GWI Project Manager Proposal

[Fyrd Argentus]

So, since my return I have been considering what project to throw my obsessive energies into.  On the one hand, I’ve realized that my sweeping Lost Path Adventure clickie quest only encompassed lands that MP3 could reach, and that a Loreroot and a GG quest are begging to be created.

On the other hand, those would not address the most pressing need of the realm, that being the dwindling population.  You all may be slow-boiling lobsters, but my 8-year absence gives me a disturbing perspective.  With the GWI project stalled, it would be premature to try to draw in more players.  The process needs to be, in sequence:

1) Fix the bugs, soft locks, and polish the rough edges.
2) Create a more engaging initial experience, with better tutorial function to create an understanding/appreciation for the game
3) Only then wage a publicity campaign, focusing on text-based venues like Facebook
4) Deal with wrinkles as we get feedback, smoothing the path of integration.

I am hereby offering my services as Project Manager for GWI.  I’m not asking for coding tools (yet) but rather for some authority to act as Creative Director, and be able to ask for help to change things without running polls and surveys at every step of the way.  An important function here would be to put a buffer between the critical voices of veteran players and the admin/coders doing the hard work.  There is little risk in this path, because a) there’s not much I could do to screw it up permanently, and b) change can and will continue, as long as we persist.

Am I qualified to take on such a role?  If the complexity of my Lost Path adventure is not proof enough, I offer my past RL experiences as PM/QA/R&D driving the technical side of creating a multi-million dollar business unit within a large corporation, small business owner/operator, university adjunct professor, leader of cub scouts and baby soccer, cat herder extraordinaire at various times as committee chair and/or board member at our church, writer, and survivor of fatherhood.  I also wasted much of my youth creating and running D&D worlds.

Here are some high points of my proposed plan, in those 4 phases:

1) Fix the bugs, soft locks, and polish the rough edges.
        The riddles must be fixed – they are a major negative right now
        Tools must be shorter duration, but replaceable to avoid soft lock
        The arena error messages need to be gone
        Does anybody make the balloon work?  I’ve not managed it yet.

2) Create a more engaging initial experience, with better tutorial function
    Scenario-setting intro – tell the story of a castaway, marooned in a strange place
          Ask a bunch of leading questions that help solidify the player's RP character in their minds
    Door-bell – new players trigger STORM and red admin message, to draw help
          Recruit more alts to greet and interact with newbies
          Get some role-play and combat happening on the island
    Lots more help and explanatory clickies to spoon-feed the cautious players
          Bling and flashes and action
          Bird nest talks about creatures
          Shells scattered everywhere, linked to the newbie power-ups and creature slots
             Each shell adds a layer of spin/understanding of the energy process
             “I am the soul of a creature past.  I will manifest as you choose.”
             “Do not fear harm, you are in a place where all that is behind you.”
             “Be brave.  The spirits of your friends will always be with you.”
             Etc.  With a dozen shells scattered around the island, are a tutorial
    Get some more diverting mini-quests going right there on the island

3) Only then wage a publicity campaign, focusing on text-based venues like Facebook
      We need an active Facebook page to “sell” the game concept
             People who engage in Facebook and the like will be more attracted to MD
      It must accurately pitch the differences and virtues of the game
            Not an arcade shoot-up, rather a mind-trip etc. etc.
      If every player got every friend to “like” that FB page, we could get in a wave
            If GWI is engaging enough at that moment, it could snowball

4) Deal with wrinkles as we get feedback, smoothing the path of integration.
    We will learn to target our advertising, and reduce newbie surprise
    The MP3/MP4 training problem might be solved
    Overcrowding of the space/server resources might be new
            We might need more resources, RP items generated, avatars, etc.
    We will learn about hurdles and integration issues and fix them

Others with different interests will continue refining other aspects of MD according to their own creative vision.  I have some passion for this project.  I hope you will all support me in this effort.  Thank you.             

Edited June 12, 2021 by Fyrd Argentus

[Fang Archbane]

After reading this a few times, to really let it sink in, I have to admit I have nothing but support for this venture.

That being said, I have just one slight bit of advice for your suggestions.

I love you to death, but advertising on facebook would be advertising to a VERY specific set of individuals.

There's nothing wrong with that per sé, but we want to be aware of exactly who we target for ads.

That being the case, I think we have the most promise in two places. The first being the most obvious, Discord rooms dedicated to the Mental, Spiritual, and Cosmic in general. 5D rooms etc would be great targets (and one of my regulars when I do advertise, because yes, I do my own advertising).

Secondly and equally importantly would be the woke, spiritual, and alien sub sections of tiktok.

Facebook isn't just outdated, it would be (in my humble opinion) a crowd that's... Slightly outside the range of what we're looking for.

Discord and Tiktok are relatively consistent, in that they keep drawing in a newer, more thought driven crowd.

Just my humble 2 cents. I'd be happy to support this venture regardless of whatever path you decide to take.

[jakubhi]

What about reddit? 

[Fyrd Argentus]

As to the media choice when the time comes - I'm thinking anything already based on typed words, but more "circle of friends" than "paid ads".  Reddit may be too broad a strokes.  Asking your personal friends on Facebook to read and "like" a page is more the model.  When the time comes, I'd ask everybody to reach out to the targeted groups they feel are most likely to be fruitful but not do blanket ads.

I confess I know little about discord, tiktok and twitter, or subgroups on any platform.  I'm not the expert, but when the time is perfect, I can ask for targeted help from all of you, to try and start a snowball.

That said, we do need a targeted place to send people to read about the game.  A Facebook page would work.  We can chew over options.

Edited June 12, 2021 by Fyrd Argentus

[Chewett]

I have sent Fyrd some details on this