No one plays this mod anymore?

Fariseus · 04-17-2010, 08:11 AM

Hi, this is going to be my first post in this forum.

I don't know if this is an issue with my steam account or not, but I just downloaded this mod about two days ago, and immediately noticed that the amount of servers available total no more than about ten at the most. Of those always only two servers have very few people playing. What happened? I remember that there was a lot of hype surrounding this mod a few years ago before Team Fortress 2 was even announced. It would be great if this mod supported bots to make up for the lack of players.

moosh · 04-17-2010, 08:28 AM

Well that's the reality. There's usually one almost full euro server and one almost full american server up at the same time.

Fariseus · 04-17-2010, 08:34 AM

Sadly, I think most people were just playing this mod as a holdover until Team Fortress 2 was released. I still prefer Fortress Forever over TF2 though, as it resembles TFC the most, I have had some trouble getting used to the new changes in TF2.

moosh · 04-17-2010, 08:47 AM

I really have no idea why FF is so unpopular too.

**squeek.** · 04-17-2010, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fariseus

Sadly, I think most people were just playing this mod as a holdover until Team Fortress 2 was released. I still prefer Fortress Forever over TF2 though, as it resembles TFC the most, I have had some trouble getting used to the new changes in TF2.

I'm not sure when you played FF or for how long, but the TF2 beta was released ~3 days after FF 1.0 (FF announced its release date, and then TF2 announced its beta release date as the exact same day, so FF released a bit early). The playercount for FF dropped from the 1000's to the 100's in that first week of release.

We have a steady and tight-nit, yet small, playerbase, as we always have had. Once we feel the game is ready, we'll aim to get 1000's of players again and attempt to hold them this time. Until then, you can play the game, spread the word, and/or help to develop the game. There is no magic wand that we can wave. Bots would be nice, but they need to be programmed and someone has to volunteer their time to do the coding.

Fariseus · 04-17-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeek.

I'm not sure when you played FF or for how long, but the TF2 beta was released ~3 days after FF 1.0 (FF announced its release date, and then TF2 announced its beta release date as the exact same day, so FF released a bit early). The playercount for FF dropped from the 1000's to the 100's in that first week of release.

Well that's what i'm saying. This mod began development long before TF2 was announced to come out. At that time I believe FF had a larger fanbase but when Valve made the announcement of the new game people lost interest in this mod. TF2 released only a little bit later and as soon as people were able to play the beta they switched over to that game. If FF had released months earlier we might have had a larger community, plus more newcomers to the series would have been aware of this mod as it would have been the only team fortress game available for the source engine at the time, thus increasing it's fanbase. I know it's difficult for a mod to compete with a commercial game, but this mod should also be advertised more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeek.

We have a steady and tight-nit, yet small, playerbase, as we always have had. Once we feel the game is ready, we'll aim to get 1000's of players again and attempt to hold them this time. Until then, you can play the game, spread the word, and/or help to develop the game. There is no magic wand that we can wave. Bots would be nice, but they need to be programmed and someone has to volunteer their time to do the coding.

Do you know what the developers have in store for this mod to make it attract new players?

**squeek.** · 04-17-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fariseus

Well that's what i'm saying. This mod began development long before TF2 was announced to come out. At that time I believe FF had a larger fanbase but when Valve made the announcement of the new game people lost interest in this mod. TF2 released only a little bit later and as soon as people were able to play the beta they switched over to that game. If FF had released months earlier we might have had a larger community, plus more newcomers to the series would have been aware of this mod as it would have been the only team fortress game available for the source engine at the time, thus increasing it's fanbase. I know it's difficult for a mod to compete with a commercial game, but this mod should also be advertised more.

The past can't be changed. What happened happened. I also don't think it's useful to think of FF as competing with TF2. All games are competing for players with all other games. It's hard for all Source mods to retain players at this point; it's not FF specific and I don't think it's caused by TF2.

Quote:

Do you know what the developers have in store for this mod to make it attract new players?

First and foremost: Making the game better. That means making it easier to see why the game is good, why it is unique, and why it is worth playing, while also improving the game as a whole.

