Rado S <regrado at web.de> writes: >> 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. But for some of them, they drifted away ten years ago, and now have an "oh, yeah, that was pretty cool" reaction. I went to a wedding yesterday, and met someone who used to play. We talked about ways to market the game. He suggested talking to the MIT strategic games club and making sure that the MIT Athena systems have a current client on them. From his enthusiasm level, I'm pretty sure if I called him and asked him to show up three or four times to help demo the game and get newbs up to speed, he'd do it for old times' sake. Two or three dozen people like that, even if they only help out a few times, could make a difference. Netrek generates an emotional attachment in people; if we tell someone their favorite college sport needs their help to survive, I expect we'll get at least a few people. And maybe some of the ones too busy to play will send us some advertising cash. In one of Red Shirt's guides, he notes that he's retiring from play because he sees himself becoming rude and abusive and doesn't like it. How many players have left because they were tired of being called names, tired of seeing people pissing on each other on the team and all boards? Can we get even a few of them back? >> 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. ;) Sure. It'd be nice if there were daily clue games. But right now we have one that is being moderately successful. And I think it attracts and holds people who would not otherwise be playing; often Pickled has 12-14 players during the clue games, the only time of the week when we regularly have t-mode on two servers at the same time. And that's even with folks obs'ing the clue game. With a few more regular players, maybe we can get to two per week, a 100% increase with twice the opportunities for people to work it into their schedules. Do we have many European players who don't play pickup but would play a clue game if it was in their daytime or evening? --akb