Re: The New Ooc Room Rule

[*edmaster44]

It's more of a suggestion, not really a rule from what I can see. It's not even listed in the server rules. Majority of bad opinions have been made by painting fear scenarios, which haven't really come to pass. Now you could make an argument about player numbers attracting player numbers portion, and I do think there's part of that. And likely partly Tides of Numenera release and other minor things that chew on the numbers here there.

The more likely reason for low population is simply exhaustion. We have had high numbers for a long time and people have been pushing themselves to log in even if their characters may not really have anything to do, so they've logged in and hung around OOC room, and then we get to this topic. The "ruling" I think has been trying to solve the wrong problem, problem which I believe to be inspiration, or lack of it rather. The reason people linger around OOC room isn't because they really wanted to log in to hang around OOC room, it's a place where people linger pending whether or not the stars are aligned for assured roleplay fun. And if they aren't, well why try to force getting into RP that won't prove fruitful.

Naturally the issue of that is that there's no easy solution to it, no easy person to point fingers at to fix it. I could make some kind of motivational speech, but I've in the past noticed that the results tend to really be quite varied, but seldom super effective. If it's exhaustion driven and lack of inspiration to really put character(s) into a position that'd require effort to maintain, then the most efficient way to get through that is to actually try to get inspiration elsewhere. Movies, books, other games, series... finding ways for character growth/personal plots since stagnation of characters is the surefire way to have little to do. I have made a topic about it in the past: HERE

I've been a bit Exhausted when logging in as the Character, which is one of the factors that went in my Hiatus, i want to recharge myself so i can go in ready to Do stuff.

[*TheorumOfNeutrality]

For the record, I've noted a perfectly normal number of players on each time I've logged in (and I log on at pretty divergent and random hours) - including a very successful and large event.

[*rapsam2003]

And likely partly Tides of Numenera release and other minor things that chew on the numbers here there.

And this is what I've been playing the last few days.

[*Lucadia]

Found low numbers. Also I been logging off now when I run out rp instead bouncing about to the ooc room to banter. When you know..the ooc room was neutral ground, players treat you different when they can see a avatar . Much less personal then the advertised discord room.

[*Nimiane]

For the record, I've noted a perfectly normal number of players on each time I've logged in (and I log on at pretty divergent and random hours) - including a very successful and large event.

I'm with Theorum, I haven't noticed a difference. In fact, I've commented on the population of 2-3 online prior to the announcement ever being made. I think people like to connect invisible dots and shift blame needlessly. That said, Slimy Doom's Cormyr event had a wonderful turnout which kind of makes Mr O's post ring true.

[*FiveWhats]

I dunno, man. It seems pretty normal to me.

Basically, if you guys are hopping off when you're done roleplaying/grinding for loot and items (who doesn't already do this?) rather than congregating in the OOC room it makes perfect sense that the numbers would be lower. Because you're not online? That doesn't mean the server is dying.

[*Summer Wind]

I recognize that this discussion has opened the can on many-an-opinion, and I acknowledge those opinions, but my original concern was the spirit of the new rule. Unfortunately it's impossible to determine what causes server population swells and wanes, but I for one don't believe that it has anything to do with the new rule. Two high profile games just released (TLoZ: Breath of the Wild, Torment: Tides of Numenera,) and it's spring break. What I wanted to call to discussion was the staff's motives for the new rule, since the listed reasons are flimsy at best, and the rule directly contradicts the spirit of the staff's former hands-off approach.

Things got messy in this thread, but even so the staff has done the big thing in admitting their mistake and new and more appropriate solutions are now being discussed. Nothing could make me happier. This was a mission to deliberate and reflect, not to cast blame at anyone.

So, thank you to the staff for receiving with grace the ample criticism expressed by myself and others.

[*edmaster44]

Oh and it's also Spring Break, i'm going to Puerto Rico, Adios Amigos, Yo Beberé ron..

Oh and it's really nice outside guys...
So why are you on a Computer?! Get out!

[*Sinlinara]

My understanding is that this rule is also very hands off. At least, I have yet to see a DM staking out the OOC room or anything like that.

[*rapsam2003]

@WhenWizardsWar:
Beautiful...