Newbies, Friends, Neighbours & Forum Format

Ok, this is just some thoughts...

Firstly I find the 'looking for neighbours/friends' thread a little on the creepy side. I always have. I also think it's rather pointless given that there are no gift facilites (yet) or that which would allow you to visit a friends/neighbours city. I am not discouraging anyone from posting there, simply suggesting that if your actually looking for help; just ask for it here

Secondly (sort of), I have noticed a lot of direct message requests to members from people looking for help; most of these directed to those at the top of the membership ladder that have quite probably long gone from the Forum. I would like to encourage anyone that needs help, to simply start a new thread and ask the question.... General questions like "I don't have a clue what this is about" are fine as there are heaps of people here ready to help out. Post it in this area, or anywhere else for that matter (as the thread can be moved to the right area easily enough - the Moderators/Administrators only nip occasionaly and don't bite) whilst you get to grips with where to post. You are much more likely to get a question answered here than message a member that has most likely left the City and gone back to the country

On the Second point, could I respectfully suggest that the Begginers Guide and the Game FAQ be moved closer to the top of the Main Forum page, so when new members log on, they can see straight away that there is indeed a Helpful Guide and a brilliant series of FAQ's on just about all aspects of how to Rise your Cities.. Currently I personally think it's too far down the page and would be better "in your face" so to speak.

Thirdly, this thread is probably in the wrong place!

 

Andrew, Devils don't know how to just nip its usually a full on bite and crunch bones
How ever as you have started this thread in speakers corner and there are generally no rules here as long as it is a g rated, family friendly topic as is what this topic is intended to be. so I will leave it here and see how it goes.
on the other points raised I will discuss this with others, so don't hold your breath for a fast result as this will be a slow and smooth

 

Thanks Tassie I am unsure of whether it's an issue worth being concerned about - more an observation/suggestion. I completely understand about not holding my breath. Hopefully you haven't been holding out for your new Porsche and S.C's Maybach, as I am yet to hear back from Bigpoint's MD !

 

Andrew, I think you have made some very good suggestions. I hope that these can be made possible. Do you need some air tanks to get you through the wait. Give me a jingle I have some extras in storage fully charged and ready.

 

Thanks BJ, but the 917k comes with cockpit mounted oxygen tanks that feed the helmet

(the C02 we have covered in another thread )

 

Andrew those couple of ideas are very valid and the powers that be should give this some serious consideration, well done

 

Thanks Skip! I am only trying to encourage new members to post a question, rather than go straight down the Friends/Neighbors/message to "star" members route. To be more frank than my first post, I would actually like to see the creepy Friends thread canned completely - as there are very young mayors here. At least until it actually serves as some useful game function. The Forum is public, visible, open and monitored, whereas the Friends route could potentially turn out to be a very negative experience. But that is up to those that are wiser and perhaps less cynical than myself.

 

I think Andrew is spot on; this is not like other games where there is live chat and friends messaging is used for more private communications (though it would work for that here too). My experience has been I talk more to my friends here in forum than via the friends messages...and I agree that open discussion tends to garner more commentary and information (usually helpful) than a one on one conversation. I actually would not miss the entire "friends" function in this game if it were eliminated; though would like to see the gifting function actually implemented (and that would change my opinion accordingly). Hopefully your good ideas will get the attention they deserve

 

You reinforce my point Geflin and thank you for offering your wise words. The problem as always is that we only get a few of the regulars speaking up, and that in itself is wonderful, but I would love to see others actually comment. I guess as Tassie said, see how it goes. It's a fickle world, but perhaps a little encouragement by an old (but incredibly fast) Porsche might make a little difference in the RC world created by gifted people at Bigpoint

 

Thank you....you're welcome....and there have been a lot more players speaking up recently. Ever since I started posting in forum I have tried to stimulate conversations and get players talking...as have a few others. Am glad you support and encourage that as well

 

You have Geflin, and by no means do I take that away from you or others here that bend over backwards for complete strangers. Plus the bonus of rolling around the floor laughing at some of the comments. I agree that even in my short time here there have been some new members posting. I have searched high and low to see whether Bigpoint have been bolstering RC sales, but it doesn't look like it. Anyway it's all good. As you and BJ often state, the Squeaky oil gets the wheel.... no hang on.... the wheel without the oil gets squeaky... nope thats not right..... the wheel goes around, down the dale and up the creek.... nope.... umm. It's late, you know what I mean!!

