46 réponses à ce sujet

[SuperFly_2000]

What can we do?


- Do the US servers admins understand euro-culture?

- Less DM event driven?

- Less RP focus?

- Actively recruit euro-players and staff?


What more?

I know some might think this is not a big deal....but I wanted to get it out...

In the end a drop in euro players undermines the servers as 24/7 servers and the whole game...

Mostly I am talking about RP:ish servers....which are the bulk of servers/players altogether...

Modifié par SuperFly_2000, 07 novembre 2011 - 02:53 .

[NWN DM]

The time zone difference might have something to do with it with respect to not having a DM available to run anything.

But I'm approaching this from the perspective of DM presence being essential.

[Shadooow]

As far as Czech players majority of them is playing on czech-only servers (see czech server status http://neverwinter.c...=Players_Online (btw Demona 2 is a NWN2 module in progress. Only Arkhalia and Kandelabria 1 are action servers rest is either RP or HCRP) which is caused not only becasuse time zone but mainly because of language. Since majority of them plays roleplaying, the felt they wouldnt be able to play it that well on the english speaking modules on gamespy or they are simply too comfortable to even try, they have there everything they need. Actioners are playing either on Arkhalia (loot server where I am WB) or Kandelabria 1 which is faction pvp oriented. The rest is playing on various english modules like HG, 3T but they are not many.

So majority of them was never interested in english roleplaying modules and never will be.

I think that the same situation is in Russia where is that Axistown a module of virusman. But I dont know details.

Modifié par ShaDoOoW, 07 novembre 2011 - 06:10 .

[SuperFly_2000]

NWN DM,
well yes...the timezone is one of the culprits...there are many ways to fight this problem though...some of which I already mentioned...

Personally I don't need a DM to play and as I mentioned I think it can sometimes be a problem if you are always waiting for a DM....especially in a timezone where you might even not have players...

Shadoow,
yes what you mention is also a big thing. I think there are like Czeck, Polish, Spanish, French and German servers....of which the first three are probably largest in amount and players (?).

It is a shame but I can understand it at the same time.

The language is a mayor thing on roleplay servers.

What I am talking about are euro-players reaching out to mostly US servers and there might be more barriers than the language itself...because most of the players who do that HAVE good english.

I am Swedish for example...and my english is acceptable I think :-P

[Shadooow]

SuperFly_2000 wrote...

 I think there are like Czeck, Polish, Spanish, French and German servers....of which the first three are probably largest in amount and players (?).

Can't say, I have no informations about other language-specific servers.

[Zarathustra217]

It's hard to say where people are, now with the master server is down, but I know that there's for long been both rather active Italian and Spanish servers too. And I know that we suffer from less activity during those periods as well (only about 20 compared to 40+ in US prime time, meaning less than half). It's even worse in the Australian/Asian time zone.

On the other hand, on all the roleplay servers I've been involved with, it has always been like that since game launch, even if less pronounced. It could just be due to generally more NWN players in North America? Paired with a general decline in players, of course. At some point, the count will get so low in certain periods that people will just abandon playing it during those hours altogether, since chances are slim of meeting someone else to play with.

Modifié par Zarathustra217, 07 novembre 2011 - 08:32 .

[Jenna WSI]

Since we reopened, WSI gets 5-10 people on in euro times (1pm EST for my zone) and for a while, it was our busiest time period... but lately it's picked up at night too. We have DMs for both time zones, but I think it's more just one person logs in, then they bring a friend, and snowball effect.

[Pstemarie]

I wonder how many people have gone LAN. I know in my neighborhood (US mind you) we have a router setup just for "LAN" play - we all live close enough that we can log into the network and play over LAN. None of has an interest in anymore in PW servers that lack DMs for guidance or just even some semblance of a cooperative atmosphere.

Of course we're all 40-something gits that just want to left alone once a week so we can drink beer and roleplay. Truth be told we'd probably prefer actual face-to-face pnp, but then people would have to see my ugly mug for a few hours

[Zarathustra217]

I wonder how much of it is influenced by the master server being down though. NWN PWs with their sort of mini-MORPG setup have always suffered from the fact that attracting activity requires already having some degree of activity - something low activity hours are much more prone to suffer from. One should not disregard the value of the gamespy chat in game either - it had some communicative function that I think may easily be underestimated.

