re: Churn rate...

donn breshears (donn.breshears@mail.sprint.com)
27 Jul 1999 08:39:03 -0500

I have to agree with you Ian. I first started in this game back about turn 90
or so. I stayed in for two turns then quit as it looked like I could not
accomplish anything of substance. I was invited back to Oly by a person I was
allied with in another PBeM game and invited to join his alliance, that was
about turn 98 or so.

I wish that Rich would open a new game (the infamous G3) I would like to start
in a fresh world where I could find some out of the way island to call my own.
I also think that would improve his income as (for at least 30 turns or so)
new players would not feel so lost and intimidated. It does not help that all
of the safe havens (except maybe Drassa) are in war zones, I know that Harn has
been blockaded at least once recently.

Donn
---------- Original Text ----------

From: C=US/A=TELEMAIL/P=Sprint/O=SMTP/DDA=rfc-822/owner-g2-list(a)rt., on
07/27/1999 8:08 AM:

Message Authorized By: C=US/A=TELEMAIL/P=Sprint/O=SMTP/DDA=rfc-822/is
parks(a)wmute.u-net.com

----------------------------- [X.400 Text Follows]
-----------------------------

Has anyone been keeping tabs on the churn rate in Olympia g2?

I'm interested to know how the game is working out.

I'd be willing to hazard that there is a very high rate of dropouts among
new players and a low one among long-standing players. Obviously the
long-term players have considerable investment in the game so dropping out
is less likely, nothing sinister there. However, I also feel that new
players drop out because :

1. They are intimidated by the size of the existing factions which could
wipe them out on a whim.
2. There appears to be little or no new land an independant can call home.
3. Its too easy to lose vital parts of a small faction to crossfire and fog
of war between squabbling giant factions.
4. There are few opportunities to compete with equal-sized factions.
5. It seems unlikely that a new faction will ever reach the power of the
existing giant factions.

These reasons are all opinion and can no doubt be refuted at length but if
that is the impression new players get then high-drop out rates will result
among new players. I don't know if this matters or if anyone really cares
but I wanted to voice my opinion.

Ian Sparks.

Main Index  |  Olympia  |  Arena  |  PBM FAQ  |  Links