Re: Everyone

I decided to check in and see how things were going, and was surprised to see that Newsfleet is as dead as it is. That is too bad, it was a fun game when I participated. I hope no one minds, but I would like to leave my two cents worth on how to revive Newsfleet.

Technology: I agree with previous posts about technology. Phorum does need to be upgraded to take advantage of newer tools, and the site does need to be scrubbed of links that don’t work anymore. It looks good with Mike’s work, but more cleanup is needed. With that said, technology changes will only get you so far. There are more issues that I think would encourage play.

Consolidation: I think a consolidation is long overdue for the fleet. I would recommend closing down all of the ships, and station, and start over with 1 new ship. Make it a class that is recognizable to new players, not an obscure Steamrunner class type ship, but something a new player can relate to from their Trek watching experience.

The problem with the 4 ships, and 1 station, is that you have a handful of players playing multiple characters on multiple boards in Newsfleet. This can be draining on a person trying to come up with stories for 5 characters twice a week every week if posting minimums are enforced. One ship will let players focus on writing for 1 character, and it won’t feel like a full time job for players when posting on Newsfleet. Expansion can take place once there is a steady overflow of players, and a new board is needed, but resist the urge to do this until a new ship is really needed. Tight spaces will create an anxiousness to participate.

Character Refresh: I would recommend that along with a new ship, that players set aside their characters and start over again with a new character. Something they haven’t played before, like a different race or position than they are used to. This would open up new story ideas from players approaching the game in a new way. Some of you have been playing the same character for years, so it gets hard to put a new spin on a character with so much history. Changing characters allows you to change up your writing. Lone wolf is great at this; I would take his queue on characters.

Enforce Posting Minimums: I would go back to enforcing the posting minimums again, and not let people off the hook for being too busy. We are all busy, but if you commit to posting in Newsfleet, you should make sure you have the time to post in Newsfleet. Stories slow down because a player is waiting on another player to post, and that person doesn’t post for a week or two on end. If you can’t post, you should let the SM know, and get in on OOC: If it is consistent, bounce the player. It’s not like there is a lot to lose at the moment, and consistency will get people on board again, or out.

Time Limited Stories: This is one thing that kills interest in playing, that is a story that lasts longer than a congressional term. I would look at more streamlined stories that last no longer than 9 months, 6 months preferably broken up into 1 to 2 month acts. No matter how good the story is, it gets old after a while when writing for it. The stories don’t need to be overly complex to be entertaining. Some of the best episodes in Trek were based on a simple story premise, like The Doomsday Machine, or The Enterprise Incident from TOS. Tin Man, or Disaster, from TNG. Starship Down, or Valiant, from DS9. Anyway you get my point, and I guess I really like space disaster episodes.

Don’t Wait For New Players: To get new players, there has to be a product that new players will want to participate in. When I look at Newsfleet now, there is nothing to do there, so as a potential new player, I would move along without a second thought. An active board will attract new players if they see what they like. Marketing does no good for a dead board. Existing players have to commit again to playing, and preset a marketable product. Right now there isn’t one, and unless something changes, Newsfleet is dead. Streamline Newsfleet, and start playing. Once that happens, then lean on the higher ups to start pressing marketing. You can market yourselves as well. It will take some time, and a little effort, but you can do it on your own. Print up flyers, and leave them at the local Star Trek club meetings, Comic Con’s, etc.

Anyway those are my thoughts, right or wrong. I’m not claiming my views are correct, it’s just my opinion on what I think might help Newsfleet get back on its feet again and thrive, and not all of the ideas I listed need to be followed. I hope Newsfleet can be revived, I had a lot of good times on the board, and there are more to be had.

Good luck.

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DO Lieutenant T'Saylar
Valdivian Station / USS Trinity
Mike Schell
actd (at) mugatu (dot) com