Star Army
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Things Your Admin Worries About
- Thread starter Wes
- Start date
Zonr_0
Inactive Member
In addition to my idea of creating a setting introduction page to combat setting intimidation, I want to restate another idea I had in IRC to combat player retention after the 1-2 week mark.
I am against the idea of creating segregated newbie plots, especially if they're non-cannon for a variety of reasons that I don't want to go into right now. Instead, I am much more in favor of newbie-friendly plots designed to get new players quickly invested in the world and their characters.
I feel that a big cause of the loss of players is, to put it bluntly, people being distracted before they form an attachment or habit. They find SARP, get a character setup, join a plot, write post or two and then end up waiting to be able to post again. They spend a day or two waiting for the next chance to play their character (likely exacerbated by newbie apprehensiveness), and then get distracted by a steam sale, another community, or some other shiny attention grabbing thing. They then have no significant attachment pulling them back to SARP or their character and we lose them.
With that in mind, I'd like to propose a system of face paced but short term plots that are designed to be less complex lore-wise and overall friendly to newbies.
These would be plots with a small number (3-6) players with very high posting requirements (aiming for at least once a day) but short duration (perhaps two or three weeks). The plots would be open to both newbies and vets, but should always strive to have at least one of both and should leave at least one position open for new SARPers if there isn't one in the plot already. The idea is to get new players into the setting and checking the forums every day, and ideally give them a chance to do something cool or memorable within the first two weeks of play.
An example plot idea could be a small squad of infantry gets sent to investigate a distress signal on an unknown world. A single objective not attached to a larger plot that starts out with a definitive objective and call to action. In a larger overarching plot, it could be setup episodicly as a squad made up of volunteers on a large ship that gets sent on special missions (a new objective/plot every two weeks).
I am against the idea of creating segregated newbie plots, especially if they're non-cannon for a variety of reasons that I don't want to go into right now. Instead, I am much more in favor of newbie-friendly plots designed to get new players quickly invested in the world and their characters.
I feel that a big cause of the loss of players is, to put it bluntly, people being distracted before they form an attachment or habit. They find SARP, get a character setup, join a plot, write post or two and then end up waiting to be able to post again. They spend a day or two waiting for the next chance to play their character (likely exacerbated by newbie apprehensiveness), and then get distracted by a steam sale, another community, or some other shiny attention grabbing thing. They then have no significant attachment pulling them back to SARP or their character and we lose them.
With that in mind, I'd like to propose a system of face paced but short term plots that are designed to be less complex lore-wise and overall friendly to newbies.
These would be plots with a small number (3-6) players with very high posting requirements (aiming for at least once a day) but short duration (perhaps two or three weeks). The plots would be open to both newbies and vets, but should always strive to have at least one of both and should leave at least one position open for new SARPers if there isn't one in the plot already. The idea is to get new players into the setting and checking the forums every day, and ideally give them a chance to do something cool or memorable within the first two weeks of play.
An example plot idea could be a small squad of infantry gets sent to investigate a distress signal on an unknown world. A single objective not attached to a larger plot that starts out with a definitive objective and call to action. In a larger overarching plot, it could be setup episodicly as a squad made up of volunteers on a large ship that gets sent on special missions (a new objective/plot every two weeks).
Perhaps an issue is that we just haven't really taken active control over things. I think maybe we should start telling new players where we need players and start telling would-be GMs what factions and plots would most benefit the community. We don't have to make it required that they follow along (because people tend to want to work on what inspires them more than what the community needs) but it would at least nudge them in the right direction and provide food for thought.
For example, right now I think the site needs another standard NSMC plot and the 4th should be closed to applications because Sigma has a ton of characters in there already and they just keep coming. Meanwhile some of the smaller plots are in a position where just one more active player would be a huge, huge boon to them.
One thing I noticed is that newbies are not participating much. I recently made a pizza thread...something everyone can relate to. But if you look at it, it's mostly veteran members that are posting in it. What's up with that? Is it intimidation because I'm an admin? Do you think we need less colored names on the forum?
