What's the state of play with new games?

[Nevermore]

Just wondering what the state of play is for new games. Things seem to have dried up a little whilst I was absent.

I've been planning a game, Godfather mafia, for a very long while (since two years ago) and wondered if there'd be an opportunity to run it. If there was, I would really appreciate the help of an experienced mod run through some things and co-mod.

EDIT: Of course, if there's still a future games list, then no worries - I'll tag on the end.

Quote The Raven
Nevermore

[eayragt]

There's still a future games list - we tend to have to dig a little deeper to find a game ready, but there are always games ready.

I think we misread the lull. Sign ups for a couple of theme games were slow, and it was presumed interest has dipped, however the last three games have signed up really quickly. I think the dip ended last month, we just haven't really realised!

[djthefunkchris]

Theme games ussually means an uneven playing field with some exceptions (Marvel/DC based games, Star Wars, etc.).

It's hard to realise these things, till you look back at the history since we been playing, and see how the boom effect goes.... Even playing field games, start making a boom... themed (meaning themes that NOT everyone has heard about before) games causes the opposite effect. People will try one or two, but then after realising the uneven benefit of knowing or not knowing the theme (even when people say, "It doesn't matter if you know it"), they seem to back off. Has been that way for a long time.

It always looks like interest in the games has gone down, but if you step back and look at it, you can see this as clearly being all about the themes. They start to decline, then they start to go up when things become more "normal".

NOTE: Has nothing to do with the rules/or different rulesets... Seems different rules actually enhance interest, perhaps just to see how it goes.

[Arrows]

Theme games ussually means an uneven playing field with some exceptions (Marvel/DC based games, Star Wars, etc.).

It's hard to realise these things, till you look back at the history since we been playing, and see how the boom effect goes.... Even playing field games, start making a boom... themed (meaning themes that NOT everyone has heard about before) games causes the opposite effect. People will try one or two, but then after realising the uneven benefit of knowing or not knowing the theme (even when people say, "It doesn't matter if you know it"), they seem to back off. Has been that way for a long time.

It always looks like interest in the games has gone down, but if you step back and look at it, you can see this as clearly being all about the themes. They start to decline, then they start to go up when things become more "normal".

NOTE: Has nothing to do with the rules/or different rulesets... Seems different rules actually enhance interest, perhaps just to see how it goes.

Couldn't have put it better.

[moon_lit_tears]

One of my biggest reasons for not wanting to play. I watch very little television, nor play many video games. So themed games are iffy for me.

If they are barebones I'm great with that, or if the mod can make them work around the theme. over-9000 was out of my realm, but the game worked so well because it wasn't heavily based in needing knowledge.just like Star Wars, not a fan at all, but was enjoyable.

I think games based upon a theme so intwined into the game is going yo lack for sign ups.

I'm looking forward to List, but watching the show, it's clear you're going yo need a good bit of insight to the show to have a chance as scum in the game.

[BlueStar]

My 0.02 euro's.

I hate small games with no interaction.
I hate generic roles.
I hate phases with 5 posts in total (and I hate reading 200 posts during my night's sleep! But prefer that one).
I hate multiple games at once

Dust was, GDS-wise, good to very good as far as interaction was concerned. Still convinced that this community, which I entered by accident, is excellent for Mafia reasons. I even started a Belgian board which is touch and go to keep things running...(funny thing is that I got a soccer fan board where I can run a 30+ game!).

I still think the multiple games and the games being played at the same time, killed it at one point. Sure, having 6 games/year and getting offed N1 for 3 times in a row sort of kills you...but yeah.

What I do miss, is the discussions post-game. Even in Dust that was only about 2 days...surely that deserves more!

[BlueStar]

And my post was said while as a European/Belgian, 90% of the themes are completely unknown to me.

How long have I been here now? 5 years? :D

[moon_lit_tears]

I think a lot of the discussion was killed because post games tended to be fun/joking and such and were not supposed to be off topic down here..:D

[eayragt]

My 0.02 euro's.

I hate small games with no interaction.
I hate generic roles.
I hate phases with 5 posts in total (and I hate reading 200 posts during my night's sleep! But prefer that one).
I hate multiple games at once

Dust was, GDS-wise, good to very good as far as interaction was concerned. Still convinced that this community, which I entered by accident, is excellent for Mafia reasons. I even started a Belgian board which is touch and go to keep things running...(funny thing is that I got a soccer fan board where I can run a 30+ game!).

I still think the multiple games and the games being played at the same time, killed it at one point. Sure, having 6 games/year and getting offed N1 for 3 times in a row sort of kills you...but yeah.

What I do miss, is the discussions post-game. Even in Dust that was only about 2 days...surely that deserves more!

