I know this is a loaded question...

[kervala]

Welcome on Atys

You can do all sort of activities at all levels

Level 250 players have generally some low levels so they can help new players to level up

Other example, the current event has as goal to build camps in 6 regions for each civilization. There are level 10, 60, 110, 160, 190 and 210 camps so every player could participate to their building

[liseke]

we've had a decent influx of new players lately too, and there are missions ready to guide you up to around level 50.

there's always stuff to do for mid-levels as everyone has skills at the mid-levels

[kalindra]

Where are these new players? I created a new account to see the state of the game and it is dead. The newbie areas are completely bereft of players. I was contemplating upgrading an account I had previously but after seeing the state of the game I doubt I'll bother.

Runebearer I think you're right to wonder. You can tell by the traffic on these forums that Ryzom is pretty dead too. There's no sense of a game being given a new lease of life. It's a shame because it's a decent game. But I can play Fallout 3 if I want to a good SP experience.

I wonder if you aren't Mahlo from the MMORPG.com forums... are you getting paid to discourage people from trying the game or something ? Because that's what you seem to be doing, on purpose.

"New" players grow quick into mid-levels players or disappear just as quick. It's just like Darwin's law of evolution : those who fail to adapt to their new environment are soon extinct. But those who fall in love with Atys, those who are patient and perseverant enough will strive and eventually become masters. Ryzom isn't a mainstream game, it doesn't appeal to just everybody, and especially not to the "Gimme, gimme NOW" crowd. Those who are allergic to the word "effort" don't stand a chance in our environment.

Also, most homins are not very tolerant towards negativity. I'm one of those. I'll happily help anyone who's actually trying to progress, but I most probably won't be as friendly to someone who seems to be suggesting that people shouldn't bother trying the game because it's too "dead" to his taste. As if that will make it any more alive ! That kind of mentality it isn't helpful in any way and is exactly what kills the game population. Way to think backwards !

The more people try the game and stay, the less "dead" it will seem. If you leave because the population is too low, you're not helping to make it higher, and if you discourage people from trying a game they could like because YOU think the population is too low, you're only making it even worse... plus you're throwing away an opportunity to have a newcommer to team with.

I know, I'm harsh... but coming to our forums to tell potential newcommers that they shouldn't bother trying the game is not only overdoing it, it's unacceptable. Either you do subscribe or you don't : that's your business, but your perception of the game is limited to the very few times you bothered to log and the very few zones you seem to have visited during your stay on Atys. Older players who've been there during a while have seen the different levels of newcommer arrivals. They have seen the server at its worst periods. Right now, the server is NOT dead, especially compared to then. New names are popping on Uni chat every day, old ones are returning after a long break. But how are you supposed to recognize them if you can hardly tell who are the eldest and the newest ? Either you have no idea of what you are talking about or you know very well and you are just lying to drive people away.

So, runebearer, will you be a survivor or an extinct newb ? It all depends on your attitude towards the game and the community. Either you want to be part of the adventure or you don't. Remember that I used to be a newb too; if I managed to survive, so can you. And I never had any problem finding a team. Get to know people, both new and old ones: that will help you enormously.

[special1kase]

Wow Sherk, remind me never to cross you.

But, she is right, we are a very helpful and friendly community. If you want help with anything, ask, and someone will probably give you a hand (the key thing is to ask, not beg).

There are times that the server seems pretty dead, but thats when most people are at school/work, and many of the remainding people are just focusing on their digging/crafting, which can be multi-person activities, but most people tend to solo it. As of late, it seems that people have been coming out of the woodwork, because everyone is doing the same thing together, so you get to see them all. These are the same people that are normally online, but you don't see them because they are doing things elsewhere.

In other words, the community is smaller right now, but it is friendly and helpful, and the "grind" of levels isn't as bad as it seems with a group, even if there are 200 levels separting you and anouther person in the group. I myself have healed newbies out of team for hours, just so they could get great xp, without fear of death, and without me nerfing everything.

[kalindra]

But you've already crossed my path.... and you're still alive, aren't you ?

[gcaldani]

....but is there any point in a new person joining Ryzom?

To have some fun playing a game?

[grapes]

Usually players can leave the starter island within 20 levels. This is about 4-5 hours of playtime at the most. So dont be surprised if the starter island is empty once in a while. Many players also get recruited into guilds and leave the island almost immediately.
The universe chat is not a good indication of population because most people are chatting within their respective guild chats.
If you want a sense of the ryzom populations i would suggest going to an actual city and checking it out.