What is the general consensus on server emptyness?
By
3dent,
Posted on: 2010-07-09 07:05 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
From: http://www.mmodesigner.com/?p=143
Naming your character in an MMO is a sacred thing. Its probably the single most personal thing about your character. Especially in an MMO that does not allow for a lot of character avatar customization, where your name is probably the only real differentiation from any one else of your race/class combo. MMO designers should take this seriously, and make sure that you have the players interests in mind when you come up with your naming rules.
@Catwhoorg "Rule of Three - Finale" Arc# 1984
@Mr Falkland Islands"A Nation Goes Rogue" Arc# 2369 "Toasters and Pop Tarts" Arc#116617
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How about because I've put time into that character. I've made that character, for myself and those I play with (who are, by the way, interested in RP as well as "big numbers,) more than a collection of pixels. And if that name has a direct tie to why that character is who they are - changing it alters the character. |
Originally Posted by Lucky666
I don't get why people would get so mad by a name. Can't you(plural you) think of a new cool new one or maybe add a middle or last name to it or just even an initial. To quit a game that is fun just for a name seems like quiet possibly the dumbest reason to quit but imho that's just my opinion.
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The game would become *less* fun if I had to change something that fundamental to who those characters *are.*
For instance, one of my 50s is a Peacebringer named Voidbane. (Also not 50 on another server.) Not Sam Voidbane. Not Void.Bane, not Voidbane II. The name has specific meaning, and is fundamental to who that character *is.*
You may not care. Others do. (And yes, I *am* among those that, if I were forced to change them, would quit. See also Aion, which not only merged, but added initials to the end of every character - even if there were no duplicates. Irritated me enough that I killed the sub - and, given the severity of the merges, don't expect to see it running in the NA servers at this time next year. Mentioned what they did to the names to the friends I'd had started in it - who had also quit for a bit - and it turned them off of resubbing as well.)
A question for the people that think that "Xxxx server is dead."
Is it really that difficult to create a community? Or is it just wanting an instant community, then sifting through the chafe to find people you'll likely team with again? Or is it about just being able to get a speed-run TF PuG withing minutes of signing on?
(Okay, that was more than one question, but I just typed the first question and kept going.)
See, the generalizations can go both way. Just as people will cap on Freedumb, or that Virtue is just one big Pocket-D. I've got character on both of those servers (heck, I have characters on all of the servers,) and while I have had good teams on Freedom, more often that not a PuG has had one or two people on it that are /petition-worthy.
I spend a lot of time on Protector, and it may seem 'empty' to someone used to Freedom, but it is far from inactive. I can easily get on a PuG at 11pm PDT or even 1am, even do a TF or two. It's been called the "Unofficial Solo Server", and while many of us do solo, I spend more time interacting with my fellow players, than not. While any of the 'low pop' servers can seem cliquish all it really takes is for people to put themselves out there. Get to know people and let them get to know you.
Despite it's apparent 'emptiness', Protector is the originator of the Mentor Project, that has since grown to nearly every server (only one EU server so far) with 100+ Mentors.
The servers do not need to be consolidated. Everyone plays the game in their own manner, regardless as to whether they are on Freedom, or Justice, or Guardian. Most of us started out not knowing anyone, we teamed with people some we never saw again, some of them we still play with today. I'm just saying that in order for a community to work, interaction has to go both ways.
If people really are interested in the best that CoX has to offer as far as player interaction has to offer, build it yourself. This is the only way to guaranty that you will be playing with people that hold similar interests. This in no way means that you have to start from scratch, although you could. Any community starts with just two people and grows from there.
Everything Red said, and also:
Sometimes you actually have to *work* to find people with the same interests as you. It doesn't hurt to use the star system, either.
City of Heroes taught me that when the world is burning, you don't just stand by and watch, you grab a fire extinguisher and do whatever you can to stop it-even if it's not much at all. Sign the petition to keep City of Heroes alive HERE.
