an OOC explanation to an IC posting...

[Wyheree]

I am too! Wyh and Jewell together are nerly impossible to resist!

[Napoleon Bonarat]

I don't think it's constructive to blame the RDI for having more people and not supporting the duels. They didn't have to, yet they do, because they love the idea of roleplaying and want to support other like-minded venues.

I also think that doing something "in character" that gives either of the forums a bad face is not really helpful. Our characters don't control us, we control our characters. Any time a dueler goes to the RDI to promote or draw attention to dueling, it should be done in a positive manner. We shouldn't shove titles down an RDI'er's throat, and we shouldn't threaten to separate the duels from the Inn, and so on. Promote the dueling, promote the competition, but save the chest thumping and egos for when in your own environment. Frankly, if I was someone who didn't know about the dueling, I probably wouldn't have been inclined to check it out with the attitudes of outsiders displayed in "my" preferred roleplaying venue, IC or no. However, if I saw someone I know (like Jewel, if I was an RDI player) embracing the dueling and giving it a shot (even when I knew she wasn't particularly interested OOC), I would pay closer attention. Let's not antagonize the people trying to help us!!

Like was said before, if dueling folks want to see more dueling content, consider providing the content rather than expecting others to provide it.

RoH, RDI, TDL, IFL, we should work together OOC and sometimes that means reining in the egos of our characters and making sure we put on our best "faces" when first and foremost, we need to make the duels *attractive* to more people, not less.

I don't particularly like playing in the Inn, at least not when everything was still primarily on AOL and since then I'm involved in other things and only really participate in TDL, but I appreciate what they've been doing to help promote the dueling, even at the expense of annoying some of their regular players. I'm hoping that some of the RDI folks will make a team for TDL. Napoleon needs new people to convert away from being rodent haters.

[Karen Wilder]

Though it's possible that Panther might be up for a "seige of the Inn" type Story... if enough people got interested and involved.

That would be interesting if done with players from both the RDI and RoH. I can see the headlines now.

Oh yea... I'm not against a cross-over storyline. Find some willing participants from both areas and start fleshing something out. It will take awhile for folks to get into I think.

But... we do have the same map posted in our forums as the "unofficial" one and I know many people do make good use of it... so there is more common ground here than most would think.

The Scathians (sp?) might be a good group to approach.. they also seem to act as a sort of watch-dog group around RhyDin.

Uh...

::Chuckles:: I was just saying that it's something that could happen... If someone was to use their position as Overlord to try taking over... or if the Old Marketplace Baron decided he wanted to "collect taxes" from the Inn, perhaps.

It's not something that I could imagine starting right away... it's something that would have to be built toward, IMHO.

[Rhiannon D Harker]

What about this...

How about instead of holding DoS once every three months in the RDI, hold DoS once a week, a regularily scheduled shift, in a room under the RDI. Could be the Great Hall, or we could create a specific room.

I like that suggestion. What I didn't like in a previous suggestion was the implication of both the DM area and RoH being open at the same time. There's enough complaining about low numbers as it is. Placing players in the position of having to chose one or the other would only serve to make things worse.

[Wulfson]

I don't think it's constructive to blame the RDI for having more people and not supporting the duels.

Neither do I, especially since it was "The Duels" (I use this term loosely, because it has been the DoS people making most of the decisions) decision to break off from the RDI in the first place, and then from AOL (granted, AOL was divesting itself of the duels as well). We're where we're at because of "The Duels" decisions, and the Duels population has been in decline ever since the split from the RDI.

Hm. Since I'm sounding negative I think I'll shut up until I have something constructive to say. I will say I'm encouraged by recent attempts to encourage both existing and new players to participate more.

[Jake]

Neither do I, especially since it was "The Duels" (I use this term loosely, because it has been the DoS people making most of the decisions) decision to break off from the RDI in the first place, and then from AOL (granted, AOL was divesting itself of the duels as well). We're where we're at because of "The Duels" decisions, and the Duels population has been in decline ever since the split from the RDI.

I don't believe the split from the RDI was what caused the decline of dueling.

I'm still firmly of the opinion that the split from the RDI (at that time) was the right thing to do. The goals and priorities of the RDI were not the goals and priorities of the duels back then.

We certainly lost the random passers-by that came into the public RDI chatroom, but I think we were impacted by the MMORPGs to a much, much larger degree.

Our game started in the Internet's infancy. Back when online gaming wasn't what it is today.

Roleplaying on the other hand, hasn't changed a lot. The MMORPGs by their nature really don't foster the type of roleplay that appeals to the average RDI-type person. The duelers on the other hand, are much more likely to enjoy the gaming/roleplaying mix of the MMORPGs.

We've been competing with the MMORPGs for a long time now.

...

Which doesn't change the fact that we're in desperate need of new ways to bring in duelers, and forging strong bonds with the RDI (now that they've moved to the web along with us) is generally a good idea.

[Topaz]

What about this...

How about instead of holding DoS once every three months in the RDI, hold DoS once a week, a regularily scheduled shift, in a room under the RDI. Could be the Great Hall, or we could create a specific room.

Taneth hosts in the RDI, and just adores Imp. I could easily see her running between the RDI and the Hall to bring Imp fruit.. and keeping people up to date what's happening in the rings, etc.

We could try it for November and December and see how it goes...

Des has also expressed that she would be willing to do her Monday night DoF shift there.

