Decaying playing base maybe a blessing in disguise

[Voss]

This game is just about dead! Anyone who comments that they game is ok because they see 22 players in a session doesn't understand math. 

In theory that could mean there are only 22 players in total (I realize that's not the case, but you get the point).

I just think they are completely under staffed from a developer perspective.

It makes sense they keep adding PVP updates because those updates are isolated code branches that do NOT have an impact on the free roam world so they think its an easy win as an update delivery.

They whole team should be fired!

[elmZ]

My friends are split right now. Some play now and then, a few play daily, and the rest have moved on to other games already. I am somewhat bored of it myself as well. I take breaks. Sometimes for a day or two, other times for a week or more.

[HuDawg]

17 hours ago, Netnow66 said:

And that's just why Rockstar needs to step in, because we as players can't even agree on what the biggest problem is.

That's because we are both right.  And its R* being wrong in terms of a ONE lobby fits all type mindset.  

17 hours ago, Netnow66 said:

When the money glitch popped up, Rockstar stepped in pretty quickly to stop it. 

When money is involved R* always labels it as a top priority.  Which is why im happy about the decaying player base, because that means less money for R*.

Which will light a fire under R*s ass and hopefully lead to the RD O getting the proper handling it deserves.

 

[Born Homicidal]

19 hours ago, lumper said:

I think people got too excited too quickly and forgot, they arent done, they ran out fo time, this beta thing sucks but it was just to get it out so we coudl start finding bugs while they buy time to actually finish it.

People bailing on it entirely at this point is kind of dumb, I mean take a break sure, come back once a month and check it out, I do think that given the time they need this game will be great, we just need to  be patient and realize everything isnt perfect and wont be until they have had a chance to fix it, threatening them, leaving the game, etc.. isnt going to speed up time, they need time.

The numbers are way down as people in general today have low attention spans, and with so many other games out why not?

as angry as I get at times, I still remember this is a beta lol it is not finished, I cant judge a game based on the performance of a beta.

 

 

Think about what you said for a second, you are generally a nice person so please don't take offense to what im saying lol.

 

1.This game was in Development for damn near 8 years? that's a whole lot of time to get their sh*t together. "they made one of the greatest single player games" sure I believe that but the issue is they also included, advertised and even the previous rdr had single player. So its entirely their fault for not working or having a dedicated team to work on the online aspect of the game.

2. They included micro transactions from the get, they made around 725 million on the first 3 days of release lol so idk why the hell they brand a beta yet have micro transactions instantly when they don't need it. I would be fine if they released them after the beta was fully released but not during.

3. Its not a beta, its a quick cash grab companies do now a days to make as much money as they can before they either succeed or fail miserably. Look at Fortnite its still on beta yet its at season 2,000 lol.

4. No point in staying in a dying game, there are gonna be more AAA titles releasing such as Gears of War, Cyberpunk, days gone, rage 2.. just to name a few, im pretty sure that most if not all of these games will be finished products with updates rather than a half assed Alpha (bare bones) that they plan on releasing at the span of 5 years. It doesn't work that way for true RDR fans, it works for GTA but not here unfortunately.

[tadp0le]

I know more people who gave up on online than who still play it. A few even went back to GTA V. Why? They say they are bored. They don't say the game sucks and they do want to play it more but just not right now. Maybe this will speak to Rockstar, maybe it won't. Only time will tell.

[Cliffs]

Well it is a beta is it not?

[shawn]

My cousin quit playing months ago. Said the online is trash. I told him it is still in beta and he didn't want to hear it. Fans like that don't matter to Rockstar. I really feel like they just want to make online appealing to people who can play it and enjoy it without spending money but also appeal to people who WILL spend money. It is a hard thing to balance in a game. 

[HuDawg]

20 hours ago, Cliffs said:

Well it is a beta is it not?

Im not sure what that's supposed to mean.

 

When I think of a game being in beta.  I think of massive weekly updates, balance changes and fixes.

R* is dragging their feet on everything while drip feeding content and refusing to add simple features that the game really needs. 

 

[Zampen]

 

3 hours ago, HuDawg said:

Im not sure what that's supposed to mean.

 

When I think of a game being in beta.  I think of massive weekly updates, balance changes and fixes.

R* is dragging their feet on everything while drip feeding content and refusing to add simple features that the game really needs. 

 

This

[Redstaski]

Several people here have pointed out that if R* wanted to fix software problems with the Beta online version, they could/can solve  it if they so choose .  Fair enough, assuming the glitches are fixable. Contributors here have also pointed out that the player base is shrinking,  players who migrated to the online version seemed to be fading away. Numerous factors are cited as to why this is happening, griefing seems to be the biggest complaint.  These aspects, to me, are similar to most online games, glitches and griefing are endemic to all online games.

