=- Andrew K. Bressen wrote on Sat 31.Mar'07 at 20:46:21 -0400 -= > I've now started > http://wiki.us.netrek.org/netrek-dev/MarketIdeas Thank you. > Zach, please please use more paragraphs in your email; those > huge blocks of text are mind-numbing to look at. ... and Zach: don't repost major parts. > { Paradise } But I think it is foolish to put any effort into it > until there are clients for something besides unix. I guess you mean primarily windows, and there you're right, such a beast would definitely help. (Paradise has run on non-unix/-windows systems, I even read about mac). > As Sturgeon demonstrated, we don't have enough players to > support more than one kind of netrek right now. I don't know Sturgeon, but let me rationalize about Paradise: - newbies want to play for fun, that's the entry-level. - when they enjoy it and need new challenges, they move to the next level: - sportslike competition, - organized games with elite players, - eventually leading to organized league games. Bronco is more like a sports game with all the high expectations towards team-awareness and team-oriented playing styles, and because of it's front-line enforced game play with little variation. You can have fun with Bronco as newbie, but I believe Paradise is more fun as entry-level, yet it still requires some structured/ team play to win (as team), just less so than with Bronco: you can have relaxed fun (by variation) but slowly learn on your own the need for team support (to cover all possible variations, you can't do all on your own ;). I can't compare with Sturgeon, since I've never been there. I know, many new players who are still around have begun with Bronco, but this is quite obvious without a Paradise server around. ;) At least for me and several others (Zach, we know about you already ;) who are stuck with Bronco now, the entry was Paradise, and still we love Bronco, too, or we wouldn't be still around. :) > And I'm not sure the newbies are even reaching a point where > Chaos or Sturgeon would make much of a difference to their > perceptions. Although wrap is kinda obvious. Well, Paradise would be _a lot_ different, and more familiar to the TV-show, if they've seen it and matters to some newbs. > In regard to semi-retired players, I think once we get the tech > pre-reqs in place and ramp up marketing, that we should make a > concerted effort to get them back, even on a "let's try to save > the game" campaign basis. I know we need clue to raise new clue, but (semi-)retired folks retired for private reasons: not because the game deteriorated, but other interests have surpassed netrek. I wouldn't put too much effort on this area, but rather let new clue develop on its own. > I think the clue games have succeeded because of scheduling; > people who want a solid game are more likely to make a set time > than to drop in. Unfortunately this will keep some interested people out who just can't make it to that time. Timezones and work suck. ;) -- © Rado S. -- You must provide YOUR effort for your goal! EVERY effort counts: at least to show your attitude. You're responsible for ALL you do: you get what you give.