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[Ranos]

I should start off by saying I have noticed a steady loss in players over the past few weeks ever since the announcement of an impending wipe without an exact date. I for one highly enjoy this game and I don't want this to come off as a terrible post bashing anyone.

I for one know and recognize there will be periodic wipes and accept that and will probably continue playing up until wipe weekends and further on. I cannot say the same for other players, but I can sympathize with people who are playing and putting effort into their toons and get that sad defeating feeling that their toon will be wiped. I have a solution to cull that feeling. If the devs were able to implement a fun event over wipe weekend with some kind of reward for players who finish the goals of the event such as " A bunny invasion" or something like the smugglers taking over the main encampments in the game and having the players free the encampments. A reward that is account bound is a good idea for participants in these events, such as titles. I'm only saying this because people enjoy longevity and if they knew there would be a cool event before a wipe with the chance of getting a title that carries over into launch it gives the player a sense of purpose and that leveling your toon wasn't for nothing. This would also give them a sort of bragging rights deal for live with unique titles that were only received in beta Again I am totally cool with wipes and dont even care about any rewards that would be given to me, but for the other players...I believe this kind of thing would keep them coming back every weekend regardless of knowing about an impending wipe.

I don't think its a terrible inscentive to keep players coming back every weekend. Mostly everyone I have talked to really enjoys the game, but become disheartened knowing there will be a wipe and thus play something else.



~The Legend Norvir

 

[Xavure]

I really like that idea and that sounds fun. I would also add that you guys should never ever said that a wipe is coming, until the monday before the wipe. Not even a hint!! People will be way more invested in the game if they don't know. (unless your wiping every month, that won't help of course) I've seen 50 steady people playing, but as soon as a wipe is hinted, BOOM.......20 people.....10......now 4...

Of course that is just my opinion, but most people I shared it with agreed.

 

[Randy Magnum]

Wipes have been pretty regular, 3 or 4 so far this year (game is growing, changing and getting polished), but I agree that notice should probably be withheld as long as possible. I change priorities when I know a wipe is coming and stop grinding as much - the level potions are a good indicator lol. There will probably be a bunch more so permanent account gifts might be a bit premature but events are welcome however the team is working hard on the game and might need help for additional events.

 

[Dalton]

The point of the beta is to test new game features and give feedback. If people are currently playing just to progress their character and play it as a launched game they will be disappointed lol.

 

[Ranos]

I 100% agree Dalton, but you also need people to test. It's a dilema.

 

[Undone]

It's a difficult thing to balance.

a) don't announce a wipe until just before the wipe: can upset people who put a lot of time into their character.
b) announce wipes a few weeks in advance: people stop playing because they don't want to "waste" time.

no matter what we do it's going to cause grief. we do our best to give everyone a head's up to keep spirits up. ideally we would never wipe. but alas, beta.

 

[RazorBrains]

The point of the beta is to test new game features and give feedback. If people are currently playing just to progress their character and play it as a launched game they will be disappointed lol.

Well considering there are very few playing after a wipe is announced, don't you see this as a problem? Your statement is what, to tell people how to feel? You think you will change everyone with your post? You want the devs to ignore it because people are not playing the beta the way you want them too? Or maybe you thought people would say "Ohhhh your post was so eloquent that people all over will have an epiphany, they will always log in now that they understand the way a Beta works, thanks so much for that" LOL

Its pretty obvious this is an issue, as you said a beta is designed to test, having only a few people testing for multiple weeks is a problem don't you think? I don't know a good solution, Undone has stated the dilemma, as a lose/lose situation which is a bad outcome. Maybe first recognize its a problem, then think of a solution versus trying to tell everyone how to feel would be the best approach.

What do other beta/alpha teams do to curb this problem would likely be the first place to look?

 

[Dalton]

Well considering there are very few playing after a wipe is announced, don't you see this as a problem? Your statement is what, to tell people how to feel? You think you will change everyone with your post? You want the devs to ignore it because people are not playing the beta the way you want them too? Or maybe you thought people would say "Ohhhh your post was so eloquent that people all over will have an epiphany, they will always log in now that they understand the way a Beta works, thanks so much for that" LOL

Its pretty obvious this is an issue, as you said a beta is designed to test, having only a few people testing for multiple weeks is a problem don't you think? I don't know a good solution, Undone has stated the dilemma, as a lose/lose situation which is a bad outcome. Maybe first recognize its a problem, then think of a solution versus trying to tell everyone how to feel would be the best approach.

What do other beta/alpha teams do to curb this problem would likely be the first place to look?

There is no way to curb it, wipes will always cause people to stop playing. No way around that without giving people special “wipe free” status which is a bad idea. Thats why the devs were very clear up front before people bought the game that wipes will happen.

 

[Undone]

Your statement is what, to tell people how to feel? You think you will change everyone with your post? You want the devs to ignore it because people are not playing the beta the way you want them too? Or maybe you thought people would say "Ohhhh your post was so eloquent that people all over will have an epiphany, they will always log in now that they understand the way a Beta works, thanks so much for that" LOL

You could have made your point without the color commentary. This is exactly what we are talking about when we reference unproductive comments that are unhealthy for the community as a whole.

The mistake is mine. I should not have indicated that there was an upcoming wipe without a specific timeframe. Next time I will not announce any wipes until 1-2 weeks ahead of time; at which point we will provide leveling potions (adventuring, gathering, & crafting) and appropriate leveled gear.

 

[Elloa]

I just would like to add - as I'm your CM and therefor responsible of creating fun events for the community - that I had 2 IRL events two weeks in a row making my weekends too unstable to set up up any events. I hope you guys can forgive me, as I need sometimes to get away from the computer to have a little taste of IRL, and that mostly happen during the weekend (friends, family, etc)
But it is absolutely my intent to organise something to incentivise players to join despite the wipes! Like I did with the Dryfoot social event before our last wipe

Thank you!