Dying (or DEAD) Disney has let us down!

[Dr. Zeppers]

The point of the thread, was IMO to extend concern over the slow progress causing volume of members to quit. Not a rant, but a concern based on current observations of ingame activity, guild member attendance, and forum commentary.

Disney has a tendency to look at only the good, and ignore the bad as if it doesnt exist. Sometimes folks need to be bolder in bringing the "bad" to thier attention to have any consideration towards resolving it. Hiding ones head in the proverbial sand and telling everyone they just arent patient enough is playing right into Disney's hand.

I find that most who have the more positive opinions, are those that are much newer to the game, not those that played and mastered thier pirates in months, and then waited for more content, being given a stray weapon or clothing quest occasionally, to keep them busy a short period.

I understand the perspective of 'take a break', etc. But honestly most dedicated gamers once they find another game that fills thier time, will leave POTCO behind and never look back. I have been an online gamer for nearly 20 years (yes even before the internet, playing bbs games), and seldom do groups return to games once they've moved on. We've seen this already with many pirates. Concern for this type of turn around I believe prompted Basil's original post. I do think that some turned it into a rant, expressing thier ideas (belong in suggestions thread) of improving the game. It wasnt as much about what needed to be added to the game as much as making some progress to actually keep people interested/satisfied.

No need to complain about what we've already been given. The noticed lack of attention towards POTCO simply has some people concerned about its near future.

Equating this to a problem only with those that play 24/7 makes it easy for those that are not unhappy to 'justify' thier opinions, however the accuracy in this thought is well, way off course. I have played this game for 10 months, and not 24/7. I am a casual gamer, playing a few hours an evening, sometimes more or less on weekends. I have only 2 fully mastered pirates, and I agree 100% with the OP. POTCO staying on the current schedule may end up being a great game with loads of content in a year or so, however thier popularity is not likely going to be based on current players at this point, but the future players that join up for its next bout of public relations/launching after they do add more content.

[Basil Dreadflint]

Originally Posted by OFxZeppers

The point of the thread, was IMO to extend concern over the slow progress causing volume of members to quit. Not a rant, but a concern based on current observations of ingame activity, guild member attendance, and forum commentary.

Exactly!

Disney has a tendency to look at only the good, and ignore the bad as if it doesnt exist. Sometimes folks need to be bolder in bringing the "bad" to thier attention to have any consideration towards resolving it. Hiding ones head in the proverbial sand and telling everyone they just arent patient enough is playing right into Disney's hand.

The first story chapter was released over a year ago. The implication was that there would be more to follow. Since Disney, up until very recently, wouldn't allow ANY negative posts on the Grog Blog, and since there is no other avenue to address it, this was the ideal place for a thread such as this one.

I find that most who have the more positive opinions, are those that are much newer to the game, not those that played and mastered thier pirates in months, and then waited for more content, being given a stray weapon or clothing quest occasionally, to keep them busy a short period.

It's not about positive or negative, it's about what they are releasing, and the fact that everything is geared toward the new or junior player. There has been nothing released this year, other than reassigning skill levels, that has given a high level player anything. I liken it to my favorite(HA!) Cable supplier. Everyday I see ads for them, Great deals, fantastic packages, huge discounts, but only for new subscribers. What about those customers that have had cable service to their homes for over 25 years? Do they ever get a deal? Not only no, but ---- no.
They are the ones who are subsidizing all the great deals that the cable company is offering the new customers. This marketing ploy is only good for as long as the existing customer base will put up with it. Here, on POTCO, there is a different situation. Using this type of marketing won't work. Because, here in gamerland, There are too many other options available. Unlike the cable company, where you either take what they have to offer, or don't take anything, gamers have WAAAAY too many other options.

I understand the perspective of 'take a break', etc. But honestly most dedicated gamers once they find another game that fills thier time, will leave POTCO behind and never look back. I have been an online gamer for nearly 20 years (yes even before the internet, playing bbs games), and seldom do groups return to games once they've moved on. We've seen this already with many pirates. Concern for this type of turn around I believe prompted Basil's original post. I do think that some turned it into a rant, expressing thier ideas (belong in suggestions thread) of improving the game. It wasnt as much about what needed to be added to the game as much as making some progress to actually keep people interested/satisfied.

Absolutely perfect description of my thoughts.

No need to complain about what we've already been given. The noticed lack of attention towards POTCO simply has some people concerned about its near future.

Equating this to a problem only with those that play 24/7 makes it easy for those that are not unhappy to 'justify' thier opinions, however the accuracy in this thought is well, way off course. I have played this game for 10 months, and not 24/7. I am a casual gamer, playing a few hours an evening, sometimes more or less on weekends. I have only 2 fully mastered pirates, and I agree 100% with the OP. POTCO staying on the current schedule may end up being a great game with loads of content in a year or so, however thier popularity is not likely going to be based on current players at this point, but the future players that join up for its next bout of public relations/launching after they do add more content.

Just for clarification, since the 24/7 comment was initially aimed at me. I am NOT a 24/7 player. I fall into the same category as Zep. Been playing since March, Have 2 mastered pirates, working on the 3rd. Play about 1 1/2 to 2 hours an evening, when time allows. Some on weekends. There have been entire weeks when I don't earn a single rep point, due to aiding others, or more recently, because I am researching "other" things to do ingame with the guild. I spent the entire month of September preparing the DW Scavenger Hunt, and didn't earn more than a few hundred rep the entire month. I truely feel that it is these other activities that have kept our guild as active as it has been. It definitely hasn't been due to new level 5 weapons quests that none of the mastered pirates needed or earned any rep getting, especially the 'dust buster' pistol.


Thank-you, ZEP!!! It's amazing how much you said here!

[Dr. Zeppers]

Originally Posted by Basil Dreadflint

Thank-you, ZEP!!! It's amazing how much you said here!

Having recently been approached by a pirate that appeared to be 'in the know' albeit very little of 'in the know'. I had some perspective on this subject. It had been put to me that I have been reflecting things in a negative light, where I should be thankful and positive. The individual told me that I should be a leader to all these brave pirates having fun in the game, and in doing so suggested I should be only positive, oblivious to the problems the game was having. He also suggested that if I felt this way I should "take a break" for awhile.

I find it no small coincidence that once I offered viable common sense reasons that his form of "leadership" was no leadership at all, and bad decisions by Disney, that this individual simply stopped talking to me, appears to be blocking out the bad, as it doesnt suit his purpose.

A leader does not blindly walk along and ignore the problems in his community as if they do not exist, a leader addresses these issues, and does whats within his power to help resolve them. Here I am, as many of you are, leaders in our community trying to break the ice, and get things moving in a positive direction. We are not ranting, we are expressing concern, as we as leaders see the community suffering from the current circumstances.

(If not considered a leader.. fine.. its not a title im looking for, but often find myself in that position when it comes to being vocal about some of these issues.)

I am very happy that some are quite happy with the game, and it is not my intention to discourage them. There is alot more content that has been added, and it does make the game much better overall. However as Basil pointed out, these changes accomodate the newer pirates just starting out, or still working towards mastery. There has been nothing to help the "dedicated/loyal" pirates that have funded thier development over the many months the game has been available to public.