I think SM is a pretty cool guy, eh builds unicycle-bots and doesn't afraid of anything
With regards to tournaments, how do you expect a large one on the scale of CC/BBEANS to function when nobody even enters?
100% open ears to what we can do to get the place foxed up.
There's also the problem with the forum being flat out boring. There's no drama or huge forum reactions for the most part anymore, it's usually just "oh that's nice" and then you move on with your day. Last bit of drama I remember was RA3's release, and even then it was more so criticism of GI and the RA3 subforum rapidly fizzling out rather than forum drama.
DSL-IRL is the libtard’s meta. Go drink more soylent, retard! #BLUELIVESMATTER
im just waiting for meganerdbomb to come along and kick things into gear.
QuoteThere's also the problem with the forum being flat out boring. There's no drama or huge forum reactions for the most part anymore, it's usually just "oh that's nice" and then you move on with your day. Last bit of drama I remember was RA3's release, and even then it was more so criticism of GI and the RA3 subforum rapidly fizzling out rather than forum drama. please tell me you didnt just cite lack of 'forum drama' for gtm going downhill. i don't think this community has lasted over a decade and a half because of an ample supply of 'drama' that is petering out. i feel like i had more to add to this but this melted my mind a little bit and im frankly unsure of where i am or why
With regards to tournaments, how do you expect a large one on the scale of CC/BBEANS to function when nobody even enters? I know I could certainly run a large tournaments, and I know there are other members willing to as well. We simply don't have enough people without a "big name" tournament.
I was trying to quietly run around and organise what I'm about to divulge but I guess that now is the best time as any to start working with the community on this one.Not too long ago, I started talks with the admins and mods about a GTM tournament. This would be an official tournament in which members would receive prizes for doing well. Not only that but it would also debut a tournament ranking system. I will probably detail both of these concepts in more depth in a later post when I have the time and a keyboard.I hate to think that, due to the state of entrant apathy at the moment, that the stature of the tournament alone wouldn't revitalise interest in most builders. So, I'd like to call to action now, and possibly at a later date in its own thread, all builders in the RA2 community to get stuck back into building and really make it clear what you expect from this official tournament and what it would take for you to join, even if it's just telling me your favourite metagame, it would be really appreciated. In return, I will promise that I will do everything I can to make sure the project will go smoothly.The RA2 league (Kill's, not GK's) hasn't been completely abandoned but Kill has expressed his interest in helping me with this project over the league. Btw, I was on the hosting team for that but Kill was always the host.Really hope I can help the state of the forum with the influence I have.
I have returned, hopefully for more than six months too! Haha. Let’s see…
The game itself is the biggest problem I think, but the problems the game faces I think robot fighting in general suffers with as well. The majority of “good” bots in both real life and in the game are spinners, or you get some crazy niche design that really shines in real life that can’t be replicated in the game, like Razor – This issue comes down to the game not being deep enough. Perhaps an expansion of the game is needed. More parts, more possibilities. I know we have the mods, but like you say, there are still standout designs in every version that everyone can just slap together – maybe a big stock expansion pack would go a ways to help? Flails, CO2 flippers, the flamethrower, crushing arms, more burst motors, I don’t know, maybe trying to migrate everyone over to DSL would be a start instead?
In terms of activity, users need a buzz like you say. When a new game comes out, everyone tries everything and tests it out. This is an old game now, everything has been discovered, all the weapons have been tested, the glitches have been mastered. DSL 2.2 should have had more of an impact admittedly, but what can you do?
The key is to promote interest in the game, get a reason for people to play. A forum wide tournament is certainly a start, get people talking, get members seeded (custom titles based on their seeding?), get peoples reps up for exceeding expectations, get the wiki updated with new and old member profiles that are now active, where’s my wiki page? Badger? R01? Boto? Wen needs a whole site dedicated to him for Christ’s sake. Remember the BBEANS parts you would win like pre-stacked supervolts? Incentives like that should be brought back as well.
All of this requires dedication from a group of reliable admins that will obviously be sacrificing a great deal of their time to make all this happen. It’s a lot to expect from someone, but keeping a game like this alive takes work! And I think it’s worth it… Definitely my favourite robot combat game across any format.
Nice to see that the forum-wide tourney idea isn't completely stagnant. I personally think Ironforge would work pretty well as a place to start (since it's so balanced), or DSL 2.2 (since you'll probably get more people to enter). If you need tourney prizes, just hit me up in my PMs or on the ole discord.Bringing back playground might be something to consider. It was certainly one part of the forum where you (and a lot of other members) were able to have fun. It just kind of disappeared one day for no real reason other than Trov not liking it.
Isn't chatterbox supposed to be the playground replacement?