Why I went Freemium, after 7 years

[Greatwhite]

Have always loved Risk, played as a teen ager in basements with buds all night till somebody puked on the board or we all passed out, as a person gets older, married and somewhat more responsible they tend to stay home more (read can't do stupid things as much) they look to still enjoy the game but at a somewhat more prudent pace that still allows time for family, job, the boring stuff.
I have been a member here since Jan of 07, always paid my dues (in Canadian Dollars) and thought it a great bargain. A game, almost any game, would start in hours or maybe days depending on the map or number of players needed. In less than 3 months we have gone from 30 pages waiting to over 60. I like to play trips and acknowledge they take longer, they are now as dormant as a dead Grizzly. Even simple singles are buried way beneath the soil where they used to be snapped up within minutes or hours.
I know there are those that like the changes and I fully expect to get dumped on by the trawlers so they can chalk up one more post.
But I pose the question - Why would I pay to play more than 1 game when I have had 50 waiting for months and rarely actually play more than 3 to 6 games at a time anyways?

[Metsfanmax]

What do you think are some possible causes for your games being much more slow to fill?

[codeblue1018]

First things first; this is the most I've heard from you in 7 years, ha. Anyway, I agree. We went from 25000 members from back in the day to 11500 or so today; this is a huge decrease. I'm not sure why this is. Triples games used to be filled in a matter of minutes that has now turned into weeks and months. Perhaps it's the multitude and variety of maps and settings, I don't kno. What I do know is when I joined in Jan 2007, the site was much simpler and a lot more fun IMO. I even notice myself pretty much limited to clan games and the like; I rarely find the enjoyment in playing random games anymore. This site has good qualities to it don't get me wrong, but in no way is it better than the gaming from back in the day; the membership numbers prove this.

[nietzsche]

What do you think are some possible causes for your games being much more slow to fill?

thanks for asking


maybe people is not browsing the games available anymore, because of so many different options available, you rarely fin what you are looking for and you rather start a new game and wish it fills.

as this happens more and more, more games are being created and lost in the many pages of available games, and the suggestion of similar games my somehow work, tho many times offers you completely reserved games.

in the past, with less options, a user might sacrifice one setting he was wishing to play in order to start a game sooner, but as time passed and users got used to start games instead of browsing, now they don't even look at the available games (like me, who rarely pass the first page)

games taking long time to get filled little by little, again, make people don't get so much fun in the cc-time, making them not to come back.. one by one...



too many maps, too many options..

[Metsfanmax]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

[codeblue1018]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

[nietzsche]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

what about a search box? you type in classic 1vs1 and you get those results and similar results after the first hits, type poly simple map and you get poly games in maps that are not for farming

in the same way maps could have certain tags or qualifications, that if you look for games in a certain map, after those in that map are shown, you get those games in similar maps (according to the tags or qualifications)

[nietzsche]

also, players upon logging in, you could suggest joining games to the user similar to those he has played in the last days, perhaps just 3 or 5 in a box above my games, that disappears by itself in the next click.

[Metsfanmax]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

There are a couple of facets to that. One is attracting and retaining new players (this was part of the homepage redesign which, believe it or not, is actually more effective than the old one in attracting attention), and the other is bringing back the old players who have since gone inactive. Unfortunately, these strategies are often mutually exclusive, as you're describing. Making more complicated options to appeal to the long-time players who got bored with what we used to offer also is a potential turn-off to new players because of the complexity level.

My intuition is that we want to be focusing on the new players though -- that's how you breathe new life into a community. So focusing on the new player experience is starting to become a big focus for myself (as suggestions leader) and the administration team.

[HardAttack]

Have always loved Risk, played as a teen ager in basements with buds all night till somebody puked on the board or we all passed out, as a person gets older, married and somewhat more responsible they tend to stay home more (read can't do stupid things as much) they look to still enjoy the game but at a somewhat more prudent pace that still allows time for family, job, the boring stuff.
I have been a member here since Jan of 07, always paid my dues (in Canadian Dollars) and thought it a great bargain. A game, almost any game, would start in hours or maybe days depending on the map or number of players needed. In less than 3 months we have gone from 30 pages waiting to over 60. I like to play trips and acknowledge they take longer, they are now as dormant as a dead Grizzly. Even simple singles are buried way beneath the soil where they used to be snapped up within minutes or hours.
I know there are those that like the changes and I fully expect to get dumped on by the trawlers so they can chalk up one more post.
But I pose the question - Why would I pay to play more than 1 game when I have had 50 waiting for months and rarely actually play more than 3 to 6 games at a time anyways?

