Ready, steady, go – in retrospect

[Shew]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

One way

[br]Click to enlarge[/br]


Better way

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If people don't want to wait in a line properly, just go to new location.

Have some sort of contest.

I think of some of the contests Mindstar9 would have on her radio broadcast. They were quite fun, and I don't recall anyone complaining why they didn't win any of the prizes.

Think of contests that radio stations have for concert tickets or whatever.

An in game contest with that is directed to content of the world would be great to have. Just make sure to have a rule that same person cannot keep winning. Many contests state you cannot compete if you won in last 30 or 60 days.

Events liike this is what makes a world interactive and makes people want to participate more. That is a big draw for radio stations of one over the other.

 

[Kal]

The lesson learned is that the next time the actual number of items available will be shown beforehand.

Originally posted on Entropia Gateway

Your still not thinking. Publishing the number beforehand will just create a bigger, more furious riot. The riot might be shorter but it will still be a riot.
So as many are saying, lesson not learned.

Just to be clear I don't have a dog in this fight. I never cared much about vehicles and probably never will and I didn't even bother trying to get one. It's just disturbing seeing MA/FPC blundering over and over again. To make matters worse you were warned that something like this would happen beforehand but you chose to stubbornly ignore common wisdom and proceed full speed ahead right into the looming iceberg.

EDIT: I see Marco posted asking for suggestions while I was writing this. Well that's a a good sign anyway. Hope it isn't just more lame PR.

 

[JohnCapital]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

Quoting a few comments that I think answer this in the best way IMHO.

*appear randomly on hunting and mining grounds and surprise a miner/hunter with gifts
*walk around anonymous and randomly give away the cars

{other methods mentioned, but edited out to focus on these}

I know theres always people moaning about how its done but in above situations there would be far less whining and far less degrading situations.

Funny enough, this was the method I was hoping they would do, instead of just showing up at Tps.

I do believe that hopping/driving around "out in the field" and giving them to the players out there would have been a great method, rewarding those who "spent decay". The obvious issue of a mob arriving to follow would be alleviated by a simple random tp chip jump or three. Then off you go, looking for the next lucky miner/hunter.

A longer, but more satisfying method, perhaps.

 

[paduguy]

maybe u could give these cars with about 1 ped each left on them,just to give everybody a taste of the new vehicle platform and distribute them over the gift system to all those who logged in on 21st(by making the cars 1 ped each u can hand out 3400 cars,not just 270). I also bet that even if u handed a full tt car to every1 ingame,it still wouldn't bring u any losses as nobody would have withdrawn their car,but instead u would have gotten much more dacay from fuel

 

[Pogo]

Quoting a few comments that I think answer this in the best way IMHO.

I do believe that hopping/driving around "out in the field" and giving them to the players out there would have been a great method, rewarding those who "spent decay". The obvious issue of a mob arriving to follow would be alleviated by a simple random tp chip jump or three. Then off you go, looking for the next lucky miner/hunter.

A longer, but more satisfying method, perhaps.

With "FUTURE SIGHT" i can tell you right now that ppl could easily make accusations of favoritism using this out in the middle of nowhere approach.

Its not an easy thing, but maybe a Q&A on planetary aspects with the first correct answer getting the prize. I hear they did this on RT. There can be no disputes that way provided the numbers are announced before hand. Different venues might be a good idea as lag might get bad

 

[Eli]

It was good it was given out in limited numbers, since you have made it an actual system to craft them, you don't want to sink it before it even starts, even if they ARE limited. A careful driver could keep their going a looong looong time.

Lines just wouldn't work, esp with such a small number of cars (compared to the player base).

I would second the notion of contests. Some trivia, maybe. Make people work for them!

 

[JohnCapital]

With "FUTURE SIGHT" i can tell you right now that ppl could easily make accusations of favoritism using this out in the middle of nowhere approach.