As a side note, I really like Friv and Zonr_0; these guys just joined up and they're awesome because not only do they participate, but they're making the site a better place. That's what I want to see out of all our members!
For example, right now I think the site needs another standard NSMC plot and the 4th should be closed to applications because Sigma has a ton of characters in there already and they just keep coming. Meanwhile some of the smaller plots are in a position where just one more active player would be a huge, huge boon to them.
One thing I noticed is that newbies are not participating much. I recently made a pizza thread...something everyone can relate to. But if you look at it, it's mostly veteran members that are posting in it. What's up with that? Is it intimidation because I'm an admin? Do you think we need less colored names on the forum?
As a side note, I really like Friv and Zonr_0; these guys just joined up and they're awesome because not only do they participate, but they're making the site a better place. That's what I want to see out of all our members!
*shrug* It's just a pizza thread. Maybe they don't care. It's good your vets are responding how you want.
Of the newbies who have joined since the year began, nine appear to be active standouts with several posts. I know, not the greatest measure of activity, but when you then compare their last sign-in dates ...
I'm not sure exactly what we can take from this, but a few things stand out.
If we go into the single digits ...
I don't know how to frame this second bit of data. I think it's safe to say, however, that most people we are losing this year we didn't really get a chance to keep. If people waltz in, intro and leave, despite our greetings and helpful links, what are we doing wrong? Anything?
Of the newbies who have joined since the year began, nine appear to be active standouts with several posts. I know, not the greatest measure of activity, but when you then compare their last sign-in dates ...
Code:
DwarfofDefeat | mid-February | March 1 | 12 posts | Neshaten player.
HaelHalcyon early February | April 19 | 15 posts | 21st player.
Vergil | late January | mid-February | 12 posts | Aeon player, very briefly.
Phoondelmar | early February | May 3 | 59 posts | Fifth player.
Emblem | late January | today | 116 posts | Eucharis player.
Krious | late January | May 1 | 75 posts | Eucharis player.
The1992Phoenix | early January | May 7 | 27 posts | Aeon player.
BionicSamurai | March 16 | today | 84 posts | Seventh player.
Floodwaters | Feb. 28 | today | 144 posts | Eucharis player.
Zonr_0 | April 16 | yesterday | 78 posts | Aeon player.
Friv | April 23 | today | 23 posts | Aeon player.
Guru of OLOY | Jan. 8 | Jan. 26 | 12 posts | 4th Fleet player.- I took only players with double-digit post counts, and all but two are from Yamatai.
- Most of these players either are Eucharis or Aeon.
- We appear to have lost only two of the players with double-digit post counts. So it seems fair to say that once we nab someone, we keep them, at least with this recent player crop.
- There is not one Gartagen, Iroma or Lorath player who has joined and made consistent posts since the new year.
- Our join rate sharply declines going back into 2012.
If we go into the single digits ...
- The vast majority — probably 25 players or so — intro and don't come back, no matter how warm a greeting they're given or who greets them.
- Of those who get past that —
- One had no plot
- One joined the Aeon and then seemed to leave after his name was typo'd OOCly
- One wrote a weak character and didn't return after receiving critiques
- One had a PC approved, then left
- One got onto the Altomir, posted a couple times, then came back for 20 days before apparently leaving
- Three appear active.
I don't know how to frame this second bit of data. I think it's safe to say, however, that most people we are losing this year we didn't really get a chance to keep. If people waltz in, intro and leave, despite our greetings and helpful links, what are we doing wrong? Anything?
That most of the new people that stay are going to Yamatai is eye-opening. I think that the frequent posting of the Eucharis and Aeon is a big deal. Players like when there's new stuff happening every day.
Other plots have kept newbies too, but none of those plots are open, I'm assuming.
I think this really speaks to what you were talking about before, Wes, with those player-to-plot ratios. We really are stacked on veterans, and all of our new blood is going to and staying with Yamatai instead of the other factions.
