The Draft
-
I might as well start this conversation, since it seems to be something either tip-toed around or only spoken of in secret.
The server's numbers have been shit lately, and I think the draft is causing it.
Discuss.
-
The idea of a draft works really well initially, but it looks like it's been getting drawn out and people don't really know where conflict should arise when everyone is walking around wearing the same colors. I think it's putting a stop sign in front of personal plots, and it stops cool groups from forming.
In real life you can't escape the draft easily, but on CoA you can escape the draft by just not logging in, and that's the route a lot of people are taking.
tl;dr: People just want to play the game but the draft is a hassle, even if the idea is cool and works on paper
-
The draft is a good idea in theory as it encourages people to join factions that will get them involved in plots or create conflict with draft dodgers and such
However in reality it hasn't worked out so well and people seem to be just not logging in or playing on other servers to avoid the draft or being made to join factions they don't want to
-
I tailored my concept to fit in with the current metaplot, because it really seems the current metaplot is 'forcing' people into certain factions. If you're not a PC participating in it, your options are really limited. Now, on paper, I love the idea of the draft/metaplot - but, i have heard some people talk about not playing/logging in till its over because they don't like it or can't find a concept to fit into what's going on.
-
The draft doesn't affect my character but I've actively avoided anything to do with the plot, the war plot just isn't interesting to me and I wouldn't appreciate being forced into it any time I made a new character concept or penalized for not wanting anything to do with it either
-
The draft is bad when it is affecting several characters in a row for people who didn't like it to begin with. Also the plot is moving at snail speed, which might also be playing a considerable part in the matter.
-
Conceptually the draft would urge players to get involved in factions (either joining PD/WW/HC) or by becoming retainers or whatever. There are several IG/IC ways to avoid being drafted. I offered help for concepts (that could skip the draft) recently, no one responded.
What do players want, if not a way to be involved in the biggest plot happening?
-
To not be forced to and do so on their own terms.
The core complaint i see is people complaining about more than one character of theirs being forced into the situation.
-
What do players want, if not a way to be involved in the biggest plot happening?
The ease of not being coerced into involvement, I think.
For instance, if it's about giving players an opportunity to be very involved, an alternative could just be that the army is drastically relaxing its requirements for enlistment, to the point of accepting almost anyone. So it's not compulsory, but if any player actually wants to be involved, it's readily available. Sure, it doesn't make as much IC sense as a draft, but there's a sweet spot somewhere.
Disclaimer: From what I've seen, everyone thinks it's an awesome idea on paper, but OOC got in the way and made things complicated. Everyone still has insane gratitude for what the DMs are pulling right now
-
I think it is alot of reasons for me that I have seen.
But the idea was good and I even helped with maps and such at the start.
The plot slowed down and whole forced draft issue turned some players away.
I have tried to push the plot in my timezone but it has become to hard, with the only things happening in other timezones and unable to have other issues/plotlines handled outside this.
From my point of view this type of plot needs to be driven by DMs and not players.
We can do somethings but needs to be pushed and moved quickly to keep the interest and the reason for such front of mind with the players.
Dont get me wrong, I have seen many players trying to give this a go, from Concripts to Officers in the PD plus the other factions.
Maybe refresh the plot
RD
-
My bard has developed nicely with this plot, and I love it personally.
But people/groups opting to conflict and fight the draft get little support.
I also think the militia harassing/forcing people into the draft (a week early) turned people off. I found it quite annoying OOC to be harassed all the time about it IC.
-
With the draft, you basically have 1 character since there is a high chance that any alt will be instantly conscripted. So most of us who just want a change of pace or want to try a new build can't even do that.
okay, so ideas/suggestions.
Drop the price.
Explain upfront that recruits get armor and pay rather than going with the stick first.
have an ooc thing that characters below lvl 3 can't be conscripted. So new players can get a handle on things before making major life choices.
-
Could it also be summertime might be affecting numbers?
-
I might as well start this conversation, since it seems to be something either tip-toed around or only spoken of in secret.
And there in lies the key. I know personally I have said several times, "if the draft becomes suffocating let us know, that is definitely not what we want," Because I was afraid of that happening before it was even implemented even if I thought the idea was cool. You guy's really shouldn't be tip-towing around anything or speaking in secret, if you have a complaint let it fly. As long as you aren't rude about it, you can say whatever you want. Your opinion matters, and you shouldn't be afraid to voice it.
As far as the dales plot slowing down, it hadn't really. There were some set backs, like a rash of permadeath events that left me without a few key characters, but before I had to take a break for personal reasons I was running events and building areas non stop. It's just a very complicated plot (perhaps overly so, something I am prone to do) designed to potentially involve lots of different types of characters, and I was only able to run one event at a time when I had the time. That being said, Puffy has been actively putting stuff together to keep it going with me afk for the time being, so once the road is clear for the army to move to mistledale it should start picking back up again. I'm excited to see where it is when I get back.
Taking a page from Unfie's playbook, TLDR; Don't be a girly man/woman, if you think something is negatively effecting player morale, let us know. Worst thing that can happen is we disagree, and even that leaves you with the potential for an epic "told ya so!"
-
We'll look into the draft, it was to help the story going and if it does the opposite I say it wont be worth having around. Thanks for letting us know what you think <3
-
The Draft "Forces" players. The key word here is thusly. It is a real turn off for me personally. So I took a break then came back with a deputy to help stuff along. But personally, I think, after some thorough thinking, It's just me hating the elite upper-class stuck up nobles. This was an IC problem for which I had found no answer… Other then I am going to try and pull a spoiler.
-
It tilts the balance of power even more in favour of Team Establishment/ACoG and is only a negative for Team Crime (having to pay for a waiver or any crime being met with the Penal Legion because it's IC).
Personally I don't like playing the type of PC that would conform to the draft and it's now even harder to play what I do like.
-
It tilts the balance of power even more in favour of Team Establishment/ACoG and is only a negative for Team Crime (having to pay for a waiver or any crime being met with the Penal Legion because it's IC).
Personally I don't like playing the type of PC that would conform to the draft and it's now even harder to play what I do like.
Something we intend to address soon. More will be unveiled.
-
I think it is a combination of things.
It practically forces players to join factions they might not want to join and characters harass other characters over it when they might have just logged in for a few quests to unwind, So to avoid it people just don't log in. A similar large drop happened in the Red Hart war when the city was under siege and people couldn't leave the city or quest, People hated it and just didn't log in unless they were heavily involved until it ended.
As others have said the plot itself seems to be moving slow so some may feel they can't do much if they are in a DM light TZ, Perhaps DM's could for example spawn some gnolls in the Hullack, a chest with some loot in it and orders from an NPC and post in a forum that scouts have found a small camp so the low TZ players have things to do and still be involved.
Also personal plots seem to be on the backburner and not easy to get support for unless they tie into the war which may discourage others
-
Having so few people about does make it hard to get things done and saps your interest in logging in, too so it has a knock on effect.
Bin it off and start something fresh, everyone wins.