I can not stop laughing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the f*cking most hilarious post someone ever done, and what more hilarious is, he seems to be living it/believing in it the validity of his point OMG.... Is my hopes for more IQ to come from ppl, then thinking, am i asking too much from ppl to be a bit more smart ? God please hear me and damn it

This guy, is one of those who f*cking creates massive amonths of certain maps (mostly jamaica), screws up every taste we may have, we ? we who loves the casual side of this site and look for high quality couple of games, but what we casual high level game lovers do see ? What we see is masterbation sadly. This one, and a few more, without any getting bored, creates 50 jamaica games trips at ones, seize 2 full pages so makes it damn UNPLEASENT for others seeking couple of available games if there are any, then comes HERE AND COMPLAINS, hey, my 50 f*cking games i create EVERY SINGLE day are not getting filled in 24 hours... Go, get a clue... Easy to throw mud over this site, before doing that, maybe look at the mirror...Before shitting over the site, maybe ask yourself, if you can find enough ppl to fill your 50 awaiting games, all are jamaica, at once, in whole the world in a day... !!!

F*ck, i am highly bored seeing two digits of IQ owners posting in forums every single day.

[Mr Changsha]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

Back in 2011 I suggested in this thread 'Brace Yourself...Mapmakers' http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=138328&p=3019337#p3019337 that CC should cut the number of maps and settings, to general criticism.

I stand by it...the increase in maps and settings HAS negatively affected CC (and contributed to the reduction in players), though it continues to be a counter-intuitive proposition for many that 'more choice is not always better'.

In this more recent thread I expanded on this idea further...'Why CC's membership is (actually) declining' http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=174222&p=3806934#p3806934

[Metsfanmax]

For full disclosure I didn't read the brace yourself thread -- but is there a way to do what you're suggesting without taking away from the hard work many people have put into these maps over the years?

[DoomYoshi]

"casual triples" games are anything but. Team 1 is a hardcore group, defeating the casuals aspect. Team 2 is barely a team, defeating the triples aspect. Map specialists are the problem. Jamaica isn't that bad of a map, but anyone who has tried getting together a casual team for a run at das schloss quads is asking for disaster. Players like greatwhite are exactly the reason most of us don't join those games anymore (although I am not afraid of his team, being good at Jamaica myself, I don't want a hundred games going on so I avoid those games and look for new settings).

I am hoping the Monthly Challenges will explore the diversity in a controlled way that makes sense. for example, the december challenge had only ever had one game played with those settings before now, and there are almost a hundred.

[HardAttack]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

Back in 2011 I suggested in this thread 'Brace Yourself...Mapmakers' http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=138328&p=3019337#p3019337 that CC should cut the number of maps and settings, to general criticism.

I stand by it...the increase in maps and settings HAS negatively affected CC (and contributed to the reduction in players), though it continues to be a counter-intuitive proposition for many that 'more choice is not always better'.

In this more recent thread I expanded on this idea further...'Why CC's membership is (actually) declining' http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=174222&p=3806934#p3806934

strongly disagree;
if you are uncomfortable with new variations/options, stick it up with old settings...
but you can not state it reason to be why your games are not getting filled can not be cos of new maps and new gaming styles...
how come/dare ? Limit options for others then give them no choices this way all ppl are forcefully to join your old settings games ?
Freedom man freedom, it was 500 years ago feudalism got an end.

[codeblue1018]

Have always loved Risk, played as a teen ager in basements with buds all night till somebody puked on the board or we all passed out, as a person gets older, married and somewhat more responsible they tend to stay home more (read can't do stupid things as much) they look to still enjoy the game but at a somewhat more prudent pace that still allows time for family, job, the boring stuff.
I have been a member here since Jan of 07, always paid my dues (in Canadian Dollars) and thought it a great bargain. A game, almost any game, would start in hours or maybe days depending on the map or number of players needed. In less than 3 months we have gone from 30 pages waiting to over 60. I like to play trips and acknowledge they take longer, they are now as dormant as a dead Grizzly. Even simple singles are buried way beneath the soil where they used to be snapped up within minutes or hours.
I know there are those that like the changes and I fully expect to get dumped on by the trawlers so they can chalk up one more post.
But I pose the question - Why would I pay to play more than 1 game when I have had 50 waiting for months and rarely actually play more than 3 to 6 games at a time anyways?

