A1 Population

[MelRose]

Hi everyone.

We have all done a fantastic job populating the servers through everything so a high five is in order for all staff, members, and server regulars. This post is to address an issue that has me a tad bit concerned. We fell from 152 in server ranking to 211 in a little over a week. We are still in the 96th percentile which is quite good but I believe that our beloved A1 is in danger of decreasing in population further.

I've seen some of you pondering about the sudden decrease of population and chalk it up to lag. I do not believe this to be the case. Another 24/7 broadcast server has popped up and is making it's way up in the rankings. Disclaimer: THIS POST IS NOT TO FLAME THEM OR DISRESPECT WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO. They are trying to do the same thing we are- create a fun environment for their COD4 family to play in.

With that said, it has been awesome to see so many old names in A1 in the past few months. Many of us missed them and would like to keep them with us in A1 if possible so we can enjoy their company as we pew pew pew the hours away. For any of you old regulars who made your way back to us that happen to read this post- thank you for your company. We have truly enjoyed having you back.

This is not about turning anything into a server competition or flaming anyone- let us keep in mind that these are people we have known for years, that we've gamed with, and that we are all adults capable of handling this in a mature manner.

Now I turn this back to staff and members- more than ever we need you guys on there populating A1. Most everyone here does but please also do your best to keep the environment as friendly as possible. Don't be hesitant to stop playing for a minute to talk to the people on server and make them feel welcome. Right now we really need to let the server regulars we have and new people coming in know that we value them.

Any flaming/unnecessary comments will be deleted. Let's keep discussion on what is really important- a1 population.

Thank you.

 

[MikeK]

I've just checked the 24-7 server. They have 6-7 spectators there as they used to have it the other time.

We also need a few more people to idle during the night or when you are at work/school or when you play some other games. Just connect the server and alt+tab.

That's really helpfull and will be very much appreciated!

I'd also ask to wallbang less or at least try to explain that you are not hacking when somebody accuses you! And try to be as friendly as possible!

- - - Updated - - -

P.S. No need to join the 24-7 server, start another flame war and get yourself banned. Better just don't play there at all and populate our own server(s) instead!

 

[Finch]

Are we Talking about THAT 24-7 Broadcast Server?

 

[MikeK]

@Finch: Yes they started a new server a few days ago.

 

[Xepher]

I agree with everything Mel has said. Creating a positive server environment will go a long long way in helping the population.

I know not everyone likes playing on a1 for several different reasons. Not everyone likes FFA, Broadcast, high population at times, low/empty population at times, or just get sick of Cod in general. Even if you don't think you can make a difference you really can. Just hopping onto a1 from time to time, whether you idle or go all out with good conversations with people will really make a difference. You may not like SCing but it will happen. You may not like lag but please don't complain about it. People will spawnkill you over and over. Annoyances like these are inevitable.

I want to see the broadcast server grow, maybe more than anyone here, because it is just damn fun and is my favorite gametype. Only when there is drama or complaining do I not like it. The most fun times are when people are talking to each other with respect and having a good time. I too hope we can make a positive influence on regulars and newcomers so that they will want to come back. Over and over again.

I also ask the people who are...let's say tryhard. Tryhard-less, if you could, when the server is low on pop or when there are a lot of newcomers to the game. I'm not asking for you to downplay or anything, just make an effort not to scare people off. Its disheartening at times to see someone come in and make 5-10 people leave because they are winning by 50 kills by way of wallbanging and camping on the balcony. I know, I'm guilty too of this from time to time. I'm trying hard not to be so "scary" anymore. It's not easy to do, but it would mean a lot to me if we could make a1 a more positve place to be and hang out. I don't want to see it as a place to see who can get 125 kills the fastest.

 

[Jack]

Thanks for the heads up Mel, its like our krew has a guardian angel.

 

[Gage]

is the new 24/7 ffa server the one run by Gal?

 

[Jack]

I agree with what xeph said as well, sometimes s1 can get boring, sometimes when I'm on by myself I absolutely loathe s1, its when I'm on fucking around with xeph and the girls and whoever else joins us that I have fun.
So if s1 is low on population and you think "man fuck going in by myself." just announce in shout that your going, ask people to join, and if people are in shout asking for other people to join s1 and you've got time just play a couple games, its not hard.

 

[The Moment]

I play S1 with bolts when the population is low, mainly for my enjoyment and so that people get easier kills on me. It helps them and helps me too.

 

[SteelHorse]

. Ok, I play cod again.

 

[ManuelBook]

A1 is always filled with people, but half of them are always spectators.
Everytime it's low, I always tend to join in order to get the server more populated. I wait a while until one person comes, then afterwards, another person comes. I stay for a game or two, then eventually the server is filled once again up to like 5-9 people. (WHO AREN'T SPECTATING.)

