The Blog of Susanoo
New Year, new feature
Part I.
Lo there mighty Shogun!
Over the past few days I've been meditating on New Years resolutions for the coming year. One that I have decided on is to do whatever it takes to see Shogun Wars reclaim status as a thriving and growing community.
I know that we have had problems in the past, have them now and it is just Murphy's law that says there will always be problems of some sort in the future. However, in retrospect these problems have been overcome and I still have faith in the Shogun Wars community.
I've often thought about the way we started. There was a feel of excitement in the air. Yet, back then in many ways we had way more issues than we do now. The game was less balanced, more multis, not to mention there are huge parts of the game we play now that did not even exist. Anybody remember when alliances were brought to the game? Honor? Banking? Dojo? ... NINJA missions? War actions? Honor Badges?... maybe when there was only one kind of turn (before covert turns)? ... all the other things we've added over time?
And yet, today it seems that we are missing that original spirit. Back then we were all (even the developers!) learning the game. It was new and shiny and exciting. Now we find ourselves as veterans of many seasons of struggle.
I don't pretend to know everything it will take to reclaim that place, but I pledge that this year I will strive towards that goal. In fact, I will strive to not only meet it, but exceed it. That is my resolution.
Part II.
I believe that it is no one major thing that will do this, but many small things. First, we have to rejuvenate the community and start bringing in new blood to the playing field. We need to recruit strong players that will bring new ideas and view points to the game.
The feature I added today is focused on that. Once upon a time, we grew like crazy, not so much anymore. For all practical purposes, the game we have now is better than where we started, so there is something there that just doesn't fit right and I think this feature addresses part of that.
Does anyone remember when we could not change commanders? It was annoying, everyone hated it.. and yet that was the time period we saw the biggest leaps in the community.
Is that why we quit growing? I don't know, but there are some good arguments that it may have had something to do with it. It seems to me that at this point, the mentality has changed from getting new players and helping new players to just recruiting from the game and getting your enemies to quit. It's not a healthy direction.
On the other hand, being able to change commanders has benefits. You have more control over your own destiny. I see way more teamwork since this was implemented, and that is healthy progress.
So, no. I'm not taking the ability to switch commanders away. It is too great a part of this game for that. refer
What I have done is created a new referral bonus system that works along side the commander-officer system we have now. There is a full explanation on "My Referrals" page... you can get there from the command screen.
The only problem is that I don't want officers and referrals to be the only thing that the game is about. Right now I hesitate to make a change mid-season, but next season look to have officer bonuses scaled back so that the two systems together produce about the same as we are used to.
I will be posting a poll to the forums shortly however. If there is a large majority, I'll balance them now.
Part III.
It has also been brought to my attention, and I think it is very true, that something that we used to have but now lack is the feeling of discovery. Except those players that are playing their first or second season, much has settled into a pattern.
Some things that we are working on now are designed to attack that situation in particular. Perhaps we do not need the types of changes we had on Phoenix. Perhaps just the addition of new weapons, specialized weapons, different equipment, clans and other things that don't change the core of the game, but give variety inside the game we already know. These types of changes will be getting focus in the weeks and months to come.
Conclusion
There are a lot of things I would like to see. I will work to achieve them because I believe in this game and this community.
And with that, I wish you all a happy new year!
~Susanoo of the Kusanagi
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A couple things to say really, since I like finishing on a positive note, I'll start with the negative.
You know, the run the players off strategy was often implemented because moderation was an issue. Let's face it, you can;t say cheating is not allowed, yet allow it to go on. Many players have left the game, and left telling others of bad experiences, because of presumed cheating. Now, without proof, nothing can be done. But the presumed lack of pursuit of violators can be taken care of. Also, when real proof is found, it should not be ignored. Because honestly, people will leave. But worse, they spread word that this game is not the place to spend your time. All people want is a fair, fun place to play. Word of mouth spreads faster in the negative, than the positive.
As for those that like to cheat, seriously, if you don't do anything about them to show them this is not the place for it, then nothing will stop them. That will just turn into more real players lost.
A good way to help change the negative perceptions of this game would be to have the problems addressed right away.
I've been a part of this community since what, 17 days past the beginning? I've seen the good and the bad. Now, all I want to see is it succeed. Hell, often I have been your biggest complainer, and often I have been your biggest supporter. This is because I think the SW community is the best I have ever been a part of. How the hell you turned a text based simple game into that is oddly easy to explain. That is simply, the people.
You had great people, many of them grew tired of the negative things here and left. But many of them have stayed. Many believe the same things I do. With good people in the game, we can make this a great game. Without that, this is nothing more than a text based time waste. Well, I say we get more good people, and don't cling to the trash. This community, and your dream, deserve as much. So this year, let's do it. Let's make this game the place it can be. Maybe then I can finally retire for good.
:)
Permalink 12/31/09 @ 08:55 you have the makings of a great game, but it will never grow as long as u continue to foster the pyramid sceme, at least not at the extreme level it's currently at.
this game is entirely about how many officers you have and can keep instead of how well you manage resources and troops. This is why you cant grow because you created and maintain an atmosphere where the avg new person is destined to become an established player's underling.
a few suggestions
1) 24hr timer on changing commander or alliance
2) create balance and competion by limiting officers, and it needs to be a low number like 2 or 3... You only need to look at this season to see the folly of your current system, 1 player has all 4 top in class badges? of course he achieved this by strong-arming anyone who wanted to join. This is entirely your fault for ignoring the suggestions to limit officers in the past, this strategy is highly effective and will grow, to the further decline of SW
3) fix the captcha code thing, cant use my phone anymore
Permalink 01/16/10 @ 16:59 Cheating need to be dealt with otherwise it is an encouragement to do so.
I agree that limiting the officers you can have will close the gap you can achieve as a new player versus an experienced player that is well known.
Even though this is "just" a browser game it captivating, I can see how strategy, patience and teamwork pays out. I can't wit for the grand finale of this season - and a start of the next one!!
Permalink 02/04/10 @ 14:37 - Consider an invasion, the opportunity to invade china or korea, etc.
- Consider developing a resource and trade component for the game
- Is there a naval component?
- Are there heroes?
- If you are looking for a radical new direction, would this run as a facebook ap without you having to compromise? I don't know the answer to this but it would certainly increase the community size.
- I would strongly recommend only a few commanders (fingolfyn). Maybe an advisor, a few generals (perhaps allowing for more as rewards??? (see below), etc.
- A map interface would be great where you actually take over territory and can see it, your empire, etc.
- Connect the tokens/trophies to actual rewards (a general, a high yield mine, etc.)
- The benefit of maintaining a peasant base is under-rated.
Thats all I have for now..
--B
Permalink 02/10/10 @ 09:50 Permalink 03/07/10 @ 10:28 · http://www.cheapjordans.cc/nike-jordan-6-vi-8/ Best wish to you,Let my blessing, is a pure light tea, a light faint scent, brushed the work you tired and dusty, bring you - my friend! Every day in a good mood!
Permalink 09/02/10 @ 22:48