Came back to GS and it's horrible now -- where is everyone?!

[egreenleaf]

I came back to GS after quitting about 5 years ago. I understand that games have changed significantly and the appeal of a text-based game is less and less, but good god, WHAT HAPPENED TO EVERYONE!?

At any given time, the game has about 200 people playing. I remember when it was 1200.

I decided to come back to the game to help fill some spare time I have and have some fun, but what's the point when it has lost its main appeal: INTERACTING WITH OTHER PEOPLE!

There's only so much hunt / rest / hunt I can do before getting bored. The Landing, which used to be a bustling place, is so quiet now.

Any advice? Where do people actually SPEAK to each other? Heck, even the amulet is silent.

Why did everyone leave? Was it the changes implemented?

[Mogonis]

Aye, it's a sad world these days. The population has been declining since 2004/2005. Remember Growing Pains?

[Drew]

Are you playing at 4AM? That's about the only time the game has under 200 people. In primetime it has about 450. Things are a bit quieter in most of the towns because so many people are visiting the merchant caravan in Solhaven. I have no problem finding interaction, but you do have to make a little effort at first, then it sort of falls in your lap.

[Drew]

Aye, it's a sad world these days. The population has been declining since 1997. Remember when the game became pay?

Fixed that for you.

[Mogonis]

Also, if you want spells, you'll have to make a few more accounts. No more Small Park mob.

[StrayRogue]

I remember when people would complain that they wished the game was "How it used to be" in regards to the overpopulation. I much prefer a close-knit community.

[Ryvicke]

Also, if you want spells, you'll have to make a few more friends. No more Small Park mob.

I fixed this one for you. Anyone that can't find interaction or spells in gemstone is a social cripple with absolutely no hope.

[Salueha]

I remember when people would complain that they wished the game was "How it used to be" in regards to the overpopulation. I much prefer a close-knit community.

I couldn't agree more. I just came back after a year or two, and I have no complaints about the lower population. Depending on the time of day I play, I usually see 350-450 people online. At offpeak hours, it drops down to around 180-200. I'm not complaing though. I also prefer a close-knit community, and I've been having a blast since I returned.

[Wyrmx]

Yea, its definitely different. I'm back after many years. Teras is so quiet...The landing is still the busiest but the Amunet is still dead in comparison. Will breakage scare a bunch more out? We'll see but it will obviously never be the same.

[Inspire]

Are you playing at 4AM? That's about the only time the game has under 200 people. In primetime it has about 450. Things are a bit quieter in most of the towns because so many people are visiting the merchant caravan in Solhaven. I have no problem finding interaction, but you do have to make a little effort at first, then it sort of falls in your lap.

I quoted this so he hopefully reads it twice.

[Mogonis]

Don't die on Teras. Ever.

[DCSL]

I just came back too. And yeah, it's crazy boring in comparison to how I remember it. For me, a lot of it centers around the fact that I'm not back with my old characters that lots of people knew. Although, even if I were, most of those same people are gone or are busy GMs. So I don't get the same kind of storyline RP I was used to in the past.

However, I've gotten some interaction up to and including coherent characters (!!) randomly approaching my character in the small park, and I wasn't even doing anything special, like throwing out ACTs in an RP-whore mating call. So I guess it's not completely dead.

[Salueha]

^^ This! I'm not back on any of my original characters either , and it was a little boring at first until I made a new circle of friends and such. I've been back for a couple weeks now and have people I interact with on a daily basis.

Even though the population has dwindled, I've also had people just randomly come up to me and jump into some pretty nice roleplay. I think that's awesome! I started playing GS again after I cancelled my WoW subscription. That game became way too boring for my taste without a roleplaying element in it. And, that was on a RP server.

[StrayRogue]

I just came back too. And yeah, it's crazy boring in comparison to how I remember it. For me, a lot of it centers around the fact that I'm not back with my old characters that lots of people knew. Although, even if I were, most of those same people are gone or are busy GMs. So I don't get the same kind of storyline RP I was used to in the past.

However, I've gotten some interaction up to and including coherent characters (!!) randomly approaching my character in the small park, and I wasn't even doing anything special, like throwing out ACTs in an RP-whore mating call. So I guess it's not completely dead.

So when is Strata coming back for me to flirt with?

[DCSL]

So when is Strata coming back for me to flirt with?

I thought I saw Stay sign on! When Andraste leaves/is fired, or I break. The latter is getting closer and closer, as I become more and more bored with characters who aren't Strata, Kuaike, or Devochka.

[MotleyCrew]

Just sit back in one of the busier places and jump into a conversation, or strike one up. I don't recommend trying to engage people on the amunet (in the Landing at least), you'll just get idiots like Karmiqua all happyhappy joyjoy on you.

[Mogonis]

Or you'll get me.

[nub]

The amulet being dead is 100% due to player's shop, it killed amunet interaction. That is actually one of the main reasons I quit, whenever I was sitting resting, and none of my friends were on, I liked to interact, or watch the amulet. But since those fucking player shops came about, it died.

[Mogonis]

I don't even understand the amunet. When I make a thought, it's always on the Merchant channel, but I get General thoughts anyway. Seems to be no actual distinction. Seems to be pointless to have different channels when neither is ever filtered.

