I'm sure this will sound stupid, but I also think some SysOps/GameOps are wondering the same thing as I am. What is a good way to get more players to your server? My players seem to slowly dwindle out, and I've been wondering what I could do to attract and keep players.

Wog's Server
[url]tw.computerwave.com[/url]
Enjoy the Star Trek aliens...before they enjoy you.

People always asked me this whenever I was Sysop of Stardock BBS with EleqTrizi'T...what normally seemed to keep people at our server was #1, the speed of the server, very rarely did you get lag on Eleq's server...even during the WTC when there were 60+ people online simultaneously. He had a very good cable connection at 768k/up & down if I remember correctly, along with a powerful server...although all of that extra server horsepower really didn't make much of a difference; #2, the quality of the games...we tried to have your normal run-of-the-mill games along with some medium-high edited games that were *balanced* in their settings. Having balanced edits is the key to running a good, edited game.

Fuseblown
http://www.thestardock.com

Thanks for the suggestions. I thought I'd post here since this is the SysOp forum, and Sysops would (or should) know what makes the best player attractor.

Wog's Server
[url]tw.computerwave.com[/url]
Enjoy the Star Trek aliens...before they enjoy you.

I agree with what fuse said. Also there seems to be a very high number of servers out there right now so there is alot of choices for people.

That's another thing... with the number of servers coming and going in this community, it's hard to bring players to a brand new server.

Some of the problems I see with *many* of the new servers that appear is that the Sysops are normally old BBS sysops or TW players that used to play the game "back in the old days" and aren't quite up-to-par with the way that TW is played today. I've known a couple of TWGS Sysops that put up a server, just for the sake of running a game server. Some had *never* played the game OR even knew what it was about, then they got frustrated when no one showed up to play and they left.

Another thing is that if you advertise your server, and many people reading the ad don't recognize you, there's a good chance they won't play at your server. This *doesn't always* hold true, but it helps to make a name for yourself in this community and to make some friends with other players and sysops before you can expect to get more than just a small handful of players in your games.

To sum it all up, try to be original with your game setups...everyone has a stock game. This isn't always a bad thing, but if you're going to run a game like that, make sure you have a couple of edited games thrown in there to try and set yourself apart from everyone else.

Make the experience for your players a good one.

Keep downtime at a minimum.

Make some good, balanced, and original games.

Don't change settings in the middle of a game unless it's absolutely necessary. Wait until the game restarts if possible.

Learn from your mistakes.

Be fair.

Don't be afraid to ask other sysops and/or players questions. There's always someone out there who will help.

Fuseblown
http://www.thestardock.com

quote:
Some of the problems I see with *many* of the new servers that appear is that the Sysops are normally old BBS sysops or TW players that used to play the game "back in the old days" and aren't quite up-to-par with the way that TW is played today. I've known a couple of TWGS Sysops that put up a server, just for the sake of running a game server. Some had *never* played the game OR even knew what it was about, then they got frustrated when no one showed up to play and they left.


Being an Old Sysop is a Problem? I suggest you don't run for office anytime soon and keep yer day job:)



Visit slbbs.com port 2002 for a rip roaring game of TW where you also have to battle the Klingons, Romulans, Orians and the Borg.

Old BBS sysops...I think Fuse was referring to the fact that the old TW was a completely different game from todays game and players are different. Some of the old bbs sysops have adapted to the new way where others have not..I am an old BBS sysop.

--pOiSoN

quote:
Old BBS sysops...I think Fuse was referring to the fact that the old TW was a completely different game from todays game and players are different. Some of the old bbs sysops have adapted to the new way where others have not..I am an old BBS sysop.

--pOiSoN


I would like to hear Fuse expound on this a bit. It could get interesting:)



Visit slbbs.com port 2002 for a rip roaring game of TW where you also have to battle the Klingons, Romulans, Orians and the Borg.

Hey Fuse, those are some nice tips you gave. I'll try to use them as soon as my games come back up. Hopefully I'll attract some new players to mess with my alien and ship edits. But until my server and games are back, I'll just keep listening to everyone. Thanks for all the comments.

