197 replies to this topic

[Crow357]

I know that server costs were substantial to support the level of traffic OGT was getting.  After the bitching that happened recently, I'm pretty sure the response was, "Ya know what?  F it.  This isn't fun anymore and it's WAY to expensive."

[Harald]

With a Seasonal Fee for every Player these costs are easiely to handle. But maybe there are also other Reasons?

[Buck]

I know that server costs were substantial to support the level of traffic OGT was getting.  After the bitching that happened recently, I'm pretty sure the response was, "Ya know what?  F it.  This isn't fun anymore and it's WAY to expensive."

 

It sounds like costs really are the problem.

Curious if, bitching aside, zmax could comment on what sort of membership fee requirement would even make it feasible?

 

It sounds to me like the Season Pass model is a requirement basically, irrespective of whether a first party (PP) or third party is doing it.

[Buck]

With a Seasonal Fee for every Player these costs are easiely to handle. But maybe there are also other Reasons?

 

I'm sort of hoping Z or someone who would know could comment on what cost per user/time would make it doable.

 

To me it sounds feasible, but it also depends upon how much, as we have a video game marketplace where people complain about even paying $30-ish one single time for the game, let along ongoing costs (the cost complaining is ridiculous IMO).

[Buck]

Exploits are real, I totally agree.  The best scores in this game are from people who use Alt F4 to crash the game or disconnect there Internet with a simple click.

 

Look at the scores of each Official Tournament.  Those scores are ridiculously low and new players who are very good and honest players scratch their head to figure out:  "How can that be possible?"  

 

You know, it is also possible that some people are simply "better at the game" too...

 

Not sure why you're suggesting that "anyone who scores really well is cheating - must be!"

[JCat04]

I'm saddened to read this news because the weekly OGT Tournament is what I look forward to most in playing JNPG.  OGT does a commercial quality job in running the site and hosting the competitions.  I've scratched my head many times over reading the baseless criticism directed at OGT, and I can understand why it would discourage them from continuing on.  OGT is an integral part of JNPG in my eyes and it's going to leave a void once it's gone.    

[SReesor]

I have no problem paying $20 or more per year to keep the site active, as is. I wish I had the time to participate more in terms of supporting the admin team keeping the tours running. Perhaps when I retire...will have the time it takes. So I begin by thanking anyone who has given their time for the thankless job of running a tour and being a site admin.

I love playing in the tournaments, not worried about anyone else's scores, and I play solo (based upon available time).

I hope the course beta testing and downloads continue as well as I am nearing completion of my first course (which has taken forever thus far). I rely on course reviews and playing the new courses to see what works, what players find frustrating with released courses and go back to my design and continue to incorporate feedback into this first design. I can say it confidently from my own experience with Unity and CF that anyone that puts in the effort and the time to create or recreate a course deserves respect and constructive feedback to help them improve which ultimately leads to better course submissions. OGT testing is something I am going to rely upon when I finish my course. Do I expect them to be perfect in this volunteer role...no, of course not. I am confident that enthusiasts giving their time to review my course will find issues that I may never find myself.

The work that OGT has done is outstanding, and is broad in its scope and inclusiveness. I find it disheartening that we find ourselves at this juncture. I was not here from the start but since buying JNPG and working with CF, and seeing the tour expansion at OGT to try and accommodate everyone's swing type and playing ability, it will be a loss for the playing community and the entire community at large if it cannot be preserved.

My 2cents

[DivotMaker]

Exploits are real, I totally agree.  The best scores in this game are from people who use Alt F4 to crash the game or disconnect there Internet with a simple click.  This method of exploiting an online game, even offline game that records scores has been done from day one. Honest players struggle and struggle to play well.  If all players had integrity and played without using exploits, this any many other games would be far more gratifying and scores would reflect pure skill.

 

Though logs are put in place to examine a player's round.  It only takes 10 crashes in a four round 18 hole tournament to make the difference.

 

I know this all from Links and everyone who got use to this method who is in the top 5 of any Pro or Tour Pro leaderboard is most likely using this method. It's simple and it's fast to crash a game and reshoot a bad shot.

 

When you know this is information but you don't use it, your struggle to get into the top 5 on a leaderboard is futile.

 

It is what it is and will continue regardless of the exploit detection built into the game.

 

Such is online gaming.  "Oh damn! My game crashed"  Yep. That's the mantra of the exploit users during their rounds.

 

It's an obsession to "win" that people who learned these methods early on just cannot abandon, it's like a drug addiction.

