...the game hasn't stopped to amaze me with all its bugs and technical problems.
What really bugs me is that people have been going out of their way often for years now to make something work that isn't really in good shape. It could be issues with shops - quite a few issues - or keeping society or MS chat channels running (and needing to update every single time MA pushes the tiniest of patches out).
After weeks of not being able to logon via Vista computer due to redist trying and failing via client loader every time for some reason, I finally got it to work by copying the current main files from one comp to the other via USB stick + my journey.
How long was it working for? Less than 1 effing hour!!! because MA stuck in a patch to try and fix their event fail (as usual), so the copied version was no longer the most current and Vista wanted fresh files again and tried and failed on the redist update!
Not only have MA been completely useless at fixing things, or providing forum help apart from mentioning the problem, they even mess up hard-found workarounds with their update here, patch there, all the sodding time. My next attempt would be on Monday, but will there be a patch or something on Tuesday to get the snafu back? - most probably.
Please stop pissing on us players. No product can survive longer term if it becomes more and more shoddy.
Yes, there is still reasonable turnover, and I have some CLDs, AUDs and CP deeds, but the trend on the functionality side is negative, even if turnovers are stable for now.
If MA is reading this and is in any way unhappy that some growing number of players are unhappy and writing more and more strongly in forums, then that is at least some sign of caring. Thus a suggestion: please keep a folder of files updated for download on the MA site (not necessarily the planet data, just the basics), so that when update problems occur, the more techy people at least have a chance at an alternative to the client loader!
Alternatively.... fix the redist problem, chats, shops etc etc in a timely manner, ty!