Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Sleuth Talk

Mar-9-2009 21:36

Last night I spoke of some ideas I wanted to discuss with everyone on how to give a little kick-start to Sleuth. I would like to share these now and hear feedback. These things are not required of the Admin, but things we can do as a community to try to get things flowing again.

NOTE: Please do not bring up the development team. That ship has come and gone. This post is aimed purely at community-oriented initiatives, not changing the game itself.

Also, I would like to note that many players have been doing some really good things around here. The contests for free subs, ctown's radio show, AVH matches. I do not mean to discredit any of this. It's all wonderful. I just think we can do a little more :-)

#1 Advertising - Let's get out there and spread the word. This is a great little gem that we have found and there are probably others that would love it as much as we do. Do you belong to another internet site? A Group for Nail-Biters with Herpes? Post on the message board about Sleuth! (well maybe not that, but you get my meaning) Let others know outside of Sleuth what a great place this is. I would especially target (for Noir) adults who enjoy logic-type puzzles. That is what kept me addicted to this game for so long.

Mar-10-2009 23:03

oops, I accidently posted my thoughts on this matter on the other thread - agencies to blame.

Mar-10-2009 23:10

ugh I've said to a few that I won't say this publicly but somehow I still am.

I'll start by saying I have never really asked for anything on Noir (with the exception of a new high score category). I'll also say I've never been bored with the game and have always found something to do. I have taken time away from sleuth, not particularly long periods but there have been times when I've not played, more due to real life reasons than anything else.

I'm not going to ask for new content or any special favours but there are a few things that are on my mind.

There are so many players out there who are doing things for the game right now. Right now the paying subscribers are doing more it seems than Ben. I am not criticising ben, I understand completely that he has a hugely busy life right now. I am merely stating a fact.

It's unfair for the people who are working so hard to keep this game alive not to know whether they are doing it all in vain.

I really don't care about new content but I personally would like to know Ben. Do you have any interest left in the game? Do you just intend to leave it to gradually sink? Do you have any future plans for Noir?

Well I could go on with questions but what's the point? I'm seeing more and more loyal players lose faith and for me that's sad to see.

I do agree Nic with your ideas completely. I'm just not sure it's worth it if the games is just going to wind down to nothing.

Like Squirrel I do believe it's about time we knew were we all stood.

For the record I know I sound a bag of misery right now, but I am the last person who would want this game to disappear. It is a fantastic community and I do believe it can be as lively as it ever was. I don't however think it will be unless Ben shows some of his old enthusiasm for the game.

Mar-10-2009 23:11

Don't worry, Be Happy! ;-)

I know, its a bad joke I just couldn't resist!

Mar-11-2009 02:44

Please allow me to play Devils Advocate here for a minute, SS you stated "I have to say as a factual observation, that Ben allows only the most minor input from subscribers into the game, and keeps a very tight rein on what little 'power' he does let leek out"

You call this a factual observation and at the end of the paragraph you reiterate that its's "A statement of fact" On what facts is this based on? We have seen no statement from him that it is all he allows, what is fact is that if you look at the info page, 90+% of the mods are inactive and/or unsubbed. This refutes that he keeps a very tight rein. Dont get me wrong here, I think its good nobody else has gotten mod status as you do a great job handling it and too many cooks spoil the pot. I applaud you for the work you do.

Ms, Helen you had state that there are alot of us doing thing and Ben ahs a somewhat crazy life tight now, again it the word fact was used. Even if the the fact was Ben's life, and do you think he would freeze our subs for moving, kid being born, death in the family, that does nothing for me as a customer of his.

Look at it another way, if you go to a restaurant and you get bad service from your waiter/waitress, do you care about what they have going on in their personal life? I would bet you don't.

Mar-11-2009 03:54

I really don't want to say anything but reading SS post, I feel like saying a thing or two. I am not really good expressing myself in English, so I will just say this, I completely agree with Secret Squirrel. :)

When I was fairly new to this game, one of the comments I heard about the players is that they like this game especially because they can communicate with Admin. If they have questions, bug problems, they get quick response from Ben. Now Ben is not around anymore and I know some people left this game because they want some sort of commitment from him.

Not too long ago, Ctown made an Editorial post and the admin did make a reply. There he mentioned of his plans for this game. But I don't see those plans happening.

So for now, I would like to know Ben's response to Secret Squirrel's question.

Mar-11-2009 07:03

I also completely agree with Squirrel, I've wanted to ask these same questions for a long time. I think it would be nice if Ben made some kind of public statement regarding his intentions about the future of Noir. He could at least say if his loss of interest in the game is temporary or permanent.

I do care about new content, bacuse that's the only thing that can revive and keep the interest of older players. As I said once before, I don't think there's much we can do to keep the game alive without the cooperation of its creator and owner.

Mar-11-2009 08:33

Ctown it's fine that that's how you fee,l I just happen to feel differently about things.

And Aknas you expressed yourself very well :)

Mar-11-2009 09:51

I don't have much to add on this, since everything has been said wonderfully by all....so I will just say that I agree with ctown. No matter what is going on in Ben's life, and I say this with the highest of respect, we, as paying customers, deserve his attention here, and questions answered, as to what his plans are for Sleuth, regardless of what is going on in his personal life. Again, I say this with respect. :)

I would REALLY hate to see Sleuth disappear, I TRULY love this game. I don't know what I would do with my days if that happened..I would have to actually do something around the house then, no more excuses *sigh* :)~

Mar-11-2009 11:32

Ms Helen,

I fully respect your feelings, that is what one of my earlier points was about. The internet is a big place and people in this community come from all walks of life. We are not going to agree on everything, but I do think we owe it to each other to treat one another with respect and courtesy. Which I think we have done for the most part. I'm not saying you're right or wrong. Or anyone else for that matter. Just using this as an open forum to discuss things

Mar-11-2009 13:41

Well, what am I going to say?
I once loved this game very much, and was highly addicted.
I wanted to do something for the game that I actually CAN do.
I was asking myself what can I do for the game? - and since I am not good with marketing, the answer was not advertising... It was related to what I am good at.
I was dreaming about being allowed to contribute to the game, making it more fun and interesting for everyone in the game. My pleasure would be the encouragement of the community. I yearned for the task. I did not want a place in the light, the shadows would be perfect for me, as I am more of a servant at heart. I truly wanted the light to fall where it rightfully belong.
But, you have decided for me that the horse is dead...
I have been frustrated some times, and put words on the message board, and you have told me that you don't want fights on the message board. - so I don't tell you much about my frustration anymore.
I have also both previously and lately tried to inspire people to be here or contribute in some way or another by offering free subs... - but my private conclusion are that free subs are not something that really generates interest. So far I have offered more free subs than I have been able to actually give away, and I guess the same will be true also with my last attempt.
The reason why I do things more correctly and the way you have instructed me are not of the reason you might want to belive, that you have actually changed my attitude or behaviour. The reason is more connected to what you probally don't want to hear - so I won't tell.
Just give you a hint by stating that the oposite of LOVE is not HATE but being careless or indifferent.