Many years ago we had more than 3,000 users online every single day. There were 50 statistics crews and the inflation was immense. There were various exploits and the amount of cheaters was astonishing. Most players had duplicate accounts (dupes) and nobody even cared about these matters. Now, let’s have a look at the current situation. The amount of cheaters is relatively low and, as far as I am aware, there are no big exploits. There is barely any inflation and the Moderators seem to have everything ‘under control’. Quite an improvement and accomplishment? I forgot to mention that basically 700 players actually play the game.
Around 2008 Bootleggers changed. A new round started and I think the focus of the Elite Guard changed. The exploits and bugs were fixed and the Moderators were actually taking action if you cheated. Due a lack of innovation and a wrong attitude of the Head Administrator the activity on Bootleggers decreased. This resulted in a significant decrease of the amount of players. Players wanted to have fun with an army of dupes and an immense inflation. These players did not want to work for their cash on only one account. Bootleggers was finally working properly, but the enjoyment of many players disappeared. Was it the right choice to implement these changes and change Bootleggers?
Regardless the choice of BSF2000, the possible outcome of the changes are clear; money. Before 2008 not many players were purchasing points, because you could easily earn money by exploiting and cheating. As stated earlier, after 2008 players actually had to work for their money. The result? I personally believe more players purchased points and the income of BSF2000 was increasing as fast as the decrease of players. I do not have any proof, but I do have common sense. Now back to the discussion; did BSF2000 make the right choice for the sake of the game-play of Bootleggers?
I believe our lovely Head Administrator did make the right decision, but he waited way too long. Players were already getting used to the fact that cheating was ‘allowed’. Also, the lack of innovation and advertising was truly BSF2000’s biggest mistake (unless he is married). If you design a game, you have to make sure that cheating is not possible or/and that cheaters get punished when they break the rules. The players who did not like that, simply stopped playing. The problem of Bootleggers was the fact that there were no new players coming due a wrong attitude of BSF2000. Actually that is still the problem of Bootleggers.
10 years and a lot has changed. Bootleggers has turned into a real strategy game. You need a proper strategy and I believe you have to play from the start of a round to actually have some influence. I am curious if the next round results in another significant change. To be very honest, I hope it does. More advertising and new features are a must in the next round. Unfortunately he is late, again.