@MissKyo, Leader of the Teamsters coalition on Protector
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Originally Posted by Jetpack
Mmm, I don't think that is what they are saying.
I believe it's more like we'll quit if we lose our character names and SG's. I would be surprised if people quit because more people played on their server. I think it has to do with how those people get there. |
I was actually just joking around with that comment. No logical person would respond negatively to the game becoming more popular.
Although nearly half the list that gets quoted drills home how they like to play on lesser populated servers and how that is their right. It leads a person like me to wonder what degree of dissension they would experience if that option disappeared regardless of the cause. It's nearly half the list so one might be inclined to think it would be pretty high.
I've lost count of the number of times I've seen a "the server's are dead" thread where someone says they were standing "under the AP statue" or "near Ms. Liberty" etc. for over an hour and no one invited them to a team.
Now I can't speak for anyone else but when I actually notice that a character is in the same spot for that long in between the missions I'm running, I assume that it's a good chance that account is an RMT site gathering the names/globals of passing players. I 1 star them and make a note "Possible RMTer." Then I /gignore them just to be safe.
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Solution to character names is to append globals (which would be optional in the chat display, just like CO). As far as SG's go, dunno.
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Originally Posted by Stormbird
Bingo.
If Champion (one of the servers I'm on) suddenly got a bunch of new players on it? Hey, cool. If Champion got it by getting merged with Guardian? I'd be severely unhappy, since I know I, personally, would have name conflicts (for starters.) Quite possibly irritating me enough to leave the game, depending on the extent and magnitude of the problems that would crop up. |
@macskull, @Not Mac | XBL: macskull | Steam: macskull | Skype: macskull
"One day we all may see each other elsewhere. In Tyria, in Azeroth. We may pass each other and never know it. And that's sad. But if nothing else, we'll still have Rhode Island."
"One day we all may see each other elsewhere. In Tyria, in Azeroth. We may pass each other and never know it. And that's sad. But if nothing else, we'll still have Rhode Island."
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Or maybe they had to take an important phone call and the game didn't autolog them?|
Originally Posted by Forbin_Project
Now I can't speak for anyone else but when I actually notice that a character is in the same spot for that long in between the missions I'm running, I assume that it's a good chance that account is an RMT site gathering the names/globals of passing players. I 1 star them and make a note "Possible RMTer." Then I /gignore them just to be safe.
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In any case. Something seems odd to me.
If what Posi said is true and new players are forced to start in Praetoria, what is the point of that if they are primarily pushing GR to old players?
Given the relative small marketing efforts at enticing new players beyond a few promos, would it really matter that much if you forced new players to start in Praetoria?
I'm still a bit confused about what GR is supposed to accomplish for the game as a whole. That's not to say I don't like what is coming in GR...but if revamping the new user experience is the focal point of the expansion along with side switching, why leave the other 2 possible starting points untouched?
Each starting point is, IMHO, just as critical as the other. Hero, Villain or Neutral. It shouldn't suck to start a new character period.
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The only times autolog is suspended is when a character is in an SG base or inside a mission. It always logs out afk players in regular city zones.|
Originally Posted by Slashman
Or maybe they had to take an important phone call and the game didn't autolog them?
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Also notice that I said in notes I make the comment "possible RMTer" and I use the regular /gignore. I don't use /ignore spammer which generates a petition. This is because if I happen to end up on a pug with this person I can then see how/if he participates and change my mind and remove him from ignore and alter my notes.
I can remember changing my mind on three occasions.
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In any case. Something seems odd to me. If what Posi said is true and new players are forced to start in Praetoria, what is the point of that if they are primarily pushing GR to old players? Given the relative small marketing efforts at enticing new players beyond a few promos, would it really matter that much if you forced new players to start in Praetoria? |
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I'm still a bit confused about what GR is supposed to accomplish for the game as a whole. That's not to say I don't like what is coming in GR...but if revamping the new user experience is the focal point of the expansion along with side switching, why leave the other 2 possible starting points untouched? Each starting point is, IMHO, just as critical as the other. Hero, Villain or Neutral. It shouldn't suck to start a new character period. |
Where do you get the idea the other two zones have been untouched? The only people that have access to that kind of knowledge is Beta testers. Are you violating the NDA by leaking information or are you just SWAGing (Silly Wild A*& Guessing) about something you know nothing about?
