From: Gavinwj <gavinwj@compuserve.com>
> Date: Wed, 03 Nov 2004 06:45:03 +0100
> [...]
> Unless there's a penalty to the dropping player, this is not
> going to stop. Currently there is no penalty and Clint is
> afraid of instituting one for fear of alienating some
> players. Now, the question that arises from that is, do you
> want those players in the first place...?
There's a countering argument, though.
When one of the online RPG games started listing certain player
activies as "wrong" or "cheating" - and made efforts to enforce the
behaviors - a large portion of their players migrated to other online
RPG games.
It's sort of like the RIAA suing its own customers -- you're not going
to win by alienating your customers. You need to mould your business
to suit both their needs and yours.
Those who can find a way to do that will succeed. In the gaming
industry, those who cannot are unlikely to enjoy longevity in their
successes. We're too small a worldwide market.
I won't comment on your specific suggestions in detail except to say
that you've put some good thought into the problem and potential
solutions.
Whether or not those solutions match the business model which is the
cornerstone of Harlequin's phenomenal success in keeping this game
going when others have died along the roadside is something only those
who drafted that business plan can address. I hardly think myself
qualified to levy judgement on what they should do with their
business. I hope (and trust) they are watching the suggestions roll
by, and move on the ones that make sense to them.
But it must be their call. They have succeeded where others have
failed, and success is your only proof.
ยทยทยท
_________________
Steven K. Mariner
skmyg@bhmk.com
http://home.earthlink.net/~marinersk/
http://www.whirlyjigmusic.com/