Problem / Solution

[House MD 221B]

Ok guys have a read and let me know what you think and how you feel about this?

Put simply...

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Problem:

This forum isn't very active or populated, there are a few die hards and regulars, but we don't see much of an influx of new people. And the fact is, Squads, and multiplayer games, depend on an influx of people, because a reliable fan base is what keeps games alive.

What we need:

Primarily we need to quit the in-fighting and the flame wars. There is so much fun, interesting, and educational content on these forums, be it "Guess this plane", be it a story about the last pitched battle on British soil, or even it just be "Have you seen this new book / film etc. etc. The majority of people here are mature, friendly, and welcoming. But I don't think anyone could have not noticed the fact that only a few die-hards remain and we have a few casuals, but really, I think we can all agree everyone would benefit with some new members.

Solution:

How about this? A few of us get together, make a couple of images of Birds of Prey, with links to this forum, with a nice concise advertising message, that basically says. Here we are, if you like these sort of games, or if you haven't heard of Birds of Prey, this is where we are, we think you'll like it, come have a chat and a game with us.

Then we go out with this set script and hit as many different (yet relevant) forums as we can? The official PS3 forums, any flight sim games forums we can find, be it Flight Sim X, or even IL-2 PC forums, it doesn't have to be aggressive or desperate, just something that says "we exist, and you may enjoy this"

And I'm not talking about Spamming other people's forums, I'm talking about[/LIST]1 Thread, by 1 person, at each site, not 20 of us descending upon one forum and filling their front page, that will just breed resentment, get alot of people banned from places, and not do us any favors.

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So what do you all think? Because I don't know about you, but I'd like to see some Squadrons, I'd like to see Wingmen / Wingwomen. I'd like this to be the hive of activity this was a year ago (again with less flame-wars)

So let's hear it, anyone interested?

[MACADEMIC]

Originally Posted by House MD 221B

Ok guys have a read and let me know what you think and how you feel about this?

Put simply...

• *

Problem:

This forum isn't very active or populated, there are a few die hards and regulars, but we don't see much of an influx of new people. And the fact is, Squads, and multiplayer games, depend on an influx of people, because a reliable fan base is what keeps games alive.

What we need:

Primarily we need to quit the in-fighting and the flame wars. There is so much fun, interesting, and educational content on these forums, be it "Guess this plane", be it a story about the last pitched battle on British soil, or even it just be "Have you seen this new book / film etc. etc. The majority of people here are mature, friendly, and welcoming. But I don't think anyone could have not noticed the fact that only a few die-hards remain and we have a few casuals, but really, I think we can all agree everyone would benefit with some new members.

Solution:

How about this? A few of us get together, make a couple of images of Birds of Prey, with links to this forum, with a nice concise advertising message, that basically says. Here we are, if you like these sort of games, or if you haven't heard of Birds of Prey, this is where we are, we think you'll like it, come have a chat and a game with us.

Then we go out with this set script and hit as many different (yet relevant) forums as we can? The official PS3 forums, any flight sim games forums we can find, be it Flight Sim X, or even IL-2 PC forums, it doesn't have to be aggressive or desperate, just something that says "we exist, and you may enjoy this"

And I'm not talking about Spamming other people's forums, I'm talking about[/LIST]1 Thread, by 1 person, at each site, not 20 of us descending upon one forum and filling their front page, that will just breed resentment, get alot of people banned from places, and not do us any favors.

• *

So what do you all think? Because I don't know about you, but I'd like to see some Squadrons, I'd like to see Wingmen / Wingwomen. I'd like this to be the hive of activity this was a year ago (again with less flame-wars)

So let's hear it, anyone interested?

Perhaps it's just the time of the year that the forum is going a bit slow at the moment. The game sits deep with many. They come back after a time of absence to rediscover its fascination.

Wouldn't you rather play with a few enthusiasts than a myriad of windowshoppers?

MAC

[Robotic Pope]

I think the problem is that this forum is really ment only for the discusion of Il-2 Birds of Prey. We have often branched off to cover subjects related to BoP and wwii but these could easily have been moved or deleted by a tougher moderator. Being a game dedicated forum almost all the members are gamers and are interested in more than one game and for that they would need to join another forum and community as we can't discuss other games even threads about flight games like the new ace combat game will get moved into the 'other' forum that nobody reads.

Ideally what the community remaining here needs is a new forum with control over what we can talk about then we could advertise that like you sugested. Thats obviously a big job from scatch. Alternateively we could all join a already existing community like The Sins and saints website which is very good (I do a bit of lurking there lol) and some people here are already members there.

