Player Survey Results and Moving Forward

[Strife and Discord]

Intro:

The team has reviewed the Player Survey result and have prepared a summary that can be shared with the players. This survey also guided us in making some plans on tackling all said issues. We share both with you here and now, in the spirit of the feedback and not verbatim(Due to the harsh nature of some of the comments).

Player Survey Results Summary:

Main Complaints:

Topic	Summary of Feedback
Stagnation & Resistance to Change	Many players feel the admin team, touching on specific members, have been in power too long and are resistant to changes that could revive the server.
Narrow Playstyle & Favoritism	Some Admins were frequently criticized for enforcing a rigid vision of the game that alienates players with different styles, while favoring specific players or concepts.
Lack of Creativity	Several players believe that some of the Admins lack the creative storytelling necessary to keep the server engaging, with complaints that events and plots have become formulaic or uninspired.
Inactivity	Some Admins, were called out for their inactivity, with players questioning why they still hold positions if they’re not contributing.
Detachment from Players	There’s a sense that the admin team has become disconnected from the player base, with several mentions of Admins prioritizing their own enjoyment over that of the players.
Hostility in Interactions	Some Admins were described as defensive and unapproachable, particularly when challenged on decisions, which has created a tense atmosphere.
Should the Admin Team Change?	There is a strong sentiment for change, with most players calling for a partial or total overhaul of the admin team. The issues raised include burnout, inflexibility, and detachment from the player base. Some players suggest that even if new personnel are not brought in, a significant shift in ideology and openness to player-driven creativity is needed. However, there are a few who see potential in keeping some Team members, if they focus more on creative engagement.

Should the Admin Team Change?

Common Themes in Feedback on CoA

**The Common themese here are mentioned in order of appearance, from top issues to lesser issues

Topic	Summary of Feedback
Magic and Fantasy Levels	Many players feel the magic and fantasy levels have been reduced, straying from the high-fantasy roots of D&D. They desire more exciting magical items, powers, and fantastic storylines. Plotlines have shifted towards mundane themes like rebellions or marriages, which diminishes the fantastical appeal of the game world. This sentiment reflects a strong desire for more magical, unique, and creative experiences.
DM/Player Dynamics	Several criticisms are directed at the DM team. Some players believe the team restricts creativity, with DM-PCs taking the spotlight at the expense of others. Others feel that DM involvement is often inconsistent, leaving storylines in limbo when DMs are unavailable. The perceived "gatekeeping" of content, such as subraces and summoning themes, adds to this frustration. There are calls for less restrictive oversight, more responsive DMs, and a wider variety of opportunities for players to shape the world.
Reward Systems and Progression	Many find the reward system lackluster, with DM loot often being too similar to crafting loot. Players desire more meaningful and personalized rewards, rather than generic items, potions, or gold. There is also frustration about the slow pace of character progression and server changes, which contributes to burnout. Players feel that quicker rewards and more significant progression would help maintain engagement.
Plot Variety and Scale	Several comments highlight that the server's plots have become repetitive and too focused on large, world-changing events, which can be alienating to casual or returning players. Suggestions include spicing up smaller, more personal quests and allowing for more character-driven storylines. There's also a call to focus on a smaller, more immersive setting with better-defined lore, like rival factions or tribes, which could help players feel more integrated into the world.
FOIG (Find Out In-Game) Barrier	Players express that the FOIG principle creates an insurmountable barrier for new players. Long-time players hold too much mechanical and lore-based knowledge, putting newcomers at a disadvantage. A wiki or some form of OOC knowledge sharing could make the game more accessible, addressing this imbalance.
Death Penalty and Solo Play	On its own the death penalty wasnt mentioned as a bad thing. However the harshness of the death penalty and the difficulty of playing alone are recurrent issues. Players feel discouraged by the severe consequences of death, especially in a low-population environment where solo play is more common. The server’s design needs more to do for solo players and less punitive consequences for risk-taking.
Administrative Issues	Players frequently criticize the admin team for being out of touch and resistant to change, with specific mentions of burnout and gatekeeping. There are calls for fresh leadership and more responsive, adaptable administration to rejuvenate the server and embrace new ideas. Some suggest reducing admin involvement in favor of empowering DMs to drive more dynamic storytelling.
Player Impact on World and Story	Many players wish they could have a greater impact on the game world and storylines. They feel the current system stifles their ability to create lasting imprints in the world, especially given the active player count. There are requests for more flexibility and freedom in shaping the server’s narrative, especially when only a few players are online.
Exploration and Random Dungeons	There's a desire for more variety in exploration, including randomly generated dungeons and more diverse quests. Players want areas that evolve in difficulty, offering a sense of progression as they venture deeper into the world. This would encourage more exploration and keep content fresh.
Burnout and Stagnation	Multiple players mention burnout, both in terms of their own experience and the burnout they perceive among DMs and admins. The server feels stagnated, and the slow pace of change, repetitive content, and lack of fresh ideas contribute to this feeling. There are calls for new classes, races, enemies, and fresh content to reinvigorate the player experience.

Conclusion:

• These points reflect a strong desire for rejuvenating CoA with more fantasy-driven content, meaningful player impact, less restrictive DM oversight, and a better balance between progression, risk, and reward.
• In conclusion, there is broad agreement that for CoA to improve, the admin team needs either new members or a major shift in attitude and approach, particularly in embracing more creative and player-driven experiences.

Action Items from the Survey:

• The team recognizes the anguish that came from the survey results
• The team also recognizes that there is an even bigger theme emanating from the survey - A longing to see CoA succeed and flourish
• The team understands that action must be taken towards change and do not shrug away from the responsibility

Given that above, the team has come up with several action items in the immediate and the long term. We will not go into specific right now, but will make sure to share as the work on each action item is done.

Immediate Action Items:

• CoA Admin team sadly bids farewell to two of its members: Puffy and Professor Misclick. We thank them for their many years of relentless work for the community as players and team members. For the sake of the community and the franchise they love, the two have decided to step down from their roles as Admins
• Inactive Admins that still give us great counsel and input will now be moved out of the Admin team to their own group - Advisory Board. They will continue to aid us in the same capacity, while not being tethered to the Admin role
• We are currently working to fill the gaps created in the Admin team as well as bringing back some old Storytellers
• We are also working on restructuring the hierarchy of the team and defining each and every role and the expectations from them

Long-Term Action Items:

• Reviewing our current vision and core values and updating them to meet the trends of 2024-2025
• Reviewing the current setting and what is needed to jumpstart excitement and engagement from the playerbase