DarkeN_HellspawN · 04-19-2010, 12:35 AM

Is more players like darken_hellspawn who have spread their wings to promote this game. It is true that the player base has dwindled but someday the masses will cometh upon our servers like sheep who need to quench their thirst of FF blood. This day will come and we will all enjoy the spoils of patience.

dh

CHURCHMOUTH · 04-19-2010, 08:39 AM

lol

CM

Raynian · 04-19-2010, 04:15 PM

Lack of advertising is the major one.

Shitty competitive community stops growth there.

Updates and new features that make vets go "wow, fuck this" hurts as well.

Bridget · 04-19-2010, 07:02 PM

Advertising the game is actually counter-productive, because we are offering Fortress Forever in states where it is not optimal for beginners or the less experienced. People have their first expectations ruined, they become less likely with each advertised patch to continue giving the game a chance with future changes, and when the day comes that Fortress Forever becomes more comfortable for the beginner and less experienced, they have already concluded that Fortress Forever isn't for them. It's the classic 'cry wolf' scenario.

I'm not saying advertising isn't effective. It definitely pulls people to the game. The 2.1 patch was the most popular patch for Fortress Forever due to the teaser trailer the development team worked out. I'm sure we saw an increase in the fan-base, but it didn't match the overall activity the patch saw. Getting people to the modification is one thing, keeping them around and an active part of the community is another. That's the problem. Fortress Forever doesn't keep people. Why is that? It's very difficult for beginners and the less experienced. There are too many prerequisites to enjoying Fortress Forever. If you haven't already integrated into the fast pace of death-match games or the competitive nature of Team Fortress Classic, then Fortress Forever just leaves you out in the cold.

I think besides the reason I mentioned above, another reason Fortress Forever doesn't stay as active as it could is because of the long periods of 'silence' between patches. The development of this mod is way too private and secretive. If the development team were a little more open with all of the community and its members, then people would have something to look forward to from patch to patch, and it would inspire discussion and give people foundations for making suggestions. The development team doesn't have to reveal every new thing (because surprise is still a big force in getting people to try the next patch) but just something to keep the community going. I mean something like a blog similar to the Team Fortress 2 development blog at http://www.teamfortress.com.

**mervaka** · 04-19-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bridget

The development of this mod is way too private and secretive. If the development team were a little more open with all of the community and its members, then people would have something to look forward to from patch to patch, and it would inspire discussion and give people foundations for making suggestions. The development team doesn't have to reveal every new thing (because surprise is still a big force in getting people to try the next patch) but just something to keep the community going. I mean something like a blog similar to the Team Fortress 2 development blog at http://www.teamfortress.com.

you're having a laugh? you've seen exactly what we're up to, and have discussed with us in detail our goals with said features. yes we do keep a degree of secrecy to the public, because at the end of the day we don't want to send out the wrong message with our more extreme conceptual features currently in test.

04-17-2010, 08:11 AM	#1
Fariseus Join Date: Apr 2010 Gametype: Capture the Flag Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	No one plays this mod anymore? Hi, this is going to be my first post in this forum. I don't know if this is an issue with my steam account or not, but I just downloaded this mod about two days ago, and immediately noticed that the amount of servers available total no more than about ten at the most. Of those always only two servers have very few people playing. What happened? I remember that there was a lot of hype surrounding this mod a few years ago before Team Fortress 2 was even announced. It would be great if this mod supported bots to make up for the lack of players. Last edited by Fariseus; 04-17-2010 at 08:14 AM.

04-17-2010, 08:28 AM	#2
moosh WhenNailGrenWillOut? Beta Tester Join Date: May 2009 Gametype: mp_prematch Affiliations: [:)] - Frag Happy, babe\| Posts Rated Helpful 29 Times	Well that's the reality. There's usually one almost full euro server and one almost full american server up at the same time. __________________ [[ ff_hotfudge - bhop_theonlyone ]] "As the the new year approaches I await for it like an case of explosive fecalomania otherwise know as diareha or the massive shits. I am gripping the sides of the toilet as my stomach produces the first hollow thud out of the anus of the year to come." DarkeN_HellspawN Last edited by moosh; 04-17-2010 at 08:33 AM.