As it is here on 1c's forums BoP alone (A 1 year old niche title) is never again going to bring in enough new people to have a busy forum. In the end this forum just like every other forum dedicated to a single small game will die and zombie its way along with someone now and then looking for help to get though Hornets nest.

[bobbysocks]

one of the things i do when i play and meet new players is to invite them to the forum. they may be just lurking here but at least there are a few here.

[House MD 221B]

Fair enough guys, points taken.

As for would I rather play with a few enthusiasts rather than a myriad of windowshoppers? Its not really a choice, I'd LOVE to play with a few enthusiasts, that's great, but would i mind a myriad of windowshoppers? no, not at all, if even a few stay and become firm flyers, thats a few more firm flyers we didn't have before. Then the windowshoppers will leave and we'll have more enthusiasts, rather than just a few. I don't see why thats a bad thing.

But if no-ones wants to go ahead with this that's fine, like I said I was gauging opinion.


And I agree Pope, this is a remarkably forgiving forum. but thats part of its charm, its a community not just a Birds of Pray fact finding library. But surly it has to be allowed to zombie along Thats why I suggest an attempted resurrection, maybe it works maybe it doesn't.

But thanks guys I appreciate and value your inputs and opinions.

[dkwookie]

I took a break from the forums for a couple weeks. Got annoyed at the sim bias that goes on. Not the bias as such but the assumption that unless you play sim its not worth discussing.
Anyway thats the past. Not sure how to reinvigorate the forum to be honest. There were some bad arguments that soured it for a lot of players and its probably in cooling mode at the moment. I got a bit fed up with the game too to be honest. Regular players all moved to Sim and the newer arcade players were playing cheap tactics I thought I had seen the back of. Played first matches for a while today with Paralax and it was a blast.
Worth advertising, I will mention it to any new players I meet online. There seems to be a steady stream of new players on PS3 which is good for the game and also for the forum if they want to come here to discuss.

[BRIGGBOY]

I understand your frustration DK, i ******* hate that vembu and everything he stands for. and i for one will play an arcarde game with you anytime just add me:BRIGGBOY

[Gilly]

I have to agree with everything you said DK. I've limited my recent time here as I too was growing sick of the 'holier than thou' approach adopted by some. I'll happily fly sim but limit it to only strike and cta as dogfights and team battles just don't have the fun element they do in other modes- 50ft tree flying and turning just don't keep my interest (and sadly when McQ made it blind to try and get some altitude everyone took IL10s so your on a hiding to nowhere by being hit constantly by auto gunners).
That said I'm a great believer that the community here is what keep the game alive and would hate to see it vanish.
I now communicate with the great friends I've made here via either email or text as this forum did descend into a meeting place for nutters!
On which subject I thought, having had the pleasure of flying against the crazy bomber nutcase we all know and love whilst at my mates house ( and using my copied data), that it considers being constantly shot down by a spit mkIX as an 'over boosted' plane and that I've modified my controller otherwise I wouldn't be able to touch as it put it 'a veteran and respected' player of the game......somethings never change!
Anyway back on topic, I'll happily ( and do) promote this forum to anyone I meet in game that I believe shares the same values and love that the guys I've been playing with over the past year do.
I would have also considered your B17 squadron House but I'm already part of another unfortunately.

[MACADEMIC]

Originally Posted by House MD 221B

Fair enough guys, points taken.

As for would I rather play with a few enthusiasts rather than a myriad of windowshoppers? Its not really a choice, I'd LOVE to play with a few enthusiasts, that's great, but would i mind a myriad of windowshoppers? no, not at all, if even a few stay and become firm flyers, thats a few more firm flyers we didn't have before. Then the windowshoppers will leave and we'll have more enthusiasts, rather than just a few. I don't see why thats a bad thing.

But if no-ones wants to go ahead with this that's fine, like I said I was gauging opinion.


And I agree Pope, this is a remarkably forgiving forum. but thats part of its charm, its a community not just a Birds of Pray fact finding library. But surly it has to be allowed to zombie along Thats why I suggest an attempted resurrection, maybe it works maybe it doesn't.

But thanks guys I appreciate and value your inputs and opinions.

Just to clarify: of course I don't mind newcomers and always welcome them - we all were at one point. So I appreciate your initiative. Just wanted to point out the bright side that this is not a game for the masses and it's very nice to play with true enthusiasts.

MAC

[House MD 221B]

fair enough mac thats cool I understand.

And thanks Gilly, Which Squad are you in? To be honest because of the low numbers around here, my squad might not even get off the ground, so I may look about for other squads. As its always easier to be in one than to manage one.