If you can, please share what is the longest time you've played on an OT server for and how it kept you engaged for that long (not including month breaks or returning to the server at a much later point). I am trying to understand how long a server can last while maintaining player retention.
Many servers seem to "combat" player retention by introducing seasons, leagues, or eras that last X amount of time and then reset. But am I the only one who doesn't enjoy that? It works for ARPGs such as Path of Exile because it's a hack and slash. Each season you get new builds, there's many different ways to play, new bosses, content, etc... the early game (campaign) only takes 4-10 hours depending on your skill level and then you get to enjoy the fun part of the game (mapping).
Not to mention you usually take a few months break in-between seasonal launches. I would say that the benefit of tibia servers that reset is a fresh economy and some new content, but other than that, is it exciting to play on servers that you know will reset from time to time? Sure, the server can be fun for the first week, but what about after that? I would like to hear from a player who spends time on these servers and why they enjoy the concept. You could play a new class, but there's still just something about redoing 90% of the same content just to experience 10% new content that doesn't seem worth it to me.
Not to mention you usually take a few months break in-between seasonal launches. I would say that the benefit of tibia servers that reset is a fresh economy and some new content, but other than that, is it exciting to play on servers that you know will reset from time to time? Sure, the server can be fun for the first week, but what about after that? I would like to hear from a player who spends time on these servers and why they enjoy the concept. You could play a new class, but there's still just something about redoing 90% of the same content just to experience 10% new content that doesn't seem worth it to me.
Bots have such a big impact, and it seems there's no clear-cut solution on how to best implement or prevent them. If you allow cave-botting then players will fly through the content in no time. Developers often underestimate how quickly players will progress if they have a cave bot. Not to mention the benefit some people will get from botting multiple characters at once vs. someone who plays on one character. If you design your server around botting, then it just becomes a zombie bot server? it's like playing an idle game that you check up every now and then, which also gets boring quick imo. Some may enjoy that so to each their own.
Let's assume a server doesn't allow bots. First of all, good luck enforcing it. What's the first thing most people do when they see a server doesn't allow or "blocks" bots? They try to get a bot to work lmao. I know I do, and I know others do too. Most people have gotten used to bots. Players will always try to find ways to make a bot or macro work. It's hard to play without them. Cave botting aside, the quality-of-life features of a bot are undeniably nice to have unless you are a hardcore old school player who lives and breathes manual controls. Bots are also nice for those of us who are older and can't afford to play 8+hours a day. There are pros and cons to both sides. It also depends on the type of server, but in general it seems hard to find a good solution for bot usage.
Let's assume a server doesn't allow bots. First of all, good luck enforcing it. What's the first thing most people do when they see a server doesn't allow or "blocks" bots? They try to get a bot to work lmao. I know I do, and I know others do too. Most people have gotten used to bots. Players will always try to find ways to make a bot or macro work. It's hard to play without them. Cave botting aside, the quality-of-life features of a bot are undeniably nice to have unless you are a hardcore old school player who lives and breathes manual controls. Bots are also nice for those of us who are older and can't afford to play 8+hours a day. There are pros and cons to both sides. It also depends on the type of server, but in general it seems hard to find a good solution for bot usage.
Is it possible to come up with a fun gameplay loop that won't get boring over time? I noticed that some players enjoy the gameplay of a server but after a while it gets old and stale. If the gameplay loop is fun but always the same won't the gameplay loop eventually get boring? even if you get more content. Perhaps there's a way to transition into different gameplay loops as you progress the game? Maybe it's inventible and no matter what you do or come up with, players will eventually get bored?
It feels like we don't see much innovation in terms of features and gameplay uniqueness as opposed to some of these servers from the past:
Project XDC, Flatlanders Multiverse, Deathzot, and Bitzot.
There are many great servers that have come out throughout the years, but they are never able to last long. Is it due to bad pacing? lack of content? the progression sucks? Is it as simple as making a server that is fun to play and providing enough content to keep players engaged for a long time? I feel like it's possible to make some fun servers, but they will always be short lived. Maybe the only way you could make a long-lasting server would be if you went the route of a Mediva type server with slow progression and tons of content.
It feels like we don't see much innovation in terms of features and gameplay uniqueness as opposed to some of these servers from the past:
Project XDC, Flatlanders Multiverse, Deathzot, and Bitzot.
There are many great servers that have come out throughout the years, but they are never able to last long. Is it due to bad pacing? lack of content? the progression sucks? Is it as simple as making a server that is fun to play and providing enough content to keep players engaged for a long time? I feel like it's possible to make some fun servers, but they will always be short lived. Maybe the only way you could make a long-lasting server would be if you went the route of a Mediva type server with slow progression and tons of content.
