Players Events on the NA server

[douph]

Actually, I would have participated in the NHRAtys Top Fuel Dig & Craft Eliminations (heh!). I am a casual player (i.e. I play during not-work times) and I didn't know about the competition. I happened to join about an hour after it was over and heard of it in Yrkanis from the team that won. They woulda beaten me handily, but what I heard of it sounded like fun.
Similarly, I was only on once during one of the contests for the NVidia cards (I didn't participate anyway).

What would help to hook me for a future event?
I'm glad you asked!
It would have to take place when I can participate (and thats a tall order right there) and being a meaningful participant would be a bonus.

Let me expand on that last bit for a moment.
I'm perceiving the general server population in these groups:
1) Free Trial N00bs - a welcome influx but largely a flash in the pan because they "aren't going to pay a lot for this muffler" or any other winter wear.
2) Mundanes - these have overcome the learning curve and like Ryzom enough to stay on, some, like me are more casual players due to jobs, family, etc. which is what restrains us from becoming
3) UberHomins - ((Some people just don't know what manual labor IS. =P )) These folk are level 100+ "when did you say my q230 Heavy Armour would be ready?" and forgot how tough it was to figure out which foraging stanzas did what

New people that like Ryzom and can dedicate a majority of their time to it are going to go right from n00b to UberHomin.

When it comes to hunts, battles with Kitin, bandit raids, and similar, the Ubers are going to be the major players simply from a HP/combat standpoint. So my poor character would be able to do little more than minor healing from a rear area. Boo to that.

As I see it, events need to hook the Mundanes while still appealing to the fresh homins. Us Mundanes are more likely to be a lasting part of the community, but we're also going to be harder to fit into an Event Calendar. We can't fit our schedules around Ryzom occurrences.

Mundanes may not be forum gadflys either, but I may have a suggestion in that area. I've noticed that the in-game mailbox appears to have been operational for about a month now. Is it possible to send a global mail message advertising upcoming events? That would trump the MOTD while at the same time getting the Event news out.

Also; there was a event that I missed about editing skills and getting the most out of your stanzas. I think that was a great idea, and I think it should be a monthly event for new homins. It may not be a huge draw as far as events go, but it would likely go a long way to improving the n00b retention. I've impressed a few n00bs with the range of my acid damage spell, and explained that I edited out the range penalty.
((documentation is my main gripe))

Thinking inside the box for the outside-impaired! =)

[systemv]

Alright Douph, I'm of the opinion that this server is a majority of Mundanes. It's probably the same in any online game, it's just more apparent here because of the low server pop.

So I need your help. Your general points are informative but I need some more specifics. If you can, please answer the following questions - don't feel you need to answer for everyone in your demographic; I'm asking you these questions.

1.) What time is best for you and how long can you commit?

2.) When you do have the time to play Ryzom is it spent lvling skills, chating, mix of both? I'm speaking of a session, not your over-all use.

3.) What type of events appeal to you? Do you like storylines or competitions?

4.) Is a prize a factor for you in taking part? If so do you prefer items or daps?

5.) What was the last event you took part in and enjoyed?

6.) How often do you check the event boards on the forum?

I think that's all I got for now. Your help would be much appreciated.

[asaseth]

1.) What time is best for you and how long can you commit?
11AM to 1 PM, or can stretch it to 3 PM occasionaly, so 2 to 4 hours.

2.) When you do have the time to play Ryzom is it spent lvling skills, chating, mix of both? I'm speaking of a session, not your over-all use.
Mostly lvling skills, but lots of chatting during stuff like digging and traveling.

3.) What type of events appeal to you? Do you like storylines or competitions?
Competitions are fun to watch. Fun to playin, sometimes, even if I am the underdog. Haven't done a storyline. Could be interesting, but I don't know.

4.) Is a prize a factor for you in taking part? If so do you prefer items or daps?
Kinda, but kinda not. Fun is a factor, though. Haddo jewelry for prizes would be cool.

5.) What was the last event you took part in and enjoyed?
The gladiator events. Also did the Masters of Atys thing, or what ever it was called. Kinda cool seeing all those people together in one area.

6.) How often do you check the event boards on the forum?
As often as I can, every other day or so.