I agree. However, it's the best method I can think of. (Guess I'm just not smart enough. )

 

[kosmos]

At times, the number of simultaneous users online was over 50% of average figures – something we didn’t expect, and it added to the chaos.

In retrospect, the usage of the word “plentiful” was a mistake and shouldn’t have been used.

Come on MA just let us know the "average figure" why continue to hide it


Yeah I had a feeling they wouldn't be "plentiful" to the 900k register accounts in eu lol. But nice to see an admission to a mistake. I am losing count on how many times MA recently owns up to mistakes.

kosmos

 

[RexDameon]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

Rocktropia's giveaway went pretty good we had a lot of fun

They did it with a bunch of different games.
Nobody swarmed the people giving them away cause they only gave them to the winners of the games.

They did it really organized and nicely pased

https://www.planetcalypsoforum.com/forums/rocktropia/191236-free-cars-rocktropia.html

 

[Pirx Danford]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

Well one idea I had is, why not make some undercover avatars.
Those could do things like searching for someone to help them, with a TP run, or getting a claim that is swarmed by mobs or other difficult situations where newcomers need help with.

The people that are willing to help then would be quite surprised by getting a car as gift in return for a good deed.

Sure that method takes time but it would reward people that actually care about others.

 

[Chrome]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

Marco,

Do you truly want to know what would really be in the best interest of you, your company, the game, and your customers?

My opinion...

Give free items to everyone (distributed via storage a la holiday gifts)...
Or give nothing at all.

That is the ONLY way to avoid confusion, anger, frustration, and disappointment for all involved.

 

[AlphaGeek]

One thing I see of interest here is that less than TT value cars could have equalled more to distribute.

That being said, the distribution methodology employed this time would be beset with the same problems of emotional contagion, mob mentality, and the dreaded "WHERE'S MY PONY??" Syndrome.

How about a "whack-a-mole" distribution method? Items magically appear at totally random locations within certain parameters, ie in the cities, or something. They stay available for a limited time, then go back to the pool if someone doesn't pick it up. Distribution continues until they are all claimed, or some ridiculously long period has gone by.

If published in advance, this would let people know what area(s) things might happen, but grabbing the brass ring would still be largely to chance.

 

[Tree-doctor]

Damn !! I dont know why we should say to MA what to do ... Its not our job, we are not payed for. Thats a joke or what ??

The solution exist. Its named COMMON SENS.

 

[Pogo]

[*]Give one to everyone: Kill the vehicle crafting industry before it even begins

This is not a attack on you John , but i actually think this is the best way forward.

Lets not forget this is a recreational item "mainly" A low drop rate will just make them more "exclusive". Exclusivity is not the common way into the recreational market place, unless your product is very very unique or speacialist. vehicles are not.... As a product developer looking to make money from a recreational item i have two choices.

A. I target the exclusive market with an high cost (TT value) excellent product or.......low number big/ish sales

B. i target the mass market with a lower cost affordable option in this case that is (free), functional yet very very basic L and a teaser for owners to want bigger and better (Vehicle industry comes into play)

Free Vehicles if done right will not kill the vehicle industry

Giving L vehicles with Zero tt value, (non tradable), basic for free to all players will not kill the market as they are L and cannot be sold or upgraded. This means the industry can still thrive just as they would have.

I say give everyone a free zero tt value, basic, non traded able L vehicle. or do what ND did and go the other way with your approach to making peds in the existing market place.

 

[Yirrk]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

See, right here. This comment. What I see here is not so much a positive reaching-out interaction with the playerbase as it is a blind grasping in the dark, and it's very disappointing.
This is what so profoundly disturbs and frustrates us about MA/FPC.
You people should KNOW how to properly and effectively administer your damn game backwards & forwards BY NOW for cripes sake. This isn't your first day with EU. Come on already!! If you haven't gotten it by now, hang it up. Just punch out and go the hell home you're fired.

I frikkin give up.........

