Voting accountability for February

[Nyr]

It's pretty simple.  We've got the playerbase to dominate voting in TMC and stay at number 1.  We also have the playerbase to dominate voting in TMS and at least stay in the top 3 or 4.  Does this matter?  It gets us new accounts in the door.  We've tracked this for months.  The higher the voting, the more new accounts created.  The more new accounts created, the more people that actually get into the game.  The more people that actually get into the game, the more people get hooked...and stay.  With a focus on voting last year that was (for the most part) rather middle of the road as far as effort went, we managed to increase our year over year new player retention by more than 50%.  To maintain that effort, we need to do at least as good as we did last year.

There are other areas of improvement that can be addressed.  One possibility is surveys to those that spend a legitimate amount of time but do not ultimately stay...hopefully we can get feedback on the little things. 

Other possibilities include funneling starting options into player interaction opportunities.  While this may be a sticking point with some veterans, the fact remains that it is less likely to run into a player in some parts of the gameworld.  The interaction WITH players in this game is what we believe draws in the players that "stick" (this is based on a few independent reviews by a couple of different staffers on metrics).  We will continue to research this and find out what we can do that would increase the chances of a new player interacting with other players and getting looped in properly.  This may be small stuff or big stuff.

However, while we on staff can work on those things...you guys, the awesome players that create those interactions...can help far more by increasing the amount of new people coming in the door.  The best way to do that is to vote and to tell friends.  There's usually at least 30-40 people that try the game each month that come from a personal contact, after all!

Some have mentioned voting reminder apps, or even opt-in stuff where you get reminded of when the last time it was you voted, or something like that.  We'll look into something for that.  While I can't write one, there are plenty of reminder applications out there that you can install on mobile devices.  Even your basic calendar application on your typical smart phone can be told to remind you to do something at a certain time each day.  Make two of those reminders, one for the morning, one for the evening, and you're good to go for TMS and TMC.

So really...are you willing to give it a shot and do what you can to help out?  Do you have ideas?  This thread is for that, too, but let's get ready and prepare for February.  There will be a reset on February 1 at midnight for both TMS and TMC.  That's on February 1, 12:00 AM Eastern time, meaning you can vote your first time anytime between 12:00 AM and 12:00 PM Eastern on February 1 and have that first vote count, getting a leg up on our competition.

(anyway, also vote for this month, too...there are 8 days left!)

[TheWanderer]

Dat TMC registration. I was like, "I got dis  ," and then I was like,  , but then after deducing that the answer was hidden in the bold print, I was like,  . I don't know if everybody's gonna pass that - we're not all gifted with my detective skills.

[Desertman]

Have we considering putting a "How to get started" video tutorial on Youtube and linking the video to the main page?

It could have someone give a little talk about Armageddon, what it is, who we are. Then it could show new players how to create a character, from start to finish, what not to do in order to not get rejected...etc...etc....And then what to do when they first enter the game. What pitfalls to avoid, and what basic commands they should get under their belt in order to get off on the right foot.

Yes, we are a text based MUD, which is old school, but we live in a video age. Let's get the kiddies in with a video and a step-by-step and once they are hooked we can ask them to read our ten thousand pages of docs.  

The walkthrough on creating a character alone would be worth its weight in new players in my opinion. After bringing in more new folks than I can count, I can tell you that me writing their first characters for them was often the difference between them never even trying, and them at least giving it a try.

That first rejection is sometimes all they need to say, "Screw it, I'm going back to WoW."

It could also show them where to go to create a GDB account etc..etc..We also live in an age where gaming is another form of human social interaction. I can tell you I have four people right now who prefer playing WoW to Armageddon, just because they feel they get no social interaction in this game because of our strict OOC and IC rules. Getting them into the "community" would go a long way in making them feel like they are doing more than sitting alone playing with people they can't really interact with and have no connection to.

[LittleLady]

Personally, TMC has been giving me issues over a lost password for months now. They just will not respond to inquires about why their automated system will not work.

I do, however, make sure to vote twice a day on TMS, and will continue to do so.

[Nyr]

Personally, TMC has been giving me issues over a lost password for months now. They just will not respond to inquires about why their automated system will not work.

I do, however, make sure to vote twice a day on TMS, and will continue to do so.

