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May-16-2008 08:40

During the last month I have the impression that the game is becoming very boring (beyond a point) as there is actually nothing interesting I could do in it. I try to find a target …something to hold my interest and I find it more and more difficult. It is relatively easy to accomplish all interesting goals in the game and beyond that point …there is nothing!
I am five and a half months in the game and I have them all. I know all the secrets of the game and all the tricks except secret#1 (which is still only a background). I have all VH equipment and shoes that I need (even more than I need) and plenty of skill points (for nothing) and millions of sleuth$ (again for nothing!). It is so easy to be a millionaire in the game but still there are no things available to buy with your millions!!!Only exception is a 4 room apartment with all goods in that is normally very easy to buy at your 4 million xp points and then the chaos.
I have to admit that I am wondering what is left to hold my interest? Is it to be a 20 milion club member? Well probably not !... because for that all that is needed is to do only mechanically the same things spending (rather killing) time for nothing actually! Is it to be a top V Hunter?... again probably not for the same reasons… as once you are aware of the way things are done all are too simple!
Only hope left is the introduction of the Sleuthetania. I can only hope that it will be a bit more difficult (and thus interesting)than VHs etc. I can only hope that the cases in the new addition will be a bit more difficult than the usual cases that require only mechanical actions without the involvement of any brain activity

May-17-2008 15:47

Graciously, you offer a prize to the person who comes up with the best, plausible idea…and I sincerely hope, VS, you get some inspiring replies. I suggest, however, that when the creator of Noir had some fantastic ideas he wanted to implement, he was compelled to invent Shades. Surely, there’s only so much scope for “reshaping” one can do within this game’s parameters. Enterprise moves on and so does the competition. Perhaps the creator saw the best way of protecting the ethos of the game was to move with the technology and the faster connection. His own motivation for Noir might have waned without the creative outlet of SoM, who knows. I had to give up my perfectly fine analogue mobile phone last year because my Father was feeling embarrassed on my behalf. The new one can tell me if my house has been burgled, the kids are at home, or the dogs have been fed. I can’t say this gadgetry is what I really wanted; hence I still clandestinely use the old one to phone my Dad. Cos’ I’m like that.

Not that I’m suggesting Noir is now doomed, though, obviously, many visitors given the choice of Noir or SoM at the home page are going to plug for the more impressive edition. As you point out, if this community is gonna stay alive it has to retain the current faithful, keeping them interested. However, I can’t say any of the people I’ve gotten to know via PM seem totally let down by the situation. They may feel that Noir is being somewhat overlooked, but their fun and joviality certainly seem to be coming from somewhere. Take the recent AVH tourney, for example. The whipping behind the bike sheds was most welcome, if a little premature. Perhaps this community’s has had its heyday, much like my favourite real ale, but the game itself will carry on for as long as petty murder motives exist (and it’s still financially viable!). Morale does not necessarily need a steady flow of upgrades to promote it. Indeed, the game survived its development stages because of its original niche.

May-17-2008 15:48

Also, I have to say, your capitalised, attention-grabbing threads publicising your own boredom with the game are hardly gonna draw in the lurkers. Though, I suspect you wanted to stimulate a debate, and with good intention. I hope potential contributors notice the smile and are not put off by your associated shroud and dark countenance! For a small scale game you could run, how about a reward for the first person to display a particular set of equipment items on their detective page?

May-17-2008 19:03

I'm not sure that'll be a good idea Trusty. Many experienced detectives with an apartment or agency members will be able to muster up any equipment fast. It'll just depend on how early they read said message and how well they communicate.

May-18-2008 09:35

A rather typical example of the mails I receive.
I post it just to show how big the problem is !
I am easing some points that will only lead to the identity of the sender ...

'I read your post yesterday.
- and I do understand what you mean...
I would have gone real crazy long time ago of all those repetitive operations if it were not for (erased).
I was boored of visiting the suspects even before I met you first time (erased) ;-)

So, the cases are not that important to me anymore...

Only if the cases can bring something...
I have been trying to think myself too what could make things a little more interesting.
- and I really agree with you when it comes to SOM...
- what he actually did was lengthening the most booring phase of solving a case... - and some people even thought that was more attractive!! ?

Solving sudoku's is somewhat similar, when you have done enough of them, you get boored too...'

May-18-2008 11:58

Hundreds of players over the years must have decided the game was not for them for those very reasons. Its human nature to try things out, weigh them up, and then move on if it’s not what you want. I’ve got golf clubs and scuba gear I’ve only used a few times….turns out underwater putting wasn’t all it cracked up to be!

VS, for all those who don’t enjoy the repetitiveness there’s those who do, or there’s those who focus mainly on team play or other things. Indeed, the high scores show that Noir has retained many enthusiasts for a variety of reasons. If you feel the main problem is with the repetitiveness (which is mutually exclusive to whether SoM exists or not) I don’t see what upgrade or idea could dramatically change what is fundamental. As you say, even AVH gets repetitive and familiar after a while and that was a big upgrade that must have taken a long time to implement. People will still leave if it’s not for them, just as they always have, perhaps just a little bit later. Lately, we just haven’t been keeping pace with the replacement rate. That could be because of SoM, but that’s freedom of choice for ya.

Of course, I respect you have your own perceptions on this, and you don’t need to prove via PMs that others share your views; I’m sure plenty have played and thought at some point “WTF, this is boring”…that’s not really surprising if one does the same past time for hours on end! Monopoly, chess anybody? Give me the same baked bean jigsaw puzzle and I’ll complete it time and time again. I guess I have a high monotony threshold!

I just think that fixating too much on the impossible expectation that Noir can continually evolve may lead to your departure from the game unless you find something more meaningful to focus on :)

May-18-2008 12:10

Yoyo - just a very rough idea to show willing! There are rarer items out there that could prove tricky though. I doubt many people keep a felt cape in their locker! Getting hold of something like that could involve some interesting tactics....the team element would certainly be important. Experienced players with apartments and active agencies are always gonna have the upper hand in every aspect of the game, as I see it. Coming up with an idea that can be fairly applied to everyone is not gonna be easy!

May-19-2008 10:32

Dear Trusty thanks again for your valuable input. Your idea is not so bad after all and i have decited to take it! So you are the winner of 100000 sleuth$. Contact me for the reward. By the way I did not posted msgs just to show that i have supporters ...simply there are many players that are afraid of the opinions of the players against my character ...players that are secret friends and will never post on a board opened by me. Nothing more ...nothing less.

Okay hehehe increasing the award....750000 sleuth $ for the player with the following equipment

Shoes...Black military shoes
Coat...Black Trench Coat
Hat... Dracula mask
Accessories...Crystal Pendant
Prince door key

May-19-2008 11:54

Wow! Good job Trusty!

And good job VS on a really hard list. Can't remember the last time I've seen some of these items, if ever. :)

May-19-2008 15:43

VS, one small problem with your list. The gate key to the Prince's Palace, is not something you can physically equip yourself with and see. It's just added on in your missions section.

May-19-2008 16:13

If need be VS you can just have someone send you a screenshot of the mission section that Jas refers to here. Good list though, will take some innovatin for someone to complete it