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Kouhai Mochi's Senpai

Godly Noob

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[ JK ]
Currently, zOMG isn't a popular feature on the site (even Rally space is more popular than zOMG). Secondly, we don't generate any revenue with this game (nobody buys power-ups).

In order for us to be successful with zOMG!, we need to accomplish one of the following...

A) Make zOMG! an extremely popular feature on the site
B) Generate lots of revenue with it
C) Acquire new users to the main site through zOMG!

At this moment, we're focusing on option 'A' and we're doing everything we can to make the game fun and engaging with the limited resources at hand. FYI, we're down to 2 artists on this project.. and with 1 game designer and some sporadic dev support, things are tough.

Hope you guys realize that unless we make zOMG! more successful, we're not going to receive any additional help from Gaia. If anything, there's a possibility that Gaia may stop supporting zOMG altogether and it will become yet another dead feature on the site like Towns, Fishing, Housing, etc.

So yes, we are thinking about ways to monetize zOMG, but with discretion so not to hurt the game and the community. However, we also understand that there's no point in doing so if nobody is playing the game.

It's great that you guys are passionate about zOMG! and I always thank you for your feedback, but let's discuss this rationally and not get emotional. Trust me, the last thing we want to do is something which will hurt the zOMG! community. We need your support, so you could help us make a better game.


Here is the bones of it.

zOMG! needs to make some money to keep going and get more people playing the game. The post about selling the un-soulbinding of rings was just that, a way to come up with some badly needed cash. Without it zOMG! may die out. crying So we need ideas to help zOMG! make a bit of money and get people playing the game.



Ideas/Suggestions
Is that big and bold enough for you to notice Sen? ^-^;;

Notice: I typed this all out in a notepad before hand so there may be minor (or rather severe) bbcode mistakes and typos. Sorry.. Lack of sleep and hunger didn't help either.. Not to mention typing in the dark while my mind isn't focused enough to figure out where the keys are. Time stamp: 5:02 AM 12/9/2010.


I've read through the ideas you've noticed, and I've thought about it long and hard and I cannot come up with much honestly. But here is my opinion on what they should do with/to zOMG. It will be some what of a long mess/rant so I'll try to sum things up at the end or something. You can just jump there.

