Sunday, March 2nd, 2008
Issue: 63   Editor: Nyxxinator


The Buzz Report Card -- RESULTS! Nyxxinator
Due to not having the ability to code portions of the Buzz (or even having the knowledge to do so), we as writers and editors are completely unaware of how we are doing at a more unbiased, anonymous point of view. I continually ask players to state their opinions on the Game Forum when the issue's thread is made, however, many stray from doing so due to the lack of anonymity.

Hence is why I brought forward the "Buzz Report Card" via www.quizilla.com. A poll was made and players can submit their opinions on various topics involving every aspect of The Buzz anonymously. I asked of no names and no IP address was recorded.

Some polled question's results proved to be shocking to me, while others I expected. We will go through each one individually.

When players were asked to, "Rate the Buzz as a whole from 1-5. 5 is the highest rating, 1 is the worst rating," we saw most votes in the 3-4 range, averaging a total of 50 out of the total 93 votes. 10 rated the Buzz a 1 out of 5, and 5 rated the Buzz a 5 out of 5. I, as an editor and my writers cannot satisfy everyone (although I can honestly say I do really try), so I did expect average highs and lows.

When players were asked to, "Rate Nyxxie as an editor? 1-5, 5 is the best rating, 1 is the worst," we saw most votes going to 4 out of 5, a total of 23/93 votes. The next two were the rating of a 5 out of 5 and, not surprisingly, a 1 out of 5. As a player, I understand I'm not generally liked. I also understand that being a Help Desk Operator doesn't help me in that favor. Of course, I believe I do as best a job as I can for volunteer work. However, this does not mean I'd do any better if I was paid real money. Due to my own personal choices not to allow publishing of extremely drama-driven, anonymous and accusative articles, I'm sure has a lot to do with it. For anyone who dislikes my editing abilities and voted a 1 out of 5, I would challenge to contact me with their views of why I deserve that rating. I can change what I know is disastrous to the Buzz itself. With my being naive of what I am doing wrong, I cannot really change.

When players were asked, "What would you like to see more of in the Buzz," the votes were spread almost evenly between three peticular choices. Players want to see more informative and fun articles (contests, polls) as well as debatable and controversial topics. Due to this finding (which, in reality, isn't really a new finding), I will try my best to bring some controversial and debatable topics into the Buzz. I may do this by bringing in a really controversial topic in the Sound Off or by allowing players more freedom in what they want published in Freelance Articles. However, I will leave the actual Buzz drama-free and keep it mostly to informative articles (minus our regular articles such as the "Behind the Name".

When asked,"What is the worst part of the Buzz?" and "What is the best part of the Buzz?, the players seemed to be undecided. There was no real choice that stood out above the others with high votes. Players are adamant on seeing MORE, MORE, MORE and MORE articles. And rightfully so. Without articles, the Buzz isn't much of a Newspaper. I hope you can tell we are trying our best with the amounts of articles in this peticular issue.

In conclusion, what you want from the Buzz really does matter a whole lot to me. If you don't read what we publish week after week, there is no reason to do what I am doing. If simple (or even drastic) changes is what will make you read the Buzz, I will do what I can do change it into something (almost) everyone can love to read.

My inbox is always opened and I am always willing to listen to your ideas on how to make the Buzz what everyone expects it to be!

Thanks for taking part in the poll!