It took years for them to accept a logo; this behavior does not surprise me.  Will they let you make a new account?

Have we considering putting a "How to get started" video tutorial on Youtube and linking the video to the main page?

It could have someone give a little talk about Armageddon, what it is, who we are. Then it could show new players how to create a character, from start to finish, what not to do in order to not get rejected...etc...etc....And then what to do when they first enter the game. What pitfalls to avoid, and what basic commands they should get under their belt in order to get off on the right foot.

Yes, we are a text based MUD, which is old school, but we live in a video age. Let's get the kiddies in with a video and a step-by-step and once they are hooked we can ask them to read our ten thousand pages of docs. 

The walkthrough on creating a character alone would be worth its weight in new players in my opinion. After bringing in more new folks than I can count, I can tell you that me writing their first characters for them was often the difference between them never even trying, and them at least giving it a try.

That first rejection is sometimes all they need to say, "Screw it, I'm going back to WoW."

It could also show them where to go to create a GDB account etc..etc..We also live in an age where gaming is another form of human social interaction. I can tell you I have four people right now who prefer playing WoW to Armageddon, just because they feel they get no social interaction in this game because of our strict OOC and IC rules. Getting them into the "community" would go a long way in making them feel like they are doing more than sitting alone playing with people they can't really interact with and have no connection to.

We need someone with a wonderfully rich speaking voice and video skills...who wouldn't mind having that sort of content used.  I don't think there's really a problem with someone creating a test account with staff assistance to do a video walkthrough of this process.

[Desertman]

Personally, TMC has been giving me issues over a lost password for months now. They just will not respond to inquires about why their automated system will not work.

I do, however, make sure to vote twice a day on TMS, and will continue to do so.

It took years for them to accept a logo; this behavior does not surprise me.  Will they let you make a new account?

Have we considering putting a "How to get started" video tutorial on Youtube and linking the video to the main page?

It could have someone give a little talk about Armageddon, what it is, who we are. Then it could show new players how to create a character, from start to finish, what not to do in order to not get rejected...etc...etc....And then what to do when they first enter the game. What pitfalls to avoid, and what basic commands they should get under their belt in order to get off on the right foot.

Yes, we are a text based MUD, which is old school, but we live in a video age. Let's get the kiddies in with a video and a step-by-step and once they are hooked we can ask them to read our ten thousand pages of docs.  

The walkthrough on creating a character alone would be worth its weight in new players in my opinion. After bringing in more new folks than I can count, I can tell you that me writing their first characters for them was often the difference between them never even trying, and them at least giving it a try.

That first rejection is sometimes all they need to say, "Screw it, I'm going back to WoW."

It could also show them where to go to create a GDB account etc..etc..We also live in an age where gaming is another form of human social interaction. I can tell you I have four people right now who prefer playing WoW to Armageddon, just because they feel they get no social interaction in this game because of our strict OOC and IC rules. Getting them into the "community" would go a long way in making them feel like they are doing more than sitting alone playing with people they can't really interact with and have no connection to.

We need someone with a wonderfully rich speaking voice and video skills...who wouldn't mind having that sort of content used.  I don't think there's really a problem with someone creating a test account with staff assistance to do a video walkthrough of this process.

I am not this guy sadly.

I'm not sure East Texas Redneck is really the accent we want doing the voiceover for our game.

Anyone with one of those fancy European/Lord of The Rings accents care to volunteer to do this?

Fantasy buffs love those things.

[Barzalene]

I would do it but all I have is a light Brooklyn accent.

[Desertman]

Ummm, having a female voice is just as good/better actually.

Why do you think they pay models to represent games at Dragon Con?

It brings in nerds by the droves to think there are girlies playing the game, and a female voice also opens up the window to the girl gamers who don't want to join the "make me a sammich" community. (It makes it more welcoming to female gamers.)

A female European accent would be ideal.

[Nyr]

I would do it but all I have is a light Brooklyn accent.

Having a few intros doesn't sound like a bad idea either.  Really could have a few versions from different people with different accents, too.

[Desertman]

I would do it but all I have is a light Brooklyn accent.

Having a few intros doesn't sound like a bad idea either.  Really could have a few versions from different people with different accents, too.

That is a good idea. 