[PlasmaJohn]

We're US based and seem to have a fairly active Euro population. Part of that is a self assembled group that picks one of our dungeons to adventure through during EU evenings.

[shadowsallaround]

Or perhaps most of the dms from every server have banned the hell out of all or most of the European players that there just isn't much players left to be had from that part of the world.

[kalbaern]

shadowsallaround wrote...

Or perhaps most of the dms from every server have banned the hell out of all or most of the European players that there just isn't much players left to be had from that part of the world.

Very doubtful a reason. Most PWs have very few bans on players. Its a rare and thankfully small number that ever actually get banned.

[shadowsallaround]

Oh cool. Hop onto the roleplay servers and start roleplaying that your a child of night and live to worship the moon. Let's see how far you get before the ban treatment. Or play the drunkard on the streets of amia or anphilla genesis whether cleaven or axfell or even on the streets of nordock. Or talk about God on some of those social servers and get banned when others are swearing or making fun of others. Or let's get banned on stormnexus because they just don't like your build. Do you see now the anger I hold against dms? I won't even get to the details of some of the others unless I am provoked too. Let's just say for now it is a secret.

Modifié par shadowsallaround, 12 novembre 2011 - 12:47 .

[shadowsallaround]

I won't name names or say who it was but one particular group went as far as turning me in to my job and reporting me for being on their website while at work. They went as far as finding out my jobs number and calling them to report me in a failed attempt to get me fired. Welcome to nwn. A place where even the admins go as far as trying to get you fired at your job. You can only find it there on your wonderful nwn servers. The one and only wonderful dms and admins to turn you in to your job in an attempt to get you fired.

Modifié par shadowsallaround, 12 novembre 2011 - 10:18 .

[Shadooow]

It is true that I already seen or rather read (on that PW forum) that many players get (usually temporary in these cases) BAN for OOC like begging for ress via tell or abusing OOC informations like enemy character level or for playing somehow differently than module creator intented, that is powerplaying, maximizing experiences gain or constantly looting treasures or PK. BUT then is a question what such player doing on those servers anyway. These servers have some ruleset in there and if player doesn't agree with them he can't expect they treat him well. It seems to me shadowsallaround that you are intentionally roleplaying something you know its forbidden or not appropriate. Then stop crying and rather play normally or find a server where they allow this to you. I would be banned immediately on such servers as well if I would try to play my style there, thats why I play only modules that support my playstyle and don't care for those that do not. I suggest you the same.

Modifié par ShaDoOoW, 12 novembre 2011 - 01:12 .

[Pstemarie]

Shadowsallaround - do you ever post anything that DOESN'T whine about getting banned or that DOESN'T push your personal religious views at other people?

[Fergoose]

Some random thoughts to take or leave. These apply to any timezone as I haven’t personally seen much evidence of a different culture depending on whether a server is hosted in North America or Europe:

i) Encourage players from less well catered for timezones to post their likely play times on their forum signatures. DMs and other players can’t work out when a given player is likely to log on by consulting a crystal ball.

ii) If there are only two or three of you online (irrespective of timezone) and another player logs on, consider how you can accommodate them if you aren’t in the middle of something major at a far flung corner of the server. It is extra important to be sociable and inclusive OOC when player numbers are low, for example, if you are playing at a less common timezone. If you don’t go out of your way to interact and encourage new players, chances are your server will gradually become less and less active.

iii) Where possible, get calendar functions on your forums to encourage players to organise pre-arranged sessions. Particularly at weekends, this will give players from rarer timezones a better chance of getting interaction with players from the main timezones.

iv) Provide even limited DM support to player instigated pre-arranged sessions where possible. It is a pity, but generally players seem to have no interest in such sessions unless there is an OOC motivation for them to do so. Even something like an RP based item in a loot drop, or an unexpected monster spawn would take very little effort but can encourage people to attend pre-arranged sessions in the future.

