Since we're on the topic, I'm back too. I've noticed that Alice, though working, is entirely empty. Are the servers just abandoned until the next map comes online, or is the community regrouping until release?
This, basically. I would play but what for? If we get a new modpack and map soon-ish then everything I have done will be for nothing, and there's nobody online to play with or show my stuff off to, so I might as well play SSP. Or Terraria. Only the first 1-2 months after a new map Alice is populated well, after that it dwindles down to 2-3 people online at the same time for some weeks, and after a certain point in time nobody plays anymore. Maybe we should make a map reset every 3-4 months, so people can replay with different mods. Basically no effort and people might come back more.
Well, even though I'm the only one on the server when I play right now, I'm doing it for a couple reasons. One is to get back into the swing of things, and refamiliarise myself with the machines and other things on the server and in my base, in preparation for the new map, so I'm not too rusty. Another reason is to test out certain things, like automated setups and the like, while my resources are high, and I have the luxury to experiment a bit without having to worry that I'm wasting stuff. I realize I could just do that in creative, but forcing it to stay survival helps to give me a more realistic setting. I'm not really sure if resetting the map every 3-4 months is a good idea, as it takes a while to build up a good sized base, with all the basic technologies and setups. I mean, just going through thaumcraft is a chore, let alone the other stuff. You'd end up in a situation where you're resetting the map just as you got things the way you like it. I think the main problem with player retention is interest. This is just my own opinion, so take it for what it's worth, but for the most part, everyone's doing their own thing on the server, with not much interaction outside of chat. Having events or projects that can bring the players together as a true community would probably prolong player retention. As this map's OB debacle proved, a common project can bring people together, but it has to be done right, otherwise it decays into apathy and drama. I'm not necessarily saying we do another OB next map, but some kind of group project or activity that people can work on in their spare time would probably be a big help. And let's also be honest, we've pretty much always had the same group of people that have been here since the beginning, more or less. What comes and goes are the people who were never going to stay long term, and those people that are on the server less than a week, find a way to grief the map, then get booted. Dozens of players online at the same time isn't necessarily good if most of them aren't worthwhile players. I'd rather have 2-3 friend-type players than 20-30 noobs who are asking for things 24/7.
Resetting isn't an option. The new modpack should last longer as well. We actually have not approved any new member applications since the beginning of this year.
Are there any new or exciting mods that are going to be incorporated in the new map? I just hope mekanism is still in there, as it makes teching up the basic lines much easier and less complicated than other mods. I just wish that we could have AE as opposed to AE2, as personally it's much more unnecessarily complicated for the same basic functionality. I wonder if there are any really good mods that have come out recently that really blow minds, as the same old tech progressions, leading to ancillary hobby techs gets stale after a while.
Without revealing too much to spoil it, we're attempting to make the pack last longer without making it drag on. And a certain optional path that contains a certain mod...
it's meant to be a play on "silent ghost" came up with it years ago but I was only just able to change my MC name
