Split Games?

Dante · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:25 am

So, everybody, at least be nice to the person running the Buzztime blog. He's a young kid, and almost certainly has absolutely nothing to do with the decision. Did a little digging to see whether I should unload on the person or not -- looks like he's just some poor flak being asked to communicate a bad decision.

Jim · **Joined:** Sun May 08, 2011 9:39 am **Posts:** 294

I'm starting to like the split idea and have started to mentally deduct 2000 or 3000 points from the scores of any known western player on the leaderboard which is yielding personally favorable results. For years players in the eastern and central time zones have competed under a two or three drink disadvantage by the time the premium games start against westerners who live a healthy active lifestyle of sun, surf, mountains and tofu and get to the site right at gametime.

The simple fix for Buzztime would be to improve the equipment. When I think of successful sites over the years that have suffered a major fallout of players it always comes down to frustration over the equipment. People get tired of broken boxes and boxes that don't hold a charge. People get frustrated when a site isn't connecting for three or four weeks or a site with chronic lag. Many of the people are going to the neighborhood bar and aren't going to travel far to another site. The tired and frustrated find other things to do that they equally enjoy so it is really hard to win them back. The sites suffer some blame for the situation, but Buzztime should have improved the equipment and should be more proactive in keeping sites online and lag free.

Why doesn't BT poll each site daily and contact any site that is not connected? Why after all these years is fixing "lag" still a mystery? When playmakers are sent back, why not upgrade the battery pack?

zog741 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:08 am

I don't think that all of the premium/specialty games even need to be split. In fact, at most one of the hour-long games should have to be split. None of the Friday evening or weekend games should even be affected.

Buzztime should start by splitting weekday games that appear at 4:30pm PST. One example would be Glory Daze. These are games that day-shift workers on the West Coast are very likely to otherwise not be able to play. Reschedule this to 7:00pm PST and if really necessary, 8:00pm MST. Iron out any problems (I still think it will be necessary to issue separate questions to the West version of the game to eliminate cheating). When these issues are resolved, expand the split schedule to other early-evening games.

If a game does not appear until 5:30pm PST or later, I really don't think it needs to be split, so with the exception of Sports IQ, all hour games should stay as is.

One problem would be Brainbusters, which really should be just before Showdown, but is early enough on the West Coast to be split.

-- RWM

scar · **Joined:** Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:57 pm **Posts:** 2218

Dante wrote:

WB Tanaka,

I agree with most of your assessment here. In fact, in the past you would likely have read me arguing more vociferously than you have: the "old guard" were in fact destroying NTN, because the setting was such that a newer player would never want to compete. I made numerous suggestions in the past on what they should do (including the Cards, under the reasoning of adding "achievements" as they have worked so well under other settings for other companies, though I know that has been attributed to other people now).

Well, I had nothing to do with the Cards, even though "Cards" <Bob> tried to suggest I did at one point.

lewser · **Joined:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 2:25 pm **Posts:** 1028

zog741 wrote:

I don't think that all of the premium/specialty games even need to be split. In fact, at most one of the hour-long games should have to be split. None of the Friday evening or weekend games should even be affected.

Buzztime should start by splitting weekday games that appear at 4:30pm PST. One example would be Glory Daze. These are games that day-shift workers on the West Coast are very likely to otherwise not be able to play. Reschedule this to 7:00pm PST and if really necessary, 8:00pm MST. Iron out any problems (I still think it will be nessary to issue separate questions to the West version of the game to eliminate cheating). When these issues are resolved, expand the split schedule to other early-evening games.

If a game does not appear until 5:30pm PST or later, I really don't think it needs to be split, so with the exception of Sports IQ, all hour games should stay as is.

One problem would be Brajnbusters, which really should be just before Showdown, but is early enough on the West Coast tk be split.