[mgoddess]

I don't even understand the amunet. When I make a thought, it's always on the Merchant channel, but I get General thoughts anyway. Seems to be no actual distinction. Seems to be pointless to have different channels when neither is ever filtered.
The "updated" the ESP system a while back... I believe the ESP command has more details on how to use it nowdays.

[Mogonis]

Oh. Right. That.

[pabstblueribbon]

http://forum.gsplayers.com/showpost.php?p=1073490&postcount=50

http://forum.gsplayers.com/showpost.php?p=1073596&postcount=52

[egreenleaf]

Why did the player shops kill the amunet?! They suck! I liked seeing what people had for sale passively.. not having to travel to shops and look at 500 tables to find something I like.

[Mogonis]

Because all selling was on the amunet. Once the shops were opened, the amunet died. Which I don't understand because the shops are horribly implemented, and I'm far too lazy to head to the east side and go into each god-damn shop to see what was for sale.

[Drew]

Because all selling was on the amunet. Once the shops were opened, the amunet died. Which I don't understand because the shops are horribly implemented, and I'm far too lazy to head to the east side and go into each god-damn shop to see what was for sale.

So you've never heard of any of the three playershops websites?

[egreenleaf]

no, i agree 100% with you. the shops are really annoying. it requires too much effort to see what's for sale.. and too much sorting through crap. i just like knowing what's being auctioned at any given time if i'm resting or something.. i really enjoyed listening to the amunet selling :(

[egreenleaf]

WHY DO THEY FIX THINGS THAT AIN'T BROKE AAAAHHHHHH

they should leave things that ENCOURAGE player interaction, not damage it.

[Mogonis]

So you've never heard of any of the three playershops websites?
Of course, but it doesn't defend the playershops. Still a lot of work, for both the people combing the data and the people wanting to buy stuff.

[Mogonis]

The concept of a huge block of straight streets with a bunch of shops on them is silly. Shops are scattered. It's like an oasis of shopping.

[Drew]

no, i agree 100% with you. the shops are really annoying. it requires too much effort to see what's for sale.. and too much sorting through crap. i just like knowing what's being auctioned at any given time if i'm resting or something.. i really enjoyed listening to the amunet selling :(




http://pshops.lichproject.org/


http://www.virilneus.com/shops/


They made shopping better not worse. The amunet was full of scammers and con artists, and the people still selling on it are mostly that. They liked it because it was harder to get called on the bullshit they did.

[Drew]

Of course, but it doesn't defend the playershops. Still a lot of work, for both the people combing the data and the people wanting to buy stuff.

I wanted to buy a 4x maul the other day, you're telling me it was easier finding a variety of 4x mauls in different metals and designs on the amunet than the 5 minutes it took me to look at all of them on playershops?

[Mogonis]

Not quite. But with people shoving goods into the shops, they stop advertising, or they don't advertise everything. And some people won't bother with the shops. If it weren't for third-party websites, nothing would be sold without the amunet.

[Latrinsorm]

There can be no reasonable doubt that it's much easier to find exactly what you want with the websites & playershops system. I think Xygon's disappearance demonstrated pretty clearly that the question of what the playershops would be like without a website is moot - the GemStone community inevitably creates website(s) for it.

To the original poster, you may find people more willing to interact with you IF YOU STOP TYPING LIKE THIS!! Please refer further questions to the Raging Thrak.

[egreenleaf]

There can be no reasonable doubt that it's much easier to find exactly what you want with the websites & playershops system. I think Xygon's disappearance demonstrated pretty clearly that the question of what the playershops would be like without a website is moot - the GemStone community inevitably creates website(s) for it.

To the original poster, you may find people more willing to interact with you IF YOU STOP TYPING LIKE THIS!! Please refer further questions to the Raging Thrak.

really? you're going to resort to making fun of my typing skills for laughs? lol. is this AOL in 1994? ZOMG SORRY I FORGOT ABOUT INTERNETS ETIQUETTE!! LULZZ

[Drew]

really? you're going to resort to making fun of my typing skills for laughs? lol. is this AOL in 1994? ZOMG SORRY I FORGOT ABOUT INTERNETS ETIQUETTE!! LULZZ

I have a pretty good feeling for why you are having trouble finding interaction.

[DCSL]

Yeeeeaaah. Possibly his character needs to put on some pants.

[audioserf]

My character doesn't wear pants (1 line descriptions for life) and has no problem finding people to talk to.

Maybe that's why he doesn't have trouble finding people to talk to... heh

[crb]

My character doesn't wear pants (1 line descriptions for life) and has no problem finding people to talk to.

Maybe that's why he doesn't have trouble finding people to talk to... heh

Wait until you develope an enhancive addiction. No more short description for you.

[audioserf]

The whole recharging thing seems like a pain in the balls, I haven't messed with that system much. I'm oldschool.

[GSKynthelig]

Wait until you develope an enhancive addiction. No more short description for you.

Not true for everyone. Some people still try to look good ;)

[FNLN]

I just make current items I have enhancive.

(Also Dex, bring Strata back~)

[Ryvicke]

Not true for everyone. Some people still try to look good ;)

Hell yes. Kynth teaches well--all that junk comes off on the run back. By the time I hit the Commons the proper style is in place.