First off they need to lift that 10.0 upgrade limit. It gives the appearance that there will be new areas that require higher CL, and it gives people something to do with their orbs. They can also create new rings for that and sell them, but that would require more art, new coding for what ever those rings did, more animations to be put in, etc. Secondly they should do more events, even if it's the same thing as previous years. They don't have to be around holidays. I know they feel focusing on other things is more important right now (e.g. the pet system) and I suppose I must agree, but recycling old events isn't a bad thing. Having played my fair share of mmorpgs (and mmos in general) I know that events and holidays usually bring in a lot of players, especially when that provides exclusives items or rare items. If they made more items to sell for GC (e.g. rings, clothing items that can be worn on site but also gives an effect in game, etc.) they could do sales during these events and of course if you spent a certain amount of GC on these items you'd get a rare exclusive item which can only be obtained during those types of sales. They should also work with the people in charge of events on site when possible, and have cross promotion. Maybe even include zOMG into the story in the events. (An example of basic cross over promotion woud be like.. Kill x number of y on zOMG for an achievement. Earning said achievemen allows you to do the next item on a list of things to earn items for the [holiday] event that year. Next I think they need to expand the plot. I understand they have a small team, but the reason so many people have left zOMG is because they finished. I know there are a lot of repeatable quests and such, but grinding is generally the worse part of a mmorpg. Most people play it for the story, and to feel like they've advanced and have some where to go.. A goal to reach. With the story stopping (pretty much just finishing) people feel like they've reached their goal, and they just move on. zOMG (and most mmorpgs) have little replay value because no matter how many times you play it you'll have the same story. You can always have small side-quests and smaller side-stories to start I suppose, it would make people lower their CL's and struggle in areas they may not of been in a while. (I just have to add here that being able to lower your CL was a great idea, I remember playing before that and having to switch out rings for other ones to lower my CL) If they make multiple story lines (even if it all reaches the same conclusion) it at least has more replay value.. With that of course, people would have to use Mules or create more accounts. (The Gaia-zOMG relationship doesn't exactly allow for a system where you have one account but many characters) Next I want to comment upon the pet system that has been mentioned. Many people have suggested a GC based headstart ticket or something to try it out, and having all pet items cost GC. Although that's a good idea I feel that perhaps something should either be free and earn in game or cost gold. Something that expires. Like say you can get a pet for a short time by finishing a quest or something, but you have to buy it food (which costs GC) otherwise it will get sick and you'll have to give it up for neglecting it. (Can't keep it, we DON'T support animal abuse D< ) And of course exclusives pets that can be gifted but not sold for GC. They could probably even try to work something out where it could be connected to a pet sim where you can raise it on site [like how you can take care of your aquarium] which would raise its level and help you out more in game. (Another source of income if you have items cost GC, again if you have gold/free pets you need some gold items for your pets. We can't endorse neglecting/abusing animals) Another thing I would like to mention promoting zOMG on other sites. As some of you may know some people from gaia actually made a game for facebook called Monster Galaxy. It is a knock off of Pokemon (or at least those types of games where you have a team of mosnters and you go around leveling them up, saving, the world, etc, etc, etc). It uses some characters from gaia like Radio Jack and some of the other items/characters found here. I noted that in a post here on Gaia (in the zOMG subforum) someone linked to a zOMG facebook page. (I didn't spend much time on it, I'm not sure who made it..) Why didn't they just integrate zOMG into facebook? Obviously it's easier said than done, but if they had time to make a [crappy] game like Monster Galaxy (I'm sorry to the creators of this game, I'm just giving my opinion.. But honestly the story is flat, and game play is repetitive, and the characters are not well developed. If they focused some of the man-power on getting zOMG more connceted to facebook they could of had a better game which would of probably drawn in more users.) I recall a site (I mentioned it else where, but I guess I'll leave it out so it doesn't seem like I'm promoting it) that had a lot of mmo browser games. RTS, RPG, etc.. What they did was simple. They made a facebook app that would automatically make an account on their site based on your facebook information. Afterwards you'd get an email from their site to confirm and you would set your pw for the site then. Afterwards it would link you to the game. It couldn't be that difficult to do something similar to this. (Easier than intergrating zOMG directing into the fb app pages at least considering the window sizes.) If they made a facebook app/page they could also post occasional updates so those who can't always make it to the dev meetings have some sort of update on the game [they love]. I remember how excited I was when they first started leaking information about the game, and I always love seeing "the making of" for movies and games. If they know what to talk about and what they're talking about though.. Most people love seeing an expert perform/talk about their craft, just don't get all egotistical about it and think you're doing something innovative... *Completely lost my train of thought due to lack of sleep and hunger* >.<;; But you get the idea. Lastly I think they need to get some ad revenue from it asap. Maybe I should of put this first or earlier at least.. I liked the afore mentioned idea of having an ad before the game, perhaps while it's loading or something.. Preferably either short videos without sound or ones similar to the ones around Gaia's main site.

Summary:
-Raise Max. CL
-More Events (Start by recycling old holiday events)
-Design items that can be used on on site that have benefits in game (Probably have some that can be bought with gold, but ones with best effects and look best cost GC)*
-More events/events that are connected to site events
-Exclusive items from bundles etc during events
-Expand on story, side-quests even..
-Iron out plan to make money on pet system, perhaps pet sim cross promotion.. (More work than it sounds)
-Advertising/making pages on social networking sites

* Note: Popular items usually involve weapons, mythological animals, and cute animals. Come on, even guys love cute animals/creatures like Gwee, Coco, Kiki, and the fluffs.

Further notes:
-I've seen various ads for Gaia on other sites, and I wonder why they can't include zOMG in them.. Like I swear I saw an ad advertising the autos and how you can chat with others, how hard would it of been to slip in a few seconds for a browser based mmorpg? There aren't a lot fo good ones out there. When zOMG came out it was one of the few that was of it's calibre. If they advertised it as much as they built up the hype on site they probably would of drawn in a lot of people. If I wasn't already part of Gaia it would of at least gotten me to make an account to test it out, and then in turn get my friends who I play mmos with to join also if I liked it. Now there is a lot more competition and a lot more flash based mmos.
-I noticed they already link to the other games around Gaia (e.g. Fishing and to towns.. They really need to add in the other locations for the rest of the games like Aekea and the casinos.. (I forgot where they were located. >.< )
-Yes, I am aware of how much work would be needed to go into items that give benefits in game also, as besides making sure the item would have an effect in game and having it show up properly and the art for the different angles, a lot of consideration (and possible edits to the game itself) will be needed so it doesn't cause a huge unbalance to the game. If it were to raise HP or your Strngth or something it could make some areas far too easy (as the CL levels are enforced in some places now and that makes the game some what challenging right now. It things were thrown off balance it would be unfair and would have a negative effect both on the game, the userbase for it, and the Gaian economy (marketplace, etc..) if not spread further (although I don't see how).
-I find it ironic that it's Gaia's fault that zOMG doesn't produce enough gold. It was one of the biggest sources of income for a while but soulbounding rings among [many] other mistakes has caused the marketplace to be over inflated, so most (pretty much all) good items cost a lot (in the millions) which drives away some of those who are new to Gaia who like dressing up their avatar in pretty things (guys included). I remember when I first joined I had a lot of trouble making any real gold, and left for a few months before I came back (but unlike most people I revisit things I don't love many times over long periods of time just to try it out again to see if they've changed or if my tastes have). Frankly if they would just fix the economy they wouldn't need to keep adding things that help users make mroe gold (e.g. more fish that give more gold for booty grab.. But I guess since they all cost GC and they're focused on income this is only a fantasy and they won't do anything about it..)
-Of course I have a lot of ideas for what they can do for events, but they have to worry about staying afloat before thinking about where to go, so I'll mention those another time.
-There's probably more that go into the various categories here but I'm tired and should probably be on my way..

