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Jun-20-2007 12:56

***This is my opinion. Strictly my opinion.***


I've looked at the community, and anyone who's been here longer than 100 days is able to see that Sleuth activity has gone down the tubes. Dead. And what is to blame? The agencies.

Now, agencies aren't the root cause. Let's get that straight. But the way they have been operating is. The problems with agencies are (1) the quantity, (2) the purpose, (3) and the role they play.

Okay, first, the quantity of agencies. Not too long ago, there were about 20-30 agencies. All full at 12 persons each, coming to a total of roughly 240-360 people. That was a good amount. But now, we have almost 120 agencies. That's right. 600% of the amount we had about a year ago. Sure, some may argue that the community has grown, and it certainly has. But 600% growth? I don't think so.

Jun-20-2007 15:12

Exactly Rhiemma, which is why I try and help thenm out as much as possible. I do admit they some do get on my nerves, but I know I'm doing the right thing by loking past it and still helping them out.

Jun-20-2007 15:18

Ok, I don't post very often but just wanted to chime in here. Helping out the newbies is a very important part of the growth of the game. Just like I do in other games that I play, when a newbie asks a question, I politely answer it for them and then refer them to where they can find the answers on their own. That is what the newbie FAQ's are for and I've seen them on almost every online game I play.

The main thing to remember here, is that we were all newbies at some point.

Jun-20-2007 15:27

Some of these people (well a lot, actually) are kids. Many of whom have few if any real social skills. So, guess what? We become their examples of how to act socially. Oh, but let me guess... you're not here to teach some kid how to act in public or in a social situation. you're here to play Sleuth. So... go play Sleuth and get out of the Community. PLEASE NOTE: I'm not talking to any one person, this is a hypothetical conversation!!! COMMUNITY is family, clan or tribe. or village. We DO have an obligation to these people. If they are irritating, TELL them what YOU perceive is wrong with their behavior. Not wrong with them... wrong with their behavior. if they continue to behave that way, IGNORE THEM. Shunning is a well known and highly successful form of behavior modification. ie DON'T FEED THE TROLLS eventually they either make the mental shift and change their behavior or they go somewhere else that will continue feeding them the drama they require to feel that they exist.

But, we also can't expect that we will get along with everyone. So, we do the best thing for the community as a whole and don't address that person unless it becomes socially necessarily and then we do so politely. We treat each other with respect and consideration, understanding that we are all individuals who are unique unto ourselves and highly valued for those differences.

ok.. sorry. ::sheepish grin:: *kicks away soapbox*

Jun-20-2007 15:29

thank you for your contribution, ctown. Indeed, we most certainly were. :)

Jun-20-2007 18:32

I don't see the problem being with agencies, Jojo. The key is that people--NOT agencies--just aren't feeling competitive anymore. Why?

Established players have done it all. And I mean EVERYTHING. There is NOTHING left for experienced players to do. I have all the skills. I have the equipment. The agency I started is now top 10, as is my detective (last time I checked, anyway!). There is nothing left to do. NOTHING. Treasure hunting, AVHing--it's just not enough.

I am basically on hiatus right now, because I am done. I know that I am not alone in this. It's a fatal design flaw in the game--there is nothing to keep uber-experienced players playing, no new levels, no new challenges, nothing. And so we fall away.

I know Sleuth II is coming in September or so, and I am totally looking forward to it. In the meantime, I think it's time for a break.

Jun-20-2007 19:09

I agree, Ara. IF there is one fatal flaw, it's that. That although hunting and VHing may be forever, there's never enough to explore. Maybe FMs, but that's not enough and too far between.

I would agree on that, although I believe the agencies are to blame for making treasure hunting fun die quicker than it would have in the first place.

Jun-20-2007 19:49

I don't think I would call it a "fatal" flaw. The game is going to keep moving forward. It will be stagnant at times, that is to be expected.

Jojo, I don't see how agencies make hunts die quicker, as a member of EyeSpy, we try to get those hunts ASAP and sometimes get them before others have a chance to join, how would less agencies prolong them?

Jun-20-2007 20:12

Sorry, I worded that wrongly.

I meant to say that the things I listed originally in my post make interest in hunts die quicker.

Jun-20-2007 21:04

I said to Lulah that I wasn't going to say anything, but here I go anyway... :)

Everything is a cycle. Agencies come and go. Agents come and go. We get "new and exciting" features like villian hunting and the AVL and everyone jumps on those things and enjoys them (me included). However, those "new and exciting" things will become boring and bland after a while. Hunts will come back in style and VHing will be out. Apartments were great when they came out (and still are) but have we heard anyone talking about them lately? No - but then again, I hear the '80s are coming back into style, too (*shudders at thinking of side ponytails with neon green scrunchies*). :)

Of course, as Sleuth grows, the community will change. But we have a chance to make it a BETTER community as that happens. And the introduction of Sleuth II in September will bring more changes. The question is, how are we going to adapt to those changes? Are we going to sit around and mourn the old days? Or get excited about the new stuff and incorporate it into our community?

I personally feel like one of the *best* things about Sleuth is the opportunity to join or create an agency. Those agents that you are with become a kind of family to you (I still miss our agents that have moved on!!). It doesn't matter what the overall purpose is or how many of them there are or if they participate in agency hunts or VHs. They are what draw people into the community and keep them here. That's why I'm still here. If I wasn't part of my agency, I probably would have let my subscription lapse a long time ago. So, anyway, after a thousand word dissertation...I'll stop. I could say a lot more - but I won't (and the Sleuth world breathes a HUGE sigh of relief!). :)

Jun-20-2007 22:32

Well, I have been here for 50 days, and I could share a noob's opinion on this matter.

When I first joined, I really thought the community as well as their interaction was great. Every post on the Newbie forums got answered, and I have been fortunate not to have encountered any drama whatsoever. I have made new friends with a lot of people, some new, some old, and everyone has just been great.

Although the community seems less active as before (assumed this after reading some of the posts from ages ago), I personally dont think that Agencies are to be blamed for this. Since more people are joining up everyday, so too will the number of Agencies that are to be created. Some of the top Agencies may have a monopoly on the hunts in certain cities, but still, hunts are sometimes based on luck, and however new and small an agency is, I think everyone still have an equal chance to win on treasure hunts.

I used to log on everyday to play my cases out and get more experience, but after having read a few of the veterans's posts, I am now afraid of what will happen once I reach my goals, will I continue playing 3-4 hours a day, or do I burnout like the rest? Theres just not enough incentive or challenge to keep the 'oldies' occupied, which is why I thought up of the 'Dossier File' idea in the first place (shameless plug -.- check other thread), because its a mini game of sorts that would interest new and old players alike and would take a long while to complete.

Right now, I still enjoy Sleuth, but looking to the future, I am certain that game updates wont arrive fast enough to keep the community pleased. Im sure it will just get worse when Sleuth II arrives. But whatever the case may be, I hope most of the community will stay and keep our classic Sleuth alive then.