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New Login Restrictions for Unsubscribed Players
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Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Jun-20-2006 10:44

Over the past six months, we've been struggling to maintain a decent level of Sleuth server performance, despite increasing numbers of simultaneous players.

This is a great problem to have! It means there are lots of new people trying out Sleuth, but it's a bit of a losing battle logistically. There has been some success making software changes to improve things, but those gains are quickly eclipsed as traffic continues to increase. There is only so much the current hardware can handle.

New server machines will be purchased in the next couple of months. This will help, but if Sleuth continues to grow, it won't be long before capacity is reached on the new machines as well, and things will slow down again.

This situation is unfair for paying subscribers, who cannot enjoy the game at peak hours due to the lag of the servers. So, in the interest of fairness there will be a rule change that will limit when unsubscribed players will be able to access the game.

Starting later this week, detectives who are unsubscribed and older than 7 days, will not be allowed to login if there are already 60 or more detectives online.

You will not be allowed to login to the game if all three of the following conditions are true:

1) There are already 60 or more detectives logged in
2) Your detective is not currently subscribed
3) Your detective is older than 7 days

Sleuth has always been as welcoming as possible to non-subscribed players. We also recognize that in some countries, the monthly subscription price is not affordable to everyone, but this rule change is necessary for the well-being of the game. Paying subscribers deserve to have access to a game that is playable, accessible and fun.

Thanks,
The Sleuth Team


Replies

LilRach
LilRach
Well-Connected

Jun-20-2006 11:43

I think this will help relieve a large part of the congestion. There are 84 detectives currently logged on, with 21 of those p.ayers at 0 experience. So I think this will help tremendously. Thanks!

Moonshh
Moonshh
Well-Connected

Jun-20-2006 12:27

Dr. Falco Maltese and I thank you, Ben!

I hope this encourages more people to subscribe and support the game.

Ms Helen
Ms Helen
Con Artist

Jun-20-2006 13:41

Thank you that should make things so much easier for all those paying.

Arabesque
Arabesque
Old Shoe

Jun-20-2006 14:54

You guys ROCK! It's a fair system, and I really think this will make a difference. Thank you so much!

Jojo
Jojo
Old Shoe

Jun-20-2006 18:10

*thinks of Adventure Quest* - Kinda like that?

I'm in favor.... But then you might be turning people away. It's a lose/lose situation I guess.

Chelsea Bando
Chelsea Bando
Well-Connected

Jun-20-2006 19:01

well jojo, adventure quest has a guaranteed server only for subscribers. Sleuth isn't going to be quite like that.

Jojo
Jojo
Old Shoe

Jun-20-2006 19:43

But it has the same idea that if you aren't subscribed, then you can't get in when there are so many people.

Sleuth Admin
Sleuth Admin
Tale Spinner

Jun-20-2006 21:02

LilRach, the 0 experience people are probably less than 7 days old (I'd hope), so they would not be locked out at any time with this rule change. I estimate that this rule should reduce peak time usage by about 25%.

If that doesn't turn out to be sufficient, we may have to also consider limiting when new accounts can be created, but that would obviously be a pretty big drag on new players, so we'd rather not do that.


Lemmy Caution
Lemmy Caution

Jun-21-2006 01:11

Great news to hear that guys! I'm not subscribed yet but I am totally in favour of the new limits because they are fair for the subscribed ones.
By the way, does deleting old retired accounts help at making the server work better?

Lady Ruby Caplan
Lady Ruby Caplan
Well-Connected

Jun-21-2006 02:45

Wooohooo , thanks Ben.

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