Second Server

[Maha]

-There will be some development issues for us. Namely the new world will need adjustments to support gameplay at an early stage.

We should create a new world with guilds created from the next draft and cap the max member of guilds to 20. Would make the next draft more interesting.

Maha sees a way to change the quoted con in a pro, using shadowoods suggestion with a twist.

what if

what if thru the hideout players can construct expedition forces; a flotilla of 7, 14, 21 up to 49 expedition ships +1 ship of choice can bring seeds, sapplings, mining equipment etc. to a knew and unknown world where they have to establish 7 ports. the expedition ships will be transformed into port facilities and the sailors turn settlers. The expedition members decide on the amount of GC, gold bars and voodoo they bring with them.

the expedition leader may form a nation / guild with other players to enlarge the fleet or the newly build ports.
Each new world will harbor three independent expeditions so a world of 21 ports will be constructed.

the first such an expedition could be granted to the winning three teams of Shadowoods challenge as an try out. ( the team members are free of course to form new alliances etc etc )

once the admin decides that certain worlds are developed enough to allow new players these worlds become an option for everyone.

the game will have the same rules, but with very small port populations it will have an extra challenge to succeed. which team will adjust best to a world with limited resources? a world where they have no banks, no goldshops and an auction where cards and ships will be scarce.

[Grimrock Litless]

Yeah, new world, everyone can only start in one port and will take time to build up a port before moving on to the next.

[SSR]

You can just put it up for a month and see how it affects the current world, and then decide if you wish to keep it or not. Or even give it an objective like whoever gathers 1 billion in assets wins the set then close the server. Winner gets 1000 credits in the main server to stimulate them returning back. You could also disable credits in the new server to make it more competative.

[Ghost]

A previous online game that I played had the same idea and ended up running 3 separate versions of the same game. It split the player base and player numbers steadily dropped. Who has the time to maintain separate profiles? ....Ok, perhaps a few of us, let's not mention names.

I'd much rather see more developments in the current environment that'll add more depth and options to players. Banks, Goldsmiths, Academy and all the research options have already improved the game a lot over the years and it keeps me logging in.

No, this is really a crappy idea and would ruin an enjoyable online community.

[Stan Rogers]

You would have to make a new account if built. But credits would cross over.

No new account will be needed. Just a new character in the new world.
We are unsure though. This must be clear. There is no decision as we speak.

I can see how one account could be used for earning GC and credits and the second account could be used to spend them on disruption and chaos. As long as identities were hidden, one could do this with impunity.

I like the concept for some of the benefits to new players and arena type competitions that could occur from time to time but I would be much tempted to follow my first instinct as listed.

Redish's comments also must be examined very carefully of what his experience has shown could have a detrimental effect on the main server/game.

[Haron]

I fear this idea, to. I would be inclined to do as Stan suggests, use one account to generate credits for the other. I also fear the splitting of the player Base. We are already rather few players...

[Grapefruit]

I too think a second server is a bad idea.

However....

I do like SSR's idea of a temporary other server, with set goals and a clear winner who achieves these goals first.
A battle ground server for tournament play.
There could be an entry fee to to enter the tournament.
With everyone starting on an equal footing.
A new tournament every couple of months.
With different goals and starting resources and available technology.
This would be a test of skills knowledge and tactics.

For example:
Everyone starts with ten fleets of LLM's, and one SotL, a hideout that only has an academy available,
60 captains/11 admirals/10 merchants, a small voodoo stock (everyone the same) and 250 000gc.
All ship building and ship markets disabled, all voodoo markets disabled, no access to banks or buried treasures.
And limited resources in the ports. You can still get extra voodoo by daily presents. And empty ships in the world to tidal wave. The only techs you can research are metalurgy and gunpowder(at a reduced cost/time). Nationality, influence and credits would be irrelevent.
Entry fee 50 credits.
The game would last one month or until one player has wiped out the rest, with the winner the Player with the most gold in his purse.
The prize is 200credits, 20 000 000gc and 5 000 000 fame to your normal account.
Those not taking part in the tournament should be able to spectate somehow ( I don't know how that would work It just occurred to me)

So what do you think?
What tactics would you use in this scenario?
Would you go full on attack to win by knockout?
Or tread lightly and play a defensive trading game?

[Most Lee Harmless]

I like this idea above by Grapefruit : a limited term campaign-style server with clear victory conditions.

It might be fun to go for a total defleet of the entire server!

The winner is the last ship floating1

[Shadowood]

That would be fun

[Haron]

Yes, such user of a second server sounds like fun, and is a much better idea!