Wog's Server
[url]tw.computerwave.com[/url]
Enjoy the Star Trek aliens...before they enjoy you.

I think I was misunderstood. ;D

I'm an old Sysop as well...ran a BBS back in the early 90's for a couple of years..

Lemme elaborate on what I said...I meant to say that "old" BBS Sysops who used to run a BBS, but have NOT for a few years, don't always realize how different this game has become. It's NOT the same as it used to be back when I ran a board...

Hope that helps make my statement a little more clear.

Fuseblown
http://www.thestardock.com

quote:
I think I was misunderstood. ;D

I'm an old Sysop as well...ran a BBS back in the early 90's for a couple of years..

Lemme elaborate on what I said...I meant to say that "old" BBS Sysops who used to run a BBS, but have NOT for a few years, don't always realize how different this game has become. It's NOT the same as it used to be back when I ran a board...

Hope that helps make my statement a little more clear.

Fuseblown
http://www.thestardock.com


Nah, I understood you. Just yanking your chain. We been around awhile. Wished I had time to keep play but these days, it's getting tough.

From one Senile Sysop to another, glad yer still around



Visit slbbs.com port 2002 for a rip roaring game of TW where you also have to battle the Klingons, Romulans, Orians and the Borg.

Bah, early 90's? Youngun'.



I agree with DHunt, though... Glad there are still some of us around.

Click Here for your Tagline!

Outstanding list, Fuseblown.. and you have helped me tremendously. Another great idea is when you think you are ready, join the TW League, and host an original games. Send a team to one of the tournaments, and encourage your members to participate. Get your server name known out there. Be fair, be impartial, and try to run the kind of games *you* would want to play. It is past time for the BOTE, but only 14 boards sent a team... sad when there are thousands of servers that were eligible.

The League is a great bunch to get to know. The board is elected, and is mainly experienced sysops. The rules are there to prevent misunderstandings and keep the playing field even. At the same time, there is a lot of room for individuality.

Listing here has helped - I have had several people drop by. Also on Micro's list and Hekate's list. (See TWLinks.com for these). Best of all... PLAY. Yep, dust off that pilot's license and get out there. The new servers are a hoot, and the creativity of the sysops is amazing.

Stardock Omega does have its own webpage, and I am more than willing to put up links to legit servers that are looking for players. The more we all trade links among ourselves, the better our odds. Drop me a line, and let's link up...

And yeah, I am an old player, newer Sysop (2 years) and totally in love with this game again now. (proud of it, too!)



Pagan
Death Dealers/FarNorth Raiders
Can you come out and play?
Stardock Omega
hubtoo.com or 198.31.27.43

I probably fit into the "Old BBS SySops" catagtory. I used to run a RemoteAccess BBS called "The Void BBS" here in OK from about 88 till 94. Just a simple 2 liner. I chose the name mainly because my BBS had no files database. I only had Doors and Message databases (and I loved tossin mail through FrontDoor at 3 hours a night, ahhh the days of the 1200 baud modem). I ran TradeWars and it was my most popular door as well.

I just got a nastalgic bug in me these last few weeks and decided to see if I could put TW back online and got TWGS to do it. Hopefully it will be up and running for a long time, and people will come and just play. Your right about the way gameplay has changed, guess I'm gonna have to get with the 21st century. I'd love to host tournies and the such but I think I better get a little less green before I try and tackle that.

tribeam.kicks-ass.net

quote:
I probably fit into the "Old BBS SySops" catagtory. I used to run a RemoteAccess BBS called "The Void BBS" here in OK from about 88 till 94. Just a simple 2 liner. I chose the name mainly because my BBS had no files database. I only had Doors and Message databases (and I loved tossin mail through FrontDoor at 3 hours a night, ahhh the days of the 1200 baud modem). I ran TradeWars and it was my most popular door as well.


That's too weird. Our BBS ran for a year or so with the name of The Void.

Lisa M. Cutler
aka Rave
EIS Product Support