Tynian
December 15th, 2010, 07:52 PM
As you may have noticed, I've been around a lot more lately. I've been working on code, fixing bugs, and annoying mortals. Depending on your point of view, this may be a good or bad thing. I'm happy to finally have some time to hang out. There was a time when I wondered if I would ever really be around again.
Since my return, I've noticed a continuing decline in the player base, and specifically, the number of characters that are online at any given time.
One day, TFC will no longer exist. We will shut down, and go into the great nothingness.
But that day will not be today, and it will not be tomorrow.
I believe that TFC still has some life in it. Part of my conviction stems from player loyalty. Yes, the numbers are down, but what I see is players that have played TFC for years, and are still around (or coming back). That kind of staying power suggests that TFC is a game worth investing in.
The key to TFC's continuing success can be broken down into two obvious pieces: 1) Retaining our current loyal players, and 2) finding and bringing in new players, getting them interested in the game, and retaining them. It's obvious, but not necessarily easy.
As for me, I am working on TFC Version 5, which I hope will freshen up the game, and make things a little more dynamic for our more experienced players. The trick is updating the game to keep it interesting, while not changing it so dramatically that it leaves the existing players in shock.
I'm not ready to talk specifics at this point. The changes aren't set in stone. In fact, I expect that my plans will evolve over time. I may try some things that just don't work out when we test. Or, a better idea may come along.
If you have a change idea that you'd like considered, please post it to "The Next Great Idea" forum. If an idea already been posted, but was neither accepted nor rejected, feel free to post to it.
Thanks for playing!
Since my return, I've noticed a continuing decline in the player base, and specifically, the number of characters that are online at any given time.
One day, TFC will no longer exist. We will shut down, and go into the great nothingness.
But that day will not be today, and it will not be tomorrow.
I believe that TFC still has some life in it. Part of my conviction stems from player loyalty. Yes, the numbers are down, but what I see is players that have played TFC for years, and are still around (or coming back). That kind of staying power suggests that TFC is a game worth investing in.
The key to TFC's continuing success can be broken down into two obvious pieces: 1) Retaining our current loyal players, and 2) finding and bringing in new players, getting them interested in the game, and retaining them. It's obvious, but not necessarily easy.
As for me, I am working on TFC Version 5, which I hope will freshen up the game, and make things a little more dynamic for our more experienced players. The trick is updating the game to keep it interesting, while not changing it so dramatically that it leaves the existing players in shock.
I'm not ready to talk specifics at this point. The changes aren't set in stone. In fact, I expect that my plans will evolve over time. I may try some things that just don't work out when we test. Or, a better idea may come along.
If you have a change idea that you'd like considered, please post it to "The Next Great Idea" forum. If an idea already been posted, but was neither accepted nor rejected, feel free to post to it.
Thanks for playing!