ADRIFT in the Doldrums...

[David Whyld]

Well, as the forum seems quiet at the moment, I figured this was as good a time as any to start a topic on the fact that the forum seems quiet at the moment. This will either have the effect of inspiring dozens of people to post dozens of post just to give them the chance to laugh at me for assuming things had quietened down, or no one will post and I'll be able to give myself a big clap on the back at how right I was.

So, anyway...

Why is the ADRIFT forum so quiet these days? Why so few games getting released? Why have the discussions we used to have been replaced with 50 topics a day asking "how do I do this? I could find out myself if I wanted but it's more fun to ask on the forum"? Are we simply having one of the forum's usual downturns or is ADRIFT of less appeal to the IF world than it used to be?

[Samkid882]

Well, as the forum seems quiet at the moment, I figured this was as good a time as any to start a topic on the fact that the forum seems quiet at the moment. This will either have the effect of inspiring dozens of people to post dozens of post just to give them the chance to laugh at me for assuming things had quietened down, or no one will post and I'll be able to give myself a big clap on the back at how right I was.

So, anyway...

Why is the ADRIFT forum so quiet these days? Why so few games getting released? Why have the discussions we used to have been replaced with 50 topics a day asking "how do I do this? I could find out myself if I wanted but it's more fun to ask on the forum"? Are we simply having one of the forum's usual downturns or is ADRIFT of less appeal to the IF world than it used to be?

It's because it's so old... most likely, at least...

[Hensman Int'l]

Why is the ADRIFT forum so quiet these days? Why so few games getting released?

For myself, LIFE! Would love it if LIFE would let me live in peace. Methinks the forum is just under a temporary lull. Unless you want to revive the Smacking thread?

[MikeDesert]

the wife is gone for 5 days and I'm stocked up on wine...Adrift, here I come! whooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

[Po. Prune]

Why is the ADRIFT forum so quiet these days? Why so few games getting released? Why have the discussions we used to have been replaced with 50 topics a day asking "how do I do this? I could find out myself if I wanted but it's more fun to ask on the forum"? Are we simply having one of the forum's usual downturns or is ADRIFT of less appeal to the IF world than it used to be?

I think we are having one of the usual downturns, this one being caused by Campbell's absence. There hasn't been any V.5 updates for a long time which usually stirred up a lot of activity around here.
As for games being released, I have one being released soon (I hope) and two in the making, and I know of at least one other "Drifter" who has a game undergoing beta. So things are happening in the "wings"

[David Whyld]

Myself, I think at least part of the problem might be the fact that there are currently two versions of ADRIFT to choose from, without any indication of which is better for newcomers.

V4 is probably unappealing to most people due to the registration fee, and also the fact that there's a newer version of the software available which is free. When was the last time anyone wrote a new game with V4 that wasn't written with the restricted version of the software?

V5 would seem the obvious choice, but it still carries the beta tag – which is a definite no-go for some people – and comes with a steeper learning curve. Not to mention the lack of a proper manual which would seem like a necessary requirement for anyone trying to learn a new system.

So neither V4 or V5 seems like a good choice at the moment.

I wonder if Campbell might consider scrapping the registration fee for V4 once V5 finally comes out? No one will pay money for old software when a newer free version is available so it wouldn't be a financial loss to him. V4 could be seen as the ‘starter’ version of ADRIFT, aimed at newcomers with no experience of text adventures, with V5 as the ‘advanced’ version, aimed more at people with more experience.

[Duncan_B]

I agree with David about the v4 registration fee.

There still have been v4 games coming out. Some is Speed-IF, but for a long-form one we can all point to Cursed or Back Home.

Plus David's games, I'm pretty sure, are made on a registered version of v4, as are mine.

[Mystery]

Busy with work, sculpting, and pc gaming. Still dabbling...but honestly am hesitant to move forward with anything until V5 is complete. I have been putting pretty much everything into a journal, and working on it once in a blue moon. It just makes it easier to keep track of until there is a finished product to work with. I've sculpted out a couple of things I will have in the game because its just been really fun to do.

Haven't played anything in ages. Peek in on the forum now and then...and its pretty dead for the most part. I'd bet a finished v5 would perk it up a bit around here though.

[Samkid882]

Haven't played anything in ages. Peek in on the forum now and then...and its pretty dead for the most part. I'd bet a finished v5 would perk it up a bit around here though.

Agreed. A more perfect version of ADRIFT would be a good cause. Perhaps Campbell's absence is for the best, as in maybe he's devoting all of his free time in making the next ADRIFT version! Or, then theres the chance where he gave up... but probably only for a temporary amount of time, of course.

Oh, and speaking of no new games, try mine. It's not finished, however.
http://www.adrift.co/cgi/adrift.cgi?page=adventure&advid=1338