It didn't need to go down this way.  I believe once the football season rolls around, they will promote the crap out of it and will get those numbers up.  By then, I would suspect that most of the disenchanted coaches will be gone and the game will have a decent chance at rebuilding its following with generally happy, paying customers.  I think it is a risky business plan that may not work out nearly as well as they think -- I just don't think this game appeals to every football fan the way it does to us number-nerds. 

It didn't need to be done this way but I think they have pretty much played their hand now.  They need time to let the disenfranchised leave and then a big timing push to repop the worlds.  You guys know the excitement when they open a new world... it will pretty much be like that to a lot of newbies... and I think that is what they are going to be hoping for.
4/21/2011 10:14 AM
It's worse than numbers show. Not many people are active on message board. Look around at conference chats.
4/21/2011 10:27 AM
LOL, look at page 1 of this topic. Not sure nelson is keeping up with it anymore.
4/21/2011 1:45 PM
I laugh at those still trying to make justifications or excuses.  There's zero interest in the game now.  What little activity is left is basically complaining about engine flaws.  When people are going from above-average D1AA teams straight to elites, the interest in the game has hit rock bottom.

They already advertised it heavily when they "launched" the new engine and it was a disaster.  The game needed an improvement a couple of years ago to keep it fresh and growing.  Instead of doing something meaningful during that time, they released a piece of trash engine and actually drove people away instead of growing the game.  That is pathetic.
4/21/2011 2:12 PM
Posted by cydrych on 4/21/2011 10:14:00 AM (view original):
It didn't need to go down this way.  I believe once the football season rolls around, they will promote the crap out of it and will get those numbers up.  By then, I would suspect that most of the disenchanted coaches will be gone and the game will have a decent chance at rebuilding its following with generally happy, paying customers.  I think it is a risky business plan that may not work out nearly as well as they think -- I just don't think this game appeals to every football fan the way it does to us number-nerds. 

It didn't need to be done this way but I think they have pretty much played their hand now.  They need time to let the disenfranchised leave and then a big timing push to repop the worlds.  You guys know the excitement when they open a new world... it will pretty much be like that to a lot of newbies... and I think that is what they are going to be hoping for.
I'm going to stick around just let the "New Players " know what garbage they are playing. I'm disenfranchised but rather then leave I'd rather make others miserable with me. 
4/21/2011 2:59 PM
Posted by doitagain on 4/21/2011 9:36:00 AM (view original):
Posted by treyomo on 4/20/2011 11:37:00 PM (view original):

10 of the 11 worlds dropped by at least 15 coaches from year 3 to 4, and all 6 reporting worlds have dropped at least another 13 in year 5. At what point does this hit their wallets by losing paying customers instead of free players? And at what point do paying customers grow tired of playing 80% SIMs and stop paying?

with all the goodbyes in the forum, the overall drop in teams is less than 10%.  Although it is still significant, it doesn't necessarily spell the end of GD as some have predicted.  Mind you, GD worlds weren't all that populated to start with, so it is nonetheless a bad situation.

having said that, I don't think WIS will feel any noticeable hit to its bottom line for a while.  People don't realize how many coaches were playing for free pre-update.  If you averaged a level 4 bowl appearance, you were playing for free if you bought seasons 5 at a time.

What is bad is all the worlds filled with sims.  That makes it boring.  I don't think the reward points for long term veteran coaches have run out yet.  My guess is that it will take another 4-6 months.  

the way it stands now, the only way to increase the population is to recruit new blood.  GD can be saved only through that method.  I believe the engine will more or less stand as is, with perhaps some minor tweak going forward.  So all the veteran coaches who are unhappy will remain so.  Fee free to disagree, but I don't buy the argument that the new blood will become dissatisfied with the engine once they gain experience in the same way a veteran coach is dissatisfied about the game.  With all the valid complaints about the new engine, there were arguably as much crap about the old engine (there is plenty of room for debate here).
I'm sure it's more than 10% of veterans who have left. There's probably some who got the free season a few seasons ago who have stuck around. That's what makes things even worse. Even after giving out hundreds of free seasons to coaches who weren't playing at the time, the numbers have still dropped below pre-update. That's a very bad sign in my opinion.

I dropped down to one team but hung on for a few seasons to see if things would improve. But I'm just not having any fun anymore and after tonight I will be without a team. The game just isn't as exciting anymore, especially when there are so few coaches around. I may be back after awhile, we'll see.
4/21/2011 4:04 PM
Posted by cydrych on 4/21/2011 10:14:00 AM (view original):
It didn't need to go down this way.  I believe once the football season rolls around, they will promote the crap out of it and will get those numbers up.  By then, I would suspect that most of the disenchanted coaches will be gone and the game will have a decent chance at rebuilding its following with generally happy, paying customers.  I think it is a risky business plan that may not work out nearly as well as they think -- I just don't think this game appeals to every football fan the way it does to us number-nerds. 

