There have been many conversations regarding why so many people quit and what can be done about it. I think we have room for one more conversation about this subject since it hasn't come close to being solved.
I have taken the time to talk to about 15 different players who quit over the past month. Focusing on why they quit specific maps after starting. There were no surprises as we have all stated the reasons in other posts: can't win, wanted to see the map, doesn't play that often, social player, don't know etc...
I then took it a step further and offered to play with some of them on a couple of different maps and teach them the basics on how to start and maintain an economy, build and research troops etc...
Surprising my success rate when doing this was less than 50%!!! Many just wouldn't continue to build their economy while some wouldn't upgrade their troops, others would still make and march with militia in a stack of tanks (my pet peeve), and other obvious errors that they just weren't willing to correct. (Frustrating)
They were willing to take a win with me but not willing to take the time to learn how to win...
The sad fact I learned is there are a lot of participants in our games but just not that many gamers. I will gladly help the occasional person in the future who show a desire to learn the ropes but I feel defeated in thinking there is a optimum solution waiting just around the corner to get more gamers to stay and play in these games.
I have taken the time to talk to about 15 different players who quit over the past month. Focusing on why they quit specific maps after starting. There were no surprises as we have all stated the reasons in other posts: can't win, wanted to see the map, doesn't play that often, social player, don't know etc...
I then took it a step further and offered to play with some of them on a couple of different maps and teach them the basics on how to start and maintain an economy, build and research troops etc...
Surprising my success rate when doing this was less than 50%!!! Many just wouldn't continue to build their economy while some wouldn't upgrade their troops, others would still make and march with militia in a stack of tanks (my pet peeve), and other obvious errors that they just weren't willing to correct. (Frustrating)
They were willing to take a win with me but not willing to take the time to learn how to win...
The sad fact I learned is there are a lot of participants in our games but just not that many gamers. I will gladly help the occasional person in the future who show a desire to learn the ropes but I feel defeated in thinking there is a optimum solution waiting just around the corner to get more gamers to stay and play in these games.
"Until there are clearly defined and enforceable rules for hand-to-hand combat, there can't be rules in global war. Kill em all!"