[LittleLady]

Personally, TMC has been giving me issues over a lost password for months now. They just will not respond to inquires about why their automated system will not work.

I do, however, make sure to vote twice a day on TMS, and will continue to do so.

It took years for them to accept a logo; this behavior does not surprise me.  Will they let you make a new account?

I only have the one email address, so unless I feel like signing up for a whole new email account, no. It's just been a nightmare, and I really didn't want to have a seperate email just for TMC.

[ShaLeah]

Email accounts are free. No excuses!

Ghostymudy with his deep bass British accent would be fabulous for a video. Why not use James' video? We could write a story and he could narrate it. Barz's voice is mint too, hell, most of the voices I've heard in Teamspeak are pleasing to the ear.

Maybe we can have a contest for the best narrative in the time span of the video, they can get an Arm tshirt or something?

Edited to add the links.

[Barzalene]

What about the YouTube video equivalent of a webcomic?
with a cast of voices.

[Malken]

Er, I voted 'no' by mistake.. That'll teach me to try and vote at 6am from bed on my ipad.

So - 1 no + 1 yes!

[Hicksville Hoochie]

My schedule tends to be rather wonky, so I never know if the multiple times a day I click TMS actually gets two votes out of me, but I definitely give it at least one a day, and a daily vote on TMC. So I'll continue to do so in February too. 

[Desertman]

Web comics and cool narrative stories are great....

But I was thinking of a video to actually help new players get started with playing the game from the technical side of things.

[Barzalene]

Web comics and cool narrative stories are great....

But I was thinking of a video to actually help new players get started with playing the game from the technical side of things.

I know. I just got a little overenthusiastic.

[Nyr]

By the way, one of the things I wished to point out with this thread was how many people could actually choose to vote for something within a given period of time, even if it was to say "no."

We have 22 total separate votes.  Averaging it by hour over the course of a month, had we had this many people voting on TMS twice per day prorated up until 2:00 PM today, we would be in 5th place with about 980 votes and about to take 4th place (all other things being equal).

And on the other side of the coin, if we take out the three legitimate "no" votes, we would now be at 9th place.  So those of you that said no, that'd be the difference between 5th and 9th.  This is how much your vote matters!

[ShaLeah]

Web comics and cool narrative stories are great....

But I was thinking of a video to actually help new players get started with playing the game from the technical side of things.

The tall, muscular man series: How Amos got his start.

Like the sweedish guy did you mean? But with actual going through newbie land?

[Desertman]

Web comics and cool narrative stories are great....

But I was thinking of a video to actually help new players get started with playing the game from the technical side of things.

The tall, muscular man series: How Amos got his start.

Like the sweedish guy did you mean? But with actual going through newbie land?

It took me a minute, and then I remembered the sweed.

Yes, like that heh.

[Barzalene]

Web comics and cool narrative stories are great....

But I was thinking of a video to actually help new players get started with playing the game from the technical side of things.

The tall, muscular man series: How Amos got his start.

Like the sweedish guy did you mean? But with actual going through newbie land?

It took me a minute, and then I remembered the sweed.

Yes, like that heh.

Fin

[LauraMars]

Come on, people.  Swede, not sweed.  And spfnym isn't Swedish, anyway.  I still follow him on youtube!

I vote every day.

[williamson]

Come on, people.  Swede, not sweed.  And spfnym isn't Swedish, anyway.  I still follow him on youtube!

I vote every day.

The handsome sweed is here, collecting player complaints.

Just teasing all you OCDers. I'm going to start voting twice a day too.

[ShaLeah]

Come on, people.  Swede, not sweed.  And spfnym isn't Swedish, anyway.  I still follow him on youtube!

I vote every day.

The handsome sweed is here, collecting player complaints.

Just teasing all you OCDers. I'm going to start voting twice a day too.

I totally laughed out loud.

[Malken]

I think that those who voted 'no' don't necessarily really hate the mud or forget to vote, maybe they have another favorite mud that they vote for, or maybe they are Staff on other muds as well (I know a couple of Arm players who are staff on other muds that they vote for).. IT HAPPENS.

[Barzalene]

I think that those who voted 'no' don't necessarily really hate the mud or forget to vote, maybe they have another favorite mud that they vote for, or maybe they are Staff on other muds as well (I know a couple of Arm players who are staff on other muds that they vote for).. IT HAPPENS.

