Is there a shortage of players for PBW?

Nodachi · #1 June 8th, 2002, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Honestly, (and I know this might seem odd), the most important aspect in choosing a game is who the host is. I look for a host that:

a. has previously started games that I enjoyed
b. has previously (or currently) started games with an interesting premise (I like to RP, for example, so I look for a host that emphasises this)
c. is discriminating when accepting players
d. has actively sought to fill open spots (advertising, not letting the thread drop off the board, etc)
e. has proven understanding and flexible about turn dates (and pushing them back for planned abscenses)

I haven't encountered any player disputes, but I would also look for a host that I had seen handle them well.

I agree with you that the host is important. For example, I would join any game hosted by Imperator Fyron (not to knock anyone else

) because he meets all of the qualifications you've listed. But by the same token, if you don't give someone new a chance...

One of my pet peeves is clicking on a game and there being no description at all! How is that going to attract a player? It won't.

Nodachi

geoschmo · #2 June 8th, 2002, 05:09 PM

Yes, I would guess that a large number of those games looking for replacments are basically dead games that the owner has abandoned and the players are starting to leave out of frustration. I try to keep those cleaned up, but with so many games it's not always easy to do.

We have almost 300 people a day log on to PBW and almost 500 different people every week, so I would say we have a 'shortage' of players. But a lot of people don't like taking over for others, so many time those spots can sit empty for a while.

Geoschmo

PvK · #3 June 8th, 2002, 08:15 PM

Taking over empires that others' created can be quite interesting and fun - I'd recommend it to those who haven't tried it.

Zarix · #4 June 8th, 2002, 08:54 PM

I don't think that there is any shortage of players. Some games just aren't attractive. It is very important to have a good game description. I never join games that have the settings but no other text. An unmodded game with good description gets enough players if you announce it in the Open games forum (at PBW site) .

A game with some special rules (teams,role play , etc.) or mods requires usually more work to get players. It is good to advertise them in this forum.

Some games are doomed from the begining. If there is game with mod and role play and special end game conditions more than 10 players is a miracle. And it is very hard to get replacement players if someone drops out.

One important thing about the description is that it has to be friendly. If a player feels that making some mistake is going to cause shouting and insulting, he/she won't join. This is something that might happen to a game owner whose previous game has ended badly beacause of cheating or other kind of unfair play.

I don't really look at who is the game owner. I remember when I adviced the "to be legendary game host" Imperator Fyron in his first game to announce it in the Open games forum.

Phoenix-D · #5 June 8th, 2002, 09:40 PM

Game killers for me:

-I played one turn four times once before I gave up and left the game in frustration. Things kept going wrong..
-the turn timer set to high (48, 72 hours) and people repeatedly missing turns
-or worse, NO timer and people abusing that

Phoenix-D

Nodachi · #6 June 9th, 2002, 01:21 AM

Looking at the list of open games over at PBW I counted twenty-some-odd that need players. Do we have a shortage of players or are the players not interested in the majority of games? Looking at the user stats I don't think there's a shortage so interest might be the problem. If that's the case then I'm going to ask, what kind of game are you looking for or what do you look for in a game?

Nodachi

Hornet X1 · #7 June 9th, 2002, 01:21 AM

I feel that a lack of players exists. However as previously noted elsewhere by another, I think a good portion of the problem results from the different Versions of SEIV. To an extent I find myself also agreeing with the idea presented here, that game descriptions and advertising openings in a game play a large factor.

This perceived lack of players on my part, leads me to take a special care with new players who show potential of sticking with the game. I almost think that it should be an unwritten rule for veteran players. (JMHO okay.)

Reading some of the Posts regarding game owners and their perceived responsibilities leaves me with a few questions. These two hit close to home.

1) How do you be discriminating when accepting players for your game?

How do you check a players "credentials" especially when dealing with new players? I do not personally see a method for catching problematic players ahead of time. Maybe I am missing something obvious to the old grognards lurking here?

2) Handling player disputes?

A very open ended question here. I fully realize that much depends upon the circumstances, but general tips would be helpful. The only method I could come up with was to put things to a player vote.

Hornet X1

hornetx1@excite.com

dumbluck · #8 June 9th, 2002, 01:32 AM

Honestly, (and I know this might seem odd), the most important aspect in choosing a game is who the host is. I look for a host that:

a. has previously started games that I enjoyed
b. has previously (or currently) started games with an interesting premise (I like to RP, for example, so I look for a host that emphasises this)
c. is discriminating when accepting players
d. has actively sought to fill open spots (advertising, not letting the thread drop off the board, etc)
e. has proven understanding and flexible about turn dates (and pushing them back for planned abscenses)

I haven't encountered any player disputes, but I would also look for a host that I had seen handle them well.

raynor · #9 June 9th, 2002, 01:48 AM

What's the URL for PBW again?

LGM · #10 June 9th, 2002, 02:04 AM

Perhaps it would be of use if PBW would keep statistics on players and hosts such as a list of games they have played in and how many turns they participated, whether they started, and how long the game ran or is running. For hosts, it could keep track of how many games they have hosted and how long those games ran.

I have hosted two games. The first one was mostly filled with friends with a few open slots. When a game looks like it will start soon, players are little more interested in signing up. My other game was purely by invitation to t allow teams of mixed experience to be a good learning experience from some friends that are new to the game.

Well thought out set of game parameters make a game more appealing. For example, advertising a game without certain technologies may draw people looking for a different type of game. I myself like to play without Intelligence because I think the whole model is bad. Many people like to play with some interesting parameters.

Also, advertising your player expectations can help draw players. Indicate whether you are looking for Advanced, Intermediate, or Beginner skill players. Advertise any house rules that you might wish to employ. For example, you might indicate that a player can not disconnect a system from the rest of the universe. In other words, he cannot partition the universe with Stellar Manipulation.

As for games needing replacements, one of the problems with PBW is a host can Finish a filled position, but not a vacant position. Some vacancies are just not worth filling as the race is not a factor in the game. One of my games has a vacancy right now. The civil disorder of the vacancy plays to the favor a few of the players. The other players ought to recruit someone to help out (setup a favorable government). In otherwords, players who have a vested interest in a replacement ought to advertise. It is not necessarily the hosts concern if the game is already developed a bit. I do not think I have ever rejected a replacement player.