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EDITORIAL: Agencies to Blame?
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Jojo
Jojo
Old Shoe

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.

Replies

Rhiemma Moon
Rhiemma Moon
Well-Connected

Jun-22-2007 12:07

*puts away leatherworking tools* Hides whip in desk drawer*

But, Crunch... what if your partner thinks you're saying 'pampermoose'? :D

Jojo
Jojo
Old Shoe

Jun-22-2007 12:26

I will be bold enough to say this...

When I first started, I was one of the shy ones. Ok, maybe not completely shy because that's not me by nature, but shy. I had Fat Chuck and Kitten and all the rest of them staring down at me, the lonely newbie.


If nothing else, this post has helped to break the barrier for two newbies, one of whom PM'd me, referring to me as Mr Jojo. Mr Jojo? Woah, not allowed. That's Jojo to you! :D



miss guided
miss guided
Well-Connected

Jun-22-2007 12:53

Im not one of the shy ones Jojo lol,

I would like to ask the question......... At what point does a 'newbie' become a person and earn some respect around here, to become a regular player in sleuth without a label.

Jojo
Jojo
Old Shoe

Jun-22-2007 13:09

My personal opinion:

1) Subscribing is automatic respect from me. Helping out Sleuth like that is awesome

2) If you no longer ask questions like "ho is da murderar" in bar chat, you're pretty much set

3) If you have anything over 1000 exp, you obviously care about the game and have actually PLAYED the game, thus you have gained some respect

4) Anyone who can talk intelligently without being rude and obnoxious has my utmost respect

Ima Vagabond
Ima Vagabond
Vigilante

Jun-22-2007 13:29

I like being in a small agency. We don't even try to play treasure hunts because they do seem to be monopolized by the bigger agencies in every city. But it doesn't matter! There are other things that are more individualized, like the villian hunts, that really open up the game to everybody.

Lady Ruby Caplan
Lady Ruby Caplan
Well-Connected

Jun-22-2007 13:40

Laura and Amiss,

I agree with your points about the boards, while they've always had the same people posting (myself included), I understand why others find them a little dull as they're all mostly "in jokes" or roleplay which not everyone is into. And you see the same old faces posting. :)
I also agree, a lot of posts can be quite hostile. I'm not the big good innocent in this, and for that I'm sorry.
I've had issues with Noobs in the past and been quite the bitch and unfriendly, however I'm saddened to see that people are too scared to post in case of scorn.

When I started, the boards, though much more diverse and friendly than it is now, it still seemed scary until like Laura, I decided what the heck. And I wish I could say that today it's the same, that everyone is welcome to post what they like however, it's becoming more and more clear that everyone isn't welcome to do this.
Again, not the big good innocent here, sorry.

I really hope that some members of the Sleuth community instead of bitching and saying, "It's not my fault people don't post" try understanding how a lot of people feel and how imtimidated they feel...
because it is a great community here and it is sad that people feel unwelcome.

Agencies: When an agency is absolutely slaughtered on the boards and it's members made to feel so bad they feel they have no choice but to retire, it's pretty damn clear why people don't want to play anymore or why there isn't healthy competiton anymore. It really isn't healthy when the number one agency disbands and many of it's players retire.

I do think jealously and hostility to new and/or successful players seems to be more rife these days, and I do really feel for any newbies.
Afterall, you're not forced to read a post called "Nancy Drew", if you don't want too. And when Newbies feel so unwelcome, why would they join an exsisting agency?

And of course, al the other reasons you wonderful people already mentioned :)



Lady Ruby Caplan
Lady Ruby Caplan
Well-Connected

Jun-22-2007 13:41

know I've played a huge part in negatively in the Sleuth community but I hope it doesn't continue this trend. But please realise a lot of the people posting are really great, nice, kind, helpful people who would love it if you posted! There is still a really great community out there. And while Sleuth could be more welcoming to new players, there are always people who answer questiosn in the Newbie Section and answer quickly. And there are always more people who will out a new agency or give you advice on hunts or clothes or skills even if you're not in that agency.

It would be really great to see more of you on here and read more of your posts!!

Happy Sleuthing and Happy Midsummer :)



Lady Jas
Lady Jas
The Chosen One

Jun-22-2007 16:23

Amissguided...really you become not a newbie when basically you know pretty much what things are around here and how things are and if your able to have the knowlege to help another peson out...thats a relaly bi g thing for me because we should take our knowlege and use it to help out other people who were in your shoes :)

ctown28
ctown28
Huntsman

Jun-22-2007 16:33

First off, let me say that this is one of the greatest threads I've seen on ANY message board. Everyone that is posting is respetful of opinions regardless of whether or not they agree with other posts.

That being said....

There is another online game that I have been playing since 1999, while the game is now about to come to an end, the community there is the main reason while I am still there. It got to a point where the community is more important than the game itself.

There have been many get togethers for the game, much like the recent SleuthConI, and I have had the oppotunity to attend several of them. locations ranging from Winnipeg, Canada to Cambridge, England. I have made many lifelong friends through that gameand still talk to many of the other players on a regular basis.

This game has the potential to do the same, as an earlier post of mine stated, there will be some stagnant times in the game, that's natural. The community is what can make it worthwhile and interesting during those times.

Granted, SleuthConI did not get the response or attendance that most would have liked it is a stepping stone to making a stronger community. I for one am glad I made the trip and got to meet some of the other players that I probably never would have even PM'ed in this game. All the people I met there I now consider friends.

OK, I'll get off my soapbox now! ;-)

Cordelia Falco
Cordelia Falco
Battered Shoe

Jun-22-2007 16:43

Laura, I'm glad you decided to post those thoughts! I've had a few of them myself, but I'm sure I couldn't get them out there that well.

I happen to know what a merkin is, for reasons that are nothing to do with Sleuth (details will not be forthcoming as I can't remember!), but I have felt like I've no idea what people are talking about, and I've no idea whether it's just US/Canadian pop culture references I don't get, or whether I've missed out on the vital chat room conversation.

I freely confess to irritation with message board users who don't appear to be paying attention to what's going on around them, and I know there are times when I've joined the sarky brigade, but I agree that, while it's human to sound off occasionally, it's not encouraging to non-brass-skinned people who might be innocently lurking. I think your point about the generation gap is very well made.

Cordy (hoping that last glass of wine didn't stop this post from being coherent)

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