Also this:

http://www.whatifsports.com/forums/Posts.aspx?TopicID=481177&Page=1

The template for WifS has not changed since inception. 

Fun reading, fellas. Keep it up. I respect Mike's pov, but I'm inclined to believe that fox could do a much better job at getting the word out about this game. I heard about it by word of mouth. As soon as I "discovered" the game, I was hooked. It never occurred to me to look into sim sports. I just thought it sounded cool once I did hear of it. I would assume that there's at least a few thousand people just like I was. I also don't pay attention to ads of any kind, as a matter of course, so it's hard to say how fox could have made me aware of the game without spending prodigious amounts of dough on ads.

I don't disagree that FOX should advertise, and could do a better job of getting WifS on the radar, but you can't demonize me if you recognize that.   I'm just saying it's a very limited market.   As I said, I'm sure I told 50+ people about the site.  NONE joined.   These were people who played sports or fantasy football/baseball with me.  People with common interests.   Simulated games are just not for everyone. 

You know you're reading them.  Otherwise, you aren't coming back.    But, just so you know, it hurts me deeply that you pretend to block me.  

So let me ask you this:
How do you expect to fill your world if YOU don't ADVERTISE the openings in the classifieds?    And is it standard operating procedure for you to leave unattended teams in the world?   Missing owners are replaced in good worlds. 

This is funny:

Thunderclese

Lake Monsters

11/21/2014 11:41 AM

On a side note, 4 didn't say they were leaving, cademord, johndish, coachred and fhop0123... also they haven't said they're staying so we're in limbo at this point :/

This is the internet.   Why would anyone bother to tell you they're not returning to play an internet game?   And cademord disappeared on 9/30.   Seems like you could have figured out he wasn't returning. 

Anyone want to toss out a guess at how much Fox would accept as a buy-out for WiFS?  I can't imagine it's that complicated to change some of the coding.  Figure they bring in ~$125k/year in revenues but have very little overhead costs beyond keeping the site running.

Another problem is the cost/team.  I see this over at the Strat-o-Matic online site as well, which still charges $20-$25/team but has 5% of the play value of HBD (and I only participate in keeper leagues anymore).  When you are competing against video games that cost the same amount and provide numerous hours of entertainment, you really need to bring the cost into the $5-$10 range.

Two issues I could foresee with a lower cost: hard for the site to make enough money without a huge spike in volume, and with a huge spike in volume and a low cost of entry there will be even more absentee owners.  ("It was only $5, this takes too much time, who cares?")

The cost for a HBD team is about $.25 per day. 

Also, if they bring in about 125k per at about $20, you're talking about 30k at $5.    That wouldn't be worth keeping open.

At the end of the day, I don't think there are thousands, or even hundreds, of people out there seeking this game but A) don't know it exists or B) can't find it. 

I don't believe an advertising campaign is going to bring in any substantial number of new owners.    As I pointed out earlier, it is advertised on the Foxsports fantasy site.   Other than running ads during sporting events, I'm not sure where else they could put it.  And, quite honestly, that ad space is worth more than WifS brings in.   Magazines?  I couldn't tell you what ads are in them because I skip those pages.   Radio?  Am I the only person who tunes out commercials?

The problem with worlds filling isn't going away.  

Blaming it on a lack of advertising isn't going to help.

WifS should work on customer retention.   That's going to be the thing that kills HBD.

LOL.

Thunderclese

Lake Monsters

11/24/2014 9:08 AM

I've tried to post a classified ad several times and it won't let me.

But he had no problem posting here. 

This too:

Thunderclese

Lake Monsters

11/24/2014 9:08 AM

Ticket has been submitted. I was waiting a bit to hear back from owners who have not replied to the invitations back who did not give word they are leaving. I'm opening the recruiting needing all 7 teams to be filled.

When you wait 9 days to hear from people who didn't re-up before even starting a thread(or attempting to), how can you possibly expect a quick rollover?

Not to bash thunderclese, even though he's being a dick and I can't honestly recall any exchange with him before this thread, but all commishes get this at the end of the season:

Season 33 of World Moonlight Graham has completed.

The Little Rock  Stars (foulballz) defeated the Tacoma c  (clutch19) in the World Series to take home this year's championship.

Don't forget to renew your team for the upcoming year, if you haven't done so already. You have until 3 days after the World Series to do so or else your franchise is exposed to other users.You may renew for next season via the Franchise Center page which is available from the dropdown at the top of every Hardball Dynasty page.

Worlds will rollover to the next season between 72 and 96 hours after the completion of the big league World Series.

As the Private World's creator, it's still up to you to invite other users to fill any vacated franchises.  This season has a new password: "Jeffrey Truman".  You may distribute this password to friends or by using the Invite link available on the World Center page within the Private Worlds section.

Good luck in future seasons -- your Dynasty is what you make it!

That's how it's always been.   If you can't put in the time, pass the baton to someone who will.