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Apr-22-2004 18:36

So, that was pretty painless, wasn't it?

Feel free to post any questions or comments concerning the launch here. What you think about the pricing and the subscription fee. And what you think about the new look. Actually, the new look should be temporary, because my friend who designed the sleuth homepage is going to help me out with a new site-wide look soon.

Apr-26-2004 10:04

Hi Jwonie,

I went back and forth about whether agencies should be subscriber only. As you said, they are a big part of the game and I want as many people as possible to get a chance to participate. I decided to go with the restriction for two reasons:

1) People who join agencies tend to be frequent players who get many hours of entertainment out of the game. I feel more justified in asking those people to help support the costs.

2) It puts up a hurdle for anybody who wants to create their own agency and fill it up with a bunch of their own characters. I feel that undermines the intended purpose of agencies, to enhance player cooperation and competition. If somebody wanted to get away with that, they would need to set up multiple paypal accounts. Since I know that paypal won't allow one credit card to be used on two accounts, that is a fairly big hurdle for anybody trying to skirt the system.

Apr-26-2004 15:59

i understand. well i'm already in one, so i don't have anything to worry about

Apr-27-2004 17:50

hmmm...totally selfish question:
i would really like to join an agency, but i would never solve 8 mysteries a day and have no plans on becoming a subscriber...how about separate agencies for people who aren't subscribers?
i would have joined an agency during beta testing, but wasn't aware that it wouldn't be an option later and wanted to advance my character more first

Apr-30-2004 19:11

I want to make a comment on the agencies being a subscribers thing.
First of all I want to say that I believe that subscription is very cheap and totally worth it. There are two reasons I haven't done it yet:
1. I just hate giving my credit card number on the internet, and I just avoid it whenever possible.
2. It's the end of the semester now and I don't want to mess up all of my classes.

That said, I wanted to point out that there is a weird thing about the situation with the agencies. I understand why you don't kick out non-subscribers who joined before the launch and totally support it. I view it as a "half-subscription reward". But I also assume that if someone subscribes for a month and then doesn't renew, s/he's not going to be kicked out either.

So, my point is that enjoying the agency part of the game is not logically tied to subscription. It's like an one time cost and maybe it should be treated separately.

Apr-30-2004 21:27

The subscription was completely worth it to me. Less than 9 cents a day for a 3 month subscription. You can't even sponsor a worldvision child for that.

I do understand the credit card problem, though. I wish there were another way. And, no offence, Admin, but who's going to trust someone devious enough to come up with this game! [Obviously me.. hm.. what was my point again?]

Seriously, though.. Everyone, its worth it.

About the Agencies.. While I enjoy the system as it stands, if I were to recommend changes I would suggest that only Subscribers can FOUND Agencies, but that anyone can join. But like I said, I like it how it is. Whatever it takes to make this game happen.. And if some money winds up in the Admin's pocket, its well deserved for the work and talent he's invested in the site.

~S.A.M.