I'm still of the opinion that both methodologies were flawed in the same way, and that both methodologies were used to counter an argument, so that both methods should deserve the same amount of out-calling.
My methodology was used to counter Sylent's. Because Sylent's lead to a portrayal where the moderation in 7dtd steam forums was just normal. Average. Which 4% is.
If my methodology was flawed, we could not tell if the percentage of locked threads in the 7dtd steam forum was exceptionally high, compared to other forums. But we can, because the raw data I collected speaks for itself. There is no doubt the percentage is exceptionally high. It is a proven fact, and I have proven it.
Except in this case he's right. Kubikus went back and pulled data that included the period in which the forums went from basically no moderation to moderation. Also 1/2 the posts are identical posts by people who are asking when A17 comes out instead of posting in the sticky forum . Closing those posts means nothing more then posters on the 7dtd steam forum don't read sticky posts.
Sylent did not reply to me, I replied to him. Sylent replied to DaVegaNL:
https://7daystodie.com/forums/showthread.php?88095-Hi-Im-really-worried-about-TFP-and-7d2d&p=854333&viewfull=1#post854333
And the number of threads locked in the 7dtd steam forum is exceptionally high. It's not wrong to "claim" that, it's just stating a fact. That there are reasons why threads are locked makes no difference to that fact.
"Obscure" should actually be a less than precise term, but "hard to access" totally nails it.
This the official development forum and in the top section entitled News and Annoincements there is almost daily news from developers and I also give periodic reports. About a week ago I started copying all dev comments into its own thread stickied at the top of the News and Announcement forum.
That thing you started "about a week" ago is really appreciated, btw. Good job, Roland, it's now a lot more convenient to find some usefull information.
I agree with you that they could improve their use of media and social networking sites and Steam, itself. You aren’t wrong that they largely ignore these avenues. They are just doing what they’ve done in the past to be as successful as they are. If the data comes back after A17 that proves their methodology is wrong or needs adjustment then I’m sure they will wake up to that fact.
The returning player numbers after A17 will determine it all. If they are weak you can bet that there will be changes but if the numbers rise to a new record and the reviews return to positive then they’ll likely stay the course that has worked for them.
They’ve used 7 Days to Die to successfully build a multi-million dollar business and they aren’t going to take consultation for their business practices from random internet dudes who primarily use 7 Days to Die as leisure time-wasting fun.
The attitude you describe is clear, Roland, and it is that clear attitude why people are upset, why the recent steam reviews are mixed, why so many threads "have to be" locked on the steam forums. You tell us nothing new, in case you thought so. Your "brutal honesty" is appreaciatable, of course, but... Why? I don't understand the attitude behind that. I remember, for example, Joel choking up in a video, when he was talking about the "fans", and how they "mean the world to" him. Or when Richard "Rick" H. says they love all their players. And rightfully so, as it wasn't the few elite players in the the developer diary who turned the company into a multi-million dollar business. It was the ""normies"", who don't have the enthusiam to work for every crumb of information the company cares to drop.