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Or maybe I'm referring to the post by War Witch where she says that they didn't have the resources to revamp the starting zones?
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Originally Posted by Forbin_Project
Where do you get the idea the other two zones have been untouched? The only people that have access to that kind of knowledge is Beta testers. Are you violating the NDA by leaking information or are you just SWAGing (Silly Wild A*& Guessing) about something you know nothing about?
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Not accurate. Autolog is disabled when on a Task Force, Strike Force, or Ouroborus Arc.
| The only times autolog is suspended is when a character is in an SG base or inside a mission. It always logs out afk players in regular city zones. |
50s: Inv/SS PB Emp/Dark Grav/FF DM/Regen TA/A Sonic/Elec MA/Regen Fire/Kin Sonic/Rad Ice/Kin Crab Fire/Cold NW Merc/Dark Emp/Sonic Rad/Psy Emp/Ice WP/DB FA/SM
Overlord of Dream Team and Nightmare Squad
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Could you provide a link? I haven't seen that post and would appreciate the chance to read it.
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Originally Posted by Slashman
Or maybe I'm referring to the post by War Witch where she says that they didn't have the resources to revamp the starting zones?
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Thank you for correcting me, I completely forgot about those because the characters I remember seeing standing around were around levels 1-2 and had no vet badges.
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Originally Posted by Bionic_Flea
Not accurate. Autolog is disabled when on a Task Force, Strike Force, or Ouroborus Arc.
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I don't like that because it's a solution to problem that doesn't exist. |
macskull repeats: Solution to character names is to append globals (which would be optional in the chat display, just like CO). As far as SG's go, dunno. |
To me, the biggest answer to server merging in the obvious one that's been mentioned several times. In the MMO community, it means "near death; don't even bother signing up".
Dec out.
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And yet a number of people have stated this, including people that I believe actually mean it. Whether or not you understand it, accept that some people WILL quit if they lose their character name.|
Originally Posted by Lucky666
I don't get why people would get so mad by a name. Can't you(plural you) think of a new cool new one or maybe add a middle or last name to it or just even an initial. To quit a game that is fun just for a name seems like quiet possibly the dumbest reason to quit but imho that's just my opinion.
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Now, as to how much of an impact this will have, how many will quit; I couldn't guess. Although it does seem to me that it's the long-term players who are most likely to be bothered by loss of names.
Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
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Time.|
Originally Posted by Slashman
I'm still a bit confused about what GR is supposed to accomplish for the game as a whole. That's not to say I don't like what is coming in GR...but if revamping the new user experience is the focal point of the expansion along with side switching, why leave the other 2 possible starting points untouched?
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If they decided to revamp the low level blue and red zones to be as pretty as Praetoria, it will be done some time in 2011 and push out a lot of other development items.
And on the next page I see this:
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Originally Posted by Slashman
Or maybe I'm referring to the post by War Witch where she says that they didn't have the resources to revamp the starting zones?
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Paragon City Search And Rescue
The Mentor Project
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Another thing to remember is that many of those who would quit over this issue have multiple accounts. So if they quit, the company won't be losing one sub per person but 2, 3, and sometimes 4 subscriptions. I myself usually keep 2 accounts active when I can afford it and have had up to 3 active, and I know others have mentioned they have 4 accounts.
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Originally Posted by Ironblade
And yet a number of people have stated this, including people that I believe actually mean it. Whether or not you understand it, accept that some people WILL quit if they lose their character name.
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My pleasure, inebriated squirrel.|
Originally Posted by Forbin_Project
Thank you for correcting me, I completely forgot about those because the characters I remember seeing standing around were around levels 1-2 and had no vet badges.
