How do you attract gamers who have grown bored?

Ladred · 02-16-2007, 05:37 PM

This is along the same lines as the post that LFG started, questioning how to get gamers that have left the game to come back.

I've got a few friends that over the past couple of months have expressed to me that 'I'd really like to play EQ2, but I believe its too late to start at it anew.' To which I can only agree.

Its always difficult starting a game that has matured and most of the player base is topped out waiting for more content to consume. So how do you think these players should be enticed to coming over and trying it out?

My suggestion when EOF came out was to make a new server, all that was needed was 1. Restrict transfers for at least six months. This would give players that want to try the game a new server to become a part of the community with.

Another thought would be to we work the trials, and newbie experience, as the qeynos and freeport experiences have fast become outdated and banal.

The big kicker though, I believe, is marketing. Give us a blockbuster EQ2 movie, and they will come. Or hell, just put some of those shiny boxes on the shelves at your local software store. I've not seen an EQ2 game on a shelf where I live in over a year.

LFG · 02-16-2007, 05:42 PM

I agree with everything you've said above 1000%.

Deson · 02-16-2007, 05:43 PM

Adding in reasons to mentor is one way in this game.Constantly adding in engaging content and providing people of all levels reason to do that content can go a long way in extending/refreshing a games life.

Pink Poodle · 02-16-2007, 05:51 PM

Oooh, an EQ movie? Yeah, the playerbase would skyrocket.

This game needs mini-games. I don't mean "right click the pan to play a dumb song for Christmas" I mean like an instance where you match the cards or something. Like Zelda.

Deson · 02-16-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhoslyn Deviak

Oooh, an EQ movie? Yeah, the playerbase would skyrocket.

This game needs mini-games. I don't mean "right click the pan to play a dumb song for Christmas" I mean like an instance where you match the cards or something. Like Zelda.

From the moment I heard SOE acquired that card game company I was expecting something like MtG or what I've heard Vanguard's diplomacy described as. Those would be a tremendous asset in so many ways as to potentially become a 3 path of advancement. Rewriting the area would go a long way as well to be serverwide and use real PvP rules. This would increase usage and give a reason to actually further work on it.

Broomhilde · 02-16-2007, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladred

This is along the same lines as the post that LFG started, questioning how to get gamers that have left the game to come back.

I've got a few friends that over the past couple of months have expressed to me that 'I'd really like to play EQ2, but I believe its too late to start at it anew.' To which I can only agree.

Its always difficult starting a game that has matured and most of the player base is topped out waiting for more content to consume. So how do you think these players should be enticed to coming over and trying it out?

My suggestion when EOF came out was to make a new server, all that was needed was 1. Restrict transfers for at least six months. This would give players that want to try the game a new server to become a part of the community with.

Another thought would be to we work the trials, and newbie experience, as the qeynos and freeport experiences have fast become outdated and banal.

The big kicker though, I believe, is marketing. Give us a blockbuster EQ2 movie, and they will come. Or hell, just put some of those shiny boxes on the shelves at your local software store. I've not seen an EQ2 game on a shelf where I live in over a year.

Couldn't agree more. I see this in WOW all the time, newbies should always wait for a new server (unless they have friends on an established server to assist them) so they are on equal footing with everyone else. A new server would add some life and a good starting point for new and existing gamers. And the marketing aspect is right on point: Look at that WOW movie that was played during the VGA's with a full orchestra. Yes people like flash and flash attracts. This doesnt mean the game cant have depth, it can, but you need that shiny bauble to get folks to look. Its like attracting the opposite (or same, however you roll) sex. Sure you could be a great guy/girl, but unless you do something to make yourself attractive, people may not notice you to find out how great you are.

Good post, thanks!

Morara · 02-16-2007, 09:45 PM

I don't think that's true at all, at least from a raiding standpoint. Turnaround time on a person's first character if he's serious about it and isn't playing 10+ hours a day should be around 3-4 months. Tack on another month or so hitting the top end instances for gear, and they're ready to raid, assuming the player is capable of playing his class. Raiding will fill in the gaps in his gear and spells, and it's not like the guilds are just sitting on their thumbs. They're trying to figure out mobs that haven't been beaten, and they're hitting instances and mobs that have over and over.

For a non-raider, it should be even easier, since networking is far less important. You can solo the first 30 levels in a day or two (20 is what, an hour?), and grind out the rest with groups that seem to be always around in RE, CT, Permafrost, Clefts, Pillars, and then the KoS stuff. Tradeskills are a shorter climb than ever (though, admittedly, sages have it better than most), too. If questing is your thing, there are "family" guilds out there that do nothing but quests at nearly every tier that matters.

If I left a play style out, let me know.

EQ1, EQOA, and UO were far less forgiving about starting late, and even those allowed short paths to the top and shallow learning curves.

LFG · 02-16-2007, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deson

From the moment I heard SOE acquired that card game company I was expecting something like MtG or what I've heard Vanguard's diplomacy described as. Those would be a tremendous asset in so many ways as to potentially become a 3 path of advancement. Rewriting the area would go a long way as well to be serverwide and use real PvP rules. This would increase usage and give a reason to actually further work on it.

A VG-like Diplomacy system in EQ2 would own so hard - I believe it would re-addict many, generate a ton of new subscribers, and be like Evercrack 3.0.

I'm actually wierded out that a simulated strategy card game like Diplomacy within a MMO can be so addictive, but it is.

Niber · 02-17-2007, 12:09 AM

I don't know why they don't merge a couple existing servers and create a couple new ones. It would bring new life to the game. Hell it'll even put competition back into the raiding community. Mmm, reliving T5 again.. tempting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFG

A VG-like Diplomacy system in EQ2 would own so hard - I believe it would re-addict many, generate a ton of new subscribers, and be like Evercrack 3.0.

I'm actually wierded out that a simulated strategy card game like Diplomacy within a MMO can be so addictive, but it is.

Hey now Ixnay, we have one Vanguard.. we don't need two!

Morara · 02-17-2007, 01:27 AM

I hope diplomacy is code for "hitting things until they die."