Previous Thread
Previous
Expand All
Collapse All
Ignore Author
Reply
I don't believe it's a Genie thing, but I can't access the game right now to be 100% sure I'm not going crazy.
Isn't that what the 'random' verb I wrote pushes messages too?
-Raesh
"Ever notice that B.A.'s flavor text swells in direct proportion to how much one of our characters is getting screwed?" - Brian Van Hoose
>>Isn't that what the 'random' verb I wrote pushes messages too?
That's where it goes for Genie, at least!
I think there are a few things that pop to OOC. I think OOC Whispers, Twitter messages, FC mammoth alerts...
The teeth lands a solid (5/23) hit that pokes the teeth into Turul's rear end (more embarrassing than painful!).
That's where it goes for Genie, at least!
I think there are a few things that pop to OOC. I think OOC Whispers, Twitter messages, FC mammoth alerts...
The teeth lands a solid (5/23) hit that pokes the teeth into Turul's rear end (more embarrassing than painful!).
Ahh, blame my fatigue :P
We'll see if I can get this approved. I figure TOGGLE would be a good place to put it and it'd work pretty much the same as the iVoted mechanic. As always, making folks aware this even exists will be the hardest part!
"I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts."
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes
We'll see if I can get this approved. I figure TOGGLE would be a good place to put it and it'd work pretty much the same as the iVoted mechanic. As always, making folks aware this even exists will be the hardest part!
"I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts."
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes
Awesome. More voting is more good.
Weapons for Sale:
http://www.elanthipedia.org/wiki/User:Caraamon#Wares
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html
Weapons for Sale:
http://www.elanthipedia.org/wiki/User:Caraamon#Wares
Hunta Talna Kortok, built by Gor'Togs, for Gor'Togs
http://www.angelfire.com/rpg2/caraamon/home.html
<<As actual research...http://www.aardwolf.com/wiki/index.php/Help/Ivoted
Imagine words, then more words, then more words, and sandwiched in there, camouflaged by more words, you find this, "We would love to give rewards for voting, but it is against the rules of the sites to do so. Similarly, we do not track IPs of players that vote vs. those that do not."
Allow me to translate those two sentences, "Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it, wait for it...Blah, we do not track IPs of players that vote, and neither does TMSs."
Trust me, it's a conspiracy! There is no difference between what's happening here and the Kennedy assassination. I know stuff.
Imagine words, then more words, then more words, and sandwiched in there, camouflaged by more words, you find this, "We would love to give rewards for voting, but it is against the rules of the sites to do so. Similarly, we do not track IPs of players that vote vs. those that do not."
Allow me to translate those two sentences, "Wait for it, wait for it, wait for it, wait for it...Blah, we do not track IPs of players that vote, and neither does TMSs."
Trust me, it's a conspiracy! There is no difference between what's happening here and the Kennedy assassination. I know stuff.
>>DR-Kodius: We'll see if I can get this approved. I figure TOGGLE would be a good place to put it and it'd work pretty much the same as the iVoted mechanic. As always, making folks aware this even exists will be the hardest part!
Could it be turned on by default (with instructions for how to turn off the reminder)?
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall rank!
Vote for DragonRealms on Top MUD Sites: http://www.topmudsites.com/vote-DragonRealms.html
Could it be turned on by default (with instructions for how to turn off the reminder)?
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall rank!
Vote for DragonRealms on Top MUD Sites: http://www.topmudsites.com/vote-DragonRealms.html
No, I believe the rules say such reminders must be off by default - but I'll double-check. I have approval, but need a small engine change to facilitate this. That, and I'm heading out of town for 2 weeks this week :P I'll try to get it live for next month!
"I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts."
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes
"I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts."
- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes
The Dragonrealms blurb is weak vs Aardwolf. If you guys have control over that, or can request a change from the current copy, I would suggest you guys do that. It's great for our website, but not as a stand-alone advertisement without further data points.
