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How To Make A Player World
By draiden0
I've been with Graal for 3 years. I ran my own server a few years back. Way before they even had player worlds. I had over 586 downloads for my game, Ithica, a few hundred accounts, and at one time 40 people playing on my server. Since then I went to college got a couple degrees, and launched my old playerworld onto graal. Seeing the changes between the old days and new was drastic for me. So I decided to put down what I learned. I hope it helps you make a better player world.
Rule#1-Hire anyone who passes your test.
Make sure they pass the test first! Make sure the test fits the job discription in the most extreme way. Because at one point they will be required to do that heavy work load. If you have to do 90% of their work, fire them. What's the point of having them? Credentials on other servers doesn't mean crap. They may have been fired for good reason. Just make sure they can do their share.
Rule#2-Egos, and liars are to be given little to nothing.
The most common threat is, "Your world sucks! I can fix it." They will put you down, then claim they are the miracle you've been seeking. These people are lame. Only .1% of them time are they telling the truth. Be very harsh when giving them the maximum work load. Remember! They asked for it. Nothing says trust better than dedication proved. These people will be the ones to doom your server with viruses, and other troubles if you didn't test them. They are the sponges of graal.
Rule#3-Work Load Legit?
Make sure it's something they couldn't have stolen from someone else. Or something that anyone could make. How can you be sure? You can't. So give them something that you need done to do. That's something that can't be stolen. Why? Because it hasn't been made yet.
Rule#4-Trust
Keep all your secrets to yourself and you'll end up like the Cold War. Gone. Share all your graal code, levels, pngs, ect. Tell them how you did it. Help them. Most of them won't be worth it. But... You're generosity will gain you points in the community, and someone along the line will help you a lot. Remember to
-Quarentine- your trust. Like not giving them access codes to your server.
Rule#5-Critics, and Fans
Fans can be dumb. They will worship your game no matter what. Don't ever rely on them for advice. They will say stuff like... your level is 8/10. When your level is something real common. You need them in your game world. But never for advice. Critics are the opposite. They will give you a -8/10. No matter how well it looks, it will always look awful to them. Be kind to them, and ask what they'd like to see. Tell them why you approached it in that way. This will wear most of them down. But after critic#5 you will be sooo pissed off you won't want to listen to those bad people at all. Keep in mind no matter what they want you to suffer. The really bad ones at least. Try to understand their position, and above all else keep your distance. They want you to get into a long drawn out arguement. They are attention starved people who deserve to burn somewhere unpleasent. But... They can also be the harsh reality you didn't have the guts to see.
Rule#6-Prepare to do all the cursed work
That's right. You have to do all the work. Don't like this idea? Don't make a playerworld. Few of us get lucky enough to get people to do all our bidding. They aren't making money, and unless you got something special to offer they ignore you. They will get lazy, and blow off work. They also have a life. If you want a player world, you can't have one until it's completion. You need to have this attitude if you want to make it all the way. Set your goals only as high as you are willing to take it.
Rule#7-Make sure you have most of the world done
Do not launch your 10 zones of playerworld onto graal. Then expect to make the remaining 980 zones with you and your staff. If you have the money and time for this, fine. But for the rest of us... Make your game good. That means locking yourself in a hole for a few months, then do it. Download any mini game, graal code, weapons, graal.nw file that you can find. Get as many examples as possible. Build yourself up in knowledge, add it to your game. Once again. Expect all the workload to fall on you. At least until the game world is complete.
Rule#8-Ask for help, be patient
In my day there were soooo many scripters. The scripters then could dance circles around the next generation. Look for tutorials. They will help the most. Most tutorials are outdated. Be prepared for that. Once this area is exhausted move onto the forums and emailing. Ask the people who are patient. Be patient with them. You may understand a certain line of code easily. And the next line be completely oblivious. That's ok, no one was born a genious at graal. To them it may seem easy. Ask, and be prepared to be rejected, ignored, and told you are a complete fool. But if you can't find the will to learn then don't bother proceeding. Never give up. Ask new more understanding people if the guy is a complete egotist to you. And leave on friendly terms. He may help you in the future.
Rule#9-Put stuff in your game world
You know what they call 1000 zones of forest, ocean, and grass? A game destined to attract no one. Your competition already beat you to it. Why the hell will they play a clone of a clone? They won't. You'll be another hack trying to make it in. Tell a story, put in bosses, quests, offer them something that doesn't normally exist. Like a kill pokemon mini game, graal kombat, graal kart. Offer them something new! It might fail, but... you are more likley to gain ground here than anywhere else. People said Era's graphics blew. But... because they were original they are on the top 10 list all the time. So darn their competition. They had the right idea. Play video games for reference!
Rule#10-Put detail in each zone, but remember too much will cause lag.
Be prepared to make zones for large crowds of players. People will question why a certain town is sooo big. But when you have 100+ people in your player world you want them to have space! Be prepared to be successful, this is the one thing most player worlds never prepare for. They gain that popularity and people want more. If you can't give the fans more of what they want then you will be replaced by some one more ambitious. Kinda like Sim City in terms of how to make a playerworld.
I hope this helps. And I know there will be those who will say, you missed this... and that. But I covered the basics, and essentials needed to make a playerworld. It may seem like most of Graal is full of cough, and paranoid geeks, but the real crowd of people are laid back and you will never see half of their comments in forums. They will make your playerworld successful, they will be the ones who will come back to chat with friends, and not make any real comments to even you the owner. They just came to play your game. So when angry, take a deep breath and remember the next day brings new possibilities. |
09-17-2003, 02:58 PM
Linear Mode
