Org Issues and Improvements

[TinCow]

Well, the problem today is the ingame communication, once a tourney did start. The setup is easy, since everone know who to play, the second step is already a problem, since you will need a lot of time to communicate. My suggestion would exactly solve this step and make it more fluid.

If you get around 100-200 player (lets say 1v1), than you would need without such a tool at least 3 weekends.
Rather 4.

The challenge is, to get something done in 1 day, with finals the other day.

The problems are huge, the current chat/foyer makes it impossible to get some good communication especially with all the crashes and drops....
The only way to overcome it would be to use a different chatsystem, but this generate instantly new problems, since half the people wont have that and need to install it.

If you make the communication with such a chat, you have to install that here at the org as well.

Imo we need such a tool i suggested and an own chatsystem. With the chatsystem we could "install" the different groups and get people in that.


My point is clear, we need some tools to ensure that many games are played in a short time. Reduce the waiting times and let solve most things by the players itself.


Koc

Do you mean something like Teamspeak or Ventrilo?

[Kocmoc]

Do you mean something like Teamspeak or Ventrilo?

I dont think that TS or Vent will be a big help, while most people can write english, many have a hard time speaking it.
I speak about chatsystem, there are cms (or how its called) out, where you can enter your name, get into the chat and than choose one of the created rooms.

So I speak about writing communication, which also could be documented, what will be quite hard with spoken words.

If you go with a KO-system, you have to make starting groups with 8 player involved (just example) It would look like this:

ROOM 1

Player A vs. Player B
Player C vs. Player D
Player E vs. Player F
Player G vs. Player H

In old days, we made one room in the foyer for this called "ROOM 1", the first step communication was easy...in the end you had these 8 players in this particular room.

The winner of the matches played each other, so in total there was 3 turns with 1 winner. (actual this was moderated by 1 person in each of these rooms).
With the tool I asked for, this could be given to these people and they would autosolve it, no moderator needed, quick communication.

Well, Im pretty sure, everyone did understand it by now, so i stop here.

Koc

[TinCow]

Why can't you just use the existing IRC channel for that? We've got an embedded program that you can access from the top bar of the forum itself, and it's effortless to create new channels for whatever purpose you want from within that.

[Kocmoc]

Why can't you just use the existing IRC channel for that? We've got an embedded program that you can access from the top bar of the forum itself, and it's effortless to create new channels for whatever purpose you want from within that.

Yes, that can be used. Its fine.

The problem I have, which is pure subjective, is that many things at the Org are pretty hard to find. There are tons of extras everywhere, endless forums, treads, but a very low good structure. For me, its too much, I admit, that I didnt saw that there is an IRC chat at all. I also doubt, that many use it.


I have a clear Idea about how something has to look, but again, subjective.


Working on a system, which has base "problems" will always end in some halfway solutions and on the other hand, Im sure, most people like it as it is right now.
From a PR-POV the whole "Org-system" looks dusty and old. The main page is probably not used by many, most people will surely get to the forum directly.
Thats something you can check quick, by looking at the stats.

This is a tactical direction, basic ideas about how something has to work. I run tons of sides, based on CMS system and a handful sites handmade. I halfway (I got programmer for that) have an idea how CMS work and what you can do with it. Thatswhy i suggested the Youtube-vid CMS side.

Fact is, from my business oriented POV, this side needs a heavy remake. If I had to "sell" it, I would make it completely new and implement the forum at some point.
Just a lot less fractured, with less treads/forums. But of course, thats actual in your hands. Im just sharing my ideas and offer my help.

Same goes with Google and some ceo, the placement is bad, while you got the Clans and dont use the power, TWC got probably less Clans, but seems to use it!
Its all about the definition, what you want to get this place too.
In german I say to these kind of places "Sammelsurium", its a collection of many things which are not used at all or just halfway.

I miss the fiction, the big idea behind it, apart from being a side about a certain matter.
It needs a think-tank, a group or a person who has the big ideas.

Why there isnt a tourney yet?
Where are the tools?
What are the plans?

I see tons of admins here, some I know, some not (which isnt a problem at all). I see tons of treads and posts, but look at the amount and where people post the most!
Fact is, that the current TW game has very low numbers of posts and treads, almost no real input at all. Go there and read it.
I see complaining, but very low content, people rather speak about how bad the game is, than sharing ideas about tactics.

I have the deepest respect for Duck, but I dont see him bringing MP-content or real input here. Now that might be my wrong idea about what an admin has to do.


My point is, you have a lot more posts in other section (which has nothing to do with current TW game), than in the S2-sections.
Its clear and shows the problem, look at com or TWC, there is the life, there are people who play the game, the action, the traffic, the questions....

