On the inactivity
Day 3,924, 09:22
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Published in Netherlands 
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by
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by Legendardisch
Greetings,
After Tonie's article on the slow death of the Netherlands, I felt compelled to rebate the article. I too irregularly log in to check upon the state of the game, and I have noticed the silence inside the community, however, I'd argue that that silence is not the fault of the players, but rather the state of the game.
Retention is key
For those who went to school to learn how to make a video game, you probably realize that retaining a player is a key to success, for example, I like to play to play Football Manager, and the fact that there are endless possibilities to replay, that there are numerous challenges to take up, keeps drawing me back every edition. Sadly, the same can't be said for eRepublik. I have tried to get back into the game, but it feels more like a grind to anything.
And so what, the social module is the greatest thing sure, but it's on life support now. Where are those articles that play the emotional snares of a few, where are our two rascals even? They left because the game went stale a long time ago.
And yes the devs tried to fight that by adding aerial fights and cities, and I probably missed a few updates since those and now. I mean, to be honest, air battles are just another form of press the big red button. And cities just feel far too cosmetic and have yet to add anything.
What needs to be done
It's hard to tell, i'm not a developer. Personally, I'd reevaluate the entire game, take each module at face value, and figure out what's making it stale. then obviously, redesign those modules and perhaps add features to enhance the experience.
Personally, I think redesigning the game to feel less like a grind should be a priority. Currently, all the game is, is log in, work a bit, get money, spend on food and weapons, train a bit, and then fight in a battle and all you do in that is press a big red button. throw in some pay to win features like energy bars and that's all there is to it.
There is no dimension to fighting a battle, you press a button, that's all, in general, you just press a button, and while that's most games, I think it could be made more interactive, more fun.
Second I'd just redesign the look and feel of the site. Sometimes this site feels clunky, and since V1, not a whole lot has changed. Why is a browser game only using a slither of my screen, while it should use all of my screens, it's not social media where it'd make sense.
In general, I'd add more fluff, more meaning, more interactivity while repainting the whole shebang to bring in to a modern look and feel. I think that's whats needed, the game needs an entire overhaul, with the focus on retaining and keeping users interested in the game.
Conclusion
If you want activity, don't blame the community, but the game.
After Tonie's article on the slow death of the Netherlands, I felt compelled to rebate the article. I too irregularly log in to check upon the state of the game, and I have noticed the silence inside the community, however, I'd argue that that silence is not the fault of the players, but rather the state of the game.
Retention is key
For those who went to school to learn how to make a video game, you probably realize that retaining a player is a key to success, for example, I like to play to play Football Manager, and the fact that there are endless possibilities to replay, that there are numerous challenges to take up, keeps drawing me back every edition. Sadly, the same can't be said for eRepublik. I have tried to get back into the game, but it feels more like a grind to anything.
And so what, the social module is the greatest thing sure, but it's on life support now. Where are those articles that play the emotional snares of a few, where are our two rascals even? They left because the game went stale a long time ago.
And yes the devs tried to fight that by adding aerial fights and cities, and I probably missed a few updates since those and now. I mean, to be honest, air battles are just another form of press the big red button. And cities just feel far too cosmetic and have yet to add anything.
What needs to be done
It's hard to tell, i'm not a developer. Personally, I'd reevaluate the entire game, take each module at face value, and figure out what's making it stale. then obviously, redesign those modules and perhaps add features to enhance the experience.
Personally, I think redesigning the game to feel less like a grind should be a priority. Currently, all the game is, is log in, work a bit, get money, spend on food and weapons, train a bit, and then fight in a battle and all you do in that is press a big red button. throw in some pay to win features like energy bars and that's all there is to it.
There is no dimension to fighting a battle, you press a button, that's all, in general, you just press a button, and while that's most games, I think it could be made more interactive, more fun.
Second I'd just redesign the look and feel of the site. Sometimes this site feels clunky, and since V1, not a whole lot has changed. Why is a browser game only using a slither of my screen, while it should use all of my screens, it's not social media where it'd make sense.
In general, I'd add more fluff, more meaning, more interactivity while repainting the whole shebang to bring in to a modern look and feel. I think that's whats needed, the game needs an entire overhaul, with the focus on retaining and keeping users interested in the game.
Conclusion
If you want activity, don't blame the community, but the game.
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Comments
He's back!
Nice to see some discussion going on, especially coming from you! Makes you wonder where the heck 'everyone' else even is in-game...
Of course the game is partly too blame. A country does not go from 1000+ citizens (at its peak) to a mere 150 just because of ourselves. Nevertheless that's not a reason to give it all up, hence why do we still play this game? No one truly enjoys the fighting and training (especially in boring lil' eNL) and it are those two rascals you are talking about who made the game enjoyable. Not literally, but the chaos and scheming within a society.
But 'troublemakers' were never truly appreciated in the eNetherlands (looking at myself, but also people like you who didn't fit in the 'doe maar normaal' attitude). That ages-old Dutch tradition made the process of decay even worse. Everything is based on supposed consensus, humbleness & stringent following of bureaucracy and laws (too strict). Anyone too ambitious is quickly shut down and we continue the order of the day. We're well above our neighbours Belgium and Norway in population numbers and not thaaaat far of semi-active countries like Canada.
For better or worse such countries with their 'messy' political situations at times and overly ambitious attacks versus others have made their decay a bit more manageable compared to us, where there is - truly - nothing to do anything more in the sense of government/country. All we do is continue the order of the day and only that. Before we know it we saved up millions in our accounts + still have a respectable number of strong oldies only to lose it all when the game closes (or is truly dead).
If you want activity, do blame the game. But that is futile and no one of us has the power to change it so it turns in meaningless whining. Do blame the community as well, because only the community can make this hellhole even remotely enjoyable.
But a large part of the issue is the game. If it can't retain a player, new or old, then that's a gameside issue, not a community issue.
Not saying that the community should try to be active, but you gotta be honest, when something is stale and not worth someones time and effort, that cuts into someone's ability and willingness to be active in a community which relies on in this case the game to be interesting. Both sides are to blame, but one is more so than the other.
You were always someone who had a massive voice in eNL. Wish you stayed around and carried on with that. If you and NoTie112 can be active for a long time the country could be in for a good active period.