Post by nemolives on Jun 13, 2016 7:52:30 GMT
I see maybe why there's some disagreement with me thinking 'thousands' showing up is crazy. Rereading what BDF wrote, it's clear he means thousands will be logging in at final wipe, not that thousands of players will be playing the game from there out. I think it's fair to say that may be the case given that 4500 pledges have lots to place. It was my misinterpretation of what he said.
And he's not entirely wrong to believe that; Portalarium have encouraged that illusion by stating over and over they think it's the lack of permanency of actions within the game which has kept player numbers so low; so it's become a totem of faith to the community that once final wipe occurs, more people will play. And I'm sure Portalarium does have some data which says people stopped playing because "Nothing I do matters". But there's a huge value judgement in there which Portalarium can't see, and that is "I'm not having fun, and everything I can achieve has to be bought in the store". If people were having fun, they would feel the game did matter to them now. It doesn't, because it's a hollow shell, and the lack of MMO style property achievement is just one symptom of that feeling... it's not the main reason people are keeping away though. But who has time to sit and explain patiently the exact details to someone who absolutely won't listen, and won't stop picking your pocket when you try? It's easier to just say "it doesn't matter" and walk.
BDF and the rest though can't influence that; but they want, oh how they need the game to succeed. So they cling to the idea that when this (comparatively small) swell of players return to place a house, they can be converted by evangelical guides to what content there actually is. And there will be thousands; because those of us who couldn't cash out completely because of linking to Steam can still trade our "rares" in game for real cash via the black market, nudge nudge wink wink. It'll be like the early days of UO again! I might even use my old ICQ account once more. But that won't mean we can be converted to loving Shroud; s'just business, maaaaan. However, what BDF means is, it's the best chance Shroud will have. The game will be a known commodity then. From there on in, no more excuses.
And it's not going to do well. Because, if you're reading this chums at Portalarium, all the work you've put in since I last played is irrelevant if you're adding a Premium Currency in now. You can slap as much make up as you want on an old, sick prostitute, and whilst we might be more polite just because she made so much effort, we're not going to forget what she really is at heart. The house placement rush is literally going to be a case of "Wham, Bam, Paypal me Ma'am.", and back out the door again.