And taken to task I was...
No need to even bother answering. If some can’t see the difference in that MJ statement and what AK has said in the past then there is no discussion to be had.
Do you really feel like you've been taken to task? You stated your view on this and backed up your position logically. I understand how you'd have the opinion that it was bad form. We all process things like this differently, and I wouldn't pretend for a minute to say my view of if is the most proper or appropriate. I'm guilty of having too thick a skin and tend to let things like that slide probably more than I should.
I agree with you that Mike's comments about TGC are a bit more pointed than what Anthony had said in the past about JNPG, but nothing that rose to the level of libelous or offensive. I respect your view on this, but in the end I just have to say that we see it differently. I wouldn't want to see a point/counterpoint exchange between developers break out in each developers off topic forums. To their credit, HBS hasn't felt the need to weigh in here an rebut what Mike said, but they haven't had to. Those responding here have done a good job of that themselves.
Not by you, mate.
It is interesting from a customer point of view to read these things, but posting stuff like this never makes the company or product come off in a good light. Always important to keep in mind when in positions where one represents a product towards customers. It’s great for us as enthusiasts that he does this as it gives us insight , all I’m saying is that it’s not really professional behaviour for someone in his position. You seldom win anything by addressing competitor behaviour directly, just state the case around your product.
The way I read that MJ post is:
“We would have done a better job if we just had the same resources (as a customer I don’t care, and that does smell of hubris) and a more skilled development team (throwing the people that actually create the product under the bus. Nice one there, Mike, and a great signal to customers that you have amateurs working on the product). Our product has a different direction than the competitor but I know we are inferior in multiple key areas. Oh and by the way we don’t really care about the video game segment anyway since we work with REAL Golf and PGA for REAL tournaments (Again, as a video game customer I don’t care what you do outside of making video games, it’s not like being on TV with some graphics makes your game better...).”
There is nothing in that post that is actually positive for Perfect Golf, and interactions in public arenas should be all about creating a positive image of your product.
He could have gotten the same point that I guess he is trying to make across in a much different way.
It could have worked if he would have left out that PGA part, and if PG had an severe indie angle and was fighting EA, but that is not really the story they have spun and HB is no powerhouse either...