You are wrong.  They are evil. We should hunt them down and kick their dog!

[valeria]

I've never done video anything, I'd probably really suck at it.  But I WILL commit to voting all the time.

[James de Monet]

I vote sometimes.  I'm just bad at remembering.  I don't mind the one that doesn't need an account.  I just hate proliferating my information all over the net.   

In terms of videos, I would be more than willing to do the editing on a video, if you weren't looking for crazy effects.  I don't think I'm the right choice for a narrator, though.  I don't really have that smooth baritone thing going on.

[Symphony]

Plan out what you want, I'm willing to provide you the narration if you wish. I have developed several "How To" videos for IT needs and am confident this could be much more entertaining.

[i love toilets]

TMC blocked our general IP address or whatever, and I do kind of sort of promise to vote on TMS, given that its strikingly similar to me to raising a tamagotchi, in that I do occasionally get it to adulthood but usually it dies before it gets that far because I forget to feed it.

[valeria]

I vote sometimes.  I'm just bad at remembering.  I don't mind the one that doesn't need an account.  I just hate proliferating my information all over the net.   

In terms of videos, I would be more than willing to do the editing on a video, if you weren't looking for crazy effects.  I don't think I'm the right choice for a narrator, though.  I don't really have that smooth baritone thing going on.

If you videod and I narrated, it would be an awesome team.

[Nyr]

Just to update on where 29 votes would get us by this point in the day had these 29 people started on day 1 and continued until right now, prorated to 10 AM.  Again, that's 29 individual people voting 2 x per day on TMS and 1x per day on TMC, with all other votes on TMS and TMC being equal.

By this time we would be at 1346 votes on TMS.  We would have 2nd place handily.
By this time we would be at 667 votes on TMC.   We would have 1st place handily.

(edit to add:  we can just add 48 more votes to TMS and 24 to TMC since I counted Malken's no as a no rather than a yes)

[SmashedTregil]

I still dont know how to vote on TMC. It sends me straight to forums. I will admit, I never spent too long a time looking, but it's not mentioned in the FAQ, for sure. My deductive skills are novice, compared to the wanderer.

[valeria]

I still dont know how to vote on TMC. It sends me straight to forums. I will admit, I never spent too long a time looking, but it's not mentioned in the FAQ, for sure. My deductive skills are novice, compared to the wanderer.

It logs you in to the forums.  Then you click the "vote" button again and it will actually let you vote.

[James de Monet]

I vote sometimes.  I'm just bad at remembering.  I don't mind the one that doesn't need an account.  I just hate proliferating my information all over the net.   

In terms of videos, I would be more than willing to do the editing on a video, if you weren't looking for crazy effects.  I don't think I'm the right choice for a narrator, though.  I don't really have that smooth baritone thing going on.

If you videod and I narrated, it would be an awesome team.

That would be great! Except that if you aren't planning a trip to California, it might be kind of hard to film...

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

We need someone with a wonderfully rich speaking voice and video skills...who wouldn't mind having that sort of content used.  I don't think there's really a problem with someone creating a test account with staff assistance to do a video walkthrough of this process.

I've been told throughout my life that I have a voice made for radio. Well, more often when I was young and people still listened to the radio. Usually, women said that, but, uh ... point being, I'm willing to voice such a venture.

[ShaLeah]

We need someone with a wonderfully rich speaking voice and video skills...who wouldn't mind having that sort of content used.  I don't think there's really a problem with someone creating a test account with staff assistance to do a video walkthrough of this process.

I've been told throughout my life that I have a voice made for radio. Well, more often when I was young and people still listened to the radio. Usually, women said that, but, uh ... point being, I'm willing to voice such a venture.

Meow.

[Yummri]

I'm not sure my Northern English accent would be suitable for video walk-throughs would be appropriate.

But I can try to vote more. I do from time to time. I will make more of an effort.
So we are clear though, I got to this game through word of mouth. I'd heard of it before from a few people and one day decided to give it a go. If the admins ever want me to fill out a survey or answer questions on improving contact between players or things that might be interesting to hook new players. I'd be willing to do so.

[FantasyWriter]

Still 12 votes behind on TMC. Come on people, snap to!

