[Threshold]

This is something we are really excited about so I wanted to pop in and share it with everyone.

A few weeks ago a writer from Massively.com discovered our game and started playing. He enjoyed himself so much (primarily the deep roleplay environment) that he decided to write a feature article about Threshold.

He also is clearly a big fan of MUDs in general, and feels they still have a lot to offer the gaming ecosystem. That's pretty important stuff coming from a writer at one of the biggest MMORPG web sites out there.

Here's some stuff from his article about Threshold:

Rise and Shiny: Threshold RPG

MUDs are wonderful at encouraging roleplay, and Threshold doesn't break that mold. In fact, the developers force roleplay and do not allow out-of-character chatter inside their game, except inside a few help channels. I would love it if more games did this, but it takes guts. ... We all know those hardcore roleplayers who essentially stick their nose up at anyone who isn't perfect. I want nothing to do with those annoying stuck-ups, and found none of that in Threshold. I did find some amazing stories and cozy evenings, chatting along with my new friends. ... I will close with this, instead: Threshold is a lot of fun and perfect for hardcore players or casual players like myself. ... If you are going to give a MUD a chance, you'll be happy starting with Threshold.

Obviously we are especially psyched because this is about Threshold, but the same writer previously wrote articles about Batmud and Gemstone IV too. I think it is great that we aren't the only ones singing the praises of MUDs and perhaps the building disappointment so many gamers feel for the modern crop of MMOs will work in our favor.

[Ghostcat]

Looks like the person liked your MUD, threshold, but it wasn't a completely glowing review.

I wonder what the article meant by 'needed tweaks' and 'a lot that is lacking'.

Do you have plans to improve the website, or host a real map?

[Threshold]

Originally Posted by Ghostcat Looks like the person liked your MUD, threshold, but it wasn't a completely glowing review.

Well the state of modern game journalism is such that you can't really expect a "glowing" review unless you're paying for it. If writers gush too much about a game the readers throw a fit about it being unbalanced.

Given that fact, the praise he heaped upon us was something we were very excited about - especially since Massively.com primarily covers fully graphical MMORPGs. To get that kind of praise from a graphical MMORPG web site is something we were very pumped about. I'm certainly not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Originally Posted by Ghostcat I wonder what the article meant by 'needed tweaks' and 'a lot that is lacking'.

From what he wrote, and from speaking with him on Threshold, the primary issues were the map, our antiquated web site, and the need for more information to help newbies jump into the game. Those are all extremely fixable issues. We just finished a detailed new player tutorial video, for example.

Originally Posted by Ghostcat Do you have plans to improve the website, or host a real map?

Most definitely. The new web site was actually already in development. We have been redoing all of our company web sites actually.

For example:

Old Frogdice Web Site

New Frogdice Web Site

We also finished a new web site for our latest game, Coin 'n Carry:

Coin 'n Carry | Free Social Game From Frogdice

Threshold's new web site was last partly because with such an established player base we didn't feel it had the same sense of urgency. But that has changed due to this article on Massively.com and also a really great convention experience we just had as a sponsor of Forge Con here in Lexington, KY.

As for the map, we can't do much about an in-game ascii map for people using proportional fonts. But we are going to get some better maps for the cities on our new web site and a few other things to help people out as far as figuring out where they are. But we don't want to go too far there, because exploration, learning your way around, and getting lost are features, not bugs. Nowadays, those things barely exist in online RPGs so we don't want to lose that.

[Ghostcat]

Great! I'm always happy to see games actively working to improve on their flaws.

One of these days, I'll be trying Threshold.
Maybe after my wedding? Dunno.

Oh, how's the Primordiax playerbase doing lately? I tried it, but it was too small with too much of a focus on cooperation to work out with my odd schedule.

[Threshold]

Originally Posted by Ghostcat Oh, how's the Primordiax playerbase doing lately? I tried it, but it was too small with too much of a focus on cooperation to work out with my odd schedule.

We are going to announce something pretty cool about Primordiax soon. Its a secret for now.

Originally Posted by Ghostcat Great! I'm always happy to see games actively working to improve on their flaws.

I think Threshold is a great game, but that doesn't mean it couldn't be a whole lot better. The only way that is possible is if we keep an open mind and accept that its not perfect. We take all the feedback we get, reflect on it thoughtfully, and when appropriate we make changes.

Beau from Massively made some great suggestions and we are psyched to respond to them to the benefit of all our players and potential new players.

What is really great is that he focused a lot of his feedback on the new player experience. That is something that is tough for us to analyze since our familiarity with the game is extreme.

Originally Posted by Ghostcat One of these days, I'll be trying Threshold. Maybe after my wedding? Dunno.

After 16 years its about time, ya know!

Playing Threshold that is... no idea how long it took you to get married.

[Ghostcat]

What is really great is that he focused a lot of his feedback on the new player experience. That is something that is tough for us to analyze since our familiarity with the game is extreme.

I hear you there. My home MUD is extremely daunting for new players, and the staff are trying to revamp the newbie experience to help without creating a 'mud school' area.

To give you some idea how different it is, this is a slightly outdated commandlist: Unwritten Legends Forums :: View topic - Handy commands/verbs

And here's the main city map: http://www.verminary.com/almanac/maps/01_kaezar.gif

One thing they've done is create a delivery system for people level 10 and under. You go to the office and ask for work, and the NPC gives you a package for a random shop in town. You then get incentive to wander around and find it!

We are going to announce something pretty cool about Primordiax soon. Its a secret for now.

Well shoot, can't wait to find out if it means more players

[Threshold]

Originally Posted by Ghostcat And here's the main city map: http://www.verminary.com/almanac/maps/01_kaezar.gif

That is both awesome and terrifying at the same time.

[Ghostcat]

Originally Posted by Threshold That is both awesome and terrifying at the same time.

Yeah, I still get lost in the backstreets sometimes xD

Is primordiax down? I just tried connecting.

[KaVir]

Originally Posted by Ghostcat And here's the main city map: http://www.verminary.com/almanac/maps/01_kaezar.gif

That's the sort of area that could definitely benefit from a graphical in-game map, IMO.

[Ghostcat]

Originally Posted by KaVir That's the sort of area that could definitely benefit from a graphical in-game map, IMO.

I think that'd be pretty hard to code, since interiors are accessed by non-compass exits.

Door, Archway, Gate.

Gate then door then archway...

[Threshold]

Anyone have any idea why this thread doesn't show up in the actual MUD Announcements forum even though it looks like it should?