MorbidKate wrote:It's now at a point were it's just too big for the number of players we have. It's pretty straight forward actually. What to do about it is more difficult.
Well, of course I understand the problem I was just trying to point out that a reduction in the number of servers would also work. For this reason, IMO HDMs could be held more accountable. If their server is a wealth leak or doesn't represent FR with much accurancy at all? Take it back to beta... Do something so the HDMs have a motive to make their servers as close to ALFA's vision of FR as possible (which of course includes RP of the PCs and NPCs, loot drops, areas, etc). Of course this will never happen, but it would reduce the number of servers
Frankly though, I see no significance to the number of servers out there. Its the land size that counts, and some servers (like Shadowdale) are large enough that a group of players can be based on either end of them, and nearly never meet.
When I speak of greater responsibility and accountability I mean everyone from the top right on down to the player who just got accepted and is about to log in. I agree less servers are needed or failing that combined areas would do. Yes SD is massive, which is why I've been trying to get used to the place as a DM but at the end of the day, we're simply too large for the players we have and will likely get before NWN2 arrives.
At present I suspect the OAS is keeping us somewhat level in terms of newplayers. I still feel we have lost more than we have gained this past year but that's just my perception. The OAS was and is a very good idea however.
Kate
"We had gone in search of the American dream. It had been a lame f*ckaround. A waste of time. There was no point in looking back. F*ck no, not today thank you kindly. My heart was filled with joy. I felt like a monster reincarnation of Horatio Alger. A man on the move... and just sick enough to be totally confident." -- Raoul Duke.
keep in mind, the large number of servers really has nothing to do with what is best for the player base (without making any claims as to whether its good or bad for players). Its mostly because some folks have an interest in building them and they indulge that interest, and presumably they get some satisfaction out of this hobby by doing so.
Despite some claims to the contrary, its not *all* about the players. They aren't the only ones that enjoy this hobby.
Built: TSM (nwn2) Shining Scroll and Map House (proof anyone can build!)
Ronan wrote:I don't see why ALFA needs to be bigger myself. Its niche is small and doesn't lend itself to a large player base. IMO it compromises itself enough already.
It doesn't need to be bigger. Never has, hopefully never will.
Ronan wrote:I don't see why ALFA needs to be bigger myself. Its niche is small and doesn't lend itself to a large player base. IMO it compromises itself enough already.
It doesn't need to be bigger. Never has, hopefully never will.
Of course I agree, which makes we wonder what is so bad about some empty servers? Builders want to build, so we let them build. Maybe some aren't all that active, but so what? How is that hurting anything? Sure it spreads the player base a bit thin, but players are intelligent. If they wanted to group together more, they could. If a server you play on is emtpy, I don't see the problem in just getting up and going to another one. But then I play an adventurer, not some pansy faction-ite who is tied to a specific location and has a day job
Maybe get some cross-server plots going, they can be used for something. Regional DMs would be sweet...
MorbidKate wrote:
Your worried about high level PCs hitting the weekly cap? Considering the numbers being discussed for this cap, I certainly am not worried about them.
No, I'm worried about rewards for difficult DM tasks hitting the cap. I pointed out high-level PCs because they're more likely to have more difficult quests/plots/storylines than low-levels, but it is not exclusively a high-level phenomenon.
Crackdown on DMs? Anytime anyone has even suggested they be more accountable and take greater responsibility they might as well soak themselves in gasoline. Threats to quit, claims of being unappreciated, unpaid job etc.. will come via lit arrow.
So ...
Validation system isn't working because some DMs aren't careful enough checking/are being fooled by/are playing favourites with some PCs. (Minority in both groups, I'm assuming)
Any time someone tries to get this minority to do their jobs right (or in the case of players, quit "shopping around"), they throw a tantrum.
As a result, we introduce yet another layer of scripting, one that will limit all players. (in theory)
... since the cap is set so high, it may not be needed anyway.
The last I heard of the cap it was set at or around 2000 xp/week. If it has changed, please inform me.
The spawns only have to fight once. PCs don't have that luxury.-Twisted
I was just trying to point out that a reduction in the number of servers would also work. For this reason, IMO HDMs could be held more accountable. If their server is a wealth leak or doesn't represent FR with much accurancy at all? Take it back to beta... Do something so the HDMs have a motive to make their servers as close to ALFA's vision of FR as possible (which of course includes RP of the PCs and NPCs, loot drops, areas, etc). Of course this will never happen, but it would reduce the number of servers
