Sigurd
12-02-2009, 15:21
About a fortnight ago I PMed all the hosts listed on the hosting list queue.
It said:
Greetings Mafia hosts,
I am sending this information as a heads up. Even though your game might be seemingly far down on the list, your turn could potentially be just around the corner. A lot of hosts have claimed a slot on the list quite a while ago, and when their turn comes, they forfeit.
It would be in the interest of the gameroom and its players that you do as much preparation as possible before your turn suddenly appears.
Ideally your game is already planned out; intro already written and role descriptions already created.
If not, we advise that you take some time now and prepare your amazing game.
And when your time finally arrives - everything is ready.
Thanks,
Sigurd
I feel the need to repeat this message and maybe make it public.
All you who want to host a game of some size and complexity; we strongly advise you to prepare your game in advance.
Finding yourself fourth or fifth on the queue list could mean your game is due right around the corner. We have experienced that if one forfeits his/her game, the next would also forfeit because the game is not prepared - they thought they had at least another month. Even more so the third and the forth - who thought they had even longer time to prepare.
If you prepare your game now, it will be ready when the time comes for it to be placed in an available slot.
I am 8th in the queue and have probably done 70% of the work on my game.
Another aspect of preparing is to advertise your game.
If you prepare early enough, you could do subtle advertisement in your broadband signature (currently limited to 500 x 200 px - but not heavily moderated - don't overdo it though)
[You do have the "Broadband user see larger signatures" checked in your profile - right?]
You could of course use your regular signature - but then the .org rules apply (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_faq_sigpic).
As some of you can possibly see, I am starting to promote my game. It could be a bit early, but it is mostly to illustrate as an example what you could do.
Big games in the gaming industry - always start advertising early - to create a hunger among their potential customers. They see flashy pictures and a craving is created.
The wait has to be timed perfectly, and the game needs to be delivered as promised.
If you do not have broadband enabled in your profile, this is the images I will be putting in my signature up until the game starts:
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_1.jpg
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_2.jpg
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_3.jpg
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_4.jpg
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_5.jpg
I got the idea from boudica who made similar banners to her magician game. An excellent idea.
Any host with the ability to make such banners should make them available a while before the game reaches the top of the list to attract players.
Gameroomers can help promote your game by taking one of the banners and place it in their signature showing they support you and want to play your game.
We, the moderators, (well, at least I) are willing to put your advertisement in our signatures.
It said:
Greetings Mafia hosts,
I am sending this information as a heads up. Even though your game might be seemingly far down on the list, your turn could potentially be just around the corner. A lot of hosts have claimed a slot on the list quite a while ago, and when their turn comes, they forfeit.
It would be in the interest of the gameroom and its players that you do as much preparation as possible before your turn suddenly appears.
Ideally your game is already planned out; intro already written and role descriptions already created.
If not, we advise that you take some time now and prepare your amazing game.
And when your time finally arrives - everything is ready.
Thanks,
Sigurd
I feel the need to repeat this message and maybe make it public.
All you who want to host a game of some size and complexity; we strongly advise you to prepare your game in advance.
Finding yourself fourth or fifth on the queue list could mean your game is due right around the corner. We have experienced that if one forfeits his/her game, the next would also forfeit because the game is not prepared - they thought they had at least another month. Even more so the third and the forth - who thought they had even longer time to prepare.
If you prepare your game now, it will be ready when the time comes for it to be placed in an available slot.
I am 8th in the queue and have probably done 70% of the work on my game.
Another aspect of preparing is to advertise your game.
If you prepare early enough, you could do subtle advertisement in your broadband signature (currently limited to 500 x 200 px - but not heavily moderated - don't overdo it though)
[You do have the "Broadband user see larger signatures" checked in your profile - right?]
You could of course use your regular signature - but then the .org rules apply (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_faq_sigpic).
As some of you can possibly see, I am starting to promote my game. It could be a bit early, but it is mostly to illustrate as an example what you could do.
Big games in the gaming industry - always start advertising early - to create a hunger among their potential customers. They see flashy pictures and a craving is created.
The wait has to be timed perfectly, and the game needs to be delivered as promised.
If you do not have broadband enabled in your profile, this is the images I will be putting in my signature up until the game starts:
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_1.jpg
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_2.jpg
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_3.jpg
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_4.jpg
https://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/asleka/Return_of_the_Sith_5.jpg
I got the idea from boudica who made similar banners to her magician game. An excellent idea.
Any host with the ability to make such banners should make them available a while before the game reaches the top of the list to attract players.
Gameroomers can help promote your game by taking one of the banners and place it in their signature showing they support you and want to play your game.
We, the moderators, (well, at least I) are willing to put your advertisement in our signatures.