[Barsook]

I've never done video anything, I'd probably really suck at it.  But I WILL commit to voting all the time.

[Nyr]

So we've pulled ahead on TMC to #1.  My best guess is that TMC will NOT reset on February 1 (they tend to do two month cycles).  Provided we keep voting up we are set.

Everyone ready to take #2 on TMS?  We have about 2 days left before we start!  Get your calendar/reminder apps ready.  I'd love to see all 32 (33 counting Malken) of us voting as often as we say we are going to, which should inspire others!

For those not up to date on what that would mean:

If we had had 33 people voting twice per day since the start of this month and all other voting was equal on TMS, we would be at 1938 votes as of this minute, holding 2nd place by a margin of over 300 votes.
If we had 33 people voting once per day since the start of the month and all other voting was equal on TMC, we would be at 969 votes as of this minute, holding 1st place by a margin of over 300 votes (rather than our current margin of about 15).

[ShaLeah]

Any chance you could put a reminder on here like you do on the main page?

[valeria]

It's almost February!  Not that I didn't vote today, I'm just getting pumped 

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

Curious. Is there a way for you guys to put a visible timer on the or around the voting button? For instance, You can vote on again in 5:34:07. I'd assume such a thing would simply read a cookie on your comp.

[Wish]

It is officially February 1st.  Go vote!

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

WE ARE #2 RIGHT NOW.

[LauraMars]

WE ARE #2 RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE #1 RIGHT NOW.

[Malken]

[LauraMars]

[Large Hero]

I shall vote the maximum amount per day on each site in February.

AND MY AXE

[ShaLeah]

Keep this thread popping. Let it be the call for devotions!

[Scarecrow]

I am doing this now.

Also I think it is a little amusing some people voted 'no' on the poll.

[Nathvaan]

Let's keep this up!!

[Desertman]

                   PLEASE, GIVE ME YOUR VOTES!


(Anyone who watched it as a kid knows what I'm talking about.)

[FantasyWriter]

Vote.... like a boss!

[valeria]

We've fallen to #3 as Aardwolf and Materia Magica have gotten into the act.  Do more voting!

[FantasyWriter]

many votes
much need

[Malken]

We'll be fine if everyone who voted last night a little after midnight re-votes today at around midnight, but make sure that you re-vote at least a minute after you voted 12 hours ago or it won't count!

much complex
wow,
such votes,
wow.

[Nyr]

It's definitely a long-haul thing, especially for the first week (or even two).  Sustained voting results in bigger numbers over time.

[LauraMars]

We're in 7th place.  But just 8 votes would put us at 3rd place.

[Scarecrow]

A long time ago I tried Aardwolf. At peak they have 220 players online. That will be hard to beat, voting wise, but I reckon we can get number four or five.

[Nyr]

A long time ago I tried Aardwolf. At peak they have 220 players online. That will be hard to beat, voting wise, but I reckon we can get number four or five.

I've gone over this several times and I've pointed out this data in several places but I'll make it clear here once again:

--last year we maintained #2 in TMS for about 5 months straight so we know it is possible to be #2
--those same times we had upwards of about 2000 votes per month
--at the rates we are generally expecting for this month, we will end up with 1904 votes for this month if everyone votes twice per day on TMS
--1904 is lower than the typical 2000 per month I mentioned that we should get...this is because February has only 28 days in it
--competition is highest in the first few days/first two weeks (depending on how much other games vote), therefore it is difficult to get and maintain a lead without solid voting
--after a short while (again depending on competition) interest in voting seems to die off on all sides and positions are more solidified and it is easier to move up and gain a higher position
--we are not aiming for #1 because that is stupid, the goal is not to be #1 on TMS
--we are aiming to vote steadily the entire month, not just a massive amount at the beginning
--we are regularly #1 on TMC now and we can maintain voting at current rates to stay at #1 indefinitely

So yeah.  Just hang in there.  This is a marathon, not a sprint.

[FantasyWriter]

We're falling seriously behind on TMS. Tighten up folks, get those votes in!!!

[LauraMars]

Don't forget to vote today!  We need a stronger lead on TMS!

[Ourla]

I did it! I did it!

[TheWanderer]

[manonfire]

I voted for the first time ever.

[valeria]

You know how many votes we need to take 5th on TMS?  13.  So if even HALF the people who promised to be accountable for their voting this month voted right now, we could get two ranks. 

