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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

Coco Cola
Coco Cola
Well-Connected

Jun-23-2007 20:59

I’ve been round sleuth for awhile now and I find sleuth far more individual friendly. Small agency large, treasure hunts AV’s , competitive or not I ‘m glad people can play to whatever level and time they enjoy. Treasure hunts have always required players to play every day and or share their password and this may not suit the majority of people. I’m always glad to see new agencies even if they have little experience. One of the best things is learning by experience and this sure is a way to learn what not to do. And many people find it fun. Even if it doesn’t work out in the end they can always join an established agency or go solo. Nothing is certain, but change and more competitive hunts may be back or not, either way I will enjoy sleuth regardless.




Beef Flaps
Beef Flaps
Lucky Stiff

Jun-24-2007 10:29

*yawns at Barlowe's attempts of kissing her own ass as SMRT vacations*

Really tough winning hunts when everyone is out of the office. That's some big talk. :)

Jack Robertson
Jack Robertson
Well-Connected

Jun-25-2007 14:52

I think one problem though is that the public community seems quite quiet, public meaning places like these boards. There can be over 75 people on, yet few seem to be talking here. The problem then is that because no one is talking the only way to interact with others is to join an agency. The more looking for agencies, the less spots are available.

V Buster
V Buster
Old Shoe

Jun-26-2007 05:16

Jack, lack of spots in agencies is not a problem. All you have to do is look at the recruiting boards to see that agencies are actively competing for the few recruits that are available.

prince1886
prince1886

This reply has been deleted by a Moderator

prince1886
prince1886

Jun-27-2007 20:50

I understand what you guys are saying, but can I tell you from a newbies point of view what may be happening with all the small agency stuff- I honestly do not think, for new members, the Agency Information is clear. I started playing this game at work and became addicted. I wanted more then 4 cases so I joined the game. Then when I became better and bored with just playing by myself I looked into the agency stuff. I honestly thought when it says deposit (or something like that) that is what you needed to join the agency. Then I saw the rent. I thought each member paid that rent. So when I looked for an agency I looked for the smallest thing that I could afford (still thinking i would have to give them a deposit and rent would be taken out of my account each night). The agencies that have websites, I thought no way I will never get into them. Now that I have been a member for almost 60 days, I have looked around alot and have learned alot. The other issue is that everything is not in one place about the game, you really have to hunt down the information. I still have alot of questions. I know all the information should not just be layed out, but there is alot of information that would be helpful if it was all just layed out in one place. For example the apartments stuff. I am still not even clear about them. I found a website on an agencies website that gave me a vague idea, but for 80,000 to start, I want all the information. Even a tour of an apartment. Not saying I am getting an apartment or anything now...but down the road, maybe??
I don't want to complain because for such a cheap price for such an entertaining game - I have nothing to complain about. All I can say is thank goodness it caps you at 12 or I never would just be surfing around sleuthville the way I do. And I have 3 active detectives - so you know I am addicted and love the game:)(if you look at my character, I didn't start the agency. They promoted yesterday).

Jojo
Jojo
Old Shoe

Jun-27-2007 21:06

Well, you don't want EVERYTHING handed on a silver platter to you, do you? Some do, but I know I wouldn't.

But for the most part, that information is out there. An apartment guide, for example, can be found at www.SleuthTips.com. And you know, it's always possible to simply ask the question on the message boards :D

~Jojo

crunchpatty
crunchpatty
Old Shoe

Jun-27-2007 23:53

I'd add to what jojo has said that the fact that there is not one single smörgåsbord (and, ***tangent warning***, the spell checker suggested that the word I really wanted there was 'orgasming'), get-rich-or-sleuth-tryin' all-you-can-eat buffet containing all the yummy calories and deep-fried info-tidbits that you might use to better your game is actually a really good thing, because it encourages people to talk to one another and figure stuff out, which ultimately helps immensely with the community aspect of things. It's also virtually impossible to lay everything out in one place, simply because a) new stuff gets introduced every time Ben gets bored of his hula hoop and b) people keep thinking of new questions, new ways to approach the game and new ideas to improve it!

I really think the 'Welcome Newbies' thread is a pretty good approximation of the one-stop depot thing. True, not *everything* is there, but it's more than enough to get rolling, and it's also a good place to wet your big toe on the big world of asking questions.

Err, excluding some of the recent, obviously airplane glue-induced 'contributions' anyways. Which brings me to something else I've wanted to say on this thread for a bit.

YES, there have been lots of times when questions from new people have been met with not-the-nicest of responses, and I'm TOTALLY one of the offenders there. But it also needs to be said that part of that climate of hostility stems from a perennial handful of particularly ridiculous people who cycle in and out of here and choose NOT to pay any attention whatsoever to any subtler, early attempts to steer them the right way, to help, to treat each and every new rendition of a question asked merely one or two posts below as 'new' and worth the time spent answering it, but rather continue abusing their keyboard privileges until someone gets fed up with it and lashes out a little.

crunchpatty
crunchpatty
Old Shoe

Jun-28-2007 00:20

(limit)

So I'm saying there's a difference between being 'new' to a game, or a place or frankly any situation, and trying to work it out, and being ignorant, unresponsive and obviously uninterested in putting any real effort into something that the people you're asking about it clearly have worked at. Which is just rude, and in my opinion, is gonna be met with similar rudeness in response every single time...and deservedly so!

That said, I think I haven't done as much as I could to distinguish the first category from the second, and I think others haven't either. Not saying I'm gonna get it right every time, but yeah....honestly I don't care if people want to talk about Nancy Drew either.

In lieu of a big flashy rant-finale *moons al-q again* just cause it seems to bug them :P

nicnic
nicnic
Battered Shoe

Jun-28-2007 23:57

Yea. Whatever crunch said. Although, quite honestly, I'm not sure I followed it (it's late), I'm sure it was deep and enlightening and almost prophet-like.

*Moons crunch back*

Note: My butt is waaayyy cuter.

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