-- RWM

The only reason the premium game on Monday is at 4:30 PST is for Monday night football. After the season ends, it would move back to 6, so SIQ doesn't need to be split either.

ranger · **Joined:** Tue Jan 12, 2010 12:27 am **Posts:** 630

Well, I'm a little late coming into this discussion. Harry (I'mhere) clued me in with an email, and I've read this thread.

I agree with most of what players have said. Notably, I disagree with Tie characterizing himself as a "run of the mill" player.

I have played a lot of evening games, frequently playing Tuesday through Saturday until the end of the Cards Promiotion. Since January 1st I have limited my evening play to Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with one Thursday night session featuring an intriguing Topics game.

After this month I do not plan to play Tuesday nights, nor will I even check on Topics games. I have no desire to compete against only half the country, with the other half enjoying a great opportunity to cheat. Wednesday night I will bring this up with my team, and we will see if we can decide what to do. If they want to continue play on Wednesdays, I'll go along with them, but only if there isn't anything else in particular I'd rather do. I won't make an attempt to beef up our team for any competitions.

Lunchtime doesn't seem to be affected by this, so I'll probably continue to play most sessions, at least for now.

I wish I could say that this asinine decision surprises me. I have seen little reason for confidence in Buzztime leadership for a decade or so. This could be the disaster that finally kills the company.

Hopefully, as on a couple occasions in the past, they will come to their senses and at least partially reverse this folly. Maybe BWW will pull sharply on Buzztime's leash and make them heel.

-BO- · **Joined:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:20 pm **Posts:** 2304

BT has removed the offending post and the blog is now operational. I sent in a problem report and it was fixed well inside an hour. So good on them for that.

BO

Dante · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:23 pm

scar wrote:

Dante wrote:

WB Tanaka,

I agree with most of your assessment here. In fact, in the past you would likely have read me arguing more vociferously than you have: the "old guard" were in fact destroying NTN, because the setting was such that a newer player would never want to compete. I made numerous suggestions in the past on what they should do (including the Cards, under the reasoning of adding "achievements" as they have worked so well under other settings for other companies, though I know that has been attributed to other people now).

Well, I had nothing to do with the Cards, even though "Cards" <Bob> tried to suggest I did at one point.

"Scar did it!"

Do you remember that?

IMHERE · **Joined:** Fri Aug 13, 2010 12:45 pm **Posts:** 153

BT NTN response on Facebook a little while ago.

NTN Buzztime, Inc. Thank you all for your feedback. We realize that this change will have a significant impact on our most loyal players, and have thought through all of the issues you have brought up. We believe we have addressed them all, and ask you to wait and give the scheduling a chance once it rolls out.
34 minutes ago.

BTW that was the response after 117 post on Facebook.

Also the NTN Blog was written about.:

Jesse Dorsky

didn't know how to add a comment to blog on the Buzztime site. so I'm writing. PLEASE for the love of whatever is holy to u people do NOT split BT into east and west. Nobody really likes this idea. And PLEASE bring back the old format of Countdown, I've not liked this new format....EVER. It's like Buzztime Trivia w/ clues....and Buzztime Trivia (where they off the answers) is played too dang frequently IMHO.........
about an hour ago ·

NTN Buzztime, Inc. Thanks for the feedback, Jesse! It looks like that last comment broke the post button on the blog. I removed it and it seems to be working again.
37 minutes ago

cards · **Joined:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:48 am **Posts:** 553

scar wrote:

Dante wrote:

WB Tanaka,

I agree with most of your assessment here. In fact, in the past you would likely have read me arguing more vociferously than you have: the "old guard" were in fact destroying NTN, because the setting was such that a newer player would never want to compete. I made numerous suggestions in the past on what they should do (including the Cards, under the reasoning of adding "achievements" as they have worked so well under other settings for other companies, though I know that has been attributed to other people now).

Well, I had nothing to do with the Cards, even though "Cards" <Bob> tried to suggest I did at one point.

Wait a minute, on the old Scaratings a few years back you proposed a card reward system. A year or so later Buzztime came up with their card system. Coincidence? I don't think so. They took a part of your idea and ran with it.