v) If you have a trusted player (particularly in a timezone with no DM coverage), consider giving them some tools to aid the enjoyment of others (e.g. some funds or items on the condition that they be used as RP incentives/props to provide motivation for other characters). Sure, there is potential for abuse, but there are ways of getting around that. A good player with some resources can be almost as positive for a server as a good player with access to the DM client. Alas, the most RP focussed players are often the players that have the poorest characters as they spend less time going from dungeon to dungeon. It is hard for the poorest characters to provide RP incentives to richer, more powerful characters. This could be used in tandem with iv) above.

vi) DM coverage is important, not just to inject a degree of unpredictability in the story, but for more basic things like freeing players who are stuck in the scenery, greet newcomers, make sure rules are being observed and standards maintained etc.

vii) Consider temporary/junior DM slots to players in different timezones if you are reluctant to hand over the keys to the car. Or guest DM slots for more trusted longstanding players to run a one-off campaign etc.

viii) If your server has XP penalties for soloing or being in a small party (a good thing in my book for RP servers to encourage partying and interaction), consider how to make this fairer in a timezone with very few players. One particularly elegant solution I saw was a place that withheld the XP penalty for soloing until the server had a certain number of players online.

ix) Get your server listed in this thread so people can quickly check if your server is active at certain times.

[NWN DM]

shadowsallaround wrote...

I won't name names or say who it was but one particular group went as far as turning me in to my job and reporting me for being on their website while at work. They went as far as finding out my jobs number and calling them to report me in a failed attempt to get me fired. Welcome to nwn. A place where even the admins go as far as trying to get you fired at your job. You can only find it there on your wonderful nwn servers. The one and only wonderful dms and admins to turn you in to your job in an attempt to get you fired.

Must just be you.

[shadowsallaround]

Nopey dopeys. It was an admin you silly dope.

[shadowsallaround]

Think for a minute. How would you feel when the admin and pals on his/her site had continuous arguments and instead of their same rhetoric bans, they take it too seriously and inform my place of employment in an attempt to get me fired. Welcome to nwn and their circle of friendship. Only here do they do such despicable acts. Most people would hunt them down vigilante style. Sometimes I feel like just doing that.

[SuperFly_2000]

Zarathustra217 wrote...
I wonder how much of it is influenced by the master server being down though. NWN PWs with their sort of mini-MORPG setup have always suffered from the fact that attracting activity requires already having some degree of activity - something low activity hours are much more prone to suffer from. One should not disregard the value of the gamespy chat in game either - it had some communicative function that I think may easily be underestimated.

For sure, low activity feeds low activity. So euro time seems to fill a couple servers only...also the language barrier within europe doesn't make it better (as we might have mentioned already).

...and yes, the master server being down for so long doesn't help...

[SuperFly_2000]

shadowsallaround wrote...
Or perhaps most of the dms from every server have banned the hell out of all or most of the European players that there just isn't much players left to be had from that part of the world.

I actually wanted to touch this subject a little.

I don't think all the euro players are gone because of bans...thats pretty unbelievable. However I do sense a difference in mentality bewteen US and euro. Dare I say that we are more free-spoken and perhaps sometimes a bit too blunt for our own well being?

In a harsh and for us seemingly strictly governed environment we do not only risk to get banned but also to simply be neglected or ignored by the bulk of the player base.

I'm not saying that all US players only indulge in long conversational roleplay and the europeans don't. It's not that simple. I am just going to go back to what I said initially and I hope that most RP servers would open up for more styles of playing...

Modifié par SuperFly_2000, 21 novembre 2011 - 09:45 .

[Pstemarie]

shadowsallaround wrote...

Think for a minute. How would you feel when the admin and pals on his/her site had continuous arguments and instead of their same rhetoric bans, they take it too seriously and inform my place of employment in an attempt to get me fired. Welcome to nwn and their circle of friendship. Only here do they do such despicable acts. Most people would hunt them down vigilante style. Sometimes I feel like just doing that.

