A Heads up would be more fair

Gentlemen,
Since this is a Beta version, could we possibly get more announcements of behind the scenes changes? I realize you are experimenting with several approaches to making this game more closely resemble 'avatar' of yore hence the "BETA testing in progress" message, but there seem to have been quite a few changes made since I began playing in March of this year, which were unannounced. While I may pay closer attention to subtleties, (and I compile large samples of data based on strategy/results and drop rates before making determinations from a players standpoint) I feel that other players with less than what I estimate to be my 'hard-core gamer' investment of over 25,000 hours experience playing various version of this game, are finding it difficult to adjust their strategy towards success when the ease/difficulty level of the game keeps changing.
Perhaps some protocol of discussion (this IS a forum after all) before major changes are implemented would be more appropriate. I realize style of play varies with individuals and personality types but the fun factor diminishes for me when previously successful strategy brings consistently failing results (hence my unannounced changes assumption).
What does everyone else think?
BTW I really do appreciate being asked for feedback when announced changers are made!

I will probably regret this, but...

Steve,

What has changed????

Too new to have developed "strategies", but some real examples of what has changed that nullified your developed strategies would give more credibility to your claims.

It is late, and I have had a long and stressful day. I have made no significant changes in weeks, maybe as long as two months.

Jude is working on lots of things... but he is pretty good about reporting stuff.

What are you talking about?

Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I like solving puzzles and adapting to new challenges. I make note of my approximate hours invested (wasted according to some points of view) in this game over the years not to imply that my strategy is any better than anyone else who plays this game but to say that it could be made easier for newer players (hitting your head against a brick wall usually feels good only when you stop). I also noted the changes I have noticed are subtle and include a comparison of several moths experience with this version of javatar.Ii is also quite possible that the way the new random number generator interfaces with existing code has made a change in spelunking results.
Allow me to rephrase the purpose of the original post. In the continued spirit of having fun, when data changes are made could we get some announcement or hint for us to expect things to behave differently in order to prevent us from thinking that something is wrong, broken, or that we are going nuts! (too late for me, I'm already there)
Thanks Guys. ...  and DON'T PANIC!

steve.

you cannot use this forum to allege that we are failing to notify the players of substantial changes (ie we are being bad game managers) and then refuse to list those changes when asked.

so either:

1) put up a list of things that you think we changed without notice

or

2) retract your assertion.

any other course of action is not an acceptable use of this forum.

JPA

that have affected me or my characters? Zero. I choose to play this game. I accept whatever happens without taking it personally.
I am not casting aspersions, but merely asking that since this IS a BETA version, could we please be informed when experimenting is going on? No need to explain the details or even why, just a little heads up, really, it's just that simple. I will be taking my Can'o'Worms opener back to K-mart as it is too effective.
Thank You once again.

We have a separate test server for experimentation.

When changes are made to the live server, I feel we have been pretty good about making announcements. Recently there was a change to the random number generator, and then a change to the city guard routine. Both were announced here in the forum.

I'm not saying we are perfect with respect to announcing every change... but I think we are a bit more informative and responsive than most caretakers of similar games.

Steve,

Your OP insulted players with less experience than you (heck that is everyone except Glenn) and implied, if not downright stated, that we were making harmful changes without notifications. These sorts of posts, are inflammatory in nature. You cannot come here and write a bunch of stuff without concrete examples/evidence/details and then just walk away from it without a retraction/apology. So either pony up on some specific instances to support your assertions, or man up and retract them.

By the very existence of this thread you are "poisoning the well" and implying that this has been a problem. I will not accept this smear tactic.

JPA

Oh, snap.

Twas not intended to be sure. My apologies to the caretakers of this enjoyable version of avatar. Everyone else relax and have fun.
Thanks