Over a year ago I attempted to cut back on some of the stuff I blog about [1]. That decision stemmed more from boredom than anything else. I did stop posting about new Marketplace items but that was it. Today, time is more of a factor than boredom and I made a decision to not repeat things on this blog that our admins post on our fan page. I’m not online as much as I used to be and it’s too hard to keep up with the random limited time releases like Stranger’s Swag items, 2X Property Builds, daily gifts, Arena Happy Hours and anything else that doesn’t help players after the fact. I will also stop posting reminders of expiring events. Everyone can see the timer in the game so these posts are also not necessary. We will post those on the fan page as well. I still enjoy blogging about Mafia Wars but often ask myself if a blog is really needed? We are basically left with die-hard fans and there isn’t much of a learning curve anymore. The level of engagement and interest has gone down. This is fine with me since, sadly, the Mafia Wars Wiki is no longer regularly updated [1]. I find the blog is more for documentation than anything else. Based on the site metrics players only seem interested in walkthroughs, bug reports and scripts. I would like to keep things minimized to these categories. What’s interesting is you don’t seem to care about coming soon features, VIP stuff and of course the Marketplace. If I find that some things are missed by a large number of players then I can always add them back. Page views, comments, likes and shares help me determine if there is interest in the things I post. Regardless of what happens to this site, the fan page will always be there and your contributions are very valuable. Please help me figure this out by letting me know what you want to see and what you don’t care about.
I enjoy seeing the new loot as soon as it is discovered. It whets the appetite like a movie trailer does :) And I dislike admitting it, but you are better at calculating the value of LE loot and such than I am. That's why I avoid Vegas and Potawatomi-- too much mental math :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, I will still post the inventory updates. I like doing those posts and since Eike added that part to the Inventory History for me I would hate to stop those types of posts.
Deletewish you had 1 informant podcast a month. or bimonthly
ReplyDeleteWe are working on that. Pete has moved and once he gets settled and we can all find time to meet at the same time we will resume.
DeleteI think that it's about time you start taking your life back. I realize that it has been a labor of love on your part, and without Team Spockholm, David Cabrerra, and yourself I doubt that there would be many of us still playing this game. I appreciate all of you for making this broken game somewhat playable because IMO Zynga went off the rails long ago. Thanks Jen.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I just want to make a rule of thumb that if you can see it in the game and it's obvious what to do I shouldn't need to make a blog post :) The other things are already posted on the fan page so I want to simply things and just make posts that I enjoy doing. All the other stuff was starting to take too much time and then the important things weren't done as well as I could have. I think it will be better and it will be more fun for me :)
DeleteI quit playing back in December but I still stop by here to see what is up with the game. I still check the fan page on FB also. Honestly, I'm interested in the posting but since I don't play it's more out of curiousity about what is working and what isn't in the app. I miss the game but really the game I miss disappeared about 2 or 3 years ago. Jen... do what you need to do. Take care of yourself and don't sweat it.. You do more for this app than the developer does.... seriously you do. Thank you for everything you have contributed over the years.
ReplyDeleteI like the coming soon part and the walk throughs. Thanks for all you do
ReplyDeleteI need very easy to follow, detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to take advantage of 2X property builds.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I build during these times, I only see my skill points 1X, not doubled.
I have a ton of reward points.
I tend to like the info about new locations, limited time missions, special events and location missions the most, because they help me plan what I do to waste as little of my resources as possible. Since I can't get VIP, I am not interested in that & not sure that I would need updates on that if I were in it. I appreciate what is done on the blog & the fan site, and hope you will continue.
ReplyDeleteYou should be having fun in your game. Helping the community should not become a chore or take time away from things you like to do. I appreciate all the time, effort and info that you and the team provide but totally understand the time lost. Have fun and fill us in on the really important stuff.
ReplyDeletei enjoy the coming soon features. it helps me prepare . ty for all your hard work.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is the first thing I do just to check what's new in game,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate all you've been doing here, also Spockholm team ;)
I understand blogging it's hard to do the way you do, you make it as detailed as it can be.
I guess I need to change and start with your fan page ;)
May I suggest you to link the daily links to your fan page or the pin post?
I both enjoy and read everything you are planning to cut and will miss them greatly; however, I understand that it is a time consuming endeavor. Hopefully you will reconsider.
ReplyDeleteThanks to you and thanks to all the people who have helped you through the years. we could not be where we are without you
ReplyDeleteDon't blame you for needing to cut back; the game does get a bit boring sometimes, and you do need to have a life outside the Internet. I'll miss the posts here, but I'll certainly check the Facebook page more often. Appreciate the hard work you've put on this; it's been the only way I've kept track of what's going on in the game.
ReplyDeletepodcasts gone, mw lootlady site scaling back looks like mafia wars is doomed, wont be the same without you can feel your pain in what you write, thank you for all your insight into this game some ppl still love this game..:(
ReplyDeleteI really think you are underestimating due to inaccurate data.
ReplyDeleteIf your metrics are based on the amount of, "official", shares, then your numbers will be WAY off.
I read this blog at LEAST once a day and some time 3 or 4 times. I then take the info and either copy the link to share, (which i don't think would be included in your metrics), or summarize and shorten and then share.
The reason for summarizing, and shortening is because your blogs are extremely complete and as you stated the learning curve is flat lined.
Be rest assured that EVERY blog you post is read AND shared.
I'll try to keep in mind your metrics in the future when sharing. Most of us would be lost without this blog.
...even those of us who CLAIM to know everything. How do you think we got this way. :D