Dragonrealms
"A stormy realm of enchantment, danger, and intrigue, DragonRealms is an ever-expanding, massively-multiplayer text-based roleplaying environment."
The first half sounds generic, and doesn't distinguish us from other games.
The second half is superfluous to what people already know about MUDs, "DragonRealms is an ever-expanding, massively-multiplayer text-based roleplaying environment." That's not fascinating and exciting, it's already assumed by anyone visiting TMSs.
Aardwolf
"Big enough to have a real community, small enough to still care. Constant innovation. Detailed and extensive academy. Real-time line of sight overhead map, realistic world system, several hundred players online, hundreds of features, pure and simple fun."
This blurb attempts to distinguish them from other MUDs.
Just a thought.
Dragonrealms
"A stormy realm of enchantment, danger, and intrigue, DragonRealms is an ever-expanding, massively-multiplayer text-based roleplaying environment."
The first half sounds generic, and doesn't distinguish us from other games.
The second half is superfluous to what people already know about MUDs, "DragonRealms is an ever-expanding, massively-multiplayer text-based roleplaying environment." That's not fascinating and exciting, it's already assumed by anyone visiting TMSs.
Aardwolf
"Big enough to have a real community, small enough to still care. Constant innovation. Detailed and extensive academy. Real-time line of sight overhead map, realistic world system, several hundred players online, hundreds of features, pure and simple fun."
This blurb attempts to distinguish them from other MUDs.
Just a thought.
Maybe something like, "An ever expanding world of adventure with 5 provinces, X cities that can take as long as 5000 hours to cross from one side to the other. Gaming's oldest MUD with the most sophisticated roleplay, learning, and combat systems in the world of MUDs. Welcome adventurer, to the world of Elanthia.
I dunno if its the oldest, etc., but if you have any control, might want to rethink that blurb.
I dunno if its the oldest, etc., but if you have any control, might want to rethink that blurb.
I personally would try and talk up the immersion of DR in a blurb, that's always been one of the biggest things for me - having it all just be descriptive text that sucks you into the game. A big part of why I couldn't get into other muds is when it shows me dice rolls/etc it sucks me out of the world as a roleplayer. The system complexities and ability to just do whatever you feel like doing and develop yourself, and the immersion of having a world that's basically a living novel has always been what's kept me here. The numbers are there if you want them to be via subs/toggles/whatever, but they aren't thrust in your face by default.
My 0.02.
- Starlear -
My 0.02.
- Starlear -
OMG threepete
I would get everyone to brainstorm every cool feature of DR and send them in. I would prioritize which will get prospective players amped. Then find someone who can write to figure out a clever writer to make something work well. Maybe even post final options here and get votes, since we were prospective players once.
No more posts, I promise (here) (today) (probably).
I would get everyone to brainstorm every cool feature of DR and send them in. I would prioritize which will get prospective players amped. Then find someone who can write to figure out a clever writer to make something work well. Maybe even post final options here and get votes, since we were prospective players once.
No more posts, I promise (here) (today) (probably).
I have full control over the blurb and description on the page and can easily change them, so let's brainstorm.
What would make you guys click DR vs the others? Let's limit it to two or three sentences, but let's see what we can come up with that contains enough "interesting" to up the curiosity, but not look like we're just trying to cram too much in that we overdo it.
We are definitely one of the oldest persistent worlds online today, but GS i number 1 when it comes to that.
Solomon
What would make you guys click DR vs the others? Let's limit it to two or three sentences, but let's see what we can come up with that contains enough "interesting" to up the curiosity, but not look like we're just trying to cram too much in that we overdo it.
We are definitely one of the oldest persistent worlds online today, but GS i number 1 when it comes to that.
Solomon
I'm definitely no author, so I doubt I could ever put anything eloquently enough to be a blurb, but here's some things that I think are cool about the game, or that people might consider special.
- Dedicated team of programmers/coders/developers. Maybe you could mention a rough estimate of how many actively work on DR? Like "Over (blank) developers constantly improving..." whatever. I think it's just cool to know that DR isn't just one teenage guy on a PC making a game.
