Originally Posted by
KillerKumaClone
I hate defending GREE. So lets just say I'm not. I have friends who are programmers. So I understand what's happening (a bit.) So I'll explain what I think is going on based on knowing "a bit" about what goes on behind the scenes.
They've made quite a number of big changes to the code recently. And it's looking like they've probably been sloppy about testing it too. But when you make major changes, the chances of breaking stuff is pretty high. Especially if you didn't write the code to begin with. From what I understand GREE doesn't make games, they "rescue" or "snatch" them from developers who are failing or have failed (bankrupt.) I could be a little off in that understanding. But basically it seems like they've got their software team trying to fix/improve/maintain and operate a game they didn't make.
That's going to be a process fraught with stumbles as you sort out the issues. Depending on how good or bad the original developer was, GREE could be working with a nightmare. Or GREE could have grease monkeys messing with something a rocket scientist devised. I am not sure if either case strictly applies here. Just saying not all developers are created equal. Even if they're both geniuses, a difference in logic/approach could still make the transition frustrating and introduce a few headaches. It's unlikely they will ever completely recode the game entirely. Primarily that's a fiscal decision. But it's also a practical one. So the original developer's footprints remain: good or bad.
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This update's major goal was most likely to deal with the cheating issues. The fact that now every time you switch to the game, it reloads the game - that's a security trick (forced recheck/login) that a lot of other games/developers have started using to prevent hacking with background/overlay apps, exploits and tools. It's good to see GREE having adopted this model. Hopefully it has the desired effect on cheating. In the process, they've broken some things. They'll likely sort those out fairly quickly come Monday.
As for the last few weeks. I suspect that some of the glitches we've seen have had to do with trying to operate the existing game whilst in the background preparing a software update. When you've got most of the team/effort focused on the major initiative in the background - stuff slips through the cracks on the front/live end of the current version. Simple really - same staff, more work, split focus - predictable result: oops!
Lets be patient and give them a couple days to hopefully sort out the glitches in this game update. I for one am hoping that this ultimately thwarts the cheaters. That would make the glitches worth the pain.
