RS4-RS5

[ElMartu]

I finally played RS5 today and I have to say while some features are missing its mostly the same shit i dont know what people are bitching about

[JDC]

When RS4 was introduced, there was moaning too. As I was part of the Alpha and Beta tester teams for RS4 who saw the beginnings of the fire missions and other things that are staples in the current game mode, I couldn't help but notice there were more players during the introduction of RS4 as compared to the launch of RS5.

But when I analyzed the situation further, I observed the following factors contributing to RS5's lower introductory count, some of which coincide with other players' observations here. For the majority though, it seems they are not considering these parts of the equation when moaning about why RS5 has a lower player count.

1. GTA V
This is the one factor I mainly borrowed from someone else's observation, but I would still agree enough to list it here. I would not need to go in-depth to this as by now, many of you are aware that GTA V is one of the most commercially-successful games of the year, and we know what that means for gamers. I guess this would also be related to factor #3.

2. MTA:SA
This is in no way a blame towards MTA:SA, and in fact I even like its gamemode. Compared to now, MTA:SA was pretty much dormant at the time of RS4 release because of manpower issues (IIRC). Having two highly-played gamemodes (of the same genre) in one community is bound to affect the player count of at least one. The "center" of the playerbase is slowly moving once again, in this case it is spread out between SA:MP, MTA:SA, and also IV:MP. (whereas it used to be in VC before moving to SA:MP a few years prior)

3. (Age of) The Playerbase
RS4 was released in mid-2009. At the time, majority of the regulars were composed of people who started playing GTA (Multiplayer) regularly a few years prior. Fast forward 4.5 years (4.5!) later, and many of the regulars who started early/late in RS4/RS3 now have additional obligations in real life, such as University/College and work. Tony pretty much explained this one.

4. Age of GTA:SA
Let's face the facts, GTA:SA is an aging game and we do not see as many playing GTA:SA (alone, meaning SP) as we used to. In several years' time, it will take the same path as GTA:VC; it is already on the way, albeit slower owing to how GTA:IV did not cause as much of an impact on the GTA:SA (multiplayer) playerbase as GTA:SA did on the GTA:VC playerbase, back then.

5. RS5's Rocky Release
Most of us know here as well that because of certain recent events, the developers had to release RS5 earlier than expected, which led to a not-so-smooth transition. It may not be the main factor, but it certainly has had a significant effect.

Whether you add your own to this list or not, the fact is that this is a volatile era for the Argonath SA:MP sub-community.

Yet in spite of all these factors, RS5 and the other Argonath servers continue to attract new players, even as we speak. The fact that Argonath manages to keep a community thriving on games that most of which could be said to be outdated by today's standards is an achievement unto itself.

Things may be tough at first (even I personally dislike some aspects of the new gamemode), but as time passes, people will adapt. That's what Argonathians do.

[Bundy]

I finally played RS5 today and I have to say while some features are missing its mostly the same shit i dont know what people are bad girling about

this.

just get the major bugs fixed first (i.e. no /pm, no /me etc) and get an effective system for criminals to make money (drugs), and the server is fine

[Ted]

Why is it not effective at the moment Bundy?

[Bundy]

Why is it not effective at the moment Bundy?

half of the server has no clue where to get drugs, and even if they got it, to whom must they sell it?

richest guy i've seen so far has 10k

[Hyuga.]

half of the server has no clue where to get drugs, and even if they got it, to whom must they sell it?

richest guy i've seen so far has 10k

Honestly, how much time did you spend ingame after the launch?
There is a player with more than 400k already.

[Mariio]

to be honest i think its a step back for te server, but it dont mean the server or the script sucks, its good to see news things also for apreciate the scripters work

[Ted]

half of the server has no clue where to get drugs, and even if they got it, to whom must they sell it?

richest guy i've seen so far has 10k

In that case players need to learn and figure out how to earn.

[Mariio]

half of the server has no clue where to get drugs, and even if they got it, to whom must they sell it?

richest guy i've seen so far has 10k

fuck the money and the drugs, i used to have like 2-3 millions and not enjoy playing then just gaave away all my money to friends and start to enjoy playing

[Bundy]

Honestly, how much time did you spend ingame after the launch?

more than the average player

In that case players need to learn and figure out how to earn.

and this is the problem, because nobody's going to without a helping hand

[Dutchy]

There really isn't any need for me to comment, as the last 16 pages pretty much summarize it. Nonetheless I'll express my point of view on the current status of the community.