It didn't need to be done this way but I think they have pretty much played their hand now.  They need time to let the disenfranchised leave and then a big timing push to repop the worlds.  You guys know the excitement when they open a new world... it will pretty much be like that to a lot of newbies... and I think that is what they are going to be hoping for.
too bad there might not be a football season this yr...
4/21/2011 4:32 PM
Umm, you might be confused.  This is a college football sim... and there will be college football next year.  I promise.  In fact, if the NFL still are on strike, there could be even more people interested in college football next season just because its the only football being played.
4/21/2011 5:13 PM
Posted by jschjei1 on 4/21/2011 4:04:00 PM (view original):
Posted by doitagain on 4/21/2011 9:36:00 AM (view original):
Posted by treyomo on 4/20/2011 11:37:00 PM (view original):

10 of the 11 worlds dropped by at least 15 coaches from year 3 to 4, and all 6 reporting worlds have dropped at least another 13 in year 5. At what point does this hit their wallets by losing paying customers instead of free players? And at what point do paying customers grow tired of playing 80% SIMs and stop paying?

with all the goodbyes in the forum, the overall drop in teams is less than 10%.  Although it is still significant, it doesn't necessarily spell the end of GD as some have predicted.  Mind you, GD worlds weren't all that populated to start with, so it is nonetheless a bad situation.

having said that, I don't think WIS will feel any noticeable hit to its bottom line for a while.  People don't realize how many coaches were playing for free pre-update.  If you averaged a level 4 bowl appearance, you were playing for free if you bought seasons 5 at a time.

What is bad is all the worlds filled with sims.  That makes it boring.  I don't think the reward points for long term veteran coaches have run out yet.  My guess is that it will take another 4-6 months.  

the way it stands now, the only way to increase the population is to recruit new blood.  GD can be saved only through that method.  I believe the engine will more or less stand as is, with perhaps some minor tweak going forward.  So all the veteran coaches who are unhappy will remain so.  Fee free to disagree, but I don't buy the argument that the new blood will become dissatisfied with the engine once they gain experience in the same way a veteran coach is dissatisfied about the game.  With all the valid complaints about the new engine, there were arguably as much crap about the old engine (there is plenty of room for debate here).
I'm sure it's more than 10% of veterans who have left. There's probably some who got the free season a few seasons ago who have stuck around. That's what makes things even worse. Even after giving out hundreds of free seasons to coaches who weren't playing at the time, the numbers have still dropped below pre-update. That's a very bad sign in my opinion.

I dropped down to one team but hung on for a few seasons to see if things would improve. But I'm just not having any fun anymore and after tonight I will be without a team. The game just isn't as exciting anymore, especially when there are so few coaches around. I may be back after awhile, we'll see.
Dropped my last team today after 89 seasons.  No long goodbyes, no flaming posts, I'm just done. 
4/21/2011 6:22 PM
Very sorry to see you go, bjaygee. Stay in touch on Facebook.
4/21/2011 7:09 PM
Posted by kentaurus on 4/20/2011 9:25:00 PM (view original):
  Pre Update Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Rockne
327
463
414
339
314
 288
Camp
242
460
364
277
261
 241
Bryant
253
441
347
300
273
 
Wilkinson
240
376
297
226
 220
 
Leahy
329
443
359
300
 280
 
Stagg
270
369
370
296
265
 248 
Warner
285
428
393
297
273
 254
Heisman
293
433
364
308
286
 267
Dobie
222
293
256
215
 200
 
Hayes
263
409
316
254
229
 216
Yost
300
426
338
293
271
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
3,024
4,541
3,818
3,105
2,872
1,514
Now during job change period, Yost came in at 226 and Bryant at 241.

This would put GD unofficialy at 2681. Is this serious enough for WIS yet?
4/22/2011 7:53 AM
Posted by jibe717 on 4/22/2011 7:53:00 AM (view original):
Posted by kentaurus on 4/20/2011 9:25:00 PM (view original):
  Pre Update Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Rockne
327
463
414
339
314
 288
Camp
242
460
364
277
261
 241
Bryant
253
441
347
300
273
 
Wilkinson
240
376
297
226
 220
 
Leahy
329
443
359
300
 280
 
Stagg
270
369
370
296
265
 248 
Warner
285
428
393
297
273
 254
Heisman
293
433
364
308
286
 267
Dobie
222
293
256
215
 200
 
Hayes
263
409
316
254
229
 216
Yost
300
426
338
293
271
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
3,024
4,541
3,818
3,105
2,872
1,514
Now during job change period, Yost came in at 226 and Bryant at 241.