And yes, considering the fact that I have been on since November or so, and barely have my skills above 50 (except healing, but that is thanks to my guild), I am counted as a mundane.


Noh
Zorai
Infinity
Been here since the first open beta (kinda)

[systemv]

1.) What time is best for you and how long can you commit?
11AM to 1 PM, or can stretch it to 3 PM occasionaly, so 2 to 4 hours.

The morning availability is interesting. Do you find a lot of people on at that time? Have you met people in your playing situation(amount of time and availability) that are on at that time as well?

[douph]

1.) What time is best for you and how long can you commit?

Actually, that cannot apply while I hold the current job; I work seven days straight and then have some 40 hours or so to adjust to the shift that I will be changing to. One reason I started Ryzom is that there is nothing to do at 3am! Typically I'll spend something between 2-4 hours on a daily basis, or much longer on off-days. However, if I'm lag spiking (lots recently) or frustrated with a DP, I'm likely to end a session early.

There is also a large possibility that I will delay for a few months the renewal of my subscription when it expires in May. I have much to do that requires fair weather, and even ~free~ distractions are plentiful.

2.) When you do have the time to play Ryzom is it spent lvling skills, chating, mix of both? I'm speaking of a session, not your over-all use.

From the start, I was determined to be self-sufficient, so I have all four disciplines to level in, and plenty to keep me occupied. I enjoy chatting with other players, but that could be characterized more as jocular than cordial. Typically I will be chatting on channel Region more than a personal Tell, and usually I'm foraging at the same time. (dig... dig...) Oooooh! Shiny! Sorry, what did you say?

3.) What type of events appeal to you? Do you like storylines or competitions?

Story lines is the easy answer, but certain kinds competition can trump that. Lets see if I can explain my thinking... In a storyline a logical series of events is delineated while "competition" inspires images of racing or other sorts of time-critical matches (ever seen the Stihl Unlimited Chainsaw competitions? Rural meets Surreal! De-evolution is imminent!)

In general, time-critical events are going to be stigmatized by lag and ping spikes. People whom have had significant ping issues as I have over the last ten days or so may not even bother. Unfortunately, it turns out that even Treks can be time-critical when travelling through the most dangerous areas. A storyline (and I'm not sure precisely what form such an event would take) should, due to its inherent structure be much easier for even the lag-adaisicals like me to follow.

I've just now hit upon a (relatively) non-time-critical competition, but I'll mention that at the end of this.

4.) Is a prize a factor for you in taking part? If so do you prefer items or daps?

No. I've been able to progress in crafting such that I can make the highest quality items that I am capable of using. An exception might be an unrestricted enchanted item. A Foraging Pick of Speed, for example. I can name several players that would scramble to compete for THAT. Obviously, for me it is the time frame that is the biggest obstacle.

5.) What was the last event you took part in and enjoyed?

I don't know if this was an official event.
Saturday? (I was working nights; the days just melt together. The sun comes and goes as always; never pausing to ponder the name affixed to its journey.)
Enjoyed is the wrong word. I took part in a large trek from Yrkanis. I'm not sure what the ultimate destination was. The important part was that they were going to Pyr. Too many people? All I know was ping was horriffic. I was preyed on by the re-spawning beasties that the lead warriors had killed. I missed triggering a re-spawn point (I guess). It wasn't labelled on my map and there were probably 20 homins standing on that spot. I was killed again in a very dangerous area and had no option but to re-spawn in Yrkanis. Frustrating, yes. I'll still try to go along next time, though.

6.) How often do you check the event boards on the forum?

There are event boards?
Whoops.
Somehow I had thought that the "Windermeer" part of the event boards was the same (or mirrored) in the North American Community boards. Well, that sure explains a lot. =(

7.) Your help would be much appreciated.

Not a problem. I await your insight with baited bears. =D

Here's my idea as mentioned above. Get ready, this would have to be as labor-intensive (or more) as it will be fun. An Atysian scavenger hunt.
Obviously, no items are "found" on Atys. They must be posessed by an entity and looted, given, bought or foraged. (Oooooh.. a combination of the four... hmmm)

What I envisioned during my response several paragraphs up was something much like the Amber Chest of Wisdom Rite. Meeting with the hunt 'moderator' would prime those taking part to trigger dialogues with certain NPC's. A new default action (in the place of "trade" or "who are you") would be "Do you have something for me?" An item from a hard-to-locate NPC, clues to the location of an item to be foraged, yet another item found only in a Hawker's inventory (they seldom have anything useful anyway...), possibly even an animal drop triggered by the prescence of scavenging homins.

