Effectively Improving Your Server

[Soala]

Yeah, so we can say it's probably something between 1455,20 and 2297 € (2092,43 and 3303 USD)

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

Fun fact: Zodiac has made 145520 gralats in sales since the release of the EXP and Character Slot shop items, which only took 30 minutes to script into the game.

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

Should be enough to get Zodiac's Observer Mode dropped for in-game Trial Restrictions though.

Originally Posted by Stephen

Improving your server will help you influence the Graal Online community.

Hopefully it works out for you. It could be the first step of many needed to improve the general quality of Graal Online.

[maximus_asinus]

Next time you charge someone with having poor grammar, you might want to double check the images you create to mock them.

And FYI, I am the only thing greater than sliced bread.

[Door]

Originally Posted by maximus_asinus

Next time you charge someone with having poor grammar, you might want to double check the images you create to mock them.

And FYI, I am the only thing greater than sliced bread.

If you compare them, it was a direct rip tbh. I made the conscious decision (it was a hard one, but in the end I felt it was the better one) to either go for a near-carbon copy with a few changes or completely improve it. I thought the latter might push the impression of my bitter smugness a little too far! In lieu of that, this post shall do.

[Liberated]

Stephen, you should work for expertvillage!.

[fowlplay4]

Originally Posted by Liberated

PS: How long has that system been up and running? If it's only been like a couple of months, it earns them quite alot of money.

Since early-mid December.

[Liberated]

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

Since early-mid December.

sick, that much in only a month.

[Crono]

Originally Posted by Imperialistic

Does that go to the server of Zodiac, or GraalOnline?

Since when did gralats go anywhere to begin with? Most of these are most likely leftovers from people upgrading their accounts and whatnot.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Crono

Since when did gralats go anywhere to begin with? Most of these are most likely leftovers from people upgrading their accounts and whatnot.

Yea, it's true. Most people are spending their left over. Our friendly french friends need to provide some low-volume gelat packages. I would suppose it would be a good first step in establishing an effective micropayment economy on Graal.

[Door]

They already do offer that?

[Immolate]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Yea, it's true. Most people are spending their left over. Our friendly french friends need to provide some low-volume gelat packages. I would suppose it would be a good first step in establishing an effective micropayment economy on Graal.

That can already be done using mobile phones, either by call or text message. Though, it might be interesting to see other payment methods for buying small amounts.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Immolate

That can already be done using mobile phones, either by call or text message. Though, it might be interesting to see other payment methods for buying small amounts.

I thought the SMS method was broken for a while - almost since it was created?

[Immolate]

Originally Posted by Stephen

I thought the SMS method was broken for a while - almost since it was created?

I used them to upgrade this month using text messages but it might have worked for me because I live in the UK.

[fowlplay4]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Yea, it's true. Most people are spending their left over. Our friendly french friends need to provide some low-volume gelat packages. I would suppose it would be a good first step in establishing an effective micropayment economy on Graal.

There's SMS payments, which get you a smaller pack. Zodiac's Item prices are based on the USD service. (1 SMS Usage for EXP Potions, 3 SMS Usages for Character Slot)

Anyway, more stats from the sales.

Purchases: 885
Graal# Account Purchase %: 56.04519774%

There's still quite a portion of classic accounts that are making the purchases as well.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Immolate

I used them to upgrade this month using text messages but it might have worked for me because I live in the UK.

Perhaps fixed recently? I recall it being down ~9 weeks ago, or there abouts.

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

Purchases: 885
Graal# Account Purchase %: 56.04519774%

There's still quite a portion of classic accounts that are making the purchases as well.

Man, those stats are great. It's nice to see that you're observing that stuff. Mind filling me in on your full scope sometime?

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

Should be enough to get Zodiac's Observer Mode dropped for in-game Trial Restrictions though.

So you can pay for observer mode to be disabled on a server? Sucks that Valikorlia is a roleplaying server, otherwise I would implement this microtransaction stuff.

[FuManchu]

This topic in summary: Stephen wants to contribute something and Door mindlessly gives him a hard time about it.

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

Should be enough to get Zodiac's Observer Mode dropped for in-game Trial Restrictions though.

Trial - observer mode =... classic/gold account?

[Stephen]

I've created a revised document which should introduce users to Market Segmentation, practical reporting, and Purchase Funnels.

You can view the blog entry here.

[maximus_asinus]

Originally Posted by Door

If you compare them, it was a direct rip tbh. I made the conscious decision (it was a hard one, but in the end I felt it was the better one) to either go for a near-carbon copy with a few changes or completely improve it. I thought the latter might push the impression of my bitter smugness a little too far! In lieu of that, this post shall do.

I never scrolled down far enough to see his image. Spot on, I chuckled.