- From what I understand your combat code/code in general is fully unique, so that might be worth a mention? Something about having a unique combat and magic system? Maybe talk about it's flexibility (or the flexibility it has now that it's 3.0) to add new spells unique to Dragonrealms?
- Maybe something about the DR calender packed with official events, raffles, social gatherings, etc?
- Maybe something about a skill system that allows any class to learn any skill (well, just about, except for some unique skills)?
Just some stuff to consider.
- Dedicated team of programmers/coders/developers. Maybe you could mention a rough estimate of how many actively work on DR? Like "Over (blank) developers constantly improving..." whatever. I think it's just cool to know that DR isn't just one teenage guy on a PC making a game.
- From what I understand your combat code/code in general is fully unique, so that might be worth a mention? Something about having a unique combat and magic system? Maybe talk about it's flexibility (or the flexibility it has now that it's 3.0) to add new spells unique to Dragonrealms?
- Maybe something about the DR calender packed with official events, raffles, social gatherings, etc?
- Maybe something about a skill system that allows any class to learn any skill (well, just about, except for some unique skills)?
Just some stuff to consider.
What drew me to DR all those years ago was the learn-by-doing model of skill learning (which at the time was totally new to me and unique), and the lack of dice rolls being in my face. What kept me was the sheer richness of the world and the systems to learn, and all the people dedicated to roleplaying.
-- Player of Eyuve
-- Player of Eyuve
"Besides being able to hunt and kill over X number of creatures throughout the game world, players can take part in the newly developed crafting system which allows them to create a wide range of their own weapons, armor, clothing, healing potions and furniture. Skilled crafters can learn new techniques to help them make a wider array of items within their favorite crafting discipline."
There's my go at a blurb to add. I figure you GM's spent a lot of time making this new crafting system, might as well advertise it!
Blackguard Danoryiel
"Sogan udazama umbunor fau arrazoi inishatu seiremisai. (Only the fallen have nothing to despair)"
There's my go at a blurb to add. I figure you GM's spent a lot of time making this new crafting system, might as well advertise it!
Blackguard Danoryiel
"Sogan udazama umbunor fau arrazoi inishatu seiremisai. (Only the fallen have nothing to despair)"
Since 1996, the worlds most sophisticated MUD. Craft your weapons, armor, clothing, and potions. Exp the politics and intrigue, law & lawlessness, travel for hours, with the most advanced magic, combat, and skill systems. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia.
I like some of Blackguard's ideas.
I like some of Blackguard's ideas.
Ranking will likely be unaffected by blurb change since its players who vote apparently. But players from competitors may put their toes in our water, or complete noobs to MUDs who stumble upon TMSs can be inspired, thats why blurb may be important. Im looking at the topmudsites rankings, and some of those people have interesting talking points, but are ranked lower - so its advertising.
Anyway this post is to ask what our talking points are. You know, Everyone knows my blurbs are totally freaking genius, but when I go back to TMSs and reread their blurbs for the 100th time, this time, I seem to register some games pointing out they are ranked #1 in this or that publication or whatever. Weren't we ranked somewhere for something? What other talking points are there that are not game related? Something to consider, though 255 characters doesnt allow for much.
Worth knowing what our non-game infrastructure, and flowery language is available (e.g., established in 1996, etc.)
There isnt much on wikipedia, but I thought this was an interesting factoid for us:
1. in the mid-1990s [dragonrealms and gemstone] were the top two games on America Online, together bringing in over one million hours per month of usage.[3]
danke!
Anyway this post is to ask what our talking points are. You know, Everyone knows my blurbs are totally freaking genius, but when I go back to TMSs and reread their blurbs for the 100th time, this time, I seem to register some games pointing out they are ranked #1 in this or that publication or whatever. Weren't we ranked somewhere for something? What other talking points are there that are not game related? Something to consider, though 255 characters doesnt allow for much.
Worth knowing what our non-game infrastructure, and flowery language is available (e.g., established in 1996, etc.)
