Why Do you Think Subspace is dying?

[aperio]

Hopefully you don't mind a newcomer's opinoin (newcomer to this forum that is)...

 

I used to be hopelessly addicted to subspace/contiuum.. and could hold my own. Then I took a break from the game for a bit - i believe it was in between one computer dying and a new one arriving. Then when I looked up the game again and went in for a few rounds, I was definitely more rusty and the people were outright rude. I don't mean just taunting rude - I can take that - but maybe crude is a better way to put it. Now many years later, I still have a bug for this game deep down or I wouldn't have once again done a search for it and installed it.

 

However... now when I fire up the default install, all zones are dead, zero players, it won't download any updated lists so at a first glance, i would assume this game is completely dead in the water.

 

I honestly don't know if i'm supposed to dig up some new zone list to plug in, or if i'm hitting at an off-peak time or what the deal is... but for anyone new checking out this game, I imagine it's too much effort for a society in which we are so much geared toward instant gratification.

 

If anyone wants to help an old-timer on how to reconnect with the game, or wants to get a friendly game together, I for one am in.

 

Hoping I don't get flamed for this post (but it seems like a pretty friendly place around here, so i'm optimistic)

Aperio

[»doc flabby]

However... now when I fire up the default install, all zones are dead, zero players, it won't download any updated lists so at a first glance, i would assume this game is completely dead in the water.

 

I honestly don't know if i'm supposed to dig up some new zone list to plug in, or if i'm hitting at an off-peak time or what the deal is... but for anyone new checking out this game, I imagine it's too much effort for a society in which we are so much geared toward instant gratification.

 

If anyone wants to help an old-timer on how to reconnect with the game, or wants to get a friendly game together, I for one am in.

 

Hoping I don't get flamed for this post (but it seems like a pretty friendly place around here, so i'm optimistic)

Aperio

I generally find some zones are friendlier than others.

 

It sounds like either a problem with a firewall. Population averages 600-1500 a day. http://stats.trenchwars.org/ for stats.

 

some of the zones that come with the installer might need updating (as some big zones changed recently) but a most WILL work, without directory updates

 

It might be related to a previous install prehaps The directory servers you need to use are:

1. sscentral.sscuservers.net

2. ssdir.playsubspace.com

 

you might want to look at this thread http://www.ssforum.net/index.php?showtopic=18502

 

you might want to post this in techniqual support, as the people there know alot more about these problems than me.

Edited January 27, 2008 by doc flabby

[»freakmonger]

sgcompat module allows you (staff or bot) to use subgame commands *warpto, *shipreset, etc). Which is what all bots use (subgame commands).

[aperio]

It might be related to a previous install prehaps The directory servers you need to use are:

1. sscentral.sscuservers.net

2. ssdir.playsubspace.com

 

Actually this was the issue indeed - the servers included as defaults with the contiuum download were all dead, the ones you supplied worked fine... but see I think that is a problem for anyone new that might want to check out a game. Chances are they would have no idea where to turn or wouldn't care to take the time to look it up. All they know is they downloaded it and it didn't work. I am guessing the majority of the people delete it and move on.

 

In any event, thanks very much for that info... I do remember how fun the game was, so was worth the extra effort.

 

Thanks again,

Aperio

[Samapico]

It might be related to a previous install prehaps The directory servers you need to use are:

1. sscentral.sscuservers.net

2. ssdir.playsubspace.com

 

Actually this was the issue indeed - the servers included as defaults with the contiuum download were all dead, the ones you supplied worked fine... but see I think that is a problem for anyone new that might want to check out a game. Chances are they would have no idea where to turn or wouldn't care to take the time to look it up. All they know is they downloaded it and it didn't work. I am guessing the majority of the people delete it and move on.

 

In any event, thanks very much for that info... I do remember how fun the game was, so was worth the extra effort.

 

Thanks again,

Aperio

I think there are some installers that configure the right directory servers... They should definitly be more visible.

[Arry]

Imma repost this here because it's applicable:

 

I don't like the terms "Subspace is dying" or "Saving SubSpace". It seems to induce some sort of panic and really puts a negative spin on things. Nobody wants to be on a sinking ship, and if you start shouting that the ship is sinking it's only going to make more people jump off. Well, I for one am not jumping ship because the population in certain zones seems to be dwindling. I've been to play other games but I keep coming back to subspace. It's a relatively tight nit group of players who also have complete control of the developement reins. It's a highly adaptable 2d environment, and it's totally free. Sure, there's a lot of 2d games out there people can play for free, but I don't think you could ever replace the intagibles we have in subspace. Subspace is one of the only online games where you hear people come in and say "Wow I used to love this game six years ago" and then start playing it again AND ENJOYING IT. Subspace is not dying and we're not saving subspace, we're evolving it.

[»doc flabby]

Imma repost this here because it's applicable:

 

I don't like the terms "Subspace is dying" or "Saving SubSpace".

 

As someone said earlier. A more accurate !@#$%^&*le would be . SubSpace's population is declining at a slow rate. In around 6/7 years at the current rate it will be dead....

Edited January 28, 2008 by doc flabby

[L.C.]

Subspace is not dying and we're not saving subspace, we're evolving it.

Don't mean to burst your bubble, but !@#$%^&*uming that you are brand new to Subspace -- then you are making that !@#$%^&*umption out of whatever experience you have. There were literally thousands of more players playing Subspace at once several years ago than now. The population has been steadily declining since 2000 or 2001, and every once in a while a rapid fall. At most, 2 years ago the population was over 2500. Now it's around 1000 or less. The community lost at least 1500 according to that, but realistically, the community lost a whole lot more than just 1500 since two years ago (you can't expect 1500 players to have been online literally 24/7).

 

Perhaps, as doc flabby essentially points out, the community will range down to an equilibrium population and die or lose players a lot more slowly than the usual rate of decline over the past 2 or so years. The current population seems to have hung around 1000 for quite a while now, supporting my point.

 

While unfortunate, it will happen. Someone mentioned that nowadays it's about the 3D fancy graphics and such -- and that is partially a reason why many new people of new generations are not biting into Subspace. Subspace to them just isn't interesting. Perhaps may be the same reason for me in certain cases -- like old school consoles. I really don't like the SNES, and I also don't like the NES for the most part (there are only a very few number of games I would bother playing, or none at all). I grew up with an NES, but anything older than the NES is out of my life. Naturally people who didn't grow up with the older consoles will be more hesitant about playing those than they are playing the modern 3D games they grow up with.

 

Another few cents of contribution to this thread.

 

EDIT :: And if you are a common flamer reading this reply, don't reply with flaming or as many ways you can think of possible to destroy me and my reply, because that only supports a reason why some new players quickly leave or don't stay in the community (or the game as a matter of fact). I would have to expect that this reply is treated as fairly and respectfully as would be Polix' or doc flabby's posts. If you don't like me because I'm "weird" for the way I think, type, or who I am -- then so are you. I like to be different.

Edited January 28, 2008 by L.C.

[PoLiX]

2003 began the downfall*

[rootbear75]

question, what was the most people that have been online at one time since the game's release?

[»Lynx]

I don't know about the game, but I remember when Trench Wars broke records a few times.. They've probably been recorded somewhere..

[jack57tin]

I'm sorry, but didn't we already have 17,000 other topics like this?

[rootbear75]

I'm sorry, but didn't we already have 17,000 other topics like this?

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