 

[DamageINC]

. Ok, i play cod again.

lol

 

[Jack]

yeah, i think idleing can be counter productive at times, i mean if someones looking for a BC server and see's 6 people on ours then joins and they're all speccing, they aren't going to think "oh, this place is great" they're going to run around for a minute or 2 then leave, who knows if they bother to comeback.

 

[SteelHorse]

Don't worry i am here now. That will nvr happen . And don't worry about me raping them that will prolly not happen. So they should leave feeling good about themselves.

 

[Kessa]

We could run around like maniacs on the balcony with night vision on just for fun

More laughs = More people :3

 

[VoX]

I agree with everything Mel has said. Creating a positive server environment will go a long long way in helping the population.

I know not everyone likes playing on a1 for several different reasons. Not everyone likes FFA, Broadcast, high population at times, low/empty population at times, or just get sick of Cod in general. Even if you don't think you can make a difference you really can. Just hopping onto a1 from time to time, whether you idle or go all out with good conversations with people will really make a difference. You may not like SCing but it will happen. You may not like lag but please don't complain about it. People will spawnkill you over and over. Annoyances like these are inevitable.

I want to see the broadcast server grow, maybe more than anyone here, because it is just damn fun and is my favorite gametype. Only when there is drama or complaining do I not like it. The most fun times are when people are talking to each other with respect and having a good time. I too hope we can make a positive influence on regulars and newcomers so that they will want to come back. Over and over again.

I also ask the people who are...let's say tryhard. Tryhard-less, if you could, when the server is low on pop or when there are a lot of newcomers to the game. I'm not asking for you to downplay or anything, just make an effort not to scare people off. Its disheartening at times to see someone come in and make 5-10 people leave because they are winning by 50 kills by way of wallbanging and camping on the balcony. I know, I'm guilty too of this from time to time. I'm trying hard not to be so "scary" anymore. It's not easy to do, but it would mean a lot to me if we could make a1 a more positve place to be and hang out. I don't want to see it as a place to see who can get 125 kills the fastest.

I agree Xeph.. Ive been guilty of running people off when i try.. not to bloat.. ive been screwing around more than anything on A1 lately.. With the few exceptions of yesterday.


Also, lag was a reason for a few people that I know wont play on A1 anymore.. Slaya being one of them that you guys would know.. Other would be my old roomie.. And I dont know many people. So, I wouldn't rule that out..

 

[BluBirD78]

Yeah I wish there as more that could be done but I don't really think so. When I heard that our S1 was moving from Dallas I figured this would happen and honestly I thought for this amount of time it would have picked up by now, so I'm not sure there's much hope for it now, all we can do is try now though...

 

[MelRose]

Yeah I wish there as more that could be done but I don't really think so. When I heard that our S1 was moving from Dallas I figured this would happen and honestly I thought for this amount of time it would have picked up by now, so I'm not sure there's much hope for it now, all we can do is try now though...

Yeah the move was hard on all of us and I know there is more than 1 member here that misses the old S1 but actually through months of work the servers were starting to get back to normal. Not like the old S1 but close and sometimes even full during the days. It was also starting to get 10+ people on in the middle of the night which was great because usually it'd sit empty. It's only within the last week, a bit over a week, that the population started to steadily decrease again.

I know the lag has been an issue for some and why they haven't wanted to play but after some looking into it I realized that some of our regulars were going to another server instead of ours.

I fully believe this isn't just because of lag but also because at times we aren't doing enough to create a fun, friendly environment. I know we are all awesome people capable of doing that and I just wanted to make sure everyone had a heads up because being blindsided is never fun.

Hope to see you on A1 soon and maybe we can have some good times

 

[rocketfish]

I agree lately a1 has been empty, I had a four day weekend(using vacation time before I lose it) and a couple of days ago there was only 2 on when I normally play. And both were in spec. Usually what I do is check server info before I go in and I see how many are really playing. I would like a1 to stick around, it has my favourite map and is usually a lot of fun. I don't notice lagg much myself. Bfut then 2 years ago i was playing COD4 on dial-up in the sticks. I guess I'm used to it.

 

[TheDude]

Just a few thoughts:

We want to keep our regular members. I think we should really trying to be banning and kicking as few people as possible. I'm not saying don't ban hackers. Just keep in mind that kicking and banning should be a last resort in most other cases.

We want to attract newcomers. I think there is a minimum level of players on the server we should keep if we want people to join our server as newcomers. I think people new to the game or looking for new servers avoid servers that have under around 10 players. Even if there are 10 players and only 4 are playing.... there is a good chance the person who joined will play for a while anyway. While they do, more people will could join.

I'm not saying that maintaining 10 players on server 1 throughout the entire 24-hour day is a realistic goal. Could be, I guess.

I also agree with Xepher. I would add that while trash talking the noobs is very entertaining, especially when they have big mouths themselves, we should try to really limit how much we make anyone feel unwelcome. Leave that to non-members. I know I'm horridly guilty of this. Sometimes, people like Swed are better left alone, even if they get obnoxious at times.


Anyway, that is all.