[Crono]

Originally Posted by fowlplay4

Should be enough to get Zodiac's Observer Mode dropped for in-game Trial Restrictions though.

Dunno how I missed this, but nice.

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by FuManchu

This topic in summary: Stephen wants to contribute something and Door mindlessly gives him a hard time about it.



Trial - observer mode =... classic/gold account?

Try out GK if you want a good example of how a set-up like this works. Observer and trial modes are pretty much gone, and they implement either in-game limitations or a hefty amount of cash-shop(grelat) items to compensate.

This is not only way better for the players(observer mode SUCKS, especially since you get it on login), but for scripters that means they don't have to worry about scripting the many different little things to try to catch when players go into observer in events, spars, yada yada... So many things.

[Liberated]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

yada yada

that's what my english teacher always says, is it like a normal "etc." meaning in some cultures?

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by Liberated

that's what my english teacher always says, is it like a normal "etc." meaning in some cultures?

I suppose so, ya :P

It's a lot less formal, though.

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by FuManchu

Trial - observer mode =... classic/gold account?

I don't believe so. I'm assuming the trade-off is additional Zodiac-specific trial limitations.

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

This is not only way better for the players(observer mode SUCKS, especially since you get it on login), but for scripters that means they don't have to worry about scripting the many different little things to try to catch when players go into observer in events, spars, yada yada... So many things.

Observer Mode is a huge bane on Valikorlia. I'm wondering if disabling observer mode requires a set amount of revenue generated via microtransactions per month. I.e., if you don't make X amount of transactions, would observer mode and other trial restrictions be reactivated?

Probably belongs in a different topic, though.

[Imperialistic]

Originally Posted by Crono

Since when did gralats go anywhere to begin with? Most of these are most likely leftovers from people upgrading their accounts and whatnot.

Didn't really know where it went, and if it went to the server I'm sure they could do rare contests and use it as a prize.

[Lord Sephiroth]

I only read the first two pages of this thread because Door was starting to bother me.

I don't understand what Doors problem with Stephen is. In my allbeit limited history with Stephen he's never been anything but professional and kind, though up-front and sometimes rather blunt, he's usually right about a lot of things.

Seems rather childish that the fact that he added an "about-the-author" section to his writings is what's setting Door off. And even more childish that you're so petulant that you had to go and mock him by adding it to your signature.

I won't be so cliche as to tell you to grow up, but grow the **** up.

[Door]

Originally Posted by Lord Sephiroth

I only read the first two pages of this thread because Door was starting to bother me.

I don't understand what Doors problem with Stephen is. In my allbeit limited history with Stephen he's never been anything but professional and kind, though up-front and sometimes rather blunt, he's usually right about a lot of things.

Seems rather childish that the fact that he added an "about-the-author" section to his writings is what's setting Door off. And even more childish that you're so petulant that you had to go and mock him by adding it to your signature.

I won't be so cliche as to tell you to grow up, but grow the **** up.

yo, it wasn't just his self-inflated attitude, posting this article everywhere and acting like it would save servers (nevermind the about-the-author bit, oh God why), it was the fact that he was doing all of that while the article itself was a load of nonsense. My judgment of people is based on many observations--I don't just look at intention and think that every single thing that person does is worthwhile (or the opposite) just because they originally intended to achieve good things. When even the most respectable people pump out crap, they should get crap for it.

Maybe you don't agree with me, that's fine. But this is how improvements happen. Stephen sure as hell won't be posting anything quite as bad as this anytime soon. Well... actually nm scratch that, I don't think he really cares about the quality or usefulness of anything he does, it seems way more about stamping his name on it. But who knows, maybe he's got good intentions! And somehow, that is supposed to make his crap both acceptable and impressive!

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by Door

yo, it wasn't just his self-inflated attitude, posting this article everywhere and acting like it would save servers (nevermind the about-the-author bit, oh God why), it was the fact that he was doing all of that while the article itself was a load of nonsense.

Originally Posted by Stephen

The document is intended as primer; to give playerworld managers an idea of how to effectively break up customer groups and why breaking them up would be important in the first place. I wrote it for the benefit of server managers, and as such, I went to popular servers and advertised it openly as "A message for Graal Online Server Managers".

Originally Posted by Door

Stephen sure as hell won't be posting anything quite as bad as this anytime soon. Well... actually nm scratch that, I don't think he really cares about the quality or usefulness of anything he does, it seems way more about stamping his name on it.

Originally Posted by Stephen

I've created a revised document which should introduce users to Market Segmentation, practical reporting, and Purchase Funnels.

You can view the blog entry here.

Just a reminder - if others haven't seen the updated first post; I created a revision a day after posting the first. Hopefully the new document is more helpful and cohesive.