I want blood.... New Blood

[Denizen]

I think the server needs to get some more folks. Not sure how to encourage that. But it is true.

Used to be many more folks on...maybe it's the new wave of game players who don't understand desktops... At any rate. Wondering if there is some way of incentivizing folks to bring more people in? Clearly there would need to be some way as people not just making dummy accounts.

Thinking you get points for bringing in a new person who makes it to 70.
You get points for them joining a guild.
You get points for new person buying donor items.

Points could be used for distillers?
Lots of points might buy or discount donor items?

Surely there are more idea generators out there... we need to add to the server!

[xadien]

I like it, I would like to see old blood work together more Perhaps a few kills in VT Tier 1 that are just too much of a royal pain in the ass to mess with?

[saint-bernard]

Maybe a marketing campaign like posting on Craigslist. There are tens of thousands of ex-EQ players out there that probably do not know much about EMUs or that THF exists.

Second, more groupable content for non-same guild players. I've been off and on playing between P99 and THF as it is fun to socialize on P99, however as a player who works it is hard to wait around for the right class to be available in P99 to tackle a mob, were THF provides the ability to self-make a group. I had a friend come from P99 only to quit THF shortly after hitting 70 as he couldn't group with people for the lower raid tier loots.

Anyways my 2-cents.

[Sian]

Old Blood could Come back too but new content (epic, High end zones) are needed for it To happen.

[Lillu]

Server population has lots of factors. There are more legend, preferred and even normal servers out there now. New games coming out almost weekly and the actual/potential player base is spreading out more and more. There's like 1 or 2 eqemu servers out there who can still maintain high population (P99 and easy server). THF is very different to both of these servers.
After 8 years of uptime I'd like to believe that only the circumstances are different now why the population is lower and it might change too without any major intervention to content, rules or whatever. Regardless, we are here, we'll stay here and we'll keep rocking even if the population goes down the toilet for a while.

[Denizen]

good to hear Lillu...

At the least I hope everyone tries to add friends as much as is possible!

[Enrikk]

I agree that it would be nice to see new people in the game. I have brought my son-in-law in, but he'll be casual at best, and really prefers to be able to rock it all alone as his play times are sporadic.

I believe a lot could be done with instanced T1-T6 raids that are groupable by all. Maybe the new toon needs to quest a key, so they have to do the legwork, and then they can broadcast for help. I have to believe many would help.

Or, if not broadcast in game, post in the forum for a schedule.

Also, maybe if those that are really committed agreed to be in-game mentors,, or guides, like EQ had, they could earn something for the service, while building loyalty in the server. As mentioned, for my son in law, when he hits 70, I plan to group him with my third or fourth tier toons, so he can enjoy the content more fully, rather than rush him to the tier I'm at. It's slower for him, and for me, but I believe it builds a more stable player base.

Just my thoughts..

[Denizen]

Like the idea of in game mentors/guides. Not saying I wanna be one, but think that would make the entry level folks feel more welcome!

[Enrikk]

First, I'm on vacation, so while I'm sitting by the pool, imbibing freely and relaxing, I can actually think.

To Lillu or Vaion; is there a way to create a character that cannot level? One that could be used at various points in the game to help others out? That way a guide or mentor could log them in to assist others without rapidly progressing them, as in PL. I know it's what people may want, but, it's also a disservice to all of the amazing content that has been created over the years.

New people tend to get PL'd right to the top, again, failing to create any love for the server.

As an extension, could a guild be created for these guides, possibly named "Swords for Hire", with the express intention of only guiding people? Maybe taking them through some, but suggesting always that they find a different guild at some point?

With a guild like this, new people could get into guild-instanced zones, that the guides could help them with, but with characters that are helpful only. Of course, the content might be too difficult for them, so that might be an obstacle.

Just thinking outside the box.

[Lillu]

New people tend to get PL'd right to the top, again, failing to create any love for the server.

I agree that PL is not the way to "help out" new players. I know the real party starts at level 70 but the journey to 70 is still very fun and memorable. Have you guys done the progression quest line in Unrest?! I personally love it!

I think the best thing veteran players can do is helping out new players with information on the content (WTB wiki contributors), offer them a spot in their guild (even if it's temporary) and help them get familiar with the content and everything THF has to offer. We always recognize those who do this for the long term (artifacts!).

But of course we are open to suggestions where we can improve and how we could make the server even better so keep it going.