ORIGINAL: Cauldyth
What I don't understand is why people are so obsessed with trying to help Matrix run their company.
It's human nature.
When we like something we want to share it with others.
When we hate something we want to share that feeling with others.
We are social creatures and as part of that we want to join in and then expand the communities we are a part of.
People who feel something look to share that feeling with others and if other people wind up feeling the same it validates their own feelings.
Couple that with generosity and a genuine desire to help and you get why people are trying to help Matrix/Slitherine.
Part of the art of good marketing is to tap into these emotions and provide avenues for people to spread the word. Word of mouth advertising is the most powerful form of advertising not only because it is incredible cost effective but also because you can, essentially, wind up with a sales force of hundreds, thousands, or even millions depending on the product.
If I like a game I tell my friends. They, in turn, buy that game. If they like it they let me know that they like it (validating my original liking of the game) and it becomes a shared experience. Shared experiences are what drives friendships. The next game that comes out one of my friends might get before me and will test the waters. If they like it then they tell me and I go out and buy the game. If I like it as well I share that feedback with my friend. Then together we share stories about the game or even play it together and the cycle continues.
At a broader level, forums form communities. In those communities people share experiences. Over time that sharing and interacting forms bonds that are very similar to friendship albeit to a lesser degree due to the perceived distance and separation that comes from communicating via keyboard. It is only natural for people in these communities to want to share their joy with others. Online that translates to other online gamers.
Thus when people within a community perceive a lack of sharing of their beloved product by the powers be they speak out. Some will become frustrated with wanting to know more and not being able to find out more. Or feel "betrayed" because someone does not fulfill a self-proclaimed obligation (such as a publisher saying information is coming and then going silent) while others in similar environments are doing just that then people start getting upset. It shakes their faith, their trust, and their belief.
When those emotions get shaken up enough people stop buying since people buy on emotion. Some of the most ardent and strongest supporters will take the time to speak up about their trust being shaken and share their concerns. Some will do so in a congenial manner with eloquence while others will lash out not really knowing what they are upset about but knowing that -something- isn't right in their view.
Or I could just be making up stuff.
