What I've learned from this Beta

"

Chris wrote:

"

Herborist wrote:

The fact of the matter is, if people were so interested, they'd have logged in and posted at least once. I can't imagine someone being interested and checking in for 3 - 4 months and never posting once on any topic for any reason. It's preposterous.

Our analytics show that there are many many returning visitors (people from the same IP/browser) that don't log in but do read the forums/news. I've talked to many of them that are active on other forums discussing PoE but haven't posted on ours.

We spent months reassuring people that just signing up for an account is all that is necessary to be considered.

I completely understand why you feel frustrated about this process. What do you suggest we do differently though, in a fair way to not alienate either group?

I say embrace the countdown. In order to get a key, gotta wait for your name to pop. Click a link and activate. That will prove people are active. ;) Of course, you'd have to increase rate of countdown. Although, this may cause instant rage. Heh.

"

The fact of the matter is, if people were so interested, they'd have logged in and posted at least once. I can't imagine someone being interested and checking in for 3 - 4 months and never posting once on any topic for any reason. It's preposterous.

I signed up for an account on September 6, 2010, but I didn't get around to post anything in forums until now. Since this was just one of many games I've been looking at I haven't felt the need to participate much in the discussion until the game was closer to being finished and really caught my attention.

 

You have a higher chance to get a key than any particular individual...however added together, your chance of receiving a key is still extremely slim, due to the number of applicants. It is a weighted - random system...you have a better chance...but not a guarantee.

"

Chris wrote:

"

Herborist wrote:

The fact of the matter is, if people were so interested, they'd have logged in and posted at least once. I can't imagine someone being interested and checking in for 3 - 4 months and never posting once on any topic for any reason. It's preposterous.

Our analytics show that there are many many returning visitors (people from the same IP/browser) that don't log in but do read the forums/news. I've talked to many of them that are active on other forums discussing PoE but haven't posted on ours.

We spent months reassuring people that just signing up for an account is all that is necessary to be considered.

I completely understand why you feel frustrated about this process. What do you suggest we do differently though, in a fair way to not alienate either group?

If this experience has taught me anything, it's that someone will always be upset no matter what the situation is. Even if those same people would agree with you were the situation reversed, they're still going to abandon reason and be upset.

My proposed solution is the way of least resistance: start inviting people with outstanding records. I'm sure there's some way to search the forums for people with a large amount of posts, or who are notable, and invite them directly. The kinds of people who you know will start giving back to the community. The key is visibility. The more people who come on and talk about the beta, the more the public feels as if they're actually there themselves. You can even tell that forum talk goes down by a noticeable degree every time a new stream or beta-relevant thread surfaces.

I just feel so frustrated by this. I've got A TON of ideas just from what I've gleaned from watching streams for 20 - 30 minutes here and there. One of the streamers was even nice enough to let us choose his builds/skills for him since we were left out (I believe it was WalletWaffle). That's not even taking into account the fact that I've known about this game since this time last year, and I've signed up for almost a year.

Speaking of which, I'd look into some way of rewarding the people who stream or do other commendable things. A cool forum title would be nice. "Beta Wizard" or something.

"

Herborist wrote:

My proposed solution is the way of least resistance: start inviting people with outstanding records. I'm sure there's some way to search the forums for people with a large amount of posts, or who are notable, and invite them directly.

+1

i are sad

need to bump up forum post #'s