Okay, so what's wrong with my game anyway?

[Mnemolth]

I didn't expect a rush of people to sign up for my game. Its not easy, and people like easy things. But as you can see from the Prelude post in Adventures and the game system in Sign-Up, there has been a lot of effort put into creating an interesting and balanced game.

I would have assumed it would appeal to that small minority who are looking for alternative forms of RPGs, and who aren't afraid of putting a little sweat into their games. I guess for those people the concern would be a lack of opportunity for character development, with people dying left, right and center. And yes, I'd admit its a dangerous gamble. But isn't that part of the fun? The chance to outwit some of your colleagues and friends (or perhaps enemies? ;)).

So no, I wasn't expecting a wave of enthusiasm, but not a single entry after a few days? I think that's a little harsh. And just for those of you who may be wondering, I actually like my game. So I'm not here to radically change it (though of course I'm open to suggestions).

Certainly the game stands out from the crowd. It combines writing and gamesmenship. The game mechanics are pretty solid. And the story sets the mood whilst leaving plenty of room for individual flights of fancy.

Anyways...thats my two cents worth...:)

[Kinetic]

[color=darkblue]
It's probably because, that's how RPGs work. It's not going to shoot out like James' did, because he has made very well thought-out (he made character designs, maps, and the character designs...well....lets just say there were a [b]ton[/b]), and plus, he's an administrator. Also, most RPGs don't get tons of sign-ups after a few days. That's just the way it works. Some go downhill, some skyrocket, and most get about 10 entries at the most. You just have to wait for people to get interested.
[/color]

[Chaos]

And ranting and complaining about it in another topic in another forum on the same boards doesn't help your image, either.

[Charles]

Well, upon reading your sign-up, I've come to the conclusion that it was too long. Not for me per say, but I've come to realize that people just prefer not to sink their teeth into in-depth material.

In the future, you could include imagery throughout your sign-up. The last rpg that I put together (DragonBall AD) was a long sign-up, but the pictures that I included must have kept others' attention....

And you should have posted this in your other topic, if at all. Quite frankly, a true master of the rpg doesn't complain about their failure; they correct possible mistakes and try again. ;)

[Corey]

I read it through and consdered signing up.
But I didn't because it wasn't detailed enough at some points. Like determining the winner. I saw a thousand (well not literally) loopholes i could crawl through to make it to the top. There were just too many opportunities for people to cheat. That's why I never sign up for Yu-Gi-Oh RPG's that deal with real life decks. It's just too easy to say "Oh I had this trap card out all the time, so you lose now."
It was a very good idea. Maybe you could have put it through a refining process one more time before you posted it.

[Shy]

[color=darkblue][size=1]I have been toying around the with idea of joining your rpg, but the main problem is that you were introducing rules and ideas that are completely foreign to me. The sign up page was a huge amount of reading for an online message board, so that probably turned a few people off as well.

Always try to get your point across using the least amount of words possible, especially since a good portion of the members here are under 13.[/color][/size]

[RicoTranzrig]

Yeah, the warning had me a little on the uneasy side when I looked through it. Also, I've noticed that a lot of people just like to delve into the RPG and live it, rather than going through a background, they want to make their own. And this isn't the first time a topic like this has beeen created, Omega Tempus has a similar one. It's really just trial and error...not all ideas are going to work.

[Mnemolth]

Okay, after re-reading my post I guess it COULD be interpreted as a whinge. But my real purpose for this thread is not "Hey! Look at me! Join my game demmit!! Join!". I'm not really a little kid....not that there's anything wrong with little kids...;) (famous Seinfield line)

The point of this thread was just as the title said....basically..'so what's wrong with my game anyways' NOT "What's wrong with you people that you don't appreciate my game?"

So I ain't exactly 'ranting and complaining'. I just want to know what elements of the GAME can be improved without jeopardising the entire concept. This is not an ordinary RPG. Its not meant to be. And I'd rather have it fail than to change it to one. But if there's a way to change the game to attract players, if there's a way to add to the flavor of the game without ruining its spirit, then I'd like to know about it. ;)

DarkOrderKnight; Loopholes? Such as?? I thought I had made it pretty balanced. Of course I have mathematically proved it, but I threw a few scenarios in (not just the examples but running other situations through my head), and I thought it worked out pretty well. If there ARE holes in it, please let me know. I would be REALLY interested to see the kinds of mistakes I've made.

As for the long post and pictures. I don't like pics. By themselves they can inspire. But coupled with a narrative they also have a tendency to corrupt the imagination, especially with people who are a little lazy with their minds. But yeah. That's a good point. Just cos I don't like them doesn't mean other's can't either. :)

As for the length of the post itself. That can't be helped. The rules are there to cover almost ALL eventualities. So they need to be long (which is why I need you DOK to tell me what loopholes you've spotted. :) ). And besides, if you're not the type to go through a long post, then there's a good chance you're also not the type to stick through the whole game.

There are many reasons why my game is not taken up, but I think, for the most part, it would probably be because its hard and its cruel. Everyone dies at the end, and everyone keeps dying round after round. So its kinda cruel. It also is a different kind of RPG. As ShyGuy said, its foreign and so harder to conceive and understand. And ultimately a lot of luck is involved in surviving. That might deter some people as well. This thread was essentially made to test the waters as it were, to either confirm my thoughts or to change my thinking. Because if the problem is the nature and spirit of the game, then there's nothing I can really do to change that (without destroying the unique perspective in the first place). But....if its something else....well...then that's a different story..... ;)

Thakns one and all for the feedback. Even your SuperSaiyan. ;)

[Axel--Ignition]

[color=darkblue][size=1][i]I've had problems with this too. It helps if you stand out on the boards as good RPG'er. Basically, it takes respect, something I don't believe I have much of. A good idea, is to join one of the more popular RPG's and see how it works, the sign-up, and all that stuff. If you like like it, make your own... and watch it crash and burn. Also, I found, even the most popular RPG's have problems that keep going. Like somebody posts something completwly random that nobody expects and the RPG plummets to the bottom of the list. It is a game of luck with a little bit of skill involved. Keep trying, and no matter how many times you fall down, make sure you get back up that last time and try again, that's what really counts...[/color][/size][/i]

[James]

[color=royalblue]Not all RPGs are going to be successful.

I've worked on RPGs before that have been quite creative, yet have sunk like a rock.

I don't believe that my Admin status positively affects my RPGs at all; it might get more sign ups, but not more commitment.

My most recent RPG is spiralling downwards due to that fact that only about three of maybe twenty original players are actually [i]involved[/i].

So if you make a very long, drawn out RPG...you're taking that gamble. Unfortunately, the quality of RPGs in that forum has been declining steadily in recent times...and I'm sorry to say that I think it's in its worst period of creativity and effort ever.

I never thought I'd say it, but I long for the good old days of that forum...where the biggest RPGs were also the most creative and rewarding RPGs. And where RPGs weren't being made every ten seconds, just for the sake of it...[/color]

[Char!]

[color=teal][size=1]I agree with you, James. But if you give up on your own RPG and don't post, then that's gotta be one of the main reasons nobody else does. I mean, to suddenly see no more contribution from the creator, I mean, man.

So that's why I did what I did to the RPG. Ah well...:)


--Mike[/color][/size]

[ShadowX]

probably not enough though and not done in detail very well

[ifm2181]

I used to think my RPG from RM2K was cool, but it has no actual plot to it, lol. You just run around and kill things and make weapons.