I'll go back over 2012 too, to see how we fared that year.
I think this really speaks to what you were talking about before, Wes, with those player-to-plot ratios. We really are stacked on veterans, and all of our new blood is going to and staying with Yamatai instead of the other factions.
I'll go back over 2012 too, to see how we fared that year.
Zonr_0
Inactive Member
I can't speak for Friv, but the reason I went to Yamatai was mostly because that's the faction that seemed to be the most 'newbie-friendly', had the most activity, and the most to choose from in terms of types of plot.
I also have characters in Kyle's Neshaten plot, and CadetNewb's Nepelesian plot, I've just been most active in the Aeon because I've had another active fast posting player (Tanka) to work with and my character had a chance to really jump in and do stuff without having to wait. There's other stuff too, but it's more difficult to organize them into a cohesive written paragraph.
Wes, might I recommend a SARPTalk with you, Doshii, Friv, and myself sometime?
I also have characters in Kyle's Neshaten plot, and CadetNewb's Nepelesian plot, I've just been most active in the Aeon because I've had another active fast posting player (Tanka) to work with and my character had a chance to really jump in and do stuff without having to wait. There's other stuff too, but it's more difficult to organize them into a cohesive written paragraph.
Wes, might I recommend a SARPTalk with you, Doshii, Friv, and myself sometime?
Saturday possible, Wes? I can do it noon my time.
Sham
Inactive Member
Requested to join the mentors group. I suppose I'm a friendly enough guy, and as we used to, and still say, "The More the Merrier." More players, a hopefully better time as a community we can have.
As for suggestions to help your problems, I can agree that the mentors group is a good idea, and from past experience, (Of course, this wasn't SARP) when getting new players was a problem, a mentor program was suggested, and it did help out a bit.
- Thanks for Reading
- Sham
As for suggestions to help your problems, I can agree that the mentors group is a good idea, and from past experience, (Of course, this wasn't SARP) when getting new players was a problem, a mentor program was suggested, and it did help out a bit.
- Thanks for Reading
- Sham
Wes, I'm west coast, not Europe. It's 3 p.m. your time.Wes said:
Rawk. See you then!
Izokia78
Active Member
Just something that I thought was interesting. I tried to get a few of my friend to join and 2 of them said that they weren't sure about the setting. That is to say they were confused by as to what it was, they wanted to know about the setting before having to make a character. Maybe if we added a small summery of the setting either historically or where everything is now so people had a bit of an idea where to go during creation.
Also I don't want to overstep my place. I just thought maybe add a bit more to the home page like a picture or two.
Also I don't want to overstep my place. I just thought maybe add a bit more to the home page like a picture or two.
Gabriel
🎖️ Game Master
Honestly, I could see how that page almost appears to be too much. Everything on that page is really cramped together, especially once you get near the quotes. I'm honestly not sure what to do about that, though.
On a separate note, how are we coming on some of the other suggestions earlier in the thread?
On a separate note, how are we coming on some of the other suggestions earlier in the thread?
Wes said:
Aendri
Inactive Member
The problem with that is just that it's hard to summarize the ENTIRE setting in a more concise manner. Individual portions can be summarized more easily, especially if you break things down into factions, but just summarizing IRL humanity in a quick blurb would be nearly impossible, and we're talking about a setting that spans a rather incredibly much wider range of situations and races.
That said, it might not be a bad idea to get each FM to write a short, 1-2 paragraph summary/blurb on their faction, to give new users a quick, simple description of each faction, rather then try and fit all of it together in the rather jumbled way we have now. That way, we could separate it out into sections, making it organized a bit better, without losing out on the important information.
That said, it might not be a bad idea to get each FM to write a short, 1-2 paragraph summary/blurb on their faction, to give new users a quick, simple description of each faction, rather then try and fit all of it together in the rather jumbled way we have now. That way, we could separate it out into sections, making it organized a bit better, without losing out on the important information.