There isnt much on wikipedia, but I thought this was an interesting factoid for us:
1. in the mid-1990s [dragonrealms and gemstone] were the top two games on America Online, together bringing in over one million hours per month of usage.[3]
danke!
If you make a link to vote, can you please make it skip the "now leaving DR WARNING page" That's really annoying. Also make the vote link on SF skip it too. Unnecessary .
Codiax.
Forged Weapons:
http://www.elanthipedia.org/wiki/User:Codiax#Codiax-Forged-Weapons
Codiax.
Forged Weapons:
http://www.elanthipedia.org/wiki/User:Codiax#Codiax-Forged-Weapons
I wanted to second the population thing. I ended up finding you guys because of the size of the player base as shown on mudstats.com. Also parroting the need to change from the generic fantasy MUD blurb. This game is better than that.
"Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child." -Heinlein
"Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child." -Heinlein
<<I wanted to second the population thing. I ended up finding you guys because of the size of the player base as shown on mudstats.com. Also parroting the need to change from the generic fantasy MUD blurb. This game is better than that.>>
There isn't a better MUD out there, all MUDDERS should play this. I've played a ton of MUDS and this is easily the best. I wish this game and company did a better job at grabbing the folks who play these types of games, I really do. I promote it when and where I can, but I also pay to play, and its my escape not my real job/priority. It's been pointed out countless times, there are still ALOT of people playing MUDS and I don't think it's unfair to criticize simu for not grabbing as much of them as possible. I don't want this to come off as a SIMU rant, but when you have the BEST product in a genre and a lower customer base than you should reasonably expect there is a problem somewhere in the company, I don't know where it is, but someone does and it should be fixed.
- Buuwl
There isn't a better MUD out there, all MUDDERS should play this. I've played a ton of MUDS and this is easily the best. I wish this game and company did a better job at grabbing the folks who play these types of games, I really do. I promote it when and where I can, but I also pay to play, and its my escape not my real job/priority. It's been pointed out countless times, there are still ALOT of people playing MUDS and I don't think it's unfair to criticize simu for not grabbing as much of them as possible. I don't want this to come off as a SIMU rant, but when you have the BEST product in a genre and a lower customer base than you should reasonably expect there is a problem somewhere in the company, I don't know where it is, but someone does and it should be fixed.
- Buuwl
So there've been a few suggestions:
Established in 1996 DR is the worlds most sophisticated MUD. Make your own weapons & armor, exp politics and intrigue, travel for hours, encounter the most advanced magic, combat, and skill systems. A world of law and lawlessness. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia. (263 characters of 255 allowed)
Since 1996, the worlds most sophisticated MUD. Craft your weapons, armor, clothing, and potions. Experience the politics and intrigue, law & lawlessness, travel for hours, with the most advanced magic, combat, and skill systems. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia. (261/255)
Since 1996, the world’s most sophisticated MUD. The most advanced magic, combat, skill systems. Craft your weapons, armor, & potions. Hours of travel, MANY cities. Own a home! The most complex world of law and lawlessness. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia. (255 on the nose)
The luxury car and fine wine of MUDS. If your going to waste your time playing a MUD, you might as well play the best one, even if you have to pay a few bucks to do so. You get what you pay for. (194/255)
Diverse roleplay, consistent population, continuous development and even a dragon. (82/255)
Besides being able to hunt and kill over X number of creatures throughout the game world, players can take part in the newly developed crafting system which allows them to create a wide range of their own weapons, armor, clothing, healing potions and furniture. Skilled crafters can learn new techniques to help them make a wider array of items within their favorite crafting discipline. (387/255)
Is there something in any of these that jumps out and grabs your attention?
