Just in case you're interested

[Ruddertail]

As far as theme, I was talking more about them as in the back story, the names given to things, etc. We have a historical theme - we use historical tribes, historical troops, etc. I think that's what Mr. Pres was talking about as well, but I could be wrong.

As far as the password, well, 4/10 new accounts on BFR have not been logged into. I'd like to do some checking on WoA as well, but don't currently have access. Still, this may indicate that the password setup is proving a discouragement to signups. I'm thinking Shadow's right, just have them fill in the pass right away. This way, they don't lose their pass. Plus, it makes it possible and attractive to log in strait off...

[Shadow I]

As far as theme, I was talking more about them as in the back story, the names given to things, etc. We have a historical theme - we use historical tribes, historical troops, etc. I think that's what Mr. Pres was talking about as well, but I could be wrong.

Well, unique abilities based on historical info would be a great start. Also, it's just a pet peeve, I don't know if anyone else cares, but why not just have one universal name for the troop types? Right now each troop has about 5 different names. I still get confused as to what I am getting attacked in; I have to check up my status page to see what I lost before i can be sure, sometimes. Does anyone here actually know what a Quinqireme is?

I doubt that is very helpful though. I am just venting thoughts as they come through my head in the hope I might hit on something useful.

[Mr President]

As far as theme, I was talking more about them as in the back story, the names given to things, etc. We have a historical theme - we use historical tribes, historical troops, etc. I think that's what Mr. Pres was talking about as well, but I could be wrong.

As far as the password, well, 4/10 new accounts on BFR have not been logged into. I'd like to do some checking on WoA as well, but don't currently have access. Still, this may indicate that the password setup is proving a discouragement to signups. I'm thinking Shadow's right, just have them fill in the pass right away. This way, they don't lose their pass. Plus, it makes it possible and attractive to log in strait off...

I have been messing around with this code for some time trying to turn it into what my members are looking for. We come from a military game, so that is what we like. We used reg prom for a while but it's boring. This code has had a lot of thought and care put into it and that is what i like most about it.

I think before you go any further that is the biggest question you need to answer. What is it that the members are looking for. The theme you guys use now, historical times may have worked in the past but maybe now it's time for something whole new. Or maybe this is still ok just new things are needed to spice it up some. Only your members can answer this. In my game i am putting up polls all the time asking for there opinions. I work hard at keeping the members involved. Most of my members pay for a prem account, not cause i ask them, but cause they are trying to help the game as much as they can. And i feel it is cause i keep them in the loop they feel like it's there own game.

As for the graphics, just simple stuff. In our game we use Residential, commercial, industrial, farms and tech labs for buildings. I am putting simple pics next to each of these choices. Say for residential i will have a small pic of some houses. For farms i will show a pic of a farm. Simple little things like that make a huge difference. People today love graphics.

I am also putting in a colored pie chart. kinda like how your "map" works, just a little fancier.

I too agree that all military units should be named the same. I know when i play i get use to what each name is, then they switch on me and i have to start over learning them again.

We have done some research on a lot of these same questions your asking. It's sad but if 75 new people come to your site, 1-3 will stay. So the key is, once they are here
you have about 2 min to catch there attention. You might want to increase the amount
of turns they get when they start. What happens is, people use there turns then log off and forget all about it. If they can build a little more at the start then they may feel they have a chance and will come back.

Put some opening text on the front page so they read it right off the bat. Make sure it's a paragraph of less. Anything more they will lose interest in reading. Put a nice graphic on the login page too. Something that is based on the theme of your game. Right now the regular login page is a little busy. (not the x-mas one) A lot of the words seem like they mix together. Perhaps something simple with maybe a cool
pic with some information text would look better.

Please note these are only suggestions. It's not like i run a game with 50k people in it.
I'm simply sharing what i have learned. I think you all have done a great job with this game and you have put a lot of heart and thought into it. I am still learning how to code. I have a couple of people who help me out when i get stuck. I learn most of it by trial and error *laughs*.. The reg Prom was pretty easy. Then i get your code with smarty
(which i know nothing about *laughs*) and i can see right off the bat that's it's 1000 times better then reg prom. Nice work! OK i'm done rambling now *laughs*

[Shadow I]

All good suggestions. Basically what it all boils down to is that simplicity is key early on, and more complexity can be added later when they are here to stay. Global accounts would be great for this; they can be set by default to something very simple, easy to grasp, and allow more advanced members to customize as they go. I am no programmer so I don't know how hard that would be, but I think it would go a long way toward keeping members.

I thought about suggesting more turns to start off, but this seems to be something that no promi ever touched. Maybe we should be the first? Another one would be clearer instructions on getting out of protection. That seems ridiculous to us, but I had a friend join RWL a while ago and he couldn't figure it out without help. Including that as part of the welcome message might be a good idea. There are so many buttons it is overwhelming for the new people without guidance. I'd be willing to bet a large sum of cash that 9 out of 10 people click "attack" right off, and quit when it says they can't.

[Ruddertail]

More turns as in more than max turns? Or simply giving them max turns? Or a higher turn rate?