(For the record I don't give a rat's arse about cars, but I do care about PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE)

 

[Shew]

Free Vehicles if done right will not kill the vehicle industry

Giving L vehicles with Zero tt value (non tradable) for free to all players will not kill the market as they are L and cannot be sold or upgraded. This means the industry is still good to thrive.

correct

make the basic free cars, can only carry the owner, slower speed, and hp, can't be used as an attack vehicle, transport only.

That way there will still be a market for "better" vehicles.

 

[Borr]

How about a "whack-a-mole" distribution method? Items magically appear at totally random locations within certain parameters, ie in the cities, or something. They stay available for a limited time, then go back to the pool if someone doesn't pick it up. Distribution continues until they are all claimed, or some ridiculously long period has gone by.

This is a great idea. Actually when i was rather green in Entropia, I was scouting the land looking for the egg. I expected to find it near a tree or a rock and i had even mistaken several real rock for the egg (ahh...). I never thought it would be looted from a mob.

Having items distributed around the continent for anyone to pickup makes them available to active players that are playing the game, while having them available to new players as well.

 

[thoreau]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

I wrote a very fair a equitable solution. Then I realized that it doesn't matter. It never has. So I deleted it.

 

[Brumle]

Posted elsewhere, but copy/pasted here, as it applies here quite well.
--------------------------------

We can discuss FPC's poor handling of this situation, the various actions of players, etc. However, in the end, I can see no real way FPC could hand out less than 300 cars without creating anger.

• Hand them out at random: Those who don't get one complain
• Give them to the biggest depositors: Then they are favoring the big money spenders
• Give them to oil miners: Favoring a specific player base
• Give one to everyone: Kill the vehicle crafting industry before it even begins
• Hold a lottery: Breaking their own gambling rules
• Give them out without announcing it: Complaints of secret distribution

I can think of NO way at all to distribute so little qty to so many without pissing anyone off.

Do any of you have any better ideas? How could FPC have done this better? With the least amount of whiners in the end.

In short, how could this be done so folks are happy without creating a new batch of upset folks?

For the record, I did not get a car. I tried. I failed. I've moved on.

CLARIFICATION: I completely understand folks are unhappy. I can agree with many of their reasons. I simply see no real alternative that would have reduced the complaints.

cant see the problem ......
give everyone a time limited car to test......

1. all gets one using gift sytems like xmas (every ones happy)
2. no tt or MU (cant be traded)
3. crafters still rule the marked after the time period but all have tryed so maybe more ppl were interested in buying one (with the current MU i wont try em thats for sure)


hope that makes sence

 

[LLS]

* deleted *

 

[antonioliveira]

Wise move I think. Imagine the chaos if it had been during peak gaming hours?

The thing is they counted it as given to EU/USA time, and only non-working people could got a hold on them. Asia/AUS non-working hours are the middle of the night in EU/USA, so the ones eligeble for them are again non-working EU/USA avatars.

Many of "the usual suspects" where in Twin Peaks buying for 500+ ped

Right, and putting them on auction (when I logged on, there were already 6/7 cars on auction) with first bids @tt price... what a loss of ped!

Give 15 Lollypops to 30 children and there will be tears.

Didn't get my lollypop. Not in tears, but extremely disappointed here.

I disagree totally, yesterday was the busiest I have EVER seen EU, and I've been here for 5 and a half years.
EDIT: I take that back, pre VU 10 night was far busier

I know, a whole lot of people distributed among every main TP. What I'm asking is: Where are all those people today? They just logged on to get a car? What now? Store it and see you next update/freebie event?

 

[StarGlider]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

Drop a % of them in EVERY single mob's loot in Entropia.
And I do mean all mobs, not just daspletor prowlers that only a few can kill.

200 cars, lets say 50 mobs (estimate, dunno how many mobs roam off the top of my head) each mobs has a chance to loot 4 cars, even from chirpies.
Also, a % for miners and crafters.

Not rocket science really is it.