Random Amusing Idea(s):
-Sponsor based events/monsters- Imagine fighting your favorite animated soft drink to earn an item from the sponsor. (They could always edit out the sponsor logos later and make them official areas or monsters)


Various links (If you consider this advertising please edit it out or message me and I'll do it):
Forum post with various links here.
zOMG Facebook page here.
Monster Galaxy app here.


P.S. Sorry for the long post, not nearly as impressive as some of the others but meh. I'm trying to contribute what I can in what little time I have.. >.<;; Also, please note that when I make suggestions for items that cost GC is is solely for the benefit of zOMG, as I cannot afford to spend money on anything besides food, shelter, and electricity right now. I do try to do offers to earn GC and spend what I make from that on zOMG when I can as it is still revenue for Gaia and may or may not count.. Hopefully it does.

Edit:
After reading a few posts before mine I noticed the mention of the zOMG! P.O.F. After checking it out I wasn't very impressed. Nice that it's playable on facebook (although rather small) it may be good if it had more intergration with Facebook as Monster Galaxy does (and most fb games do). Maybe include an incentive to connect your fb to it, to play it more often and post on your fb/friend's walls about it. I've yet to encounter a fb game that doesn't do that tbh.. >.<;; (Yes I am aware of the changes they'd need to make, and I am aware of how annoying it is and I am also aware that the devs want to keep zOMG flowing as it does and more enjoyable but when you're desperate.. And I think zOMG is good enough to put up with minor annoyances..

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RafiCat
I've suggested this elsewhere...

Dress up as a zomg character, and print up some flyers, and go hand them out at your local mall.

Where I live, you would probably get on tv!

Also, film or photo yourself doing this and put it on you tube!

Come on, someone do it!


Why don't you do it Rafi? *poke* It is after all your idea! wink

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Sensual Soul
RafiCat
I've suggested this elsewhere...

Dress up as a zomg character, and print up some flyers, and go hand them out at your local mall.

Where I live, you would probably get on tv!

Also, film or photo yourself doing this and put it on you tube!

Come on, someone do it!


Why don't you do it Rafi? *poke* It is after all your idea! wink


er, no thank you, I am more of a behind-the-scenes kind of person, lol
if done here it probably would get on tv... I would hate being on tv!

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RafiCat
Red Kutai
RafiCat
I've suggested this elsewhere...

Dress up as a zomg character, and print up some flyers, and go hand them out at your local mall.

Where I live, you would probably get on tv!

Also, film or photo yourself doing this and put it on you tube!

Come on, someone do it!

If I could mass-produce Barton Regulars armor, I'd supply it for people willing to do this. xp

Unfortunately, I can't even seem to make my own Barton Regulars armor, so I don't see that happening any time soon... sweatdrop


I bet you could put together a Purvis costume... mrgreen

I doubt I've ever mentioned it (so there's no reason you would), but you obviously have no clue where I come from. People here wouldn't bat an eye to see Purvis walking through our local mall. sweatdrop

That being said, a Marshall or Labtech X cosplay wouldn't be too extremely difficult, and they'd stand out just about anywhere. I like the Barton Regulars version most, but it seems more-than-a-little inaccessible... whee


ah, you must be from the midwest? I'm originally from Indiana myself, and my grandparents were all farmers.

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i just saw inception yesterday ,then looked up all the tropes and memes today ok that sound way off topic but it got me thinking what if we started finding and makeing meme things for Zomg and spreading them around to make people curious. heh the idea, the most infective of virusus.

also had the idea to make an paper mache version of the zong gnome and then taking it around places and take pictures of it. smile

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