Did you know that when it was decided to run extra games, only one extra game was run in addition to the usual long / short game that has always been run?

[djthefunkchris]

I thought it was two, but I felt then as I do now, that the themed games killed everything, and bassically proved for those against it, that I was wrong (at that time anyways).

Although it was only one time, and neither one of those had a problem (that I remember), getting sign-ups or participation. Still killed the steam I had around at the time, for getting more games going.

Realise that I don't play no where near as often as other's do, and I am going moreso from "outside" the box, so to speak. Even at that time, I think I was involved in three games in a six month period... but I'm always checking in on things. Most of the time I check around so much I never have time to post, because I read up on dogpound stuff, mafia stuff, and some of the diary's I ninja read (yes, I checked out your new one as well Wallbanger). And USSUALLY, I'm playing TEW at the time (not up right now, as I just got back from some running around), probably 95% of the time.

Also note that I don't have a game currently in the mix, as I backed out long ago to let other's go before me because I seen the length it was taken, and felt the concern of people's interest by the time of their game is up, not as "on top" of their game as they would have been had it been still fresh/new/and exciting for them when they first come up with the idea. All that said is bassically meaning, I have nothing to gain from having more then one game at a time or not... I actually don't like being in two games at once personally, but I do see the need to speed up the lists so that people can get a turn in before three years is over (It might even be longer now, or shorter... don't remember the exact time frame we were looking at before, but believe it or not I think I might actually be coming up with a shorter time period).

Just trying to say that all of my observations, as well as thoughts on how we/us, should run the games, was myself trying to be as objectional as possible, looking at the pluss and minus factors and seeing a whole lot more Pluss, then minus at that time.

Then the themed games come up, almost perfectly timed. Imarevenant I believe was onboard, but slowed it all up right off the bat because of that "slump", and again, I have to say it's the themes... It effects alot of people, myself included. I know there is like perhaps a dozen people that doesn't care what theme it is, and are going to probably play if possible, period... but with the majority that actually do care about the themes, you have to keep that in mind when you state your observations and opinions. Also, try to keep facts as facts and personal opinion as such as well. My personal opinion is totally different then what I suggested back when we were talking about upping the games, because as I said, I prefer one game at a time (and did back then). I prefer themed games that I know about, over non-themed games/barebones, although the non-themed and or barebones are the second one's I prefer, and themed games I know nothing about I rarely will ever try to get in on, unless the mod's name is Imarevenant, IER, or perhaps Outlaw321 (there are other's, but that's what come to mind right off the bat).

[BHK1978]

I think the fact that GDS has not put out a new game in some time is a factor as well. We shall see if my theory is correct once the comic book game comes out. I just believe that new games from GDS drives traffic down here.

[djthefunkchris]

I think a lot of the discussion was killed because post games tended to be fun/joking and such and were not supposed to be off topic down here..:D
/nod.

The stickied topics, general mafia discussion,e tc... Is exactly what stopped alot of the post talk in the games. The sign up threads I believe are also effected, although not as much (or so it would seem). People still go back to the stickied threads, and even talk about games they were just in, that could or would have been in the original game thread, had the stickied topics not been up there.

Observations:)

[djthefunkchris]

I think the fact that GDS has not put out a new game in some time is a factor as well. We shall see if my theory is correct once the comic book game comes out. I just believe that new games from GDS drives traffic down here.

I think the wait in between to be honest (opposite of your thought there). We shall see though, as you said. Pay attention to the games (mafia) though. I'd bet anything a non-themed game or one of the more popular one's (from the past themes/marvel, Star Wars, GDS, etc.) will effect the numbers' more then anything. If we have them when the game comes out, I believe you will have interest. If someone is doing some anime mafia game that hardly anyone knows anything about, I bet the mafia "slump" will appear. I'd bet money on it.

Also, who is modding effects it as well... We like to think it doesn't, but it definately has an effect. Proven great modder's will get more momentum going over their games, then proven "sometimes good, sometimes not so good" modder's. Just saying this to be totally honest about it, not to criticise anyone in particular.

[Nevermore]

Wow... sparked a discussion :p.

Chris, mate, would you maybe be interested in being the guy who I bounced my ideas off? Even if it doesn't run for ages, I think the idea I've got could be fun but I've been very concerned with not making the theme a point of bias or exclusion (as you've talked about).

The basic idea is to base it a lot on plotpoints that the films/book never explained - so it's actually mostly original just with the use of some characters.

Obviously, no worries if not but, since you seem to hold a concern that I was worried about, it would be cool.

Quote The Raven
Nevermore

[i effin rule]

According to this, you were already on the list. I'm ok with you taking your number back and put in order on our new list.