I can not stop laughing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the f*cking most hilarious post someone ever done, and what more hilarious is, he seems to be living it/believing in it the validity of his point OMG.... Is my hopes for more IQ to come from ppl, then thinking, am i asking too much from ppl to be a bit more smart ? God please hear me and damn it

This guy, is one of those who f*cking creates massive amonths of certain maps (mostly jamaica), screws up every taste we may have, we ? we who loves the casual side of this site and look for high quality couple of games, but what we casual high level game lovers do see ? What we see is masterbation sadly. This one, and a few more, without any getting bored, creates 50 jamaica games trips at ones, seize 2 full pages so makes it damn UNPLEASENT for others seeking couple of available games if there are any, then comes HERE AND COMPLAINS, hey, my 50 f*cking games i create EVERY SINGLE day are not getting filled in 24 hours... Go, get a clue... Easy to throw mud over this site, before doing that, maybe look at the mirror...Before shitting over the site, maybe ask yourself, if you can find enough ppl to fill your 50 awaiting games, all are jamaica, at once, in whole the world in a day... !!!

F*ck, i am highly bored seeing two digits of IQ owners posting in forums every single day.

ffs bro; are people not allowed to voice a simple concern/opinion without you slamming them? Who gives a shit what games he's made or how often he makes them. He's is/was a paying customer and has a right to make a post on whatever the f@ck he wants. You seem to be very judgmental mate on all the posts I see from you as of late. Relax a bit bro instead of slinging shit at the very first opportunity you see.

[HardAttack]

Have always loved Risk, played as a teen ager in basements with buds all night till somebody puked on the board or we all passed out, as a person gets older, married and somewhat more responsible they tend to stay home more (read can't do stupid things as much) they look to still enjoy the game but at a somewhat more prudent pace that still allows time for family, job, the boring stuff.
I have been a member here since Jan of 07, always paid my dues (in Canadian Dollars) and thought it a great bargain. A game, almost any game, would start in hours or maybe days depending on the map or number of players needed. In less than 3 months we have gone from 30 pages waiting to over 60. I like to play trips and acknowledge they take longer, they are now as dormant as a dead Grizzly. Even simple singles are buried way beneath the soil where they used to be snapped up within minutes or hours.
I know there are those that like the changes and I fully expect to get dumped on by the trawlers so they can chalk up one more post.
But I pose the question - Why would I pay to play more than 1 game when I have had 50 waiting for months and rarely actually play more than 3 to 6 games at a time anyways?

I can not stop laughing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the f*cking most hilarious post someone ever done, and what more hilarious is, he seems to be living it/believing in it the validity of his point OMG.... Is my hopes for more IQ to come from ppl, then thinking, am i asking too much from ppl to be a bit more smart ? God please hear me and damn it

This guy, is one of those who f*cking creates massive amonths of certain maps (mostly jamaica), screws up every taste we may have, we ? we who loves the casual side of this site and look for high quality couple of games, but what we casual high level game lovers do see ? What we see is masterbation sadly. This one, and a few more, without any getting bored, creates 50 jamaica games trips at ones, seize 2 full pages so makes it damn UNPLEASENT for others seeking couple of available games if there are any, then comes HERE AND COMPLAINS, hey, my 50 f*cking games i create EVERY SINGLE day are not getting filled in 24 hours... Go, get a clue... Easy to throw mud over this site, before doing that, maybe look at the mirror...Before shitting over the site, maybe ask yourself, if you can find enough ppl to fill your 50 awaiting games, all are jamaica, at once, in whole the world in a day... !!!

F*ck, i am highly bored seeing two digits of IQ owners posting in forums every single day.

ffs bro; are people not allowed to voice a simple concern/opinion without you slamming them? Who gives a shit what games he's made or how often he makes them. He's is/was a paying customer and has a right to make a post on whatever the f@ck he wants. You seem to be very judgmental mate on all the posts I see from you as of late. Relax a bit bro instead of slinging shit at the very first opportunity you see.

this is 3rd time i agree with you codedblue bud, well said
earn it

[codeblue1018]

Have always loved Risk, played as a teen ager in basements with buds all night till somebody puked on the board or we all passed out, as a person gets older, married and somewhat more responsible they tend to stay home more (read can't do stupid things as much) they look to still enjoy the game but at a somewhat more prudent pace that still allows time for family, job, the boring stuff.
I have been a member here since Jan of 07, always paid my dues (in Canadian Dollars) and thought it a great bargain. A game, almost any game, would start in hours or maybe days depending on the map or number of players needed. In less than 3 months we have gone from 30 pages waiting to over 60. I like to play trips and acknowledge they take longer, they are now as dormant as a dead Grizzly. Even simple singles are buried way beneath the soil where they used to be snapped up within minutes or hours.
I know there are those that like the changes and I fully expect to get dumped on by the trawlers so they can chalk up one more post.
But I pose the question - Why would I pay to play more than 1 game when I have had 50 waiting for months and rarely actually play more than 3 to 6 games at a time anyways?

