<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> It sucks that NS has many more pubbers than TFC but about half the clans.... Form some clans people lets goooo!<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
When a game starts to lose popularity, the pubber population will decrease faster than the clan population because pubbers are generally less dedicated. TFC, in its current form, is past its popularity peak so its not surprising to see a high precentage of clan players.
woah, i didn't think so many peaple wanted money on CS:CZ <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I've been keeping almost daily track of the statistics since October. NS popularity hasn't changed much since a few weeks after 3.0 beta release when things settled down. (in relation to other games, of course... all games seem to participate in a simultaneous fluctuation that's affected by school and the day of the week) If anything it's decreased in popularity by somewhere between 1-5% since then. Even with numbers it's subjective, though. However, I can tell you that NS's peak popularity (at least since October) was throughout February which was right after 3.0 beta release. I expect to see those numbers demolished by the non-beta release of 3.0.
Anyone noticed that steam has suddenly gained about 20,000 players, normally it would peak at 80,000 each day, now it goes above 100,000 almost everyday.
If you wait, more will come. I see new people every day.
I think people try it and leave a lot because of the learning curve, I know I tried it, played for about 15 minutes, and was done for like 4 weeks, then a friend (the one who told me to play in the first place) told me to play with him, and i loved it from there.
The hardest part is finding someone who will help you learn, and show you the ropes. It's simply a matter of playing with the right people. My first game wasn't that great, but I am too stubborn to give up. I didn't like it too much, so whenever I see a new guy, I tell them to follow me and hold on, it's generally the best way.
<!--QuoteBegin-TribalDaniel+Jun 12 2004, 09:47 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (TribalDaniel @ Jun 12 2004, 09:47 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> it has stayed the same and will continue to do so unless the competitive scene grows and draws attention to itself <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> we can hope?
The volume of people who I see playing, yet have obviously not played more than a couple rounds before (and have not read the manual, otherwise they would fit in) definately shows new players coming in.
Regulars seem to play a lot when a new release comes out, and then taper off when the issues with that version get to them, so it will probably keep cycling until a really stellar release comes out.
<!--QuoteBegin-Jabba The Hunt+Jun 12 2004, 01:50 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Jabba The Hunt @ Jun 12 2004, 01:50 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Anyone noticed that steam has suddenly gained about 20,000 players, normally it would peak at 80,000 each day, now it goes above 100,000 almost everyday. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Current increases in the number of players are due to summer vacation. This increase is occurring in all online FPS games.
<!--QuoteBegin-CMEast+Jun 12 2004, 09:23 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CMEast @ Jun 12 2004, 09:23 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Such a shame that S&I is alway the way down the bottom and CS is so far in the lead. There really is something wrong with the world. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Totally agree! There is a lot of good mods out there.
<!--QuoteBegin-EEK+Jun 13 2004, 12:32 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (EEK @ Jun 13 2004, 12:32 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Actually IIRC NS used to hit 2.5, even 3k people once. Considering now when I glance at those stats you're lucky to break 1.5... <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Maybe a day after new release... No way was 3k ever an average peak.
<!--QuoteBegin-PseudoKnight+Jun 13 2004, 08:09 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (PseudoKnight @ Jun 13 2004, 08:09 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Jabba The Hunt+Jun 12 2004, 01:50 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Jabba The Hunt @ Jun 12 2004, 01:50 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Anyone noticed that steam has suddenly gained about 20,000 players, normally it would peak at 80,000 each day, now it goes above 100,000 almost everyday. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Current increases in the number of players are due to summer vacation. This increase is occurring in all online FPS games. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Oh right, you americans on your summer holidays now then?