[Nyr]

And you see who's in fifth:  the game that we were like "oh man where did they come from and how are they in second place so far ahead of everyone" a week ago.

[ShaLeah]

Are the 33 people who promised voting?

I am!

[Kalai]

I was not able to promise the asked-for promise but I've been striving to vote on TMS at least once per day. (I was, in fact, one of the No votes.)

[FantasyWriter]

I am. Twice/day when I work.

[FreeRangeVestric]

I think I voted no just 'cause, but I'm still voting!

C'mon! Eight votes right now and we're in fifth again! None, and we stay in seventh!

[ShaLeah]

Up to 6th. Vote off peakers, vote!

[Wish]

We could very easily take fifth place.  We just need six votes to do so!

[RogueGunslinger]

I have to admit. I voted no in this thing. But of the 33 of you who voted Yes. Half of you are liars, AND I'M CALLING YOU OUT.


Hold yourselves accountable. Have you no decency?

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

I vote as much as possible. No, I don't plan my day around it, but every chance I get I vote.

Slinger, I am disappointed in you. Man up - punch the button, boi.

[RogueGunslinger]

That's the thing. I know I can't do it every day, so I voted no in the poll. Yet I have been steadily, consistently voting for the game. Yet the voting numbers would suggest only half of the people who said yes are actually making the commitment they said they would to vote twice on TMS.

Maybe we need to make a new poll like this every day to keep their attention.

[long live miley cyrus]

I voted yes and I know I can't do it all the time? Wait, what?

We need memes in here.

[Scarecrow]

I have been voting. Also we need Doge meme in here to get things going.

Wow.
Such vote.
Much democracy.
Wow.
Very dedicate.

[BleakOne]

I'm voting as promised.

[valeria]

I failed guys    I forgot to vote the second time on TMS last night because I was too drunk.  Please don't kick me out of Armageddon voting forever.

Vote more now to make up for me.

[FantasyWriter]

You can make up for it by calling or texting three friends and ask them to vote every day for a week.

[ShaLeah]

12 from going up one!

[Barzalene]

Well, we were hoping for top 5, but don't seem to be there quite yet. We are doing twice as well as last month. We've still got time to make it there. Let's keep at it.

[Nyr]

So we've pulled ahead on TMC to #1.  My best guess is that TMC will NOT reset on February 1 (they tend to do two month cycles).  Provided we keep voting up we are set.

Everyone ready to take #2 on TMS?  We have about 2 days left before we start!  Get your calendar/reminder apps ready.  I'd love to see all 32 (33 counting Malken) of us voting as often as we say we are going to, which should inspire others!

For those not up to date on what that would mean:

If we had had 33 people voting twice per day since the start of this month and all other voting was equal on TMS, we would be at 1938 votes as of this minute, holding 2nd place by a margin of over 300 votes.
If we had 33 people voting once per day since the start of the month and all other voting was equal on TMC, we would be at 969 votes as of this minute, holding 1st place by a margin of over 300 votes (rather than our current margin of about 15).

OK, so here's where we are now.

841 votes on TMS at about 11:00 AM on the 27th.  That's the equivalent of (almost) 16 people voting twice per day, and we'll end this month with about 890 votes (probably straddling 7th or 8th place).  If we'd had the initial 34 per day expected all month we would end up with 1904 total votes for the month by the end of the month (securing 2nd place by more than 400 votes at that point).  To be in second place right now we would have only needed 9 more folks (on average) voting twice per day.

This isn't really a doom and gloom post, though.  We did not do as well as we said we could do, true, but we did better than last month and we are in the top ten on TMS.  And on TMC, we are dominating.  We are in first place and we have a commanding lead over #2, a lead of about 150 votes.  The next lowest game would have to vote twice as often to even come close to us.

What does this mean for the month so far compared to last month overall?
Total new accounts:  191 increased to 308, a 47% increase.
TMS referrals:  22 increased to 32, a 37% increase.
TMC referrals:  56 increased to 122, a 74% increase.
new player logins:  45 increased to 53, a 16% increase (should be higher by EoD tomorrow).

Keeping a steady top ten presence on TMS and a #1 presence on TMC should be our goal (even if we can do better than that).