With giving more turns, you run into the suicide/recreate kill runs. I want to kill somebody, so I spend all the turns on my account, delete, recreate, spend that run, repeat. One guy could kill a whole clan that way if he had time. I wouldn't be opposed to more turns to start with, but we'd have to deal with that problem.

And, yeah, pretty much. The game needs to be designed such that a new player can get started without having to learn a whole lot of complex stuff, but, at the same time, that complex stuff is there for the more experienced player. Something like a community pool. It's got a shallow end and a deep end. Essentially what Shadow said, but I'm restating it.

As far as getting out of protection, yeah. That could be included in the tutorial - basically give instructions for getting out of protection and getting set up on some reasonably effective strat - probably casher. (Assuming we get it fixed properly - that's next sets project, for me.)

I'd say I'd agree with pretty much with all of what Mr. Pres said. Some sort of text on the main page, a few little graphics, standardized military units, maybe look at the theme.

[Shadow I]

More turns to start out with - perhaps enough to get out of protection on the first run. To avoid the kill thing you could just make it so that you cannot join a clan until you have used more than 500 turns.

[Mr President]

Yes i mean more turn to start out with. Right now you get 150. Perhaps boost that to
250. I would also say you will need to boost protection too. We wouldn't want someone getting killed after they first start out. I would say give them 250 to start and put protection at 300.

This will allow them to build up more and still not be killed or hit till they are on there feet more.

Another thing that i changed was the ratio. it was 1/1000 i made it 1/10 (still playing with 1/100 too) What happens is, people spend 300 turns and only have like 500 troops and 250k Networth. That makes them think the game is slow and boring. Higher NW makes them think the game is quicker and fun. Illusion is everything! *laughs*

kinda like a payday. If you worked 40hrs and got 50.00 you wouldn't work to hard again.
But if you worked 40hrs and got 3,000 then you would be more apt to work harder to make more. Kinda the same thing here. People want rewards for there efforts.

Personally i think the foundation of the game is fine, Just a few tweaks like pure strats and a few other mentioned things and the game will be fine.

One other thing i forgot to mention is advertisement. Most members in here play other games. Maybe we can get them to put FAF's link in there sig while they are playing in those games too. Maybe someone who is good at making sigs could make a cool small sig that links to this site when they click it.

With IPB boards you can't set up any rewards for members who do these kinds of things, so i'm not sure how you can reward them but i'm sure you can think of something.

But if you have a good solid core of members who would be willing to donate some
money then you could set up a VB forum. With those you can set up donations and prem accounts where they pay through paypal and other payment options. I have a ton of things set up on our forums to keep the members busy while waiting for turns or in between sets. We have a arcade, casino, bookie system, banks, stock market,
loans, payments ect ect ect. All of this is possible with VBullitin.. And best of all it keeps them coming back to the site....Just a thought..

[Shadow I]

Eh, I wouldn't want these games to become something involving cash. I'd be happy to do an occasional donation, but other than that I'd rather stay away from making ot something comercial. I think that might drive away oldbies and newbies alike, but maybe that's just me.

[Mr President]

I understand. Don't get me wrong. the games are still free to play and so are the forums.
But offering a Premium Account you will be surprised on how many will do that just to help the game. It's there choice if they want to or not. No hard feelings either way.
I have many members who play for free and then i have about 20 who like to have the premium account benefits so they buy one. Basically the amount of money i make pays for the server costs and the upgrades for the forums. I choose not to make a profit from it cause that's not why i'm in this. So i adjust the costs to fit the needs.

[Shadow I]

could you link me to the game? id like to check it out

[Slasher]

If you change the forums to VB I won't be coming on them much anymore... The UI for VB is EVIL

[Ruddertail]

Advertisement is good, but we need to make sure we're able to keep people, also. If we are unable to get people to stay, it doesn't really do anything to have people advertising.

Still, we do have a FAF banner, and I'd encourage people to put it in their sigs wherever they go.

More turns out of protection sounds good as well.

What are you thinking of for "rewards", Mr. Pres? Also, with stock market, casino, etc, I presume that's all virtual currency?

And, yeah, I'd like a link. It sounds like you've got a pretty good community together...

Slasher - What's so terrible about VBulliten's UI (User Interface, I assume)? I've not used it much, but I've never noticed anything absolutely horrible (other than the ugly theme on the one I've been on.)

[Slasher]

Everything in VB seems back to front and the admin CP is EVIL, not that that would effect me but eh

[Shadow I]

where is the faf banner and how do i put it in my sig?

[Mr President]

@ shadow- My Controls-edit sig

@ ruddertail

the currency we use is called credits. You earn them by posting and other various ways.
each member gets a paycheck each day. Higher the rank, the larger the paycheck.

Credits are used for everything. casino,arcade,bookie,stocks ect ect.

If you run short of credits we have a banking system set up where you can take out a loan. you can also set up so you make payments on it every 14 days. Any credits you have in savings, you earn interest on.

As for VB, some like it some don't. I love it. It allows me to add so many more more features then any other forums around. Not to mention it's easy to use and make changes. If you look into it, you will see there are options to rent or buy. i purchased mine as it was easier and i liked the idea of me owning it and being able to take it anywhere i want to go if ever needed. But it's up to you all. I used these Invision free for a long time. actually still do have one going, but don't use it hardly at all.