(uni has broken up here (england) but most of the school children still have 5-6 weeks left)
I don't mind NS having such a small fan base, i really dont want ns becoming another CS <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Erm... Pityful numbers? Check a few retail games, and you'll notice that there are devs out there who would kill for these stats <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
As for general remarks regarding the player base, mods generally have a high 'through-put' of new players who pick a game up to try it out, but then abandon it after a few dozen matches - thus the constant high amount of newbies. NS' playerbases development has always been marked by high times around final patch releases (these peaks have the habit of topping each other each time), which then quickly ebb away into the area we currently see. The public beta has somewhat shaken this up - I'm curious what it'll mean for 3.0s final release.
aonomusDedicated NS Mastermind (no need for school)Join Date: 2003-11-26Member: 23605Members, Constellation
I really think that the playerbase for NS at 3.0 b4 is shrinking because people are getting bored of the same old same old while the talk of changes is still going on. I know Flayra is moving, but things are slowing down, they might pick up again on b5 though
I think that NS was more popular during 1.0x and 2.0x times. As far as i remember during 1.0x times, there was usually about 2000-3000 people playing it. Right now there is 1200. I'v tried to introduce NS to few people, they didn't mind the complexity and understood the game, but were frustrated with gameplay. With skulk that is in many cases just practice target for marines, with lost games that consume additional 10+ minutes of constant dying as either alien or rine and so on. You know how average pub looks, many games are decided in early stages and rest is not fun. If you play long enough you will happen to be in some awesome game with surprises or great battles, but new people don't know it, and are discourage by hard skulking or constant dying as rine to fade.
NS is dieing, it has been since 2.0x. I will assure you that most of you will disagree and flame me for this, but it's true. The truth is, the new gameplay requires too much teamwork for the average NS player to provide. In 1.0x there only requires one gorge, for example, but now, 4+ gorges is needed. The sad part is, the only new players coming in now are RETARDED. Everytime I go to play NS nowadays I want to shoot at least half my team in the face.
yeah, i completely believe ns is growing. I dont have any stadistic to PROVE it, but you can realize because nowadays much more of people know about this game and enjoy playing it.
ssjyodaJoin Date: 2002-03-05Member: 274Members, Squad Five Blue
im not sure that has been much, if any growth.. There may be new players, but players are also leaving just as quickly. Been around here since before 1.0, gotta say the servers dont seem to be more active than they were in the beginning.
Comments
When a game starts to lose popularity, the pubber population will decrease faster than the clan population because pubbers are generally less dedicated. TFC, in its current form, is past its popularity peak so its not surprising to see a high precentage of clan players.
I think people try it and leave a lot because of the learning curve, I know I tried it, played for about 15 minutes, and was done for like 4 weeks, then a friend (the one who told me to play in the first place) told me to play with him, and i loved it from there.
we can hope?
Regulars seem to play a lot when a new release comes out, and then taper off when the issues with that version get to them, so it will probably keep cycling until a really stellar release comes out.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Natural Selection v3.0 (beta) 4a1
52.748 million player minutes per month.
529 Current Servers
1,475 Current Players
4:01pm PST (00:01 GMT), June 12 2004<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Current increases in the number of players are due to summer vacation. This increase is occurring in all online FPS games.
Totally agree! There is a lot of good mods out there.
Maybe a day after new release... No way was 3k ever an average peak.
Current increases in the number of players are due to summer vacation. This increase is occurring in all online FPS games. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Oh right, you americans on your summer holidays now then?
(uni has broken up here (england) but most of the school children still have 5-6 weeks left)
As for general remarks regarding the player base, mods generally have a high 'through-put' of new players who pick a game up to try it out, but then abandon it after a few dozen matches - thus the constant high amount of newbies. NS' playerbases development has always been marked by high times around final patch releases (these peaks have the habit of topping each other each time), which then quickly ebb away into the area we currently see. The public beta has somewhat shaken this up - I'm curious what it'll mean for 3.0s final release.
I'v tried to introduce NS to few people, they didn't mind the complexity and understood the game, but were frustrated with gameplay. With skulk that is in many cases just practice target for marines, with lost games that consume additional 10+ minutes of constant dying as either alien or rine and so on. You know how average pub looks, many games are decided in early stages and rest is not fun. If you play long enough you will happen to be in some awesome game with surprises or great battles, but new people don't know it, and are discourage by hard skulking or constant dying as rine to fade.