This seems to be in order...

Here's what I believe the list is now, but I'm pretty sure I'm missing people and have the order quite wrong, so it'll be the place holder until people make their arguments. If you have suggested creating a game already, and I remember/you prove it, you get in at the time that you fit. I posted a topic on it, for example, a while back, so I'm somewhere near the front, but already modded one, so I'll yield a few spots if anyone is particularly anxious.

Also, I'll post your proposed theme if you list it.

Mods:

Long Form:
0. djthefunkchris - Gotham Nights, a Mafia Story - Game Running
1. Astil - Lakeside Incident Finale - Sign-Ups Being Held!
2. Ya_Its_Me - Southpark Mafia - Ready to Go!
3. The Shape/Glotnot - Simpsons Mafia - Ready to Go!
4. Panix04 - SFC Mafia - Ready to Go!
5. Antithesis - Sin: Every Act Has Consequences
6. TheOutlaw321 - DotT 2.0
7. Moe Hunter - Marvel Civil War
8. James Casey - Transformers: Generation 1 Mafia
9. rdsinclair - Divas Mafia
10. Thomnipotent - Final Fantasy Mafia
11. Undertaker666 - Movieland Massacre
12.Ghetto Anthony - Lost Mafia - Ready to Go!
13. TheOutlaw321 - Survivors Mafia
14. BlueStar - International Soccer Mafia
15. mjdgoldeneye - Freegreen Heights
17. Clarity
18. Destiny - Destiny's Sunnydale: Welcome To The Hellmouth - Ready to Go!
19. Akki - Politics Mafia
20. Derek_B
21. Slim Jim - MGS: The Iwakuni Incident - Ready to Go!
22. Nevermore - The Godfather Mafia: An Offer You Can't Refuse
23. Glotnot - Webcomic Mafia
24. Imarevenant - Rain of Ember Mafia
25. ford
26. TheRock13 - Athletics Mafia
27. Crychon - Hollywood Horror 2
28. infinitywpi - Famous Comedian Mafia
29. cyberkitten01 - Marvel: Secret Invasion Mafia - Ready to Go!
30. The Black Phenom - Spider-Man mafia
31. djthefunkchris
34. Sprinklefurball - Homestar Runner Mafia
35. Arrows - Apparently Embarrassing Theme Mafia

Short Form:
32. Midnightnick - Music Mythology Mafia - Sign-Ups Being Held!
16. nZane - Barebones 2.0
33. D_w_w - MMO Mafia
35. Tha Black Phenom - Recess Mafia
36. Glotnot - Punk Mafia
37. mjdgoldeneye - The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion
38. The Rock 13 - Only Fools and Horses Mafia
39. djthefunkchris - Scavenger Hunt Mafia
40. Imarevenant - Destroy All Monsters Mafia
41. I Effin Rule - TBD
42. Wallbanger - TBD
43. theoutlaw321 - TBD

[Nevermore]

According to this, you were already on the list. I'm ok with you taking your number back and put in order on our new list.

That would be cool but I don't want to nick the spot of someone who's actually been around recently. Seems a tad disrespectful.

Quote The Raven
Nevermore

[djthefunkchris]

Wow... sparked a discussion :p.

Chris, mate, would you maybe be interested in being the guy who I bounced my ideas off? Even if it doesn't run for ages, I think the idea I've got could be fun but I've been very concerned with not making the theme a point of bias or exclusion (as you've talked about).

The basic idea is to base it a lot on plotpoints that the films/book never explained - so it's actually mostly original just with the use of some characters.

Obviously, no worries if not but, since you seem to hold a concern that I was worried about, it would be cool.

Quote The Raven
Nevermore
Sure, but I'm going to warn you I'll be in and out. I'll be gone for about a week starting the 7th, but after that, I'm actually going to have alot of time (well, outside of the normal "Honey do lists"), since I'm going to go on leave and hopefully sit at home as much as possible (and work on home for a while).

Outside of that week though, I should be good to go.

That would be cool but I don't want to nick the spot of someone who's actually been around recently. Seems a tad disrespectful.

Quote The Raven
Nevermore

If someone has a game up that has just started being around recently, that would be awesome news.... However, I have a feeling the list is not quite that small, lol.

That being said, you won't be the first or last to do something like that, if you decide to do so. I don't think anyone is going to feel that you've been disrespectfull... I can't imagine anyone actually feeling that way. It would be different if say it was your 15th game or something, and you just did one last month... But I don't believe I seen one from you for a good while, if ever.

[moon_lit_tears]

I believe we discussed the list and members on it.

Ne by you were still around, just not in the games.

I think the issue is with people who have had no link to this part of the board in forever....