04-17-2010, 08:47 AM	#4
moosh WhenNailGrenWillOut? Beta Tester Join Date: May 2009 Gametype: mp_prematch Affiliations: [:)] - Frag Happy, babe\| Posts Rated Helpful 29 Times	I really have no idea why FF is so unpopular too. __________________ [[ ff_hotfudge - bhop_theonlyone ]] "As the the new year approaches I await for it like an case of explosive fecalomania otherwise know as diareha or the massive shits. I am gripping the sides of the toilet as my stomach produces the first hollow thud out of the anus of the year to come." DarkeN_HellspawN

04-19-2010, 12:35 AM	#8
DarkeN_HellspawN FORUM ADM!N Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Sun Class/Position: O/D D/O - For life or death Gametype: 2fort Spectating Llama GD Ex. TALOS Sniper Affiliations: FF God, The Yellow Brotherhood Posts Rated Helpful 13 Times	what we need........ Is more players like darken_hellspawn who have spread their wings to promote this game. It is true that the player base has dwindled but someday the masses will cometh upon our servers like sheep who need to quench their thirst of FF blood. This day will come and we will all enjoy the spoils of patience. dh __________________ If you come across a great Yellow entity offering a yellow pill, take it. Its sunshine will grow in you stomach like a bowl of Sea Monkeys - The Great Yellow Book Page 8765 Ch. 194 -Section 3

04-19-2010, 08:39 AM	#9
CHURCHMOUTH crystaLcity D&A Member Beta Tester Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Class/Position: Soldier D Gametype: Capture the Flag Affiliations: Goodfellas Posts Rated Helpful 7 Times	lol CM __________________ 83745 L0LZ ff_nyx_b2 ff_schrape_b3 ff_security_b1 ff_baked_b2 ff_reloaded_b1 ff_mulch_dm_b2 ff_oppose_b1

04-17-2010, 08:34 AM	#3
Fariseus Join Date: Apr 2010 Gametype: Capture the Flag Posts Rated Helpful 0 Times	Sadly, I think most people were just playing this mod as a holdover until Team Fortress 2 was released. I still prefer Fortress Forever over TF2 though, as it resembles TFC the most, I have had some trouble getting used to the new changes in TF2.

04-19-2010, 04:15 PM	#10
Raynian D&A Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ruining #pickups Class/Position: SPAWN CAMPING OH NO Gametype: Ragequitting Affiliations: [PMS]. [Shiney] Posts Rated Helpful 26 Times	Lack of advertising is the major one. Shitty competitive community stops growth there. Updates and new features that make vets go "wow, fuck this" hurts as well.

04-19-2010, 07:02 PM	#11
Bridget Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Class/Position: Soldier Gametype: AVD Affiliations: TALOS Posts Rated Helpful 5 Times	Advertising the game is actually counter-productive, because we are offering Fortress Forever in states where it is not optimal for beginners or the less experienced. People have their first expectations ruined, they become less likely with each advertised patch to continue giving the game a chance with future changes, and when the day comes that Fortress Forever becomes more comfortable for the beginner and less experienced, they have already concluded that Fortress Forever isn't for them. It's the classic 'cry wolf' scenario. I'm not saying advertising isn't effective. It definitely pulls people to the game. The 2.1 patch was the most popular patch for Fortress Forever due to the teaser trailer the development team worked out. I'm sure we saw an increase in the fan-base, but it didn't match the overall activity the patch saw. Getting people to the modification is one thing, keeping them around and an active part of the community is another. That's the problem. Fortress Forever doesn't keep people. Why is that? It's very difficult for beginners and the less experienced. There are too many prerequisites to enjoying Fortress Forever. If you haven't already integrated into the fast pace of death-match games or the competitive nature of Team Fortress Classic, then Fortress Forever just leaves you out in the cold. I think besides the reason I mentioned above, another reason Fortress Forever doesn't stay as active as it could is because of the long periods of 'silence' between patches. The development of this mod is way too private and secretive. If the development team were a little more open with all of the community and its members, then people would have something to look forward to from patch to patch, and it would inspire discussion and give people foundations for making suggestions. The development team doesn't have to reveal every new thing (because surprise is still a big force in getting people to try the next patch) but just something to keep the community going. I mean something like a blog similar to the Team Fortress 2 development blog at http://www.teamfortress.com. Last edited by Bridget; 04-19-2010 at 07:15 PM.

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