It seems fair to say that the move to an episodic format was among the best things to ever happen to Uru Live, perhaps second only to GameTap giving it a second chance.
That may seem absurd, considering the large drawbacks in realism caused by this decision. But the compressed schedule has brought focus. On the first day, things didn’t look so great: some people had expected Minkata immediately (the description mislead them, and Cyan failed to jump in and clarify when they had the chance) and didn’t much care for the storyline; others would have liked to participate but were kept from it due to inability to log in, let alone fit inside the 40 people limit in the Nexus instance of Ae’gura.
Yet starting on the second day, most of this criticism vanished. Even when they only received second- or third-hand accounts, plenty of explorers said they felt captivated by the events surrounding Wheely, a Bahro at the Library, and others. The “Scars” article is fast becoming one of the most popular pages at MYSTlore, as many refer to it as a succinct, up-to-date account of what’s been happening.
Cyan has managed to excite people who previously found the DRC storyline dull, artificial or weak. And best of all, it seems Scars will culminate in Minkata’s release on the 23rd, retaining interest all along. Once the episode is over, people have a lot of time examining the new Age in detail, and it seems they’ll need it. Sounds like terrific planning on Cyan’s part to me.
The population limit has been raised to 60, but it goes without saying that this can’t possibly be a permanent solution. Scars, however, gives Cyan an opportunity to raise interest. If that translates to higher subscriber numbers, it also means more people and resources for Cyan, which should help them optimize networking to the point where 250 people in one and the same Ae’gura instance won’t be a dream any more.
Moreover, the success of the episodic model can also be its demise: a larger Cyan can afford to gradually increase the length of an episode, to two weeks, three weeks, and eventually a full month. That may seem like wishful thinking right now, but at this time, I feel it is only a matter of time.
5/19, the first day of “Scars”, changed everything.
Others' Thoughts
Comment on May 23rd, 2007 at 12:41 am
While you’re obviously abreast of what’s going on within the Uruverse, how involved are you, personally? Do you just take a guarded outside observer status, or do you actually also play as Soeren, the gamer?
Comment on May 23rd, 2007 at 12:48 am
For a number of reasons (such as personal conflicts), I do indeed mostly reserve my role to be that of an observer. Or an analyst, if you will.
Still have some ties with Cyan and such, though.
I can see myself becoming more involved over time. For now, though, I feel more suited watching the platform mature.
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