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MUD CHAT SUMMARY (long) |
Crowley
pioneer
Joined: Apr 14, 2003
Posts: 421
From: Birmingham
|  Posted: 15-03-2005 19:09
This is kind of funny now.
When was the last time you played Mud, Sin? I mean like played, for a period of time? How on earth would you have HALF a clue what the game is like at the moment? You don't even play it! This is like me saying "Hey, Everquest is totally EMPTY biw! No-one plays! CLose it down!". I don't know, I don't play it, I'm just making it up!
Go away.
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*Fiz the necromancess says "I've been advised by everyone in the game to ignore you, Crowley".
   
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Reallyswizzle
novice
Joined: Mar 16, 2005
Posts: 3 | Posted: 16-03-2005 00:04
I just read that discussion, though not the intervening posts, and I am incredulous. I know I haven't played since the game left Wireplay, but where were you all? The game was amazing when it was hosted by the late-lamented WP; we had new players, huge numbers (major lag on bash nights too, but let that ride) and we certainly had a few morons (anyone remember Abuse?)and a few griefers, but with a wizzy around, they weren't troublesome.
We certainly had active wizzies, though you didn't usually see a wizzy on much during the day. It's players that make the difference, not wizzies. New players certainly didn't like pk's much. Your first sorc is a real achievement and it wasn't much fun to die in the cavern to a vastly experienced player with the longsword and 6 wafers. It happened to me and I cried; I might have quit that day.
Also, the rule on not telling people how to do things was simply too rigidly enforced, even then. Wizzies who remember me will recall that it was a rule I observed more in the breach and I can assure you it helped, not hindered newbie retention.
But if you want players, for goodness sake, go corporate and be cheap-free, if possible. Learn that lesson from WP, if nothing else.
Btw, whoever suggested I left because of something Marmite did? For the record, I loved Marmite to bits. I don't suppose he still plays though.
Love,
Swizzle/Lizzy x
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Foddy
Arch-Wizard
Joined: Aug 19, 2001
Posts: 138 | Posted: 16-03-2005 00:46
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On 16-03-2005 00:04, Reallyswizzle wrote:
But if you want players, for goodness sake, go corporate and be cheap-free, if possible. Learn that lesson from WP, if nothing else.
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It's funny - I remember Wireplay being quite expensive (particularly with the pay per play premium-rate dial-up).
Admittedly, when Gameplay took over, it then become free (which wasn't universally appreciated) - the assumption being that players would buy games through Gameplay to pay for it.
This apparently didn't work out, and MUD (amongst other games) was unceremoniously dropped.
The problem is, it costs money to keep a game running. I'm not saying that there aren't viable business models which don't directly charge the players, but Gameplay's model clearly didn't work.
So, what lessons can be learned? How about big companies will drop a game without concern for the players?
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Karya
Witch
Joined: Aug 19, 2001
Posts: 199 | Posted: 16-03-2005 00:46
Quote:
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On 16-03-2005 00:04, Reallyswizzle wrote:
But if you want players, for goodness sake, go corporate and be cheap-free, if possible. Learn that lesson from WP, if nothing else. |
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MUD2 was successful on Wireplay due to a combination of the people running the game (I'm talking about Richard, Kyric and Foddy here) and the opportunities presented by Wireplay. In the early days Richard had a close relationship with some people in Wireplay and that helped the success of the game.
Of course back then text adventure games were a lot more popular than they are now.
Gameplay came along and MUD2 (along with other non FPS games) were quickly dropped when Gameplay was having financial problems. MUD2 was dropped before Gameplay closed down.
If MUDII went corporate it is virually guaranteed that this will happen again. Dedicated gaming sites have been notoriously unstable in the last few years. FPS games are the bulk of their business. Games such as MUDII would be very quickly dropped at the first sign of trouble. Text adventure games tend not to be attractive to gaming companies, so it may be hard to find another to host it. This all causes a lot of unstability for the community.
And who would run the game? Community 'managers' who have no experience or love of the game?
The only way this game has any amount of longevity is if it's run my passionate MUD2 enthusiasts.
And for the record, MUDII is run by a company, albeit a small one. And that company is run by myself and Foddy who have a lot more business experience than your typical community adminstrator. Plus we have a genuine love of the game.
I'm sorry if it's believed that we have abandoned the game (we haven't) and for that you'd rather seen it run by a corporate gaming company. But I really do believe the game is better off and more stable where it is currently.
Incidently we were approached by someone at Wireplay or whatever it's called now a couple of years ago to cohost the game. But he soon dropped the idea when he realised the costs involved.
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Reallyswizzle
novice
Joined: Mar 16, 2005
Posts: 3 | Posted: 16-03-2005 01:04
Ok, I know little of the business issues, and I never had to pay for Mud2 back then; had I had to do so, I wouldn't have been able to play. But my real point was that showing up on Wireplay's list of games was an incalulable bonus. I started playing Mud2 because I found it on WP's list and I didn't have to buy a game to play it.
I'd say that new people will play if the game is presented somewhere they might go anyway and is cheaper than other offerings available on the site (in terms of initial outlay-free is good) and monthly cost.
Just a thought. 
Love,
Lizzy/Swizzle x
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Cradle
cleric
Joined: Jul 07, 2003
Posts: 235
From: England
| Posted: 16-03-2005 10:58
i am now a pie trader that is my line of work i feel so sad I DONT GET FREE PIE!!!!!!!! oooOOOoooOOOOoooo ????? pipe key------gotta love it
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Crowley
pioneer
Joined: Apr 14, 2003
Posts: 421
From: Birmingham
| Posted: 16-03-2005 18:35
I've been giving some thought today to the coverdisk idea today. I've realised that I was too hasty in cutting it down. It's actually a pretty decent idea - if we can package a client into a single .exe - including opening up a pop-up browser window of the sign-up page, there's no reason the disk editor of say, PCGamer wouldn't stick it on the disk.