Hogwash. The only reason a Server Admin would ever contact an employer is if that is where they tracked your IP address to. Any such contact would have been not an attempt to get you fired, but to put a stop to you accessing their server and to report conduct that was against the rules set forth by your employer's ISP and society in general. Its not their fault your employer took appropriate action and disciplined you for misappropriation of work time and employer owned equipment and bandwidth - the blame lies solely with you.

Modifié par Pstemarie, 21 novembre 2011 - 09:22 .

[kalbaern]

SuperFly_2000 wrote...

shadowsallaround wrote...
Or perhaps most of the dms from every server have banned the hell out of all or most of the European players that there just isn't much players left to be had from that part of the world.

I actually wanted to touch this subject a little.

I don't think all the euro players are gone because of bans...thats pretty unbelievable. However I do sense a difference in mentality bewteen US and euro. Dare I say that we are more free-spoken and perhaps sometimes a bit too blunt for our own well being?

In a harsh and for us seemingly strictly governed environment we do not only risk to get banned but also to simply be neglected or ignored by the bulk of the player base.

I'm not saying that all US players only indulge in long conversational roleplay and the europeans don't. It's not that simple. I am just going to go back to what I said initially and I hope that most RP servers would open up for more styles of playing...

Actually, my own experiences would counter what you say. I've found most European Players I know to be amongst the better RPers. As for who is the most outspoken, I don't think there's a distinction between those in the US and elsewhere.

As for your request, "and I hope that most RP servers would open up for more styles of playing", I'm not certain what you mean exactly. I'm not a fan of PWs that all but force you to sit around a town or tavern "RPing", but neither can you allow players to possess conflicting styles or allow selfish behaviors. On my own PW, we actually openly promote PCs getting off their barstools and grabbing a weapon and exploring, After all, the game is modelled after D&D, a game where players create characters and act out the roles of heroes, villians or just armored buffoons if they wish. Personally, if I ever feel the urge to sit around a town all day just chatting, I'll play the SIMs instead.

My own PW is usually unattractive to "power gamers" simply because we enforce various rules and guidelines. So when someone ignores our character creation rules, violates our dungeon visit rules (IE, the time between visits to the same dungeon), etc.... they tend not to stay long, whether by their own choice ... or mine. I don't think its fair to expect an RP PW to allow "anything goes" just to accomodate all player types. Its the responsibility of each and every player to review a PW's rules and regulations beforehand to see if they will fit in or not. joining and later complaining that the PW needs to change/allow "X" just to accomodate their own preferences is simply a selfish expectation and most likely doomed to failure.

Lastly, there's the "Nobody is Home" syndrome that many smaller PWs (especially newer ones) suffer from constantly. IE, despite being pretty cool, innovative and fun, a PW with a small player base will often get ignored for its lack of players. Often, a player will login and after just a couple minutes, logout because they were alone. Just as often, I've seen 6-10 players do that in the course of an hour, just missing each other by virtue of impatience. If most would spend just 10-20 minutes IG before logging, they'd likely soon find themselves running into others alot more. They don't though. Some don't even login and instead glance at the numbers IG from GameSpy. Then they see that PW "X" has a decent crowd and migrate there. Since there seems to be fewer Non-US players, this makes it even harder for others to find a group to hang out with. So anyone looking for others to explore with I can only recommend they speak up. Let others you know and like playing with know your playtimes and desires. Myself, I keep Skype open for requests from those I know. You can fins others using a variety of resources like Neverwinter Connections: http://www.neverwinterconnections.com/ , The various Face Book Groups; http://www.facebook.com/groups/nwncp/ or even the XFire Group that was created: http://www.xfire.com...s/superfly2000/ .

[shadowsallaround]

Pstemarie - I didn't get fired. As a matter of fact they thought it was silly and stupid. But then again, most admins that host nwn are pretty absent minded and have no life anyway. Complaining to ones job about unfair treatment? You just have to be kidding, but this is nwn nodding by some stuck up retards that don't think things through first. Me and my boss had a good laugh at this.