PlaneShift & public relations - an analysis

[Donari Tyndale]

Srsly, Rigwyn and Demagul? Our culture is threatened by immigrants? Hmmm.....sound familiar Perhaps we should not whine so much and instead try integration of newcomers into the existing culture (Just like in RL, lol). Back in the days, whenever I encountered a newbie, I took some time to explain things to him, what OOC/IC means etc. So is there a reason we can't just do that?

Also, I have to agree with Siteya. We are a true mmoRPg.

Roled, that sounds like a great idea. Social networking surely makes things a lot easier.

[Demagul Riwe]

Srsly, Rigwyn and Demagul? Our culture is threatened by immigrants? Hmmm.....sound familiar Perhaps we should not whine so much and instead try integration of newcomers into the existing culture (Just like in RL, lol). Back in the days, whenever I encountered a newbie, I took some time to explain things to him, what OOC/IC means etc. So is there a reason we can't just do that?

Also, I have to agree with Siteya. We are a true mmoRPg.

Roled, that sounds like a great idea. Social networking surely makes things a lot easier.

What? No, I never said that the culture was threatened by immigrants. I was just saying that we should mainly publicize in places that an RP crowd would see. If we get overwhelmed by non-RPers, it's always a possibility to un-merge the RP and non-RP servers. I just hope PS isn't publicized as a standard MMORPG, because people have certain expectations for an exact structure for how the game works. If we advertise saying "Hey look at this awesome MMORPG", this will probably happen:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A6Z5-deOuc (this video makes me so mad)

Believe me, I want people more players as much as anyone else. We'd probably have more success if we focus on advertising towards RP-loving crowd though, which would both give us more active players, and preserve PS culture.

[Donari Tyndale]

....advertising towards RP-loving crowd....

Well, you miss out on those that haven't discovered what RP really is that way. Back in the days, that would have excluded me, and probably most of us.

[Demagul Riwe]

I'm not saying that we shouldn't advertise towards other groups too. I just think we'd have more success by advertising it in other ways than as an MMORPG. People have different expectations towards those.

[Donari Tyndale]

You're right. We should make the difference clear to people. Also, Roled, can you share the details of what you have in mind?

[Volki]

The game needs to be polished a bit more before people will take interest.

[Rigwyn]

The game is superior to what it was back in '07

What about using facebook or something to get the word around? Are there reasons why you wouldn't link to it on your wall? ( Don't shoot me, I don't fb. I value my privacy )

Frankly, its too bad we can't just come out with a new release that has all new art work, quests and maps. Require  all new characters and start over 500 years later in some other region of yliakum that has been spoken about, but has not yet been implemented. Hydlaa through bd could always be ressurected later on if desired.
 

I know, that's a huge deal and is not going to *just* happen, but that's probably the route a large company would take if they had a stale product.

[steuben]

merch. we need merch

planeshift: the movie
planeshift: the novel
planeshift: the colouring book
planeshift: the breakfast cereal
planeshift: the lunchbox
planeshift: the flamethrower <-- the kids love that one.
planeshift: the doll "a universe is not enough"
planeshift: the mmporg ... oh wait we have that one. let's get started on the rest.

[Rigwyn]

"Troll the AFK" ... I wonder who that might be.  :p

[lilura]

years ago there was a promo poster contest thing but i dont remember how that went over...maybe someone could design some posters or cards and if someone goes to a convention type thing pass em out

I do like that gms have been advertising events on fb and every once in a while i see the venalan or the PS twitter post sharable updates but not very often.

P.S. where is my trading card??

[Siteya]

Haha Demagul, now I want a Siteya card, defense bonus, shoots flowers out of her arse and a sense of peace over comes you

Roled-I am very much in support of a marketing strategy for getting this game out there as a unique RP experience, count me in for bigger help this fall, otherwise, keep me posted as to what we can do on a less involved level, like follow posts, threads, or do posts threads, making a media list is a great start...and have a pr kit/materials available.

[helios21]

Another angle on this: A sudden influx of noobs could ruin the existing culture for those who play now and enjoy it. For those who didn't play years ago, imagine the plaza being filled with hundreds of people who have no idea about what is currently happening in the game and far more interested in figuring out where to find a dragon to kill, or in taking selfies than in blending in.

I do not agree with this. I came later too, yet I think my main char is quite well integrated meanwhile.

I think PlaneShift can easily use some more players who stay. Thats the issue *who stay* for a longer time.

It doesn´t need to be as big as other MMORPGs, but being unwelcoming and judgemental to new players is not something that I consider being helpful.

[Indygo]

Is there any chance that the orientation has any correlation to the decline in numbers, at least from a standpoint of new players?  Admittedly its been a while since I ran through it but back then it would have caused me to move along... Just a thought.  How friendly is the experience for the new player that signs on for the first time?  Is it inviting and pique interest or is it cold and deterring?  The orientation at the time would have caused me to sign off and delete (even though I understand and agree with its purpose).

[Eonwind]

Is there any chance that the orientation has any correlation to the decline in numbers, at least from a standpoint of new players?  Admittedly its been a while since I ran through it but back then it would have caused me to move along... Just a thought.  How friendly is the experience for the new player that signs on for the first time?  Is it inviting and pique interest or is it cold and deterring?  The orientation at the time would have caused me to sign off and delete (even though I understand and agree with its purpose).

if for orientation you mean the tutorial area it's been recently reworked to make it more nice and user friendly. We also collected feedbacks and they seemed to be positive so far. Of course we're glad to hear for new ideas to improve. Also the quest chains have been polished in order to let the player know where to go next.

[Indygo]

I was not in any way trying to criticize the tutorial (which is what I meant by orientation), I remember when it was implemented and the reason behind it.  But I would also say it was about that time I noticed player base was on the decline.  You can only hope to retain any number of players/users for so long.  There is always going to be turn over to deal with.  I was just curious how people are being welcomed when they first log in is all.  Its good to hear it has been reworked, for the better I'm sure.  Is it welcoming and intriguing enough to make people want to complete it and enter into the Dome?  Just a thought.