing the criticism, too. This is a difficult pill for some of you to swallow, but [i]how[/i] you say something can matter just as much as [i]what[/i] you say. Dealing with stubborn people can be frustrating indeed, but getting angry is not going to help anything. In fact, a rude or condescending attitude is likely to do nothing but make the other person even more stubborn and defensive. MFGG is a community that focuses on two things: programming and art. These are two of the most difficult subjects under the sun. Programming is hard because it involves speaking a language with a syntax that is totally unlike that of what humans are accustomed to speaking, and art is hard because it's inherently subjective. If you're experienced in these topics, it's important to remember that you started in the same place they did: at the bottom. It wasn't easy getting started, and you probably had patient people to help guide you along the way, so be patient with those who are in the same position you once were.
Regardless of whether you're receiving or giving the feedback, MFGG is like every place where humans congregate, whether physically or digital. It's a place full of imperfect people with problems in their lives. Many members are dealing with things that we don't know about. It might be a disability, a family problem, or other real-life issues that affect their interpersonal relations. These things don't justify being rude or immature, but it's still important to consider that other people may be experiencing difficulties that you're not fully aware of.
Once again, MFGG is an awesome place full of awesome people who make awesome things. I just think we could do a better job of being patient and understanding towards one another. Making games is about having fun and expressing yourself - it's not a life-and-death struggle. You don't have to get the "last word" in every argument.
Lastly, have a random photo of Yoshi. It is impossible to be unhappy while you're looking at a cute Yoshi picture.
[img]http://nintendoeverything.com/wp-content/uploads/yoshi-plush-club-nintendo.jpg[/img]