-BO- · **Joined:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:20 pm **Posts:** 2304

IMHERE wrote:

BT NTN response on Facebook a little while ago.

NTN Buzztime, Inc. Thank you all for your feedback. We realize that this change will have a significant impact on our most loyal players, and have thought through all of the issues you have brought up. We believe we have addressed them all, and ask you to wait and give the scheduling a chance once it rolls out.
34 minutes ago.

Wow. I'm speechless. For the time being.

BO

tiefly · **Joined:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:54 am **Posts:** 1665

In other words, BT's response was, "Fuck you. It's our game and we will do what we want with it. Thanks for 10+ years of product loyalty".

"PS, watch your step as you exit".

Dante · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:42 pm

cards wrote:

scar wrote:

Dante wrote:

WB Tanaka,

I agree with most of your assessment here. In fact, in the past you would likely have read me arguing more vociferously than you have: the "old guard" were in fact destroying NTN, because the setting was such that a newer player would never want to compete. I made numerous suggestions in the past on what they should do (including the Cards, under the reasoning of adding "achievements" as they have worked so well under other settings for other companies, though I know that has been attributed to other people now).

Well, I had nothing to do with the Cards, even though "Cards" <Bob> tried to suggest I did at one point.

Wait a minute, on the old Scaratings a few years back you proposed a card reward system. A year or so later Buzztime came up with their card system. Coincidence? I don't think so. They took a part of your idea and ran with it.

I'm so confused now. I thought Scar proposed that you exist, Cards?!?!?

Dante · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 5:54 pm

tiefly wrote:

In other words, BT's response was, "Fuck you. It's our game and we will do what we want with it. Thanks for 10+ years of product loyalty".

"PS, watch your step as you exit".

Well, at least I got to respond on their blog now, anyway.

liljol · **Joined:** Sun Jan 10, 2010 8:41 pm **Posts:** 2497

Dante wrote:

tiefly wrote:

In other words, BT's response was, "Fuck you. It's our game and we will do what we want with it. Thanks for 10+ years of product loyalty".

"PS, watch your step as you exit".

Well, at least I got to respond on their blog now, anyway.

Oh dear. Oh my. TIEFLY's post, and DANTE's posts on both the NTN BT FB page and the NTN BT blog make BO's posts sound as if they're coming from an innocent lil acolyte.

Dante · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:18 pm

liljol wrote:

Dante wrote:

tiefly wrote:

In other words, BT's response was, "Fuck you. It's our game and we will do what we want with it. Thanks for 10+ years of product loyalty".

"PS, watch your step as you exit".

Well, at least I got to respond on their blog now, anyway.

Oh dear. Oh my. TIEFLY's post, and DANTE's posts on both the NTN BT FB page and the NTN BT blog make BO's posts sound as if they're coming from an innocent lil acolyte.

I give them a bit of credit for not deleting my posts. Though it's entirely possible that they haven't read them yet.

THE ICEMAN · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:21 pm

Dante wrote:

liljol wrote:

Dante wrote:

Well, at least I got to respond on their blog now, anyway.

Oh dear. Oh my. TIEFLY's post, and DANTE's posts on both the NTN BT FB page and the NTN BT blog make BO's posts sound as if they're coming from an innocent lil acolyte.

I give them a bit of credit for not deleting my posts. Though it's entirely possible that they haven't read them yet.

Why start now??? 8-)

-BO- · **Joined:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:20 pm **Posts:** 2304

liljol wrote:

Dante wrote:

tiefly wrote:

In other words, BT's response was, "Fuck you. It's our game and we will do what we want with it. Thanks for 10+ years of product loyalty".

"PS, watch your step as you exit".

Well, at least I got to respond on their blog now, anyway.

Oh dear. Oh my. TIEFLY's post, and DANTE's posts on both the NTN BT FB page and the NTN BT blog make BO's posts sound as if they're coming from an innocent lil acolyte.