The player base shrinkage is real, take a look at your trophies (PS$) and you will see some interesting stats. The one that catches my eye is the trophy for reaching rank 50, very few players achieve that, less than 10% I think. So it looks like players start the online story and then abandon it shortly afterwords.  You can cite various problems as the source but there are obtainable fixes for those things. The problem to my mind is the fact that the game has a value system that is confusing unlike GTA V where you know everybody is nasty/bad/criminal RDR tries to maintain a balance. It wants to reward the whitehats at the same time as the blackhats. This creates different expectations for players and in the end it makes the most sense to be a blackhat, screw the good guys.

RDR 2 has been a long time in development and  the launch was delayed for several months and R* even stated that the beta online was "to get it right" so don't expect a quick fix to any of the problems. RDR 2 online is a FPS with a really, really big map, that's all it is folks.

[liquidfire]

I am feeling like I am on my way out myself. Nothing against the main story of the game, that was brilliant and well worth the money but this online stuff... I am not feeling it. I have connection issues, it is harder now than it was when I first started playing to level up. All the glitches and crappy players online don't help either. 

[Bucnation3139]

On 4/5/2019 at 10:03 AM, HuDawg said:

I can't help but think the current state of RD O player base and unhappy players will push R* to rethink its mindset when it comes to RD O.  And this will end up being a good thing in the long run.  And hopefully gets rid of the people in charge of RD O for being completely clueless and bad at their job.

Because if RD O was successful, nothing would change.    Just more of this, for years.

Im literally the only person left out of tons of friends who own this game that still plays RD Online.. And when I say plays it, I mean 1 hour a week.  Compared to end of 2018 and early 2019 when EVERYONE I knew was playing and I was playing this for many hours a week, (Its kind of sad 😪)

I've gone back to single player.  Because I can play FREE AIM in peace, no ability cards..  no bullsh*t.. with a world that actually seems alive and is built around fun. 

 

The end of the BETA is going to be R*s second and probably last chance to really bring players back and keep their attention... And give players what they need instead of what Take Two wants.

 

 

100% bro ! It's dam sad the way Robstar is leaving us hanging ! Had really high hopes for rdr2 o. But like most things in life it'll be short lived. Can't express my dissapointment enough. So sad really. 

[Kean_1]

4 hours ago, Chris Arbaugh said:

But like most things in life it'll be short lived. 

....funny.  I remember people saying the same thing about GTAO in the early days.  Some still did throughout it's life and yet here we are with one of the most successful GaaS models to date in the gaming industry.

I rarely buy into these kinds of prophecies from hubbub via the internet/YT.  The fact is that some folks will move on from RDO while others will stay.  Some folks may come back and new players will join.  .....and yeah, there is that chance the game will be a failure although that could be arguable as well as many define that differently. 

However, if I had to put my money on the experience and track record of a company like R* (with one of the most successful GaaS models in the gaming industry) or internet naysayers to predict RDOs longevity, I'll go with the former.

That's not to say that RDO will continue to grow in a direction I personally like but then again, my personal issues (or that of a group) with a game doesn't mean I believe it will fail.  I've already shelved this game once and I may likely do it again in the future.  ......but like GTAO, I have a feeling I'll keep returning and may even stay a while at times.

[DNMNetTech]

They said the same thing about Asherons Call in the late 90's. Can you believe there are still many people playing it? I can't believe the servers are still up. A friend of mine said our group still had members as of last year. Server still up even after AC2 was dead. Almost a 20 year stretch. 

 

[Bucnation3139]

50 minutes ago, Kean_1 said:

....funny.  I remember people saying the same thing about GTAO in the early days.  Some still did throughout it's life and yet here we are with one of the most successful GaaS models to date in the gaming industry.

I rarely buy into these kinds of prophecies from hubbub via the internet/YT.  The fact is that some folks will move on from RDO while others will stay.  Some folks may come back and new players will join.  .....and yeah, there is that chance the game will be a failure although that could be arguable as well as many define that differently. 

However, if I had to put my money on the experience and track record of a company like R* (with one of the most successful GaaS models in the gaming industry) or internet naysayers to predict RDOs longevity, I'll go with the former.

That's not to say that RDO will continue to grow in a direction I personally like but then again, my personal issues (or that of a group) with a game doesn't mean I believe it will fail.  I've already shelved this game once and I may likely do it again in the future.  ......but like GTAO, I have a feeling I'll keep returning and may even stay a while at times.

Yea bud I am truly in awww of rdr2I and can only keep hope alive that the big update is close. Such a beautiful game and honestly think it will have a long life ! The short lived part was aimed at my high hopes. I'm down to medium hopes now. Lol still playing it though bud.  

[Ozy8753]

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

5 hours ago, Chris Arbaugh said:

100% bro ! It's dam sad the way Robstar is leaving us hanging ! Had really high hopes for rdr2 o. But like most things in life it'll be short lived. Can't express my dissapointment enough. So sad really. 