 

[Legion]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

ways to do it.
1. Make the cars 0 tt make them last x amount of days so everyone can try them. Then also everyone could get one.
2. Spawn cars randomly around the world, first one to claim it get's it.
3. randomly drive around and if you meet an avatar give a car.
4. etc

General suggestions.
Dont tell ppl the amount you give out, and also dont say plenty etc. Just say we will distribute an x amount of this item.

DONT make an event that will gather a large bunch of ppl in one place. As your servers clearly cant handle it.

After an event/patch addition.

Have a meeting and discuss what went well and what went bad, what could you do better and so on. Then document this and make a list of good practices and bad practices and then learn from this. Then before a patch/event check the lists also to make sure you dont screw up

 

[aia]

One mistake in the performance: Doing this during working-hours for a large part of the players. And then having more convenient time for players in other timezones doesn't make it feel better.

I would have tried to at least cater the active players, given them out repairable with TT=0, if it's the TT value that's the problem for giving them out in a large scale.

Now there are say 150 happy people with cars, 50 happy people with ~500 ped profit, and a thousand unhappy players who see people use cars everywhere.

 

[SpikeBlack]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

Random lottery with the first login in a set period being the ticket. Limit it to avatars who were created before the announcement. Or do it by time award a gift every 10-15 minutes to an avatar that hasn't logged in before that day.

In this case 1 vehicle every 7-8 minutes, which a slight random element added on, after the vu has launched.

Not much different to how you're handing out the refunds, transport fees or holiday gifts.

 

[Phil Surtees]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

1. Announce the exact number of prizes beforehand.
2. Put them in loot of several different mobs/bps that are inexpensive to kill/craft
3. Stretch it out for 24 hours--for 200 vehicles, that's 12 per hour.
4. Announce when all are gone, in global message.

A lot of the bad feeling was generated because expectations were too high. People feel as though they were misled. Do not mislead them again.

 

[SeanJohn]

to Marco's thread, quote"I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it."

I have been playing EU since 2005, i dont know the exact date, but everytime something comes up its is chaos, I really think you should implement a lottery systems for items like this. Every avatar gets a unique item number, or set of numbers, and u make a excel sheet using =randbetween(#,#) for 5 columns, or use a real lottery and assign people numbers based off of numbers the lottery uses. I would be fair to everyone. I have really been disatisfied with EU as a whole.... ( easy way to say it i dont want to rage my pants off)

-SeanJohn

 

[Edi]

I´m not happy
I go online after work @ 21 MA time and waiting and go from TP to TP till 24 MA time and the next day starts again @ 7 MA time i carn´t wait all n8 long -.-

 

[Legion]

Random lottery with the first login in a set period being the ticket. Limit it to avatars who were created before the announcement. Or do it by time award a gift every 10-15 minutes to an avatar that hasn't logged in before that day.

In this case 1 vehicle every 7-8 minutes, which a slight random element added on, after the vu has launched.

Not much different to how you're handing out the refunds, transport fees or holiday gifts.

they cant as it would be a lottery where a person could win more than they bet.

 

[Ajax]

I am actually very interested to hear suggestions how a fair, hurt-no-one, distribution should be conducted? I have been thinking about this a lot lately and if anyone has good ideas, I'd be very happy to hear it.

Hmm, I was with the "TP around the wild and pick random ppl - those that are actually playing!" camp until I thought of crafters - they would miss out.

Then I scampered over to join the "Drop it in loot!" crowd, until I thought of sweaters and traders, who would miss out on this approach.

Scuttling across to the "Give everyone a really low TT car on login so they can have a couple of hours' play!" bunch I felt a little more comfortable. But we don't know if there are financial constraints to doing this. Are there, if the cars are (L) and thus decay, and thus return PED to the company?

Hmm, I see another group forming. What's that? "Just run a series of events upon which ava skills will have no bearing so anyone can have a go"? Sign me up ppl. Sign me up....