Solomon
Established in 1996 DR is the worlds most sophisticated MUD. Make your own weapons & armor, exp politics and intrigue, travel for hours, encounter the most advanced magic, combat, and skill systems. A world of law and lawlessness. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia. (263 characters of 255 allowed)
Since 1996, the worlds most sophisticated MUD. Craft your weapons, armor, clothing, and potions. Experience the politics and intrigue, law & lawlessness, travel for hours, with the most advanced magic, combat, and skill systems. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia. (261/255)
Since 1996, the world’s most sophisticated MUD. The most advanced magic, combat, skill systems. Craft your weapons, armor, & potions. Hours of travel, MANY cities. Own a home! The most complex world of law and lawlessness. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia. (255 on the nose)
The luxury car and fine wine of MUDS. If your going to waste your time playing a MUD, you might as well play the best one, even if you have to pay a few bucks to do so. You get what you pay for. (194/255)
Diverse roleplay, consistent population, continuous development and even a dragon. (82/255)
Besides being able to hunt and kill over X number of creatures throughout the game world, players can take part in the newly developed crafting system which allows them to create a wide range of their own weapons, armor, clothing, healing potions and furniture. Skilled crafters can learn new techniques to help them make a wider array of items within their favorite crafting discipline. (387/255)
Is there something in any of these that jumps out and grabs your attention?
Solomon
A revision of the 255 one (251 by OpenOffice Writer count). Original was...choppy.
Welcome to Elanthia, the world's most sophisticated MUD since 1996. Craft your own weapons, armor, and more; use advanced magic, combat, and skill systems. From a home you own, enjoy hours of travel visiting many cities in a world of law and unrest.
Kaeta Airtag
>>Actually an opinion cannot be changed or corrected. Nice try back of line.-VERATHOR
>>But it can be wrong.-Starlear
Welcome to Elanthia, the world's most sophisticated MUD since 1996. Craft your own weapons, armor, and more; use advanced magic, combat, and skill systems. From a home you own, enjoy hours of travel visiting many cities in a world of law and unrest.
Kaeta Airtag
>>Actually an opinion cannot be changed or corrected. Nice try back of line.-VERATHOR
>>But it can be wrong.-Starlear
I honestly like Buuwl's the best, even though it's the least descriptive, but it definitely creates a draw IMO. Since you have a little room to spare you could add a little to it, like:
The luxury car and fine wine of MUDS. If your going to waste your time playing a MUD, you might as well play the best one, even if you have to pay a few bucks to do so. You can pretty much do anything or be anyone in this game, you get what you pay for.
Codiax.
Forged Weapons:
http://www.elanthipedia.org/wiki/User:Codiax#Codiax-Forged-Weapons
The luxury car and fine wine of MUDS. If your going to waste your time playing a MUD, you might as well play the best one, even if you have to pay a few bucks to do so. You can pretty much do anything or be anyone in this game, you get what you pay for.
Codiax.
Forged Weapons:
http://www.elanthipedia.org/wiki/User:Codiax#Codiax-Forged-Weapons
>>SIMU-Solomon: Is there something in any of these that jumps out and grabs your attention?
Overall, I think that the actual rank in the list induces more clicks than the description below the link, so our efforts would best be focused on getting more players to vote (within the rules, of course). Of the proposed descriptions, this is my favorite:
Since 1996, the world's most sophisticated MUD. The most advanced magic, combat, skill systems. Craft your weapons, armor, & potions. Hours of travel, MANY cities. Own a home! The most complex world of law and lawlessness. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia. (255/255)
Some suggestions for improvement:
I'm not sure what "world of law and lawlessness" adds to the description when space is at such a premium. I'd take that out to make room to make the description less choppy. (Right now, it has sentence fragments and missing conjunctions.) When you market a text game, you want to convey that it is well written.
I would also replace "hours of travel" with an emphasis on exploration. (You can spend hours exploring, but it only takes hours to get from point A to point B if you don't have access to a Moongate, boat, or jump jewelry.) The long travel times have historically been a source of frustration to players; I wouldn't advertise that part of the experience.
