7 Things
Lowell Kennedy
There’s lots to love and hate about this game. I’ve decided to publish seven things that I think need I need to say about this game and America right now.
1. F America!
Not really but seriously, is there anything that I can say that will wake up the lethargic populace? Can someone show me some sort of passion or interesting ideas? I guess I can get us all excited by talking more about hospitals. I can't imagine how new players don't find this game soooo fun.
2. Speaking of which, I didn't read a single article with hospital in the title and tried to avoid reading any that even reeked of the waste of time debate that occurred several days ago. It's not a good or bad idea, but the arguments that ensued exemplify what's wrong with this country: people get too caught up in points of minutiae and for some reason feel the need to cover them extensively and drive them into the ground while glossing over much larger problems like, say, the economy. The only good that came is that we know there are some who have the cajones to throw out an idea that shook the establishment, which leads to my next point.
3. Far too many just follow orders or what they're told. Too big of a part of the population doesn't understand the game and quite frankly some leaders don't either, which equals a recipe for disaster. Just because someone tells you something doesn't necessarily make it true (let's make up something and pretend someone says creating fortress states are a good idea; they need something more than just the claim).
4. There are two types of player retention: active and passive. Different people respond differently to each. Let's not treat all new players alike. Some like to touch a fire to learn it's hot so to speak and others would rather be guided around the fire and told not to touch it. Something like my new player guide is for the passive approach which lets them learn what they want. The USA Welcoming committee is for the active approach. We need to embrace both approaches to maximize retention.
5. Further, we must appeal to all the different players that stumble upon our little universe. There are artists and soldiers. Boys and grandfathers. Their interests are not necessarily the same and we must not relegate one appeal to another.
6. Be selfish and selfless. If you don't understand, it's alright; if you stick around long enough, it will start to make sense. At least in some respects.
7. Finally, I was editing my wiki page and realized there are only 358 Americans listed on the wiki. There's so many more active ones than that. If you don't have a page, start one and keep track of your life in eRepublik. Even if you think you're a nobody, you're not a nobody. You are somebody that deserves their own wiki page. Take pride in yourself and what you do here. It's a way to remember and take your place in history.
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Comments
You make a lot of good points in this article. We do need to do more to appeal to new players, whether actively or passively, which you've said.
voted
I have a page 😃
It the same as in RL. Most of the population are just followers. They need a leader to listen to and follow. Most people can't really think for themselves, or make their own decisions, so they just go with the flow. That's why some are rich, and some just live pay check to pay check.
The ones who become rich are those who do what they want, don't follow orders and take risks. Those who follow orders, or have to always get their friends opinion on a new shirt because they are not intelligent enough to buy their own shirt, and always need the help or opinion of others; Are the ones who live pay check to pay check.
It's no different here. Some people follow like sheep, some lead. It's just life, and everyone falls into one these categories. I always try to push people to do their own thing, and stop being followers because they honestly tick me off. I hate people who just follow and can't think for themselves.
As for the game mechanics. I think the admin need to work a bit faster on getting new updates out. Get V2 tested, released and move on to the next update. I am someone who hates wasting time. Get an idea, work with it, develop it, test it, release it. I am on other games that do that process quickly, but this game takes forever to release a new feature, no matter how small.
Sorry for ranting, but I just wanted to get it all out of me. 🙂
Another well written article.