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Hanging around Atlas at level 1 or 2 with no vet badges isn't necessarily suspicious to me. After all, that is the primary starting zone. If someone just started they might very well be standing around, trying to understand the craziness of Atlas broadcast and taking in the sights.
But if that level 1 or 2 character is named "trfvyguh", then I think you have a pretty good case.
50s: Inv/SS PB Emp/Dark Grav/FF DM/Regen TA/A Sonic/Elec MA/Regen Fire/Kin Sonic/Rad Ice/Kin Crab Fire/Cold NW Merc/Dark Emp/Sonic Rad/Psy Emp/Ice WP/DB FA/SM
Overlord of Dream Team and Nightmare Squad
My usual clue is if they're named something like that and still standing in the spawn spot down the stairs from Ms. Liberty.
Dec out.
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Firstly, I don't think that a revamp in the order of magnitude of Praetoria would be necessary(especially not in the case of red side). I think that revamping the initial contacts and tutorial portions of the game would be more beneficial. Especially adding more contacts to Mercy to provide different experiences for starting players aside from Burke and Kalinda.|
Originally Posted by Ironblade
Time.
If they decided to revamp the low level blue and red zones to be as pretty as Praetoria, it will be done some time in 2011 and push out a lot of other development items. |
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And on the next page I see this: I see you already knew the reason. So was your previous post just trolling? |
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Actually, I met a guy with a name like that on Guardian yesterday. I talked to him and he was a new player who was trying out the game to get a feel for it. |
Originally Posted by Decorum
My usual clue is if they're named something like that and still standing in the spawn spot down the stairs from Ms. Liberty.
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Ironically, his first question was about the game's population and whether it was worth staying. I explained that Freedom and Virtue are the crowded servers and that things were likely to get more active after GR launched.
I think its interesting that new players are very concerned about our population(or at least its appearance).
I also met another new player, but couldn't seem to get him to talk...maybe he wasn't a good english speaker or something.
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New players ask questions about server population in just about every MMO I've ever looked at, including the big one. I think it is just human nature.
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Originally Posted by Slashman
I think its interesting that new players are very concerned about our population(or at least its appearance).
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Originally Posted by Catwhoorg
From: http://www.mmodesigner.com/?p=143
Naming your character in an MMO is a sacred thing. Its probably the single most personal thing about your character. Especially in an MMO that does not allow for a lot of character avatar customization, where your name is probably the only real differentiation from any one else of your race/class combo. MMO designers should take this seriously, and make sure that you have the players interests in mind when you come up with your naming rules. |
lol sacred? do you even know the meaning of that word? cause I don't think you do.
Sacred: Dedicated to or set apart for the worship of a deity.
: Made or declared holy
: Of or relating to religious objects, rites, or practices.
so ya names in video games aren't sacred even if you decide to make the Pope himself.
So like the pvp crowd and peeps on the forums the people that quit the game over a name are most likely a very vocal minority.
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You apparantly don't because I notice that you deleted several definitions that the dictionary lists. Or did you do that because it blows your pathetic attempt to troll Catwhoorg out of the water?|
Originally Posted by Lucky666
lol sacred? do you even know the meaning of that word? cause I don't think you do.
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sa·cred [sey-krid]
–adjective
1. devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated.
2. entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy.
3. pertaining to or connected with religion ( opposed to secular or profane): sacred music; sacred books.
4. reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object: a morning hour sacred to study.
5. regarded with reverence: the sacred memory of a dead hero.
6. secured against violation, infringement, etc., as by reverence or sense of right: sacred oaths; sacred rights.
7. properly immune from violence, interference, etc., as a person or office.
Dictionary.com
So yes by the complete definition of the word they can in fact be held sacred.
I don't get why people would get so mad by a name. Can't you(plural you) think of a new cool new one or maybe add a middle or last name to it or just even an initial. To quit a game that is fun just for a name seems like quiet possibly the dumbest reason to quit but imho that's just my opinion.