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 Forum index » Meta » General META Discussion
Deadline for Joining Games
Moderators: imbri, ndemeter
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rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

 		Deadline for Joining Games
This post was inspired by what took place in The Trail thread in News & Rumors. I thought about putting in that thread, but figured it would be seen as new game bashing, so I've come to META instead.

Quote:
In the source is
I see you found this then... well done.
You've found the end of the trail. That was
easy, but there will be something big coming soon... don't let this easy launch put you off.
E-mail thetrailSPLATgmail.com with your full name and e-mail address to participate in the main game.

Spread The Word!

Phase one of the main game will commence on 1st August 2005...

To participate in the main game you MUST send your full name and e-mail address to thetrailSPLATgmail.com

Players who send an email after 1st August 2005 will not be able to participate.

Expect an e-mail an 1st August

Once again, Spread The Word...

The Trail...

I guess I just don't understand the point of closing off the game to those that don't respond by August 1st - especially when it ends with "Spread the Word". Spread the word about what? A game that admits it had an easy launch? Why should I go and give any lip service to a game that a: I haven't played and b: has placed a huge limit on the number of players that will end up playing. I understand how some people will only play games that they come in on day 1 - but I think it's fair to say that the majority of people (especially those outside the UF community) end up coming into games somewhere in the middle.

Let's just pretend for a moment that this turns out to be 'The Best ARG Evar!' and the players start talking about how great this game is in chat and on the boards. What do you say to the people who either a: didn't bother signing up when they read the thread, b: never saw the original thread but heard about it in chat or c: is a newcomer to the community? "Too bad, so sad, better luck next time?"

Isn't allowing only certain people to participate in a game coming awfully close to becoming an 'elitist' group that some of the vocal defenders of grassroots games keep trying to label those of us who are pro-C.A.R.G.O [personally, I prefer the term Anti-Suck]?

This is of course going to one extreme that there will be hoards of players wanting to play. What happens if the opposite is true? That only a very small number of people actually sign up? As of now, 6 people have said they signed up. If that happens to be all there is, will the PM continue with the game or will it be another in a long line of failed experiments simply because a (IMHO) lame launch didn't sufficiently attact a larger group? And is the PM aware that small player bases have significant disadvantages that medium to larger player bases do not (tho I grant medium/large numbers bring their own set of problems)?

So is anyone else as dismayed about this as I am? Or am I just showing off my C.A.R.G.O membership again?
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:00 pm
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oliverkeers13
Entrenched


Joined: 23 May 2005
Posts: 917
Location: London, UK

 		It is a shame that it is closing to the public on Aug 1st, but at least they provided a stop date (unlike City Of DOmes), which i got left out of due to laziness, and lack of info as to the limited time of sign up.
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"To be in opposition is not to be a nihilist" CH
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:03 pm
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rowan
Unfictologist

Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Posts: 1966

 		But then again - didn't City of Domes implode?
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:10 pm
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MageSteff
Pretty talky there aintcha, Talky?


Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 2716
Location: State of Denial

 		Re: Deadline for Joining Games
rowan72 wrote:

So is anyone else as dismayed about this as I am? Or am I just showing off my C.A.R.G.O membership again?


If you have a reason to want to limit the number of "official" players, then a deadline is a good idea. Keep in mind that a portion or official players will most likely end up lurking or dropping out over time. Keep in mind that the official players may discuss your game on a Forum and you may have "unofficial"players following along.

As one who joined the ARG community in the middle of Chasing the Wish, keep in mind that you will not be able to include these new people in your game.

Personally I feel that you need a large group of cooperative players (i.e. a critical mass, also known as "Collective Detective") in order to offer more challenging puzzles. Each player brings something different to the brainstorming. Personally, I just don't feel it is good for the PM's to limit that power right out of the gate - the players may bog down in a random spot and that might slow other aspects of your game. Fresh blood can offer a fresh perspective and get things moving again.
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A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead


PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:19 pm
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Dorkmaster
Unfictologist


Joined: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 1328
Location: The People's Republic of Dork

 		Disclaimer: I know NOTHING of the game that Rowan is talking about. I'm just speaking to the concept.

I have to admit that I fall in between the thoughts of Rowan and Magesteff here.

I think that a game does indeed have a right to be closed at a certain point. (Although the quality of that choice is debatable.) However, the game may necessarily have certain restraints embedded, and we just won't know until it comes out. Perhaps there are only a limited number of real-life packages that the PM can rationally send out, or perhaps web-hosting is only affordable to a certain point, or what have you.

I don't fault the PMs for having a cutoff for joining, but I would agree that as a strictly "for-gamers" standpoint, it's the weaker choice to make. But as far as Magesteff mentions that this may be a way to control the ebb and flow of players for a newer PM, I don't think that's a valid reason. While I would understand and respect that possibility, I also think that if you're not ready to handle (other than financial or feasibility of gameplay reasons) dealing with the potential huge masses a good game can create, you should not be PMing, or recruit a few people to help you with maintaining your game.

I know all this is easier said than done, however. But I do stand by it.

As an aside, however (I can't stay too serious for too long, of course):
Would anyone be willing to make some shorts with the "C.A.R.G.O." logo on them? This way I can be a total dork and buy C.A.R.G.O. shorts! (Or in the event that they're actually "cargo shorts", how could would it be to have (wait for it...) C.A.R.G.O. Cargo Shorts in your posession?!) If someone wants to create such beautifyl items, and post a picture, I'd bow in dorkitude. (I know, it's TOTALLY worth it, eh? Laughing)
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 3:43 pm
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oliverkeers13
Entrenched


Joined: 23 May 2005
Posts: 917
Location: London, UK

 		The game is posted in News& Rumours and is called The Trail
_________________
"You're talking last ditch, I need top drawer" V
"To be in opposition is not to be a nihilist" CH
"im iver an idiot or a genus" Dekuprince
Perplex City Video

PostPosted: Fri Jul 22, 2005 4:29 pm
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