a realization

[The Lady Shael]

 The graphics aren't all too sharp on Runescape, probably why I only played it for about 10 minutes, but hey, it's free, I guess, can't expect much.

Let's not make the mistake of adding so many features to the current game. The current game is (or seems) already 15 times more complicated than two years ago, because players keep insisting more features be modified or added. While it's true players two years ago may be able to succeed with the same strategies for the current game, you'd be surprised how many of our members we've scared off by complicating this game.

New players sign up, look around, and become overwhelmed. Even two years ago, many weren't used this kind of playing. They attempt to play, get stompled and discouraged, and leave.

One of the dreams I've had for over a year is to bring back the original server. I think now, this is what will bring most members to us. Even if we had all the coolest features, we'd attract all the experienced players, but how many of them are there, compared to those who aren't experienced, and how many of them would come over here anyway?

If we set up this newbie server, I realize a problem is that we've already got many experienced players who would own the game in 30 seconds. I can only suggest these players consent to be noble and refrain from playing on this server. I realize there are only ten thousand things that will slip by and make themselves exceptions.

But we won't gain any more members unless we step down a little and allow others to get on board. We won't know if it'll work until we try. It seems like since the BAX expansion was released, the new member gain rate started to decline. That seems to be around when the game truly started to slow down. DEX was still pretty much alive.

When the game first started, hundreds of members signed up over a period of two months, and they /stayed/. I remember being proud of myself to get into the top 100. Apparently now it's embarrassing to be on the lower end of the top 40...partly because there are less than 30 active players in the game.

Wow this is going to be long.

Why has activity been decreasing recently anyway? We always pulled out of depressions before with no trouble. I think a big part of the reason is that we're getting older and becoming more mature. Interests and attitudes change. This theory scares me, because I've lost an awesome community of friends and memories to this reason. Bringing in younger people will most likely keep some level of spirit alive, and we can just follow along.

Maybe it's because we're all so close and know each other so well and we've already talked to each other so much that there's nothing left to talk about. All the polls have been posted, strategy discussions have been exhausted, no more issues to debate on...this goes back to the first reason.

Maybe it's the whole admins vs. members conflict. Maybe we are getting stricter, but you have to admit, at least we're fair, even if we're not here all the time, and we can be nice people when we feel like it. Compared to other promisances, where I have no idea how they stay active playing an obviously unfair game.

I don't know what else to say, except that even though RWL certainly isn't as alive as it once was, it's not dead yet, and it won't be as long as there are people dedicated to staying here and keeping it going. Looking at the people who posted in this topic, we have nothing to worry about. You are the awesomest members ever, and occasionally I think about how lucky I am to be an admin here. I need to apologize for not being a completely up-to-performance admin lately, real life is incredibly stressing for me right now, I'll try my best to do better in the future. Hopefully you all already know how much I love RWL. ^_^

[Gen. Volkov]

 That we do Shael. If you wanna bring back the very first server in an attempt to bring more people in, go ahead. I promise not to join. *Laughs* As to the Runescape thing, the graphics have massively improved. Which is why it is so popular now. As for the other stuff, I can't say much, because when I cam back, RWL was already into this decline and when I left back in the first Era, RWL didn't have nearly that many people, though the sign up rate even at that point was just tremendous. I remember a week after I joined we were already in the hundreds for account numbers.

[Blood Wake]

 *goes around the internet to post adds*

useing the RWL flyer posted above. hehe

[Ashyra Nightwing]

 *remembers the First Era and the Seven Emperors*

Stuff was much more... IC back then. And Shael, I like the idea of bringing back the old server... :)

[Arguia Zsah]

 Maybe a good idea would be to venture forth into hitherto undiscovered lands and pressgang what life we find there and hide it in the broom cupboard and never let it out.  <_<  Maybe...

[RazorClaw]

 Volkov, I have Mac games from the early nineties with graphics as good/better than Runescape's, and they're getting paid probably quite a bit by their Members ($5 a month, each). AS to this game... I think that it was great in the Second Era. We hit an all-time high in active members, There was lots going on... I think it'd be nice to have the server back to where it was late second era. Sure, Wildcat and Marten would dominate, but people had FUN doing that. And isn't that the object of such a game? (Oh, and windy, I still play Rogue Leader, 4 years after release).  

[Peace Alliance]

 a newbie server is an alright idea. But i don't think it should be based on the old code. Mainly because the majority of RWL's advancements were actually interface changes, not new spells and complications.

If we made a newbie server, it would have to be the same as the code is now, without the stupid attacking system, without cities, and without specific race specials.

Of course, watering down the game WON'T fix it. Balencing it will... and thats exactly what i think is the major issue right now, in terms of how the game is running.

[Ereptor]

 You guys always get so technical about balancing the game.  Technical games aren't fun.  Thats all i got to say about that.  KISS *Keep it simple stupid*

[Peace Alliance]

 We're not making it into a technical game (umm... its a mathimaticaly-based text based game... how can it not be technical?) we're making it into a balenced game. Balence IS fun. KISS... thats just a kiss...  just for you 'reptor :D

[RazorClaw]

 But when the game had the most people, it WASN'T balanced, and did not have all of the intricacies it has now. I suppose it's whether you want it to be fun for the 25 people who play now or be fairly fun for maybe 50+ people. Because, no matter how good the base is, or the balAnce, or the racial ability, if there's ten people playing, it doesn't mean much... But, to let you know, I'LL BE ONE OF THOSE TEN!!!

[Nohcnonk]

 Who cares is balancing is an issue if it's more fun? XD I still don't see how an old server would do harm.

[andrew]

 it would be cool if regular was a lil faster like 2 turns every 15 minutes

that way its still slower than turbo but a little more interesting for regular

maybe the people who like only playing turbo would try reg again too

[Ereptor]

 that is actually i really good idea.  *prods retts*

[Peace Alliance]

 the more balenced the game is, the more people will find it fun. otherwise its only the small minority of people who know what race to pick, and what exact stratagy to use, who do well.

[Gen. Volkov]

 Peace has a point. But instead of balancing by making everything equally powerful, we should just do away with Pressgang and Goldmine. The game was better without them. The watered down Pressgang doesn't do much, and Goldmine is too powerful. The majority of the game is Marten. I think we should just cut those to races, or give them different specials. And for GOD"S SAKE give the new pressgang races back their old specials. And yes, either speed up the turn rate a bit or lower the max turns. Reg is just too slow. No one uses 100 turn chunks anymore like they did in first and second era's. And Razor, I know it wasn't balanced, but it was certainly more balanced than it is now. Also, I was just pointing out why Runescape had suddenly gotten so popular, though it does have polygon graphics which early Mac games did not have. Also, I think you have a different definition of second era than I do, because Wildcat and Marten weren't around then. However, a first or second era sized population would be great.