This is NOT intended to be in addition to the shift in the usual AIM based room, but a regular scheduled shift, simply in another venue.

Worth a shot maybe...? Specially since so many "regulars" are going to be caught up in TDL, holidays are coming up, take advantage of our built in userbase... it negates the issue of making folks use AIM to try it out... and maybe gives some practical testing to the possability of using something other than AIM down the road.

Anywho, just a thought...

Though I certainly appreciate the offer of help - thank you - I am against taking up this particular offer. There already is a problem with callers not being there for regular scheduled shifts. People show up, see no caller, and leave. Eventually the people quit showing up. A caller being absent from the regular scheduled dueling for a couple of months isn't going to help.

[Rakeesh]

If the RoH website linked easily on the day that the duels would be in DM's chatroom, then it would be easy for players to access those and become aware of them. I argue that it is a good idea to be hosted in the RDI once a week - the question becomes, for me, which day of the week? Fight Night (where we get our best AIM turnout)? Probably not yet, but I think that would eventually be the best way to get players from both sides involved.

What I would suggest, instead, is to perhaps take either Thursday, or perhaps Wednesday *hides from Matt* and put it in the RDI and make that day a secondary "Fight Night", where players could choose the sport of their liking. This might get more people interested for that night on both sides.

[Rakeesh]

And there is also no reason why we could not find a willing RDIer and train them as a caller, I don't think.

[Amaltea]

Actually, we are starting this Monday with Fists. I hope some of you will take the time to show up and fight a match or two.

Read more about it here:
http://www.ringsofhonor.org/forums/view ... p?p=118545

[Panther]

Though I certainly appreciate the offer of help - thank you - I am against taking up this particular offer. There already is a problem with callers not being there for regular scheduled shifts. People show up, see no caller, and leave. Eventually the people quit showing up. A caller being absent from the regular scheduled dueling for a couple of months isn't going to help.

This would/should only be done in conjunction with a change to the links or schedule or something posted on the RoH site directing folks to the new "venue". And I would also suggest the caller or someone sit in the AIM room to direct folks that "bookmark" the room and/or just don't read the home page and announcements

[Xenograg]

This would/should only be done in conjunction with a change to the links or schedule or something posted on the RoH site directing folks to the new "venue". And I would also suggest the caller or someone sit in the AIM room to direct folks that "bookmark" the room and/or just don't read the home page and announcements

Having a Greeter in the standard AIM room is excellent idea.

[G]

I'm not entirely sure I'd want to have the Duel Forum being hosted in the RDI area. I know I'm personally not a fan of the Flash Chat as it is.

[Panther]

I'm not entirely sure I'd want to have the Duel Forum being hosted in the RDI area. I know I'm personally not a fan of the Flash Chat as it is.

And some people are pesonally not fans of the chat feature in AIM... what's the difference?

Look, be it special events or a weekly shift hosted over there, this is not going to do squat unless the players from here step up and take some responsibility.

If folks from RoH do not go over and participate in these events, mingle with the players from the RDI, and encourage them both IC and OOC to come check out the other nights, the other sports.

Not everyone that particpated last night (and to my understanding more duels were called last night than Des has had in the last two months) will come to RoH. Ever. For whatever reason. Others... if we continue have DoF on Mondays will only duel on Mondays, when it's right there in front of them. Others... will want to duel more, maybe on a night it's not hosted by the RDI, and will come over to the RoH site to duel.

It may take a week, it may take a month. But I'm confident it will happen. Even if at first players only duels Monday nights, as certain players gain, or get closer to a rank, it could very well build their interest and they'll want/need to duel on other nights to get the record they need.

I will say this... if it's decided that folks want to duel in an AIM based room the same time a "regular shift" is being run in the RDI, my offer to host it will be withdrawn. I'm not trying to be an ass, but as has already been pointed out, hosting a shift in both at the same time is pretty much pointless. If Duel regulars can come to an AIM room and do not "need" to go to the RDI room (and this is, IC, the same setting as the AIM room, this is NOT being done in the RDI itself), then there is no point in me hosting these shifts.

If the regulars are not concerned enough about attendance to come and try and recruit new players, I'm not going to voluntarily tell my patrons to go play somewhere else.

The RDI will not save the Duels.

But, I think we can be part of an overall plan to re-build things.

I'm willing to be a part of that plan.

More people dueling is good for online FFRP in general, and what is good for online FFRP (especially an area so closely tied IC) is good for the RDI.

There has been some good effort by a small number of folks to come help "recruit". But I think it's going to take more effort, by more people, if it's going to really take hold.

There's been some grumblings that the events we've had over there haven't brought "anyone" to duel at RoH. After thinking about it, I think having regular shifts may be a better approach. The duels during events meant nothing. There was nothing in it for the participants over the long term. Change doesn't happen over night, and since winning or losing really didn't mean anything... if someone had a couple good duels, there was nothing to be gained, so why bring that over to RoH?

Ok, this is starting to ramble and I have to get to work... but as I've said... I truely believe this can help... but not without some effort, and there are still many more things that need to be done in addition to this.

[Xenograg]

The RDI will not save the Duels.

Perhaps, but RoH is a sinking ship and Panther is throwing us a lifeline.

Dragon's Mark is the only other web community that cares about us (counting TDL as part of RoH here). How can anyone think of putting conditions on its assistance? They have come (more than) halfway.