What's the #1 thing you look for in a Graal Server?
 

Hi I'm starting up a playerworld server and I want to do a quick poll. What is the number one thing you look for in a playerworld Graal Server?

Constant entertainment, or a lot of potential that I can help develop with.

Graphics, then speed of gameplay.

I ask myself "Does it look sweet?" then, "Can I level up alot and feel powerful, but not reach the limit in a day or two?"

How big of a sausage fest it is.

Nah, gameplay is obviously the most important, but graphics come in at a close second.

Something that makes you want to come back.

Quality. Not too botherd about quantity.

You know, a good server would worry about both.

The first thing I look for is the presence of any bad gameplay elements.

For instance, I usually leave quickly if I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Humans are impatient creates who demand instant gratification.
Symphonia solves this elegantly by giving new players only a handful of locations to visit.

Also, stop pissing me off by putting a lot of houses on the overworld and then leaving most of them empty. It's already annoying enough to explore when you're walking so slow.

So basically what I'm getting so far is you want a server that doesn't suck. :D

Besides that, I'm hearing good gameplay and decent graphics.

Let's talk about gameplay. What type of gameplay do you like in a server? Quests, Dungeons, Events, Accessorizing, Grinding Baddies, PK'ing, Guild Fights, or something completely different?

Gameplay and Originality.

Graphics isn't actually that super important (For example, Diablo 1/2? SNES/NES games?) but decent graphics is a plus and could be nice.


:o?

You talking about Symp? xD Couldn't tell :o Or are you talking about that you don't like servers that make huge/nice/decent looking overworlds, but there's no houses to enter? :p

I love the graphics on Diablo 2 kthx

The most important thing on a Game/Graal Server for me is the background Music :o

#1 Music
#2 Graphics
#3 Characterdesign
#4 Game Interface
#5 Gameplay
#6 Story

All my friends comments on Diablo 1 and 2s graphics ;o But they think 3 look sweet from the trailers :o

:)

#1 Story
#2 Gameplay
#3 Design
#4 Originality
#5 Graphics
#6 Effects
#7 Music

chix

There are wants, and there are needs, in a server.

Needs are things a server will fail, or not do as well as it could, if not addressed correctly.
Of course, you know what I'm going to say -- gameplay. Broken gameplay is a broken server. It's as simple as that. Why would I want to play a game with a bunch of glitches for players to abuse, and just terrible gameplay overall? Remember, you're playing a game. So give the players something good to play.

I also include content in this... some servers can get away with a lack of content, but not for long. Take GK for example. While it provides a lot of content at first, it quickly runs out... now you have a dead server.

There is also updates. A server that is created, then left stagnate is a very boring server. You need to give players a reason to keep coming... updates are one of them. Without updates, content becomes old and there's nothing new for the players to do. With an online game where there is no ending, updates are key. I personally would love to see a server do a weekly update. It will make me come back every week to see what's new.

I'd also like to throw in accessible design and interface. If an interface is a pain in the ass to use, I don't think I'd stick around. I want to be able to access stuff quick and easy... not go through 20 menu's just to drop an item. This ties in with gameplay and go hand in hand.



Then there are wants. These are just things that are nice to see done well, but won't necessarily kill a server.
Graphics are at the top... ugly graphics can harm a server, but mediocre graphics not as much. Zodiac is a good example of this. Good graphics, however, can hook players, and the rest will hopefully keep them.

Originality is also a high want. An original concept can pull players in just as much as good graphics... but players won't really ignore a good server that is completely unoriginal. I mean, why would I not play a great RPG server just because it's just like Final Fantasy?

Music is just one of those things that fall short on Graal. You'll hardly find a server with music on Graal, so I don't think it makes much of a difference... But, bad music will just force players to turn off their sound. Either do it right, or don't try it at all.

And then there's also story... It's just one of those things that can give you a good experience with a server. But you have to make sure it's not demanding. Remember, this is online. Don't lock the world off and make them do quest after dumb quest to unlock it piece by piece. This isn't an offline RPG, it's all about the world and surroundings. Take that away and you're taking away most of the experience(ya, I'm looking at you, Classic!). Though, most online game stories, not just Graal servers, just fall to the background. You could probably find it, but most just ignore it. Just make sure you have something that gives the players a reason to even be there, but it has to be flexible... You can't have a, "You're the only one destined to save the world!!!" when there are 50 other players around you doing the same thing.

And I think that's about it... I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff though.

player clothing

really really really big weapons

As in solving a problem.

Double line break means that all previous context is dropped.

Buster sword.

I'd be willing to bet that your friends compare them to present games, or games released after D1 and D2 respective eras.


Are you trying to imply something? :p

Probably xD

A balance between a good community spirit, consistent design and theme/presentation, dynamic content and updates. Unfortunately, none of the current classic servers have really got this down to a fine art.

Way to beat me to that

I haven't seen that since.........ever. :(

:(

Sweet memories, no?

If only.....
It would be a good thing.

The very first thing I look at is how the players and staff act. If they are decent, then the playerworld might be worth looking into...I guess this is why I dont play often.

A sense of purpose. If the server gives a compelling reason to play, I'll enjoy it.

I don't enjoy servers like Era since there is no real direction. If I log into a server and it presents multiple stories and pathways, I will enjoy it.

Serious on this one.

Easter Eggs. Its just fun to see your favorite character thrown into the game you're playing that has nothing to do with them.

1.) Originality / gameplay
2.) Stuff to do.
3.) Isn't managed by Bjorn

A server could have all those, but if it doesn't have a large playerbase it can gtfo.

There is a search button on the forums and last time I checked...which was a while ago, there were plenty of threads asking the same question.

Best thing to do is come up with an original idea that is functional yet fun and hope for the best because the majority of Graal players have no idea what they want. ;)

I don't really know what I look for in a game, a sad but strange story line seems to get me a lot (Chibi Robo, Super Mario Galaxy). By the way, a Chibi Robo server would kick ass, just a suggestion.

What I want in a playerworld server is a good story that is pretty easy to follow, lets the character/user know where to go in the beginning so you don't need to ask FAQ or other players every 15 minutes.

It should definitly have good graphics and well made levels. The ganis should be original too. The overworld shouldn't be too small or too big, either way gets very boring after a short while. Too big and there's too much to explore and too long to walk to do another quest. Too small you get bored because there's nothing more to explore.

The server should contain something that I as a player can relate too. Like some old PW admin as the evil king or something.

Music and SFX in Graal hasn't been my favorite since 1998. So that doesn't matter. I always keep Graal Muted.

:fro:

First impressions. You literally have 2-4 minutes to attract the player's attention. Plan the introduction out. Capture their attention in these few minutes, then hold their hand for the next 10.

I also agree/ chuckled along with everything Drakilor said

entertainment, and a large number of players. i look for things to do, quests that involve not killing things or walking very far distances.. or spending money. i like when theres a lot of stores run by players, not npcs. a good example of that is era. i like the stores and buildings on era. you can buy houses, run a store, make pizza, work in a donut shop, use a skateboard to get around, pick up trash, etc.

Cute guys.



And yes, first impressions are important. But you need to keep the attention you get from it.

Or lack thereof.

all orange

It's how I roll.

i agree with all

i would also love an ORIGINAL SERVER. i play Zone since is the first futuristic server i've ever played, i found zone preety original.

The very first look goes to the NPC-Server icon on the buddy list if it shows the pm status or not.
If so I check out the pm and hope it's informative - if not I log off.

I think I would prefer to not receive a PM from the NPC-Server at logon. :(

Inverness agrees.