I can not stop laughing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the f*cking most hilarious post someone ever done, and what more hilarious is, he seems to be living it/believing in it the validity of his point OMG.... Is my hopes for more IQ to come from ppl, then thinking, am i asking too much from ppl to be a bit more smart ? God please hear me and damn it

This guy, is one of those who f*cking creates massive amonths of certain maps (mostly jamaica), screws up every taste we may have, we ? we who loves the casual side of this site and look for high quality couple of games, but what we casual high level game lovers do see ? What we see is masterbation sadly. This one, and a few more, without any getting bored, creates 50 jamaica games trips at ones, seize 2 full pages so makes it damn UNPLEASENT for others seeking couple of available games if there are any, then comes HERE AND COMPLAINS, hey, my 50 f*cking games i create EVERY SINGLE day are not getting filled in 24 hours... Go, get a clue... Easy to throw mud over this site, before doing that, maybe look at the mirror...Before shitting over the site, maybe ask yourself, if you can find enough ppl to fill your 50 awaiting games, all are jamaica, at once, in whole the world in a day... !!!

F*ck, i am highly bored seeing two digits of IQ owners posting in forums every single day.

ffs bro; are people not allowed to voice a simple concern/opinion without you slamming them? Who gives a shit what games he's made or how often he makes them. He's is/was a paying customer and has a right to make a post on whatever the f@ck he wants. You seem to be very judgmental mate on all the posts I see from you as of late. Relax a bit bro instead of slinging shit at the very first opportunity you see.

this is 3rd time i agree with you codedblue bud, well said
earn it

Good; glad we can agree.

[benga]

Stop playing classic and jamaica and get off you lazy butt and join other people games.

[greenoaks]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

i agree.

half the players shared between 20 times the game options means games will take longer to fill.

[Metsfanmax]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

i agree.

half the players shared between 20 times the game options means games will take longer to fill.

Well, people keep asking this question but not so many are providing answers. Possibly there is no magic bullet for increasing activity, and doubling the number of players requires a very targeted strategy, which may or may not result in a better community.

[iAmCaffeine]

You're part of xiGames, don't the regularly have games ongoing? If not, maybe you should leave and find a clan. Then you'll be playing team games frequently.

[greenoaks]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

i agree.

half the players shared between 20 times the game options means games will take longer to fill.

Well, people keep asking this question but not so many are providing answers. Possibly there is no magic bullet for increasing activity, and doubling the number of players requires a very targeted strategy, which may or may not result in a better community.

what is the reward for providing answers?

[fishydance]

Stop playing classic and jamaica and get off you lazy butt and join other people games.

GW has map preferences, just like you and I do. That's no crime (btw, he plays more than those 2 maps, I've played 85 games with him and not once played Jamaica). The real issue here isn't GWs map choices, it's the well known issue of dwindling membership. I concur with others who have stated the large selection of maps is at least one factor in games filling slowly. Simple mathematics dictates that if you have more maps available and fewer players coming to fill games, each map has a smaller chance of being selected. Add to that the numerous map settings, and it adds yet another element to it. It's little wonder games fill more slowly. What is the answer? I honestly don't know. However, if I were to spend time and money on something, it would be on a vigorous marketing campaign to increase membership, rather than additional maps and game options. If people don't even know CC exists, all the maps and settings in the world won't help.

[Metsfanmax]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

i agree.

half the players shared between 20 times the game options means games will take longer to fill.

Well, people keep asking this question but not so many are providing answers. Possibly there is no magic bullet for increasing activity, and doubling the number of players requires a very targeted strategy, which may or may not result in a better community.

what is the reward for providing answers?

What is the reward for asking questions?

[fishydance]

Ideas on how we can simplify the game finder and available games pages to make it easier to navigate and find the options you are looking for are greatly appreciated (either here or in Suggestions). In particular, how can we guide people to stick to simple options by default, and only use the more complicated options if they know what they are doing? We've had an idea for doing this in Suggestions that basically has two levels of start a game/game finder, and you'd get the basic level by default. Basically blake's idea here, possibly even with fewer options in the basic set.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=197056#p4311508

I think the bigger question is; how can we bring back the number of players from the past? More players = more games to be played. The root of this issue I believe is two fold; 1- the player numbers are dwindling and 2 - there are too many maps and settings. What do you think?

i agree.

half the players shared between 20 times the game options means games will take longer to fill.

Well, people keep asking this question but not so many are providing answers. Possibly there is no magic bullet for increasing activity, and doubling the number of players requires a very targeted strategy, which may or may not result in a better community.

what is the reward for providing answers?

What is the reward for asking questions?

Jaffa cakes, of course!! Lots of them