 

Your wheels would not be so squeaky and in need of oil if those darn owls would quit stealing your car for getaway joyrides. Ooops, wait a minute....forget I said that. Glad to have you around A you wisely observed, a little encouragement is all that is needed to get players talking more often and more openly.

 

I am having terrible trouble with lost connection issues on RC (which seems to always be when I'm on in the evenings), but I am seriously laughing myself to sleep here. The Forum is great, all of the regulars are great + lets see a lot more! And Tassie is simply a star and never seems to sleep at all! With that, to all a goodnight from me... and a goodnight from him....

 

Great ideas Andrew!

 

Sir Owl and the Porsche are correct, even if they got a little over zealous in complimenting each other. Just kidding. I love when members spend time and effort to communicate with each other. There are some of the greatest people on the forum.

So come on in and join the party. We have a great time and do not be afraid. We are a forgiving lot. The vast majority of players in here only want to help you or are looking for help.

Who knows you might have an answer that has stymied us old hands for years.

Andrewjf I was having connectivity issues also for a while. I updated all of my drivers on my computer and now works like your Porsche.

 

On the topic of neighbors/friends: Given the nature of the game, I think many people just try to amass 'friends' and post in dedicated topics as a matter of course, as these games often rely on having in-game friends as a mechanic, which I'm glad RC doesn't. A lot of these people never post in the forums aside from that. I have received requests here from unknown people that as far as I know have never showed any indication of forum activity and I assume had just targeted me because I'm relatively active. Specifically, I think it's that I had recently posted at those times and they were targeting recent activity, since I'm not 'notable' according to the forums. It couldn't've been because I'm such a beaming, stimulating conversationalist. Some of those notable members evidently aren't English-speaking either, so those direct appeals must fail sometimes.

Though I can see the creep-potential there, that potential exists everywhere; most certainly not just the internet. I don't find the Friends board inherently creepy, though I've seen some responses that seem so. Of course, everything can be made to seem creepier whenever ages and sexes mix so much, especially over the internet where it happens more easily and isn't always evident. One of the rules that I was impressed to see here though is that age shouldn't even be an issue. Probably the first time I've seen that mentioned specifically.

I understand the concern, however I don't think removing the Friends board until it has a gameplay-related function is actually going to change much as people will still be making their own threads, just as they currently do, only more. When it would actually have a function, then what? Sure, you can form a slightly better (though not necessarily accurate) idea of someone with a presence on the forum, but there are plenty of people that just have no reason/desire to be especially active, yet may still want to chat with random people without intentions driven by their biology. You can make available many forms of information in your profile or signature if you wish, including how to be contacted, which unavoidably invites such random, potentially-creepy conversation; all of which are outside of BP's power to control.

I've been around the internet. I've seen a lot of things. Yes, there are creeps to be found, and yes, it may be easier to be a creep in some ways on the internet, but I've always held that the internet isn't really that different from meatspace, long before we were as connected as we currently are. There are some warnings in the rules section, that while admittedly are not that prominent, echo any basic guidelines of offline, primary-school-level street smarts. That isn't to say some things can't be done here (more prominent warnings/reminders, especially on the Friends board), or that victims should've known better, but both BP and guardians can only do so much. In the end, it's often down to the choice of the individual, youth or not. If they are deemed sensible enough to be left alone on the internet — or outside for that matter — then what can you expect?

Now this is all rather complicated to be sure and much, much more can be said, but I'm going to leave it at that, for now.

As for communication between players, as I've said before, a PM system on the forums themselves would be preferable to me than in-game as you don't have to 'friend' people or use your profile page to talk. It makes for more natural and contained spontaneous conversation for some people, easier conflict resolution, and easier correspondence with mods/admins when necessary. It feels absolutely archaic that that functionality isn't enabled here. PMs are all you can do in-game so far, and I really haven't used that function.

 

I think many of the "friend me" requests here can be attributed to players who initially think this is like many other games where you send 'friend requests' for items needed in game play; when they realize RC doesn't work like that, you just don't hear from them again. I am always willing to accept a friend request and message with players who want questions answered or advice. Of course, that's kind of what we do here in forum (hence why I wonder what use the friend function has here).