This place was Nr.1 at the times, as it was all about the game! Now its far away from the old days, since its not about the game anymore (not in the same amount).
Most player are not here, you dont do interviews with player, you dont prepared the vid-section, you dont got X-fire ready.

You dont have moderators who go online and stream stuff or make videos. I want to see the action, but you cant deliver!
With tons of moderators here, there should be 7 guys, where each of them record a "top-ranked" game per day and make it shown here.
BUMP!

The top players, play 1v1 or 2v2 or 3v3 and you bring that each day. Holy Moly! Thats something people want to see, how the top guys battle each other.

Same goes for the tourneys, where on earth is the Org Tourney?
Why we dont hear about it? Is there something in work already?
Whats so hard to organize that? Its not too hard and it wont take you 4 weeks (since release) to get the first tourney going.

Tosa´s dead brought up many problems, Im aware of it. Still, its about time, that you guys get content done here. Working on structures is one thing and important, no doubt.
To get the move and actual start important new things, is another story.

I love this place, dont get me wrong, I like all those helpful guys here.
Its just that you got the power to get things done and I cant see it. My heart is bleeding, if I see this slow endless needing business here.


Koc

PS: Dont get mad at me, I really love you all ;)

[TinCow]

The problem I have, which is pure subjective, is that many things at the Org are pretty hard to find. There are tons of extras everywhere, endless forums, treads, but a very low good structure. For me, its too much, I admit, that I didnt saw that there is an IRC chat at all. I also doubt, that many use it.

We're aware of this issue and we've already made some small structural changes and are very open to many more. If you've got specific ideas about what we should do to improve the structure, please do post them.

From a PR-POV the whole "Org-system" looks dusty and old.

We are currently working on a completely new default skin for the website, which (IMHO) looks a lot better than anything we currently have. This takes time though, so it's not going to be online tomorrow.

The main page is probably not used by many, most people will surely get to the forum directly.
Thats something you can check quick, by looking at the stats.

I agree, but that CMS use is largely a content issue and we're working on ways to increase content generation, with several specific projects already in the works. One of them includes what will be the best guide to TWS2 on the internet. Content generation cannot be done exclusively by the staff though, we need to have the members to contribute a lot as well. As such, we are going to do our best to encourage member-driven content generation and give members access to any and all tools and resources that would help them in those regards. The system hasn't been formalized yet, so there's no public information on how to go about it, but I would expect information about the new system in the very near future.

PS: Dont get mad at me, I really love you all ;)

Trust me, your post is viewed positively, not negatively. We need passion and a desire to get things done. I promise that real, substantive changes are coming and that they will be noticeable. Please do keep pushing us and pointing out the flaws with the Org, as it helps us keep moving forward.

[Kocmoc]

I try to give something back to this place, by working on the MP-guides, Im not doing this alone, so thanks to everyone who did help me out!
Im doing this, because I always did love this place and the game, old player will remember my "Train-camps" back in STW. I did that almost each weekend and showed pretty new guys some basics, today thats a lot easier with youtube and replays.

If you need help, Im glad to help out, I have experience with Tourneys and a clear Idea about how it should be done.
I can say, that I got quick help with a small or big problem here! I couldnt upload stuff and you solved it for me, thanks!


Many things I listed are based on what you guys are planing. I just can bring some ideas up, apart from that you need a definition about what you need.
Im dont just speak, I do something, if i complain somewhere, I bring solutions as well or work on something. Im sure you guys work hard and Im also sure, that things cant get changed in a short time. Good things need some time.


I just pointed some things out, X-fire and the vid section "Game of the day" - featured from ...... Can be a way to attract people.
There is the CWB and the CWC, both could be powered by the Org. Use that, bring the big games, let people vote about the games they want to see as video.

I can surely make one or two of these video, but there is menpower needed. Some small organization.
Maybe your base structure is a bit clustered. There should be (thats how I tend to work in real) some groupleader and some small groups, who get stuff done.

The video of the day is some strong feature. You just need to change the CMS for this.
Give the main-page some meaning, less information, but more important information.

Clear and easy rider, cut all the stuff which isnt used.


Im sure you got some hardcore guys, who know how to work with CMS. Thats not that hard to do.... Im not the guy who need to tell you this anyway...


How about different languages? Im as german player, I know people who only speak german, but dont speak a single english word.
Im not sure how much this could get used, but since im active on some german boards as well, I can you ensure, that the content there is extreme bad.

Guides as example can be translated, videos is the same.

Again, its hard to speak about this all, without to know what you are already planning, so i might just repeat stuff you are working already.

[Populus Romanus]

May I suggest a system similar to the TWC's Content Staff, whose job is solely to manage events and the likes?