[DG2] - Things to draw interest to the game

[DaveShack]

What do you all think about special events, to draw interest to the new game?

I was thinking we could hold a GOTM style contest, starting from the creation save of DG1. Have two self-identified classes of competitors, those who have knowledge from DG1 and those who don't.

Any suggestions for other special events we might have?

 

[donsig]

Let's do away with the chats and make this a forum based game.

 

[GenMarshall]

Let's do away with the chats and make this a forum based game.

And how in the world would that work?

Seriously, removing the chats will only make things worse. It will turn off many of the turnchatters and force them to leave.

 

[Falcon02]

Let's do away with the chats and make this a forum based game.

I feel like this is beating a dead horse... but...

A.) I feel it is a forum based game even with turnchats.
B.) Several polls have established of those of us here, most prefer to keep chats as the default.
C.) I agree with CG in that eliminating Turnchats will likely actually hurt participation.

The problem that I have with it is I see events likely happening like this

1 - Turnchats canceled. All sessions are played offline by a single person
2 - Those who enjoyed turnchats become disinterested and leave
3 - Some people begin to see the DP gains too much power as the DP essentially has "Secret" sessions. As a result these people leave
4 - Overall participation drops to all time lows
5 - We decide to bring turnchats back, but those who have left can not be drawn back so easily (It's hard to come back to a DG after a term or so has passed without you, trust me I know)
6 - Takes several months to bring Demogame levels back up, and lack of participation could actually result in another "do-over"

Is that a pessimistic view? maybe... but I feel it has the potential to do ALOT of damage.

 

[DaveShack]

Let's use this thread for its stated purpose and talk about special events to draw participation.

 

[dutchfire]

1- Role Playing
2- PBEMs/Pitboss games/Succesion games

 

[ice2k4]

Jacked up election periods. When election time comes around, I'm going to try my best to make it like a real election (not just nomination, posting a post or two about some loosely based platform and then being elected based on popularity.) Throwing in some visual advertisement or a bit of role playing might help. Much like having a campaign. As long as I get no complaints, I'll try to set a fun precedent for elections.

 

[Chieftess]

I feel like this is beating a dead horse... but...

A.) I feel it is a forum based game even with turnchats.
B.) Several polls have established of those of us here, most prefer to keep chats as the default.
C.) I agree with CG in that eliminating Turnchats will likely actually hurt participation.

I certainly agree there. The forum is one thing, but when you can chat with your fellow gamers as something's happening, that makes it more interesting. They can also check up on the progress of the DP - perhaps remind them of something, or cheer the DP on when our civ is fighting a war, etc.

The problem that I have with it is I see events likely happening like this

1 - Turnchats canceled. All sessions are played offline by a single person
2 - Those who enjoyed turnchats become disinterested and leave
3 - Some people begin to see the DP gains too much power as the DP essentially has "Secret" sessions. As a result these people leave
4 - Overall participation drops to all time lows
5 - We decide to bring turnchats back, but those who have left can not be drawn back so easily (It's hard to come back to a DG after a term or so has passed without you, trust me I know)
6 - Takes several months to bring Demogame levels back up, and lack of participation could actually result in another "do-over"

Is that a pessimistic view? maybe... but I feel it has the potential to do ALOT of damage.

#3 is my main concern of no turnchats, especially when it's not announced. Someone might find a new trade or something at the last minute, and post it too late. (I had that happen when someone decided out of the clear blue to have an offline turnchat without notice -- I think it was donsig. my trade was messed up and I didn't realize it until the next turnchat.)

 

[Strider]

hmm, ways to draw interest to the game. Well... I could model for us!

I see a few possibilites:

1) Like DS mentioned.. a GOTM type thing would work.
2) A "story" in the story and tales section (is there a Civ4 Story and Tales forum) about the DG would serve a two-fold purpose.

Let's do away with the chats and make this a forum based game.

Looking back on the game... the decline of the DG can be measured by the decline of the chats.

 

[ice2k4]

2) A "story" in the story and tales section (is there a Civ4 Story and Tales forum) about the DG would serve a two-fold purpose.

Great idea, I wouldn't mind writing one. I've been looking to write one, I just play my games way to fast paced for me to take all those screenshots and get all the info correct. Doing it on a game like this wouldn't be horrible though.