 

Look at the scores of each Official Tournament.  Those scores are ridiculously low and new players who are very good and honest players scratch their head to figure out:  "How can that be possible?"   It's because Official rounds are the easiest to exploit.

 

I have made it to #4 or #5 WGR playing TOUR Pro late last year (9th this week) without doing any of that......so I disagree completely. Are people using exploits? Sure, but what is anyone going to do about it? Not much can be done as we have seen recently. Old argument that will never go away for online play, but just because someone is good at a game, they should not be labelled a cheater unless substantiated proof is offered.

[hoganwoods]

Our simulation tours have anti cheat protection.  The PC tours would require way too much CPU to do it.  It used to have it and it slowed it down way too much.  We have various reports admins can run to see how many times a person exits/returns etc..  On our simulation side the accounts are automatically locked and emails are sent to the tour admins to advise of possible infractions.  I'm not familiar with the level of cheating on the PC side, but if I had to guess it happens enough.  Fixing a shot here or there is the difference between losing your head and blowing up the round.

[DennisHarris]

Zmax I would like you to give us an idea of what we OGT members can do to save OGT.   I am sure Admin staffing can be increased to make OGT workload manageable.   I will not openly ask about or consider any financial discussions in this open forum.  

 

I'll step up to the plate right now and will make a financial donation to OGT by  I March 2017.  I will also volunteer my services to OGT in whatever capacity you might need.  

 

This is, by the way, all forum members, stepping up and putting my words into action.  

[hoganwoods]

Zmax I would like you to give us an idea of what we OGT members can do to save OGT.   I am sure Admin staffing can be increased to make OGT workload manageable.   I will not openly ask about or consider any financial discussions in this open forum.  

 

I'll step up to the plate right now and will make a 100.00 financial donation to OGT by  I March 2017.  I will also volunteer my services to OGT in whatever capacity you might need.  

 

This is, by the way, stepping up and putting my words into action.

Please do not send any donations at this time.  We will see what options present themselves once we move the courses portion of the site over to simulation and close the active tours.

[JoeBradley]

Please don't hijack this thread for exploit discussions.

[Tigers Agent]

Please don't hijack this thread for exploit discussions.

than why don't you remove those comments also?  you boys are so protective of one another.   oh yes.. let's leave directions on how to cheat in this game... no.. instead we'll remove a comment that hurt someone's feelings.  idiots running the insane asylum.

[Crusher]

Ads on a site don't bring in any meaningful income unless they get millions of visitors a month.  When Perfect Golf was at  kickstarter.com ,   I pledged $250.00.  They needed close to $100,000.00 in pledges to launch this game in a big way.  Not even a fraction of that amount was pledged.

 

Face it.  We are far along in computer/Internet technology but that hasn't changed the mind set of stingy people.

[Buck]

Ads on a site don't bring in any meaningful income unless they get millions of visitors a month.

 

110% agree

 

The scale involved here isn't sufficient to survive beyond keeping a server barely online with just display and click ADs as the revenue stream.

Sponsored content and ADs (particularly sole sponsors) can change that equation a bit, but again the scale becomes an issue as well as the demographic being a tough one to market in to.

[JoeBradley]

than why don't you remove those comments also? 

I'm not a mod. Just trying to keep discusssion focussed.

[les1959]

why are people talking as if its the end of the world? there is an equally if not as good as ladder/tournament  group working just as hard in PGLS.....its just has enjoyable, and fun, all depends how much you want to put into it..................

[SJude]

I personally don't give a Frog's Fat Ass who is cheating, why they are cheating, or how they are cheating at this time.  There are bigger fish to fry here.  It won't be an issue if there is no place for them to cheat.

[Fairwayman]

than why don't you remove those comments also? you boys are so protective of one another. oh yes.. let's leave directions on how to cheat in this game... no.. instead we'll remove a comment that hurt someone's feelings. idiots running the insane asylum.

Insane asylum huh!
The Chief smothers McMurphy with a pillow during the night in an act of mercy before lifting the tub room control panel that McMurphy could not lift earlier, throwing it through a window and escaping the hospital.

TA..You need to escape young man

I doubt u will get this reference.

Its because of the way u have so eloquently stated in your informative, non-dehumizing usefull posts that help situations so much.

I have read many of your posts, and find you to be a very negative person so grow up and be helpful
Or like yo momma use to say..(maybe)....."if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it"
You can give constructive criticism in nice ways...not so negative and demeaning

[M Rose]

I would rather not have my splash screens changed, but I suppose it is too late to do anything about it now.

 

I think my bigger issue is that my personal opinion was neither sought nor considered on that matter.