Before I even start, I must tell you I am a...gulp..."Rookie." That info is simply to help in understanding from which viewpoint this post was written.
As I have played on the Zone over the past 4 months I have seen a steady decline in the number of RoR players online.
As I am sure you all have. As I have read on the forum the most common opinion is that this is due to the rising interest in the AoK. I agree with that...no disputing it. And as our friends depart into the grand world of castles and knights, I say...SCREW EM! Wow, where did that come from? This brings me to the main point of this post, "Newbies."
Members of the forum, believe it or not, there are new players on the Zone almost every single night. In my opinion these players are the most logical solution to the problem at hand. Can you "Intermediates" and "Experts" even remember the first game you played on the Zone? Remember the rush, heart pounding, knees shaking, etc. Well, this is occuring within the walls of the Zone each night for a few "Newbies." I believe what is happening is this: they log on for the first time, they get their ass kicked by some "Rookie" or "Intermediate" that's in a bad mood and they simply don't come back. Only the strong survive you might say...true. However is it not our responsibility to help these players get stronger, rather than discouraged? Is there something we can actually setup to help these players grow into the game, just as the first AoE online players did? Maybe nightly clinics hosted by a good "Intermediate" or "Expert."
As I have played on the Zone over the past 4 months I have seen a steady decline in the number of RoR players online.
As I am sure you all have. As I have read on the forum the most common opinion is that this is due to the rising interest in the AoK. I agree with that...no disputing it. And as our friends depart into the grand world of castles and knights, I say...SCREW EM! Wow, where did that come from? This brings me to the main point of this post, "Newbies."
Members of the forum, believe it or not, there are new players on the Zone almost every single night. In my opinion these players are the most logical solution to the problem at hand. Can you "Intermediates" and "Experts" even remember the first game you played on the Zone? Remember the rush, heart pounding, knees shaking, etc. Well, this is occuring within the walls of the Zone each night for a few "Newbies." I believe what is happening is this: they log on for the first time, they get their ass kicked by some "Rookie" or "Intermediate" that's in a bad mood and they simply don't come back. Only the strong survive you might say...true. However is it not our responsibility to help these players get stronger, rather than discouraged? Is there something we can actually setup to help these players grow into the game, just as the first AoE online players did? Maybe nightly clinics hosted by a good "Intermediate" or "Expert."
I honestly believe if we don't do something soon concerning retention of "Newbies" it will be too late. Then all we will have left is the forum to reminisce about the old days. Please keep in mind that the new players that log onto the Zone tonight are the future of the game online. I'm not an idiot, I know nothing lasts forever, but "Rise of Rome's time is not up yet. Not as long as "Newbies" are logging on to play. So lets see some ideas. In closing allow me to give props to BlitzkreigComin. He took the time to show me a few strats in a coop. That simple thing kept me on the Zone.