To the Mods/Game Devs: Re: Increasing Server Pop

[Telwe]

With respect, out of all the issues the game has, Haven's server population is the most important and urgent.

I think its more important even than RNG update.

My suggestion at this stage is to dramatically lower the grind time. I would even suggest giving new players free lvl 55 or 50 via STEAM. Make it a new release thing only available for HAVEN server. Advertise on DAOC forums. Be creative. You guys owe it to us to try.


I understand your hesitation to take such a course of action because of:
a) abuse from multis
b) loss of revenue from scroll boosting.

re a). Yes we might see some multying swing.... but at this stage it is a bullet we might have to take. Call it a necessary evil. Maybe give syrtis/ignis some sort of additional boost that might sway some people to their side. Multis already exist anyways so whats the danger? I think people overestimate how many multis there are and underestimate the number of people loyal to their realms. I can think of many people in all three realms who I know wouldn't change because they have established clans/friends. Plus they would lose their gear and so on.

b) I think you guys would actually make money in the long run. If people get hooked on the combat, after a while they will try to make themselves stronger and look to their level and gear. After doing 1% of of lvl 55-56 without previous grind experience they'll want to shoot themselves, and this might convince them to buy boosters. Give them a free 7 day mount or something as well. Thats also stuff people have to buy. There is also the issue of current players withholding xim purchases because we are unsure on the future of the server (for example I still have a white tunic but am unwilling to spend money on boxes at this stage).

But seriously I can't stress how important it is to close the gap of time required between making a new character and experiencing wars. I think people would quit just walking from newb starting position to warzone. Heck I'd get the Game Helpers or whatever they're called to idle at character spawn points and try chatting up newbs, give them the basics they need and even teleport them where they need to go.

What do companies do to attract new customers? They give away free stuff and samples. This situation is no different. You can't expect a complete new player to drop $45 or whatever on a pack for a game they know nothing about (and that has poor reviews).

Please, consider radical action. Remember the higher the population the more people there are to buy xim. Also I thank you guys for the general activity in trying to improve things (the roadmap). Many games I've played have no updates, no support and no communication between players and developers.

Daith
(gankforce)