It's clear that the 'internet + change = clusterf**k' situation is all the more present now that change has occured and the community has trouble adapting to it.
The scenario of RS3 to RS4 should give more than enough insight on how this is going to play out. (Everybody getting used to it and topics like these becoming irrelevant)

What I noticed right away is that players try to recreate the same style of playing as RS4, by hoarding and attempting to massively earn loads of money - wRONg!
One of the reasons RS4 HAD to be replaced is because the experience of the past few years was based around virtual money, without it you didn't have a lot of material freedom. This made everyone so fixated about finance that it completely ruined the P2P experience.

This fresh start, this clean sheet, this 'back to square one' gives us the oppertunity to learn from our past mistakes, take notion of them and try to PREVENT and AVOID them now that we have the chance.

Yes, RS5 has a broad economy system which is based on players earning money and >SPENDING< it. The problem here is that players now are fixated on EARNING, preferably as easily and repetatively as possible.

The other day there were about 10 firemen at LSFD, almost all driving their own truck, just sitting around waiting for a fire mission. When one came, they all rolled out, each their own fire truck, arriving at the mission, everyone blatantly trying to cover as much fire as possible to catch a glimpse of the reward for themselves. What does this scenario signify?
Greed, a lack of cooperation, communication and progressive playing. Everyone is in it for their own virtual bank account, completely obliterating the P2P experience.

Almost nobody (luckily not everybody) is willing to let go of even $1 for something that either benefits them or somebody else. The initial fase of RS5 is one big Scrooge McDuck fest and nobody is even TRYING to have FUN and enjoy RS5 because they're all too busy with making MONEY, because they are USED to it!

The increased amount of scripted jobs is a pro for players who are new to the server and still need to orientate, eventually mixing script jobs with RP scenarios. However this won't be achieved once all players are only busy with scripts jobs and completely abandon the idea of doing it, with, for, from and by OTHER PEOPLE!

People who say they want RS4 back, sorry for being so blatant, should be ignored, because they haven't taken the time to adapt themselves, nor be open to the concept of adaption and change. Once RS5 is on its feet and functioning 100%, complaints and dissatisfaction can be taken into account.


Listen to the man,

" All should understand that Argonath is not just something you waste time on. It is a community with heart and soul that will stick together. "
" The most important part is interacting with others and meeting people from around the world. " -Gandalf.

People who refuse to play SA:MP RS5 because they like older versions, you're welcome at MTA:SA 2.0. It's not RS4, it's not RS5, it's MTA.

[Pingster]

I completely agree with Bundy on the drug script part, the fact that only unknown 7 out of 49 spots or w/e are active at a time should make it difficult enough for people to get drugs, but the fact that even the 49 are not known, nevermind the 7, is just impossible. How can you find 49 spots of which 42 you can't even see? You'd have to look at each spot of the map multiple times when you don't even know what triggers the change in active spots. You'd have to spend your days going grid by grid 24/7 looking for the spots. What should be done is at least the general areas with hints should be released (probably to /help).

[murdoxix]

I completely agree with Bundy on the drug script part, the fact that only unknown 7 out of 49 spots or w/e are active at a time should make it difficult enough for people to get drugs, but the fact that even the 49 are not known, nevermind the 7, is just impossible. How can you find 49 spots of which 42 you can't even see? You'd have to look at each spot of the map multiple times when you don't even know what triggers the change in active spots. You'd have to spend your days going grid by grid 24/7 looking for the spots. What should be done is at least the general areas with hints should be released (probably to /help).

[Ted]

The point is not to be difficult but to be a little harder with more effort being made by everyone equally not just with drugs.

[Jubin]

I tried RS5 and initial experience was pleasant, but it was abruptly ended by a situation, where a officer was doing this "road check" at that point I was like: " sure whatever, trying if RS4 scenarios still work, whatever" then another officer just came close to me, said nothing, just pickpocketed ran away with 1.6k. the one who stopped me then also pickpocketed and ran away with 600$ and after that I was: " Fuck it, if a freaking officer can just pickpocket any civilian without any actual P2P interaction, well I don't see myself enjoying roleplaying in this server."

Now I don't know how was the pickpocketing supposed to work or even if it still exist, but yeah...