I remember from working at Future that generally if the game's ok, they'll take most things.
Do you think Umbrarg would be willing to design an installer for his client that included a sign-up to mud as part of it?
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*Fiz the necromancess says "I've been advised by everyone in the game to ignore you, Crowley".
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Foddy
Arch-Wizard
Joined: Aug 19, 2001
Posts: 138 | Posted: 16-03-2005 21:48
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On 16-03-2005 18:35, Halen wrote:
I've been giving some thought today to the coverdisk idea today. I've realised that I was too hasty in cutting it down. It's actually a pretty decent idea
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This is something that has been suggested before - I think it was Droo who first came up with the idea - and something that I have been working on a client for. Unfortunately, for obvious reasons, I've not been spending much time on it recently.
It's useful to know that the magazines will consider a game like this - that was one one question that had been raised.
Thanks for the info.
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Crowley
pioneer
Joined: Apr 14, 2003
Posts: 421
From: Birmingham
| Posted: 16-03-2005 21:52
The key is to look in the magazine credits for the Disk Editor, then ring up Futurenet (or wherever) and ask for him by name. Journos are rubbish at resisting begging over the phone for tiny favours 
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*Fiz the necromancess says "I've been advised by everyone in the game to ignore you, Crowley".
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Sin
protector
Joined: May 08, 2003
Posts: 13 | Posted: 17-03-2005 22:31
I found the wireplay client software and a selection of free games, including MUD, on a PC game demo CD i got with a magazine.
Dont know whether getting MUD put on another such CD would be viable or beneficial, /shrug
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Crowley
pioneer
Joined: Apr 14, 2003
Posts: 421
From: Birmingham
| Posted: 25-03-2005 22:44
Have you guys considered asking Viktor if he'd consider shutting up shop on 2.com, given the minute player numbers over there? His domain name is a far better one than ours in terms of getting people to understand it. Merging the two might be an ok idea, if he'd be willing to hand over administration.
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*Fiz the necromancess says "I've been advised by everyone in the game to ignore you, Crowley".
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Gothik
cabalist
Joined: Aug 21, 2001
Posts: 61
From: London
| Posted: 02-04-2005 00:13
Karya,
Sorry to intrude, way past the bed time of this post, have only been playing one day in 3 weeks so cant judge etc..but where the feck have all the players gone...on a friday night 6pm til 2am?
Karya I thank you and Foddy for being so stoichal keeping yours and our game going but wtf has happened since you two left managing it???
Im past prefixes prejudices...the fact that an old wingebag like me gets one after 8 years of anti establishment bullshit just kinda gives away the state of the present management lack of leadership!!!
Please when you have sorted RL stuff out team up with Foddy and re-introduce some heart and soul here and advertise, get newbies and better oldbies than me back again.
I thought i was past criticising the old leadership but sheesh, your new team sucks!
Gothik the strange protector.
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Ollie
protector
Joined: Feb 27, 2005
Posts: 9 | Posted: 02-04-2005 07:59
Gothik,
apologies if you're being ironic.
If not then what suggestions do you have?
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Gothik
cabalist
Joined: Aug 21, 2001
Posts: 61
From: London
| Posted: 02-04-2005 18:07
Ollie,
Have no idea mate, the two new Arches have had a year and seemed to have not helped foster a friendly atmos.
Ditch the Arches in favour of some wiz's who are more social, newbie friendly, less cliquey, less insulting through thier multilayered cloaks of invisibility, or if not them directly that are causing the damage, show leadership and de-wiz the antisocial part of the management.
Poor Crowley, i used to think he was a crybaby, but bloomin heck he may have a point prewizzing or not!
My best hope is for Foddy and Karya, to manage their managers, but have heard rumours they have RL commitments so not sure how feasible that is.
I give in sorry to rant , was definetely not being ironic, am past that too
Gothik.
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Crowley
pioneer
Joined: Apr 14, 2003
Posts: 421
From: Birmingham
| Posted: 02-04-2005 20:19
Quote:
| Ditch the Arches in favour of some wiz's who are more social, newbie friendly, less cliquey, less insulting through thier multilayered cloaks of invisibility |
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This is grossly unfair to Hawumph. Turrican also makes an effort, but he was never a socialiser - he's an arch because he's on 24/7. Hawumph is THE most social, THE most friendly wizard in Mud.
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*Fiz the necromancess says "I've been advised by everyone in the game to ignore you, Crowley".
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Vulnax
explorer
Joined: Oct 19, 2001
Posts: 648
From: North West
| Posted: 02-04-2005 22:39
Have to agree with Crowlers there, Haw is / was the most social / approacable / friendly wiz and now arch-wiz ... some others were are but those others are not seen much now for various reasons.
Haw ( and Karya, Turrican and Foddy ) do / did seem to organise and run the majority of events as well.
I've been oout of the Land for some time so not sure how things have changed the last 4 months or so....
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Marly
pilgrim
Joined: Sep 11, 2004
Posts: 20 | Posted: 04-04-2005 13:47
Have to join the agree-ing fest...Hawumph is very friendly to all and sundry and helpful without giving away secrets. Turrican is always around and, if not sociable in the same manner as Hawumph, is one of, if not the best player around. His knowledge of the land makes him an asset as an arch. So, 2 arch-wizzes, both with different strengths to bring to the game.
'Nuff said
Vordai
[ This Message was edited by: Marly on 04-04-2005 13:52 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Marly on 04-04-2005 13:53 ]
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