I obviously need to up my game.

Made a request via email to a higher-up at BT, if this request is denied we need to start brainstorming on how to proceed as an organized unit.

BO

BGTUNA · **Posted:** Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:44 pm

tiefly wrote:

In other words, BT's response was, "Fuck you. It's our game and we will do what we want with it. Thanks for 10+ years of product loyalty".

"PS, watch your step as you exit".

As I was reading the response, I thought the exact same thing! :lol:

spotes · **Joined:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:27 pm **Posts:** 1558

-BO- wrote:

I obviously need to up my game.

Made a request via email to a higher-up at BT, if this request is denied we need to start brainstorming on how to proceed as an organized unit.

BO

“A riot is an ugly zing. But I zink it is just about time zat ve had one!”

tiefly · **Joined:** Mon Jan 11, 2010 11:54 am **Posts:** 1665

BT wants us to "wait & see" approach to the split games.

I ask, "What is there to wait for?"

The games are going to be split, there are going to be Y amount of cheaters up from X cheaters now, and the rivalries that have been built up over the years between national sites will be gone.

It's that simple. I don't need to wait & see. Hell, I still hate the 10q/15 minute games. Even more so with the tripe content (Q1 on a game yesterday started with "Who won season 5 of Dancing with the Stars?"...EGADS!).

I believe I'll "wait & see" what's going on stream & creek side starting in March.

(My marathon run at the elusive "!" will have been for nought...bitch-slapped at 23 million.)

BGTUNA · **Posted:** Tue Jan 31, 2012 9:08 am

tiefly wrote:

(Q1 on a game yesterday started with "Who won season 5 of Dancing with the Stars?"...EGADS!).

But according to Buzztime, that's what we all want to know about, just like how many times Lady Gaga is in the Guinness Book of World Records!

MiniYoda · **Joined:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 2:55 pm **Posts:** 733

-BO- wrote:

Made a request via email to a higher-up at BT, if this request is denied we need to start brainstorming on how to proceed as an organized unit.

BO

I'm okay with doing things as an organized unit and protesting BT's actions, but I feel it important to not hurt the bars where we frequent to play the game. Perhaps going there for a few drinks but not play the game, so as to keep the cash flow to our favorite watering holes, and not risk them droping the game all together. Perhaps play the game, but under different names like NOSPLT, XSPLIT, UNITE, etc, and sometimes force low scores. Whatever our plans are to voice our displeasure towards BT's decision, don't hurt the home bars.

Jim · **Joined:** Sun May 08, 2011 9:39 am **Posts:** 294

MiniYoda wrote:

I'm okay with doing things as an organized unit and protesting BT's actions, but I feel it important to not hurt the bars where we frequent to play the game. Perhaps going there for a few drinks but not play the game, so as to keep the cash flow to our favorite watering holes, and not risk them droping the game all together. Perhaps play the game, but under different names like NOSPLT, XSPLIT, UNITE, etc, and sometimes force low scores. Whatever our plans are to voice our displeasure towards BT's decision, don't hurt the home bars.

What an interesting idea. Say, for February anybody that disagrees with the split plays the one hour of games before the 1-hour game as XSPLT, NSPLT or UNITE. So on Tuesday it would be Glory Daze and Brainbuster, Wednesday SciFi, Pastimes and Lexitopia, etc. It would certainly be a display of power and make people who don't know what's happening wonder. Somebody would need to post and explaination on FB. Think of the leaderboard XSPLT2, UNITE, UNITE4, NSPLT7 etc.

poman · **Joined:** Sun Jan 17, 2010 12:05 pm **Posts:** 1514

tiefly wrote:

In other words, BT's response was, "Fuck you. It's our game and we will do what we want with it. Thanks for 10+ years of product loyalty".

"PS, watch your step as you exit".

My teammate aptly described the impending change when he said, "In 6 months, buzztime will switch it back to how it runs now and we'll all say 'I Told You So.'"

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