[Gaming, Rant] I'm Done with Mega Man Maker

[jolikmc]

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Hi.  I'm done with Mega Man Maker.  You're welcome.

So, late on the 2nd and early on the 3rd of October 2024, an update was rolled out for the version 1.9 series.  This update - version 1.9.2 - fixed many bugs and added a new Example Level - which I've played through and uploaded.  Business as usual, right?  Well, while I was playing through this level, another update rolled out: version 1.9.2.1.  This version has all of three tiny bugfixes.

After I finished playing the level, I noticed the update and downloaded it from the website.  When I installed the new executable and data.win file, and opened the game, I noticed that it was telling me there was still an update.  I checked, and… nothing.  The latest version was still 1.9.2.1.  So, I disregard the thing and try going online.  Nope.  No dice, chief.  Since my version "wasn't" 1.9.2.1, I couldn't go online.

At this point, I'm getting angry.  Not only did they release two updates on the same day - one major and one minuscule - but they actually pushed out a bad update?  At this point, it wouldn't surprise me, but to be fair, it happens to a lot of companies.  Be that as it may, I re-downloaded 1.9.2.1 and tried again.  Same thing.  In an act of desperation, I tried the actual in-game updater and, uh… huh.  Look at that.  Version 1.9.2.1.  And oh, look at that.  It overwrote every single one of my custom music files, among other stupidities.  Isn't that lovely?  So, you either use the built-in updater to "fix" your game right now, or you can't go online.  I see how it is.

I'm not gonna sugarcoat it.  Version 1.9 has been nothing short of a shit-show.  Yes, you heard me right.  That's how strongly I feel about it.  It's a shit-show.  This is not the same game that WreckingPrograms wanted.  This team has absolutely lost the plot.  I honestly don't know what Mega Man Maker is, these days… or what it's trying to be… other than a big, bloated mess with minimal instructors and a lot of fancy crap to try and cover up all the bugs and problems.  I expect that from big companies, but not… like… fan game development teams!  It's… honestly… infuriating.

WreckingPrograms and the people he trusted have done some wonderful things, and it's amazing how far this thing has come, but now it feels like they don't know what they're doing, so they're just throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks.  Bad updates, inconsistent updates, several sub-revisions…  I can't take it anymore.  I'm done with this project.  Do your little dances, have a little party, whatever.  Your biggest - but not necessarily loudest - detractor is finally shutting his God damn pie-hole for keeps.  But, do you know why I kept banging on about this project?  I mean, do you honestly think I was doing it just to hear myself talk, or because I enjoy tearing down all this work?  I'm sure some of you do, but no.  I was "too critical" because I was passionate about this project!  I've been passionate since version 1.0.0, and I was passionate up until 1.8.5.2!  At this point, though?  I just can't handle this level of incompetence anymore.

It's been a good run, but the time has come to put my energy into something else.  I was working on a level pack for 1.8.5.2, but I'm not sure I'll bother uploading it now - partly due to that one undocumented change to the Mega Man 11 Breakable Block object. (That was covered in a previous video I released not too long ago.)  But mostly, due to the general incompetence, negligence, and non-transparency of the Mega Man Maker team.  I just… don't know what Mega Man Maker Team is doing, and after tonight, I really don't care anymore.

Keep working on your project.  Do whatever it is you're doing.  And do it without scrutiny or "fear" of some Internet nobody calling you out on your bullshit.  I'm out.

To everyone who enjoyed my videos on this project: I'm sorry to do this, but this has been building for a while.  I want people to know how I feel - for what little good it does me or anyone else in this… bloody world, and I hope you enjoyed that one last level run.

Take care.  See you in the funny papers.  And as always: Merry Making.  Thank you.

~ J