The irony in the title of Episode 57 of the Informant Podcast and the timing of this post is the much celebrated "Breather" was very short lived. I guess we were too specific in our complaints of "Event Fatigue" and Zynga figured that one event plus a bunch of upgrades requiring spam wasn't the same thing. I don't think they will ever get what the players are trying to tell them. Let us play the game that we love and are addicted to. The only way to break free from the constant work required in Mafia Wars is to quit. That is exactly what the masses are doing.
(image from All Facebook)
It is about time. We actually got somewhat of a breather on Events. Do not get us wrong, it has been a pleasant surprise. However, a few of us long term player were saddened that Z has had more time to develop things like Spider Events and not a traditional Holiday Event. We appreciate the break though. Pistol Pete covers the soon to be released Business Manager. A nice all in one Spocklet to Craft, Collect, and Speed-up Properties and Businesses. Jen could not be with us. However, in light of the reprieve in Events she picked the right week to miss. Chester and Jana have been noticing several families closing up. Not certain if related to other reasons people quit lately, but Admin’s of these families are beginning to get fatigued too.
| Article written by Jennifer Patterson, Creator of the MW Loot Lady Blog, The Mafia Wars Loot Lady Facebook Fan Page and Co-Host of The Informant Podcast. |
so u folks are sure the reason millions have quit is because of too many events???
ReplyDeletei think ur ruling out many other possibilities.
In regards to events, its not the FREQUENCY of events that is a turn off, but the spam, the popups, the GLITCHES and the lack of options whether to participate or not.
There are many players who might've not been playing for sometime and would be delighted to have something special going on.
Instead of getting ourselves exhausted by participating in everything that zynga throws at us, its we ourselves who should know our limits.
Most of us have 24 hours tv with cable. Hundreds of channels. Do we watch everything? No. We would not do anything else in life, and even end up with medical problems if we did!
Likewise, its not zynga's fault that we find a NEED to lap up everything they throw at us. That does NOT mean zynga needs to REDUCE events just to satisfy a portion of the player base who cant limit themselves and needs zynga to limit their GAME TIME by reducing events!
This game is on going, and its better when not everyone gets everything everytime. Thats the point of a browser game on a social networking site.
The PAC needs to ask itself if its really fighting to make the game better, for the masses, or just fighting for what they themselves want.
You talk about more tradional holiday events. Why in the world would it be BETTER for mafia wars players to spend tradiotional holiday staring at the screen and tapping away at the keyboard and clickling on the mouse endlessly, INSTEAD OF SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS????
In fact, they should REDUCE holiday events!!!!!!
It would be sick if a dude spends his valentine playing mafia wars just to take advantage of an event, instead of spending some quality time with his girlfriend.
So, to make myself clear--- zynga should keep giving us event, but reduce events on holidays-- or if they have holiday events, it shouldnt expire within a short time, but should we should be given DOUBLE the usual time amount.
Most importantly, they should first fic all the glitches and make the game more interesting with new facets added to the game, to make it more multi-dimensional, instead of just the mindless jobs and fighting.
I think more people would've left the game BORED coz its not interesting enough, than people leaving just because of exhaustion.
The NOVELTY factor has worn off.... zynga needs to inject new things, and yes, making the zoo and armory upgradeable to new levels is one example of what can be done.
There's a whole GAMUT of things zynga can do. I just think The PAC is not on the same page with me on this, coz i think your suggestions here are totally contrary to what i think will be better for the game.
a dude from Malaysia
Dude, let me tell you something...
ReplyDeletethe player base of MW consists of Grannies and Grandpa's who have nothing better to do, unemployed people who have nothing better to do, and people with a lot of money and serious social problems who spend 1000's o dollars to0 get Platinum status...
None of these people have a family life...so what would they do on holidays ?
and most of them are in the Good ol' US of A....so what would a dude from Malaysia know about their problems...hmmm
They need to get their rocks off and their latent aggresion out by beating up weaker players on the fight list...thinking that that's what they would do to some punk on the street who disses them in real life....ha!
As if !
and gifting evens come in thh way of that especially because most of these people are seriously OCD and need to at least 1 of each loot item...
And when you have multiple events going on with all the FB gifting limits they get all upset...
Get the picture ?
Breather? It was a mirage. They were loading up to hit us for this weekend - Terminator vs Rambo, property upgrades in NY Armory and Zoo, New Timed Mission.
ReplyDeleteOne poster above says "In regards to events, its not the FREQUENCY of events that is a turn off, but the spam, the popups, the GLITCHES and the lack of options whether to participate or not." He's WRONG. It is the FREQUENCY and the OVERLAP of Events & Timed Missions. Each require our time and action to accomplish (that is, unless we follow suggestion of Anonymous and simply don't try to do 'everything that Zynga throws at us').
Anonymous poster thinks "The PAC needs to ask itself if its really fighting to make the game better, for the masses, or just fighting for what they themselves want." He doesn't get it. The PAC was intentionally formed from players with different perspectives so that different playing styles and priorities would be represented. This means: YES they individually have their ideas of what would be best for themselves, but they SHOULD think that - so they
adequately represent ALL players who have that as their playing focus. BUT collectively (and things don't get done in PAC without agreement) they work together for the good of the game. So, if you aren't on the same page with Jen, that's fine, because she has her style and you have yours. But if you aren't on same page with PAC, then it is probably you who are selfishly wanting to see the game go in a direction that suits you but ignores the needs of the larger community of players.
Second anonymous thinks MW Gamers are all Grandpa, Grandma, unemployed, USA, playing to release pent up aggression. You don't get the picture at all, so why try to straighten out anonymous from Malaysia?
Since neither anonymous poster has a real understanding of typical MW gamer (or the PAC), their perspectives are more warped than the stereotypes they invoke in their diatribes. With that said, both might have as much understanding as the typical Zynga employee - which clearly doesn't say much about the company.
Seriously, if the pace of these events/timed missions/new special actions in the game isn't dramatically altered, the DAU will continue to plummet and the "GAME OVER" sign will be the only thing new players see as they enter MW.
@vic
ReplyDeleteI really dont think frequency is the main problem and i've explained why. Mafia Wars needs new features, things to keep the interest in the game on the rise again, instead of making it a chore.
Players need to be given more OPTIONS in this game. Period.
I don't totally disagree with anonymous. There is some truth in what he/she is saying.
The PAC consist of hardcore, diehard mafia wars fans, and i'm sure its not an invalid assumption. Forwarding their own ideas representing themselves alone would not do the trick, as many more players are casual, not hardcore.
I think a lot of people play mafia wars from their workplace too, and they would be thrilled to log in at home and in the weekend to continue playing. If these people are forced to play during holidays at a crazed pace in order to collect the ridiculous amounts of items needed to complete events, it might not deter the heavy players who are hardcore, but it will really dampen the mood of the casual players--- who would otherwise play more and more as they progress.
That is why i feel this blog doesnt really keep these sort of players in mind, and i'm just writing so that the PAC would try its best to represent the WHOLE community which consist of a varied type of players.
Zynga needs to attract new players and make those who have left the game to come back again.
I know a few high level players who have stopped playing because they were BORED. There is not much excitement or fresh things to keep them playing, and eventually they burned out and lost interest. I think Brazil is a step in the right direction.
And yes, maybe a lot of Americans play mafia wars, but so do many others from all over the world--- so what relevance would easter day have for a lot of them???
More mafia-themed ORIGINAL events and features please, zynga!...
a dude from malaysia