I would like to see some changes to help newbies though this would surely
play hell with the databases - extend one of Cloudlands, faery or Hades or
add new realms where new players can begin. Then of course how could you
stop the established alliances in a Landrush for the new areas? Could Rich
force a neutral area where garrisons cannot be established or attacks made(5
by 5 square centred on safe havens?) and new factions could at least get
into the game if not flourish.
Of course it is also up to the existing players to encourage newbies in but
this normally takes the form of 'come join me wage war against XXX' and so
much land is considered a warzone that neutrals will get hit in crossfire.
It would take a great effort and a valiant one at that to make 5x5 Safe
ZONES from the existing Safe Havens. If the said alliances wish to prove me
wrong all the better.
I have taken to playing TAG because of the lack of anything new to discover
on O2. This also depends how you look at the game - a wargame, a resource
management game or a exploring & evolving game. O2 is an amazing blend of
all of these but my preferences lean towards the last and there is little
left to explore even though my faction has not yet been to Hades, Feary or
Cloudlands , my alliance has and I know they are very limited in variety
with the occasional city thrown in - not like the surface world.
Once you are established with land there may be little to do except build
forces and resources then wait for war to happen. This is why I think there
are so many wars going on - there is little else for experienced players to
stretch themselves with and so they play O2 more as a strategic wargame.
I would like Rich to add some new features or lands (is there a seperate
list for that?) but I don't know how difficult this would be. Maybe he could
up the NPs, gold and free study days for newbies to let them catch up with
the older factions? Rotate the safe haven cities so more variety for the new
faction? Why not start on Atnos, Camaris (ok - good point ;) ), etc. ?
I would like to know how some of the more experienced players feel towards
enocuraging newbies - is there enough space on O2 already? What are the
alliances willing to encourage new players.
And, of course the main point: Ask the new players why they quit!
Enough meandering, pass the torch .....
Regards, play well and with style.
Graeme.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Sparks [mailto:isparks@wmute.u-net.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 1999 2:58 PM
To: g2-list@pbm.com
Subject: Churn rate...
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.