current status of the Steam project

[mtine]

Please remove cheese from any future projects, Steam, staff and otherwise TW-related stuff. The players of TW thank you.

[roxxkatt]

-wiidumbo <ZH> (axed for incompetence)*****


fixed



edit: also if wiidumbo or 2pac said that about someone, i would hire that person just to spite them, because usually that means they are a solid individual

[Turban]

Respectfully disagree with the analysis of 'half the battle'. Getting people to click a download link is not nearly the battle for player retention. Since it is free, getting people to click a download link is simple and easy. Player retention, with Pub in its current state, is nearly impossible. Hopefully the new tutorial is an outstanding piece of work but a decision on whether it is mandatory becomes paramount. The primary value in a tutorial is to get a person invested so they will not 'uninstall' so quickly. Allowing them to by-pass the tutorial defeats much of this.

Interfacing with new players is tricky. First, you begin asking questions of someone who you are not sure even speaks your language. This should be addressed (if it has not already been). New players would feel most comfortable if they are interfaced with someone in their native language. Second, we have to guard from it like being jumped on by an aggressive salesperson in a retail store. Some players just want to 'browse' and not be hassled by some aggressive staffer.

The staffer(s) that end up with handling new player responsibility will become the determining factor in the success/failure of the Steam effort.
Eph

perhaps i made an understatement, but it is still true that getting people to actually download the game does require us to have a good quality store page, which means having a good description of the game, engaging trailer that will catch the peoples attention, good screenshots about various parts, and adding an announcement on "how to get started" on Steam during launch with gameplay tutorials and instructions.

the real challenge is, as both of us have already stated several times, is the player retention problem. we are working on some projects to futher improve the new players to staff interaction, and one easy way to do that is by including the country of the player to the new player alerts. coming off as a friendly community is the key, we aren't supposed to show "desperation" as that will only turn players away from the game. our biggest selling points are the community and gameplay.

i'm working on a backup tutorial in case the interactive, bot-assisted tutorial by zreqdf does not finish on time. it would basically be a simplified tutorial (comparable to the one DSB has, but much shorter) teaching the basics and objectives of this game while also promoting the competitive scene. i'm aiming to have the first version completed on Tuesday or Wednesday, and then gathering player feedback to futher improve it. as i'm not the most creative of persons, the feedback will be greatly appreciated.

the block will be making an announcement soon to add more details.

[rothe]

The staffer(s) that end up with handling new player responsibility will become the determining factor in the success/failure of the Steam effort.
Eph

So make videos and more links to the TS server and how to use it. If all that is being waited on is a good video with some music and tricks why not whip up a quick one post it here vote on it quick like and use it. Also has to be a clear training on how to use the new client.
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Also your going to have to allow some mods or a workshop of some kind that would help a lot.

[Turban]

So make videos and more links to the TS server and how to use it. If all that is being waited on is a good video with some music and tricks why not whip up a quick one post it here vote on it quick like and use it. Also has to be a clear training on how to use the new client.

Also your going to have to allow some mods or a workshop of some kind that would help a lot.

modifications and workshop content would not happen with this client, but if we can publish a new release (new client, and biller) at a later date then those would become an option. we would also be eligible for steam achievements through that way.

however, there is no chance of us to get to the trading card system as steam requires games to have microtransactions (or one-time-fee, subscriptions, or any other way of getting revenue) thus you can count that option out.

[rothe]

If player retention and getting started are the main things to work on currently with videos and your planing one on one training or group sessions maybe? Set a time of day for training new people and teach them the tricks of the trade? On top of that if retention is a problem then it will have to be made clear to new people that death comes quick and you don't always agree with how you died = D
But the skill it takes to get a kill should be a selling or what ever you want to call it point for each zone.

[rothe]

I can understand how working in a workshop client ontop of this one would be a pain but think about it later
i could care less about the trading card system
Still a focus on community and like you said videos to train new people should be a point of download.
A lot may hate one another around here but everyone has stuck around this long so why argue so much at this point may as well help where everyone can

[Turban]

the best thing that could happen to the game, and this zone in particular, would be the cooperation of the players and staff. we could together give the new players a warm welcome, introduce them to the game and its various aspects, such as getting them involved with the community (squads, public squads) and competitive leagues (basing, elimination, squad competitions) as soon as possible.

it is hard to guess how many people will actually download the game, and how many of them will stay, thus we can never be fully prepared. our best guess is that the first day(s) are going to be rather hectic as we would be featured on the main page as a new release.

[Jessup]

Suggestions

- It may make sense to set a newb pub with a 30-45 min graduation time frame. When I started we had that obstacle course you had to complete before moving on to game which really did help.

-Drop the one mega arena and use pubs with 30-40 player limits.

-Throw out the pubbot buying hacks feature for a while at least or move that to an advanced arena with a 30 hour usage requirement.

-Make sure to emphasize squadding aspects of TWD and leagues in the new video/ store page.

-Explain the depth of the game and how players themselves can become architects of the game.

-Have a link to a page or explain commands on this store page. The most important thing players need to know is how to expand rolling chat and window the game by hitting esc. When I used to help players you had to type to them 20 times. The pub chat flies by and they have no idea how to read beyond the 3-5 lines// w/e is the preset. This is crucial for communication and their experience. Also the window feature is very important for them to know about.

-A youtube video on the store page could really help too with narrative explanations by someone mixed with onscreen ship piloting. Something they can watch before even attempting the game.

-(To me this is important) Explain and hype up the Retro aspect of the game. Let them know they will be using a Dos based system and have to type commands. Prepare them for the simple graphics and nature of Continuum but the complicated mastery of each ship. Sell the no bells and whistles aspect of the game which makes the game pure and competitive and the best mmo ever. Focus on the squadding aspect. People want to MMO and join teams and be a part of something. It is basic human nature and what mmo's are all about. TWD>Pub and we should let them know this. Their ultimate goal should be to join squads and play competitively.

-When this does happen staff needs to be extra hard on trash talkers and trolls. Mute them if they step out of line. Nothing is worse than a 15 year vet bashing some kid/new player calling him/her names. That is just asking to lose new players. Hopefully everyone will realize this but I fear there are going to be some trouble makers.

my quick suggestions to get prepared

[Turban]

working on a tutorial right now, will give status update / upload it on Tuesday or Wednesday for feedback and testing.

[mtine]

Add a tutorial video to the webiste. Just add plenty of videos.

[Jessup]

Use this..

I know its the original but it is badass. Edit out the virgin interactive intro and at the end insert the subspace continuum thing Dezmond set up for us. We won't have an issue I'm sure. This will attract the people!

[Jessup]

Another good one..

I agree that submitting many vids on the store page would be good. There is such a plethora of stuff already made to help the process along. None of these people will have an issue with using their stuff either. It was all released to promote the game. Recycle!

[Flew]

Resetting unused names would be great and if there is a way of capping a player to have 5 aliases at most would be good. I doubt a new player wants a name like aznboysukdik123ty

[Ricko]

isn't that your alternative alias flew?