Ach, I'm repeating myself here, copied and pasted from another post I made earlier. This is some of what I posted in that other post.

" The newbs, tutorials are all there, perhaps make them easier to find? Perhaps making and building of certain ships available with no research, enable newbs to start to raid as soon as they start, also perhaps more resources to start with. 1 million metal, 500k crystal, 250k deut. If the ability to perhaps build for instance Small cargo ships, battleships, light fighters is available for no research and minimal shipyard, the start of the game will be quicker for newbs. The ability to raid almost instantly is there. Once they start and have a beginners package of resources, their attention span will be increased, an instant result without having to wait?"


Any thoughts?

I would suggest a tutorial and maybe start them off with 100k of each resource. I think that's enough to get over the worst hurdles and if they are smart at the very least some small cargos and maybe large cargos can be build from that.

@mightyoz - yes actually, i just happened to see that other post after i replied to this one i think

I have to agree with that quote mightyoz, i'm not sure how i missed the original posting of that but i agree. The only other tweak I would suggest is having the 'starting' planet start with a few buildings initially (mines, low shipyard, low research lab) maybe a couple of researches.

oneone wrote:except for our small hardcore group people dont hang around for long.

and nothing game changing has been added for so so so long

Although this thread is clearly well motivated, I don't think it's well considered. Speaking as a relative outsider, the reason Zorg Empire lacks broad appeal is that its setting is Spartan and dry. No ability to customize one's race or planetary history exists; there is no story, no pathos, no attention to planetary morale or individual heroism. Instead, the game centers around the accumulation of undistinctive resources called "metal" and "crystal," with no interruptions except those provided by attacks from other players.

To some extent, these problems are genuine virtues. I would have little interest in a Zorg Empire govorned by pseudoscience, "exciting" randomness, or the kind of technobabble common to popular science fiction. The hard scientific background is able to maintain my interest precisely because of its plausibility. However, the many, many people who passed this game by are not likely to appear on this forum and explain to you that they lost interest in Zorg Empire when they discovered how pointless the raw accumulation of resources and technological levels felt to them. Tweaking a few settings will not change the fundamental character of the game in such a way that it appeals to a larger audience.

Mark brings up a lot of good points. I personally think that some "exciting randomness" might be helpfult hough.

I think I have to agree with Athight. Perhaps start with the basic array of minimal mines, shipyards etc. Any further colony would be completely empty, up to them what they build from that point onwards. The point is newbs start the game, retaining them is the key. Give them an opportunity to see what they can do. We have taken on newbs before, do a little for a day or two then disappear. If they last any longer than that, you ask how they are doing, nearly always the answer is "slow". Climbing a mountain to see a little glimmer of light puts anyone off. Give them something that they can use from the outset. When they see the rewards for their endeavours perhaps it might persuade them to stay in the game?

SilverVixen wrote:Mark brings up a lot of good points. I personally think that some "exciting randomness" might be helpfult hough.

What did you have in mind?

that is an interesting thought mark. most active people i see here tend to be either the obsessive type, or the extremely serious type. most people within the normal range tend to get bored i think. best yet, those are changes that the heavy fleeters might not mind so much! lol

Basically, I think that we should have a customizable avatar and various alien species. Each species gives a different bonus.