Unfortunately, an event so involved would likely require a small patch just to plant the NPC dialogues.

[sx4rlet]

I've offered this before, but I'll offer again.

If anyone is wanting to run a player event and wants any help, contact me. I've run several successful events on the EE server. Ever since I created my guild we've been running events, it can be done if you're prepared.
I think people are interested in doing these things. You jsut gotta announce it ahead of time and be prepared.
Just send me a PM on the forums, and I'll be more than happy to help.

Uhm, people here is a very good offer for you. Kostika is the Event-Queen of the EE-server!

Also some tips to get more people:
- a week before (more would be better) you post it on the forum
- during the week you already do some small roleplaying, or talk to people about the event
- invite people. Not only post on the forums, but ask people to come. Like: hey Kostika, we will be doing this event next weekend, we would like you to come...

[geezas]

My guess, and this is based on experience with other MMOs I've played in, is that it just comes down to the server population.

I comes down to creativity, and time put in thinking about the world not numbers. A event with 10 people is as good as with 100 people. it all depends on your goals and attitude.

Example: We now do a small test for people who want to enter our guild. The tasks are thought up, some playing is involved, dificulty according to levels. It does not matter if the applicant's fail or win. (failing spectacularly gives bonus points for being a High Officer ) It's about attitude and to see what they are like under observation and a little pressure. this is a small event we prepare differently every time and it is fun for all the people involved. another guild on the EE server does this to (the samsara) and it looks awsome

From what I see on the NA forums there are much more posts then on the EE forum, alot are mostly negative ... calling for the CSR to do things, making vailed threats, whining and moaning. (sorry for being so negative but every time I read the NA forums I get a instant 'slap the spoiled kid' reaction)

If you want to have fun make your own, don't expect a GM to hold your hand.

How about you posting less full page whines and 'objective' observations about the state of the game and actualy stand still for a while and try become one with atys, don't rush, don't treat it as a thing to solve but a world to live in.

[rhaenaan]

ok here goes my two cents on why our player run events don't work

Don't forget that a lot of guilds run thier own events internally. EoA had weekly events for our guild members and allies ranging from organized harvest/crafter marathons to hunts to world tours. As they were, we'd often get more people than we could manage, so opening them up to the world would have been crazy. (hence, not posting them here in the Ryzom forums)

I can think of three or four other guilds in a similar situation.

Are large guilds more prevalent on the NA servers than the Euroservers? If so, that could be another important factor to consider.

[systemv]

How about you posting less full page whines and 'objective' observations about the state of the game and actualy stand still for a while and try become one with atys, don't rush, don't treat it as a thing to solve but a world to live in.

Hrrm I've voiced some concerns in the past but surely "full page whines?" I can't see how anyone could make that accusation. Obvious flame bait... please go away.

Anywho, thank you douph for taking the time out to answer those. Your idea has merit and really doesn't need NPCs but just some willing participants

Interestingly enough if you look through the post history for Takashi you'll find he attempted little random events like this early on but the solutions were quickly found by larger guilds. Maybe with the new tools we'll see better made ones in the future but I also look forward to the player run ones as well.

[kibsword]

Hi, I have run many successful atys wide events on the EE server and would be willing to give ideas to any of our stateside friends wanting to get such events organised themselves.

If you want to, the offer is there, just send me a PM.

I have run: Naked boxing - tho it doesnt work as well since patch one, was successful before that tho
Fashion competition - always surprisingly successful, normally around 60+ homins at these, and I am hosting the spring fashion show on EE again soon.
Mount race - did one of these, was fun, a few days after mounts introduced to players we had a majestic garden race to certain locations where CSR staff would give clues to a riddle, worked well and I am letting another homin do another soon *fingers crossed*

Other events possible...
Riddles, hide and seek, the usual trips to other lands, the CSR staff on EE have done plays and some hugely fun dance festavals too that would be possible.

All the events I have done have been without entrance fees and prizes, I find that they are more fun this way, tho this is of course up to the organiser.

-Kibs