Turn 2310 - Game over?

[the_antisocial_hermit]

lol, BC just simplified what I was trying to type up, while I was typing it up...

[psymann]

Well yes, I can't really be bothered to fill out a form, but equally yes, I can't be bothered to go through any training, so I guess you have a point.

What I'd be happy to do is, on the odd occasions I have time (which varies considerably from week to week), help work out the numbers for some new items, or recommend changes to the numbers of existing items, so that someone else can play with the database and quickly make it so. I can't see that that should need training beyond school-level maths *shrugs* ah well.

If I was dying to get computer game support on my CV, or if you paid me, or if I really wanted the prestige of working on the staff, or if I really believed that getting on the staff would help me add things to the game that I like personally, then I'd apply. But I don't, I just figured that if I focussed my efforts not on suggesting things that get ignored, but on helping implement those suggestions that had been accepted and just needed fleshing out, then that might be of benefit.

Anyway, if you want some help keeping up with implementing some of the suggestions that have been sitting around for a while without anyone quite having time to get round to them (like some of the new foods, the instruments, the sports equipment), then you can fill in my application form, and ask for my help

psymann

[SekoETC]

The main thing about RD is to learn that even though you thought your idea was brilliant and you could implement it without needing help from anyone, you're still gonna have to discuss it with others and get their consent. And not everything is going to be implemented even if it was easy, since diversity clutters up the menus.

[BarbaricAvatar]

Not entirely on topic but with regards to the Crossbow argument, i like the fact that it takes so many steps to make one. Most people can't be bothered and it makes it extra-satisfying putting in the time to achieve something that others don't have the patience for.

Perhaps the skills system has a small part to play in people leaving. I've been lucky, but imagine if you'd donated 10+ days of your chars time to make a good weapon and they turn out to be rubbish with it. Bit of a piss-take IMO.

[Solfius]

as of day 1839 we have less than 1500 players. According to my turn report we have 1497, this may fluctuate and go back over the 1500 mark, but this is still nearly 200 fewer players than day 1810

[herkamer]

I believe we should just return to basics. After some time playing this game it's easy to poke holes in most anything about it, but let's return to the biggest reason we all started to begin with- ROLE PLAYING. That's the fun factor, the sweet spot that sucked us in and keeps us here.
When I got into this I remember looking around for something like the old Zork games. Text based, had to be text based. Kind of like the reason why an album on the record player is gonna have the warmth, the crackle and hiss that makes it more visceral. The text allows for the word to craft a depth of characters and interactions that are impossible in any other medium. The only limit is the gamers' imaginations.
This is the appeal. If you want people to stay, give them something they can't find elsewhere. Give 'em personal interaction in a culture unique to itself. Give 'em your best played characters, every day. Instead of concentrating on all the things that most of us have very little control over, let's concentrate on what we have total control over- our characters. Flesh 'em out more, give 'em some color, stand 'em up and walk 'em around. Make 'em talk in their sleep, stammer around a crush, lose their cool, or cower in the hollow of a tree.
That's why we play. It's fun to play make believe for a while, a little controlled dreaming leaking into our waking hours. Forget all the other crap, for a while at least, and go back to do things just for the hell of it. Let the characters play themselves for a while.

[SekoETC]

I was getting rather bored, I realized one of my characters isn't getting nowhere with what he's doing, that he'd even forgotten why he was doing what he was doing so he went out. And at least I have more events, if something. Other characters getting more events too. The only problem is that I nearly keep running out of minutes each day >.< It should be cheaper to buy them with credits.

I'm also thinking more about what my characters are like, what they will do in the future. Sometimes there's a long project that keeps you away from other people but you can still think about the future, what you're going to do and say when you get to see people again. Characters tend to form their own personalities, it's fun.

[Redbeard]

I believe we should just return to basics. After some time playing this game it's easy to poke holes in most anything about it, but let's return to the biggest reason we all started to begin with- ROLE PLAYING. That's the fun factor, the sweet spot that sucked us in and keeps us here.... {clip}

Yes yes yes yes !!!!!! ROLE PLAYING!!! not stuff!!!

[sanchez]

For those of us with no roleplaying experience, or with deficient skills, 'stuff' is a good reason to keep logging in. I agree that constant projects should not be required to play. I hated the old tool rot rates, and basic food production I think should not be a life's work. But that said, being able to build things like cars and telescopes and refineries is motivation to travel and trade, and talk.... These are not essential items for life. Give people something to discover and to create. Nobody is trying to tie the hands of those who want to just rp, but some of the comments here sure feel like pressure to restrict the game for everybody. Anybody can play cantr. People can enjoy the game in different ways. Simplifying game mechanics can't resuscitate that thrill of discovery for oldbies. Are you sure it's building crossbow pieces that's burning people out?

[Doug R.]

I don't think herkamer's post was meant to suggest that Cantr be rolled back to its prehistoric periods. I think what they meant (and how I took it) is that instead of focusing on the things that we don't like and useing them as excuses as to why the game isn't fun anymore, to instead go back to basics with our characters and do what it is that they (and I) enjoy most about the game: roleplaying.

I have always subscribed to the theory that mechanical game changes really don't affect my character's ability to roleplay if I choose not to let them, which is why you rarely see me bitching about anything on the forum.

[tiddy ogg]

As in the RL world, while you're poor you have to spend all your effort on survival. Several of my chars are now past this subsistence level so can spend their time in social pursuits.
Assuming (probably wrongly) that other players are like me, that means that you have to play for a while getting your chars equipped and fed before the RP becomes the more important part.
This is one of Cantr's strengths, that it accomodates both.

[Slowness_Incarnate]

I wonder if anyone else is in the same boat where they have a bunch of characters that can no longer accomplish their goals because there is simply no one to help them anymore.

[Black Canyon]

Yes! Sadly, that is the frequent case these days. We need more good players to create more good characters.

Any takers for the Marketing Department?

[Racetyme]

Honestly, I'd consider it, but I'd need some serious training. I have the time, but I wouldn't know what to do.

[nkycarbon]

500 players in October 03
1,925 players in August 06
1,567 players in March 07

1,122 players in October 2008

I was actually looking for something else but happen to see this.