 If it wasn't for the good crew I'm playing Buckie I would have moved on, we just have to hang in there Bro & hope things get better, it will I'm sure.  

[Redstaski]

Foretelling the future most of the time is simply paying attention to the present. All games available on various online services are a commercial enterprise. Sure there are the hard core geeks that are passionate about the product on their payroll but ultimately its a money thing. No dollars, no product.  Human history, let alone corporate history, is littered with the remains of people/companies who fly too close to the sun, pride before the fall kinda thing.  Rockstar has a track record courtesy of GTA V online of being able to turn around a buggy, glitching game to make money. The question is, do they have the money and the will to solve the problems with the Beta online?

In a previous post I mentioned that less than 10% on people playing the Online Beta have reached rank 50, that was a mistake. Less than 1% of people playing the online Beta have reached level 50 and less than 10% of players have reached level 10. Some players will delete their characters numerous times and start a new profile in an attempt to stockpile cash and clothes, you don't lose them if you start over.

Beta or not a beta, those figures are what is happening in the present.

 

[Cliffs]

On 4/8/2019 at 9:28 AM, HuDawg said:

Im not sure what that's supposed to mean.

 

When I think of a game being in beta.  I think of massive weekly updates, balance changes and fixes.

R* is dragging their feet on everything while drip feeding content and refusing to add simple features that the game really needs. 

 

My comment was in reply to the thread title. As time passes, more and more players will stop playing until new material is released. That is how open betas work. 

I prefer closed betas as the people selected for those actually work at "fixing" the game not playing the game.

[HuDawg]

46 minutes ago, Cliffs said:

My comment was in reply to the thread title. As time passes, more and more players will stop playing until new material is released. That is how open betas work. 

I prefer closed betas as the people selected for those actually work at "fixing" the game not playing the game.

This has nothing to do with adding 'new' material.  Its the current material, lack of basics, and game direction that's the problem.

Piling more stuff on a weak foundation isn't going to bring many players back.

[Ozy8753]

Have Goddam faith😂. Rome wasn't built in a day.

[HuDawg]

23 minutes ago, Ozy8753 said:

Have Goddam faith😂. Rome wasn't built in a day.

I do have faith..  Be it a small amount.

Which is why I named this topic what it is.

 

 

[DirteeSanchezz0]

Waiting for players to enter showdown series and other pvp game modes. Never used too. Just given up waiting a few times, gone back into free roam, can’t think of anything interesting to do, switch the whole thing off. 

Edited April 12, 2019 by DirteeSanchezz0
Spelling

[lumper]

On 4/5/2019 at 5:23 PM, Zampen said:

Well im bored and have been so for over 4 months doing the handfull mail missions etc. But i guess i am the only one. Its a kick ass hunting simulator i gotta give em that but nothing i find fun at all, i wanna be a cowboy and rob sh*t, shoot dudes and do stuff i cant do in real life. And if there already is a passive glitch then whats all the fuzz about ? Problem solved focus on stuff to do, peace 👍

Have you played the large showdown series pvp games? you get an awful lot of action in there.

If you want to do single player style things like home robberies and train robberies then I understand, I too wish they would add these and more, BUT its Beta, they spent years, millions of dollars over budget, passed a deadline by a year making the game, they obviously still needed a lot more time and money to get it they way they wanted it.

 But I say  that is to be expected with something this awesome, there is no mold for this in business they broke the mold and defied the standard limitations to bring us this incredible experience and I think they delivered, so we just need to give them the time they want, I say take all the time you need, because I love what they do when you leave them alone and let them do it.

I really hope that they deliver in the end, I truly believe they will, so far they have given us what they have that is working, but I really believe that lots of amazing things are coming, just hang in there and keep leveling up.

[Qu3ster]

I can't see how people giving up on the game is going to help them? 

The people who actually been buying stuff are helping them the most. I mean I know the company has butt tons of cash but this is a constant work in progress so having funding coming in for them to pay everyone working on the game helps. When people walk away from it, the game will likely only get worse. I saw it happen on steam with a few games. The fanbase started quitting so they started adding more crap to pay for and eventually became a pay to win game.

[Cliffs]

I have entered many betas and never did I spend real money on anything in those betas. Those that have, I ask why?

[Zampen]

Never spend money in a "beta" tip no 1

[HuDawg]

10 hours ago, Qu3ster said:

I can't see how people giving up on the game is going to help them? 

The people who actually been buying stuff are helping them the most. .

Less people playing  + Less people buying stuff =  R* pulling its head of its ass and giving the game what it needs.

R* over the years.. Has proved that the ONLY time they start paying attention to game play problems.. Is when money is involved.

 

[dIV4r]

I can see this helping if Rockstar pays attention. Some seem to think they do, some seem to think they don't. I know game programming can be a huge pain when it is in beta testing. A lot of people constantly complaining and getting upset coupled with long hours of possibly getting nowhere with fixing something. I just hope it sends a message to them that we want more to play around with online.