New server pop

DevGrousis · #1 12-10-2011, 03:30 PM

So, today was the day that I was going to get back into P99 after a long break.

The first thing I noticed is that the population is considerably lower. I know that is it due to the new PVP server coming out.

My question is: Is it extremely empty throughout the game now that the population has been cut in half? When it was 800 ONLINE I even thought that we could have used more players, so to see 300 is a bit sad.

Messianic · #2 12-10-2011, 03:38 PM

You can still do stuff and find groups in the normal hotspots. But the obscure places are pretty dead.

stormlord · #3 12-10-2011, 04:14 PM

Pvp server is a very large part of it. Just before the pvp server came out, I recall 700+ pop's (800 at best). And then about a week after I came back and saw that it had plummeted to 400+ (500 at best).

I think it will gradually go up to 500 and 600 as the pvp server loses people. I don't anticipate the pvp server to keep everyone who started there. They'll probably come back to this one. The pvp server will have to find new people. It's just the way pvp servers/mmos tend to go unless it's eve-online or a more controlled kind of pvp in a modern game (WoW). Once people get ganked they quickly grow irritated.

Our highest pop's were just before and after kunark was released. 1100+. I think a large part of it was that sony had been hacked and we were getting some of them. Server also had an exp bonus to attract them.

I think this server will go the way of the mac (capped at PoP) server on live. Major difference between this and the mac server is that this is not legally sanctioned by sony. Sony could kill this server at any time. But the likelihood of that's low because: a) is a small pop b) still must pay to play live (and live is -the- game) c) emulators cannot charge players to play d) a billion-plus dollar company -will- tend to create a LOT.

Dravingar · #4 12-10-2011, 05:32 PM

When epics finally get released, the server population will swell up again then drop off after 1-2 months until Velious. Kunark is a boring as shit expansion.

stormlord · #5 12-10-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dravingar [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

When epics finally get released, the server population will swell up again then drop off after 1-2 months until Velious. Kunark is a boring as shit expansion.

I have to admit, nothing about kunark has much ever interested me. The zones are too big and the lizards feel funny to me. Contrast the original content which has numerous cities and quests and dungeons and factions with Kunark. Kunark, by comparison, is a collection of dungeons and a single home city with commensurate numbers of quests. But this is just my view. But I don't think this is why this server is small pop. I think the major reason it's small pop is because it's old, emulated and not enough new players coming in. But the reason there're not enough new players could be because it's emulated and/or old. Haha. (o.O)

In immediate terms, the pvp server is probably hte biggest influencer.

Autotune · #6 12-10-2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dravingar [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

When epics finally get released, the server population will swell up again then drop off after 1-2 months until Velious. Kunark is a boring as shit expansion.

i wouldn't put much faith in epics bringing back much of the general population. Velious on the other hand, i can definitely see that bringing people back.

Lindalind · #7 12-10-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormlord [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I think this server will go the way of the mac (capped at PoP) server on live. Major difference between this and the mac server is that this is not legally sanctioned by sony. Sony could kill this server at any time. But the likelihood of that's low because: a) is a small pop b) still must pay to play live (and live is -the- game) c) emulators cannot charge players to play d) a billion-plus dollar company -will- tend to create a LOT.

This is a classic server and will retain a base number of people who appreciate it.
Expansions always bring on a temporary explosion of population that drifts away after the newness ends.
Kunark has been out a long time and this still has the most people usually of the emu servers,others of which are introducing expansions quickly or already have them.
Between the 2 classic servers pve and pvp they are still going strong.
It has lost population but does have a very strong base that wants to be around for a long while.

usedtobejubaloftorv · #8 12-11-2011, 01:01 PM

IMO Velious is going to be the make or break for longevity - Kunark just doesn't have enough content to keep people busy. From the people I have talked to, everyone expects it to be released eventually, and there's a lot of alt-playing and time-biding waiting for epics to come out - and after those are played out the same will probably happen in waiting for Velious.

rigi · #9 12-11-2011, 04:35 PM

i think velious will just spread people out even more and make the server even more lonely.

with 300 people online you still run down to frenzied room ect and farmers are camping shit to all hell tho

eqravenprince · #10 12-12-2011, 10:00 AM

Still groups going in all the popular zones though. Instead of 2-3 groups in Oasis, there might only be 1, but that just leaves a lot more mobs for that one group. I kind of like it less crowded, I think it brings the community closer together.