Most Important Server Aspects?

[ffcmike]

Originally Posted by Draenin

Everyone is in agreement that all of these things are important. But there's nothing wrong with preferring a few main things over others.

I'm not saying there is something wrong with having preferences, that is an inevitability. When considering demographics there isn't just one category of potential players, Graal is somewhat split between current players, older players who lost interest but still visit occasionally, migrating iPhone players and then there's any player who visits for the first time in future. So what I'm saying is that you need to form a strategy towards multiple different perspectives, as opposed to rolling everyone into the same general category.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by papajchris

I voted for events. Think about it, why else play UN, npulse, babylon,etc? I guesss guild life is important too, but that isnt simething that will keep players on

I feel the same way.

[Draenin]

Originally Posted by ffcmike

So what I'm saying is that you need to form a strategy towards multiple different perspectives, as opposed to rolling everyone into the same general category.

You don't think a poll open to everyone samples from 'multiple different perspectives?'

[Fulg0reSama]

I vote for a non-listed ballot and say "Progression", otherwise i'll put my vote in and say Quest and Storyline with Roleplay.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Draenin

You don't think a poll open to everyone samples from 'multiple different perspectives?'

It was hard to pick specific categories; I was tempted just to check all of them except role playing and be done with it. If you posed the question more simply, such as "Which is your favorite?" and had options like "Competitive PKing", "Friendly Events & Entertainment", etc. you may have more accurate results.

Once your most popular categories are determined you could begin investigating them more thoroughly...

[Clockwork]

Something I've seen as an aspect of a lot of servers is the need they seem to feel to have a huge open overworld on one gmap. I really don't like this idea much, and would often love to see servers take on the aspect of separate gmaps for separate areas. I've introduced the idea to several servers I've worked at, only to hear "Nah, it doesn't work for nation wars...". Because apparently moving and defending from one area to the next destroys wars while running in a straight line doesn't. o.o

[Fulg0reSama]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

Something I've seen as an aspect of a lot of servers is the need they seem to feel to have a huge open overworld on one gmap. I really don't like this idea much, and would often love to see servers take on the aspect of separate gmaps for separate areas. I've introduced the idea to several servers I've worked at, only to hear "Nah, it doesn't work for nation wars...". Because apparently moving and defending from one area to the next destroys wars while running in a straight line doesn't. o.o

Bravo sir! You'd be very surprised what some level links and imagination are capable of, everybody.

[DustyPorViva]

What I like is a server that puts effort into the details rather than the whole. Many servers will complete something and release it simply because it's functional, rather than going the extra steps to really make it presentable.

[cbk1994]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

What I like is a server that puts effort into the details rather than the whole. Many servers will complete something and release it simply because it's functional, rather than going the extra steps to really make it presentable.

It's worth nothing that this is pretty much the exact opposite of what most players on Graal want, though, even if they won't admit it (at least on Era).

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by cbk1994

It's worth nothing that this is pretty much the exact opposite of what most players on Graal want, though, even if they won't admit it (at least on Era).

Can you back this up with circumstances that prove this? When did Era players ever show that they didn't like attention to detail?

[Draenin]

It kind of interests me to see what Stefan voted on.

Minigames and Events, but not Staff Support and Content Updates. Hmmmm.

[cbk1994]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

Can you back this up with circumstances that prove this? When did Era players ever show that they didn't like attention to detail?

Just look at some of the things that have been released lately. There are lots of unrounded corners and broken things (the gang system especially) but they often get lots of positive feedback, especially initially after the release. Much of this depends on the climate (whether people like the current administration), but I think it's undeniable that most players don't care too much about polishing.

I've seen this on more servers than Era, too. Back when Graal was at its peak, lots of servers weren't ran professionally and had pretty bad scripting/images/levels, but were still very popular. I suspect it's simply a side effect of the relatively young audience (especially in the past).

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by cbk1994

Just look at some of the things that have been released lately. There are lots of unrounded corners and broken things (the gang system especially) but they often get lots of positive feedback, especially initially after the release. Much of this depends on the climate (whether people like the current administration), but I think it's undeniable that most players don't care too much about polishing.

So it's not a case of players not liking detail, but having no problem with lack of detail.

I think the problem is that players are settling without knowing what can be done. Atlantis is a good example of a server that pays attention to the details, and I feel that once Atlantis is finally released that maybe players will be able to appreciate this more. It's never exactly been uncommon knowledge that Graal players seem to have low standards, but that's not really an excuse to settle with just releasing the bare minimum.

Anyways, this is what I mean. I like a server that pushes beyond what they know the players will be happy with and truly try for quality content. iPhone Classic is a example of a server that pushed by with the bare minimum. In fact, when it released there wasn't even interior levels. It was just an overworld, that's it. But it was still insanely successful. But I feel developers should try to do better than just bare minimum. It's the same kind of attitude that separates games like Call of Duty, that will push a game out every year knowing they're still gonna make money, from games like Shadow of the Colossus that takes their time and in the end makes a quality game that pushes the limits of what players should come to expect from games, even if they don't realize it.

[ff7chocoboknight]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

separate gmaps for separate areas.

Thanks for describing Zolderon.

[ffcmike]

Originally Posted by Draenin

You don't think a poll open to everyone samples from 'multiple different perspectives?'

As of right now it is Questing and Storyline Objectives which has the most votes, which actually kindof suits me as this is the primary focus behind Classic. Then I look at who's voted, and it seems that most of the voters are a developer/staff of a server rather than purely a player, while most subscribed players, aswell as every player without a previously subscribed account due to the fact they are unable, do not use the forum.

I'm glad that a high number of developers/staff see storyline/questing as a solution, but I believe this poll is unintentionally biased and not really a true reflection of the general playerbase, where I would also expect aspects such as Events and Economy to provide a much higher preference. However it would ofcourse be very difficult to obtain an entirely accurate reflection from the general playerbase.