Here is how I would revise it:
Since 1996, DR has been the world's most sophisticated MUD, with the most advanced combat, skill, and magic systems. Spend hours exploring a complex world with many cities. Make your own weapons, armor, and potions. Own your own home. Welcome to Elanthia. (255/255)
(I'm not sure that "Welcome to Elanthia" adds much either, but if you omit it and describe another feature, the paragraph reads as if it's been cut off mid-thought.)
The luxury car and fine wine of MUDS. If your going to waste your time playing a MUD, you might as well play the best one, even if you have to pay a few bucks to do so. You get what you pay for. (194/255)
I also like this blurb. It's short, so people might actually read it instead of just skimming over it. The nice thing about this blurb is that it immediately addresses the question that many MUD players ask: "Why should I pay to play DragonRealms when there are other MUDs that I can play for free?"
The drawbacks are that it doesn't actually say what sets DragonRealms apart, and it dismisses the entire MUD genre as a "waste of time." (I know that the comment was tongue-in-cheek, but the people who come to Top MUD Sites enjoy MUDs, and when you describe them as a "waste of time," you're potentially making fun of the people you're trying to attract.)
If you do use this blurb, make sure you fix these two errors:
The luxury car and fine wine of MUDs. If you're going to waste your time playing a MUD, you might as well play the best one, even if you have to pay a few bucks to do so. You get what you pay for. (194/255)
(The s in MUDs should not be capitalized, because the s is simply a plural and not part of the acronym.)
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall rank!
Vote for DragonRealms on Top MUD Sites: http://www.topmudsites.com/vote-DragonRealms.html
Overall, I think that the actual rank in the list induces more clicks than the description below the link, so our efforts would best be focused on getting more players to vote (within the rules, of course). Of the proposed descriptions, this is my favorite:
Since 1996, the world's most sophisticated MUD. The most advanced magic, combat, skill systems. Craft your weapons, armor, & potions. Hours of travel, MANY cities. Own a home! The most complex world of law and lawlessness. Welcome adventurer, to Elanthia. (255/255)
Some suggestions for improvement:
I'm not sure what "world of law and lawlessness" adds to the description when space is at such a premium. I'd take that out to make room to make the description less choppy. (Right now, it has sentence fragments and missing conjunctions.) When you market a text game, you want to convey that it is well written.
I would also replace "hours of travel" with an emphasis on exploration. (You can spend hours exploring, but it only takes hours to get from point A to point B if you don't have access to a Moongate, boat, or jump jewelry.) The long travel times have historically been a source of frustration to players; I wouldn't advertise that part of the experience.
Here is how I would revise it:
Since 1996, DR has been the world's most sophisticated MUD, with the most advanced combat, skill, and magic systems. Spend hours exploring a complex world with many cities. Make your own weapons, armor, and potions. Own your own home. Welcome to Elanthia. (255/255)
(I'm not sure that "Welcome to Elanthia" adds much either, but if you omit it and describe another feature, the paragraph reads as if it's been cut off mid-thought.)
The luxury car and fine wine of MUDS. If your going to waste your time playing a MUD, you might as well play the best one, even if you have to pay a few bucks to do so. You get what you pay for. (194/255)
I also like this blurb. It's short, so people might actually read it instead of just skimming over it. The nice thing about this blurb is that it immediately addresses the question that many MUD players ask: "Why should I pay to play DragonRealms when there are other MUDs that I can play for free?"
The drawbacks are that it doesn't actually say what sets DragonRealms apart, and it dismisses the entire MUD genre as a "waste of time." (I know that the comment was tongue-in-cheek, but the people who come to Top MUD Sites enjoy MUDs, and when you describe them as a "waste of time," you're potentially making fun of the people you're trying to attract.)
If you do use this blurb, make sure you fix these two errors:
The luxury car and fine wine of MUDs. If you're going to waste your time playing a MUD, you might as well play the best one, even if you have to pay a few bucks to do so. You get what you pay for. (194/255)
(The s in MUDs should not be capitalized, because the s is simply a plural and not part of the acronym.)
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall rank!
Vote for DragonRealms on Top MUD Sites: http://www.topmudsites.com/vote-DragonRealms.html