This would put GD unofficialy at 2681. Is this serious enough for WIS yet?
NOPE, not even close to being serious enough yet. First they throw out the promise of a new engine which was delayed for several months and some players dropped out. Then WIS cut the reward points by tenfold and when the engine rolled out, it was so bad, a lot more players dropped teams. Then WIS increased the crappiness of their customer service and still more dropped out. But still there are many owners either clinging to a ray of hope or blinded by the somewhat more playable engine so WIS has dropped all communication about GD. Unless more of us leave quicker, they will be forced to do something even more drastic!
4/22/2011 10:38 AM
Posted by mlee on 4/22/2011 10:38:00 AM (view original):
Posted by jibe717 on 4/22/2011 7:53:00 AM (view original):
Posted by kentaurus on 4/20/2011 9:25:00 PM (view original):
  Pre Update Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Rockne
327
463
414
339
314
 288
Camp
242
460
364
277
261
 241
Bryant
253
441
347
300
273
 
Wilkinson
240
376
297
226
 220
 
Leahy
329
443
359
300
 280
 
Stagg
270
369
370
296
265
 248 
Warner
285
428
393
297
273
 254
Heisman
293
433
364
308
286
 267
Dobie
222
293
256
215
 200
 
Hayes
263
409
316
254
229
 216
Yost
300
426
338
293
271
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
3,024
4,541
3,818
3,105
2,872
1,514
Now during job change period, Yost came in at 226 and Bryant at 241.

This would put GD unofficialy at 2681. Is this serious enough for WIS yet?
NOPE, not even close to being serious enough yet. First they throw out the promise of a new engine which was delayed for several months and some players dropped out. Then WIS cut the reward points by tenfold and when the engine rolled out, it was so bad, a lot more players dropped teams. Then WIS increased the crappiness of their customer service and still more dropped out. But still there are many owners either clinging to a ray of hope or blinded by the somewhat more playable engine so WIS has dropped all communication about GD. Unless more of us leave quicker, they will be forced to do something even more drastic!

+1

And anyone who thinks the crap engine has been fixed or improved think again.

For everyones reading enjoyment.
http://whatifsports.com/gd/GameResults/PlayByPlay.aspx?gid=3141360&quarter=2

2nd and 64? You gotta be kidding? Realism. Right........

http://whatifsports.com/gd/GameResults/BoxScore.aspx?gid=3141367

A team is behind 31-3 despite dominating the game. But an 84 yrd run for Td, an Int for a TD and 2 punt returns for TD's will overcome any solid play.

BS WIS, BS.

You should lose all your customers for this crap.
 

4/22/2011 11:14 AM
Posted by jibe717 on 4/22/2011 11:14:00 AM (view original):
Posted by mlee on 4/22/2011 10:38:00 AM (view original):
Posted by jibe717 on 4/22/2011 7:53:00 AM (view original):
Posted by kentaurus on 4/20/2011 9:25:00 PM (view original):
  Pre Update Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Rockne
327
463
414
339
314
 288
Camp
242
460
364
277
261
 241
Bryant
253
441
347
300
273
 
Wilkinson
240
376
297
226
 220
 
Leahy
329
443
359
300
 280
 
Stagg
270
369
370
296
265
 248 
Warner
285
428
393
297
273
 254
Heisman
293
433
364
308
286
 267
Dobie
222
293
256
215
 200
 
Hayes
263
409
316
254
229
 216
Yost
300
426
338
293
271
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
3,024
4,541
3,818
3,105
2,872
1,514
Now during job change period, Yost came in at 226 and Bryant at 241.

This would put GD unofficialy at 2681. Is this serious enough for WIS yet?
NOPE, not even close to being serious enough yet. First they throw out the promise of a new engine which was delayed for several months and some players dropped out. Then WIS cut the reward points by tenfold and when the engine rolled out, it was so bad, a lot more players dropped teams. Then WIS increased the crappiness of their customer service and still more dropped out. But still there are many owners either clinging to a ray of hope or blinded by the somewhat more playable engine so WIS has dropped all communication about GD. Unless more of us leave quicker, they will be forced to do something even more drastic!

+1

And anyone who thinks the crap engine has been fixed or improved think again.

For everyones reading enjoyment.
http://whatifsports.com/gd/GameResults/PlayByPlay.aspx?gid=3141360&quarter=2

2nd and 64? You gotta be kidding? Realism. Right........

http://whatifsports.com/gd/GameResults/BoxScore.aspx?gid=3141367

A team is behind 31-3 despite dominating the game. But an 84 yrd run for Td, an Int for a TD and 2 punt returns for TD's will overcome any solid play.

BS WIS, BS.

You should lose all your customers for this crap.
 

Well they are certainly losing the old-timers here. I bet they even sit in their offices and laugh at the forums and have bets on who will be next to leave and on who will be last of the greats to leave. So who is the money on to stick it out the longest? Is it gtdeuce, ebel, DKC, nelson, etc? Who are you betting on Conte?
4/22/2011 12:28 PM
Now that I've accepted the reality that bulk purchasing amazon.com gift cards is over, I'll be leaving once these current seasons expire.  I do owe WIS a debt of gratitude for $900 in gift cards.

It was good while it lasted.
4/23/2011 9:15 AM
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