SEVERE lack of updates!
 

I didn't want to make this thread but, well, I did. Someone had to.

Have the devs given up on Classic? Besides a few hats here and there, what have we gotten? Yes, bug fixes are good, and the few house changes/additions a while back were very welcome (magnifying glass icon/new grid system/new gate furniture item), but content updates have been severely lacking. And not even just new non-hat content, but opening revolution or nexus, even admin events.

The last time rev opened was when Classic hit 200k likes. I thought rev was opened to celebrate that. I later learned that it was Friday the 13th! (Which explains the "bad luck" themed items). That means they just killed 2 birds with one stone with that Revolution! I bet they had it ready to go for a while and the dates just happened to coincide!

Then comes Canada Day/July 4th. What do we get? The same hats from the year before! There was, what, 1 new one? That was just a slap in the face.

Holidays seem to be the only times we get anything lately and now they're even phoning that in. You look at the Era/Zone updates and it's night and day. What's going on? I played Era (for the first time since it was released) recently, and it's so full of.. content! I'm not comparing the games directly because they're quite different, but there's such an obvious difference in which game is getting more attention!

Graal Classic has more players than ever. God knows plenty of them are buying gralat packs. Toonslab has the money to hire more devs. Why is this not happening? Unless there's something REALLY big in the works, this just isn't acceptable.

If you agree with me, post here. Make them pay attention to this great game that's just being completely ignored. Classic deserves better.

(Note: There are some devs/admins/etc, like Dusty, who are doing a great job. There's just not enough of them)

Edit - Read through the entire thread before commenting.

Edit #2 - Ok so the thread got pretty long. At least read the last few pages before posting.

Yeah we all gave up, we sit there and stare at the ceiling now :0

Well now I'm playing again. And I don't settle for anything but the best. So grab the pitchforks and torches from the storage closet and get the mob back together!

Hey man, they gave us the railroad back at least...
After, what... a year?

make sure you spam feedback in-game :D

trust me, they cant block you from sending feedback's:)

lol

Don't hate. Besides, at least you can play. But i still agree a tinie winie bit, I just play other servers than classic cause classic has a lazy buttocks... (why did you involved God in this topic?)

All the hats are crappy now because they want to make it fit the tileset theme so... It doesn't have that "Classic" feel

I enjoy the lack of updates because I'd rather have 1 bug update then lots of really small ones that don't make a difference because they aren't given the time to work on bigger projects.

When Classic does something they do it right. For example the railroad system.

I agree here actually some people are leaving because they get bored within 10 Mins of logging on, i get bored unless I've got someone to talk to. I've been saying this for awhile.

Yes and the old holidays with big a*s Onnet Stocks and Nexus'. St. Georges day, Talk like a Pirate Day. Anyone remember that mysterious ship in York? Oh my, and those awesome Hide and Seeks which where hosted in news updates? Good times. Now Classic lacks content. I mean Zone just got Fishing and opened In Demand on the same god damn day. Also, they opened Vortex and days later added days and night. Era? Well, they just released millions of new summer shops along with zone, which had HEAPS of content, Classic? No way will they add Summer items, because apparently it is disrespectful to other countries who are in Winter. Did I mention Era just got a massive mining update? Don't get me wrong, Classic did open two new towns a few years back, but nothing VERY BIG since than. All we get now is 2 crappy new hats in store every week and a VIP mount or morph every month, I'm afraid to say but that is the Classic Cycle. Did I mention Classic had way less developers and admins back than, and yet, they STILL pumped out bigger and better updates than we have today? Admins no longer post funny broadcast messages or have any friendships with the players, damn Classic, what happened?

Preach

You should be happy! Hats are great content. I don't think players need anymore than hats to be satisfied.

If you don't like the game then don't play it and go outside or something. There is more to the world than Graal.

lies

Devs don't get paid.

Graal development has always been a volunteer basis. They aren't paid much, if anything... It's kind of a joke considering how profitable things are. With that in mind, it looks as though Classic must still be doing well for the company given the numbers.

I feel bad that Dusty has to put up with crap like this. There's one developer and he's volunteering to advance the game for ungrateful people like you.

I know that there are some developers that would like to work on classic but management has an "invite only" system. Which I personally think is stupid. They should actually have an application to apply to develop the server. I feel like that's one of the reasons why there's only one developer in the first place.

I'm not ungrateful. I even gave Dusty props in the post, if you had read it. I didn't know the devs weren't payed. I think things need to change, because this and the fact that they don't let devs apply is obviously contributing to the lack of updates and new content.

And to the person who said "don't play it if you don't like it", I knew someone would say that. I never once said I didn't like it. It's because I like Classic so much that I want it to reach its potential. I still enjoy playing it a lot of the time. But, well why do I have to repeat myself? It's all in my original post. It sounds like you didn't read it either.

So you are having so much fun but complaining how it is boring because of lack of updates? (Also not all big content updates are great. Take AP for an example)

said it many times before, but it's foolish to complain about a lack of updates on a free game from developers who aren't paid

if there are people who can do a better job, then apply and work for free - otherwise, be grateful for our current volunteers
your displeasure should be aimed at the management of Graal, not iClassic's staff, because it's been clear for more than a decade that those two individuals have no clue what the hell they're doing anymore

if you want good content, you need to start paying and hiring developers rather than just profiting off of their work

No, I agree. My displeasure is with the people on top. And I'm starting to at least understand part of the reason that things are so bad.

I'm curious, though, as to what the difference is with Era & Zone? Can you explain why these games seem to be thriving when it comes to updates, new content, and all that good stuff, while Classic gets the shaft?

Zone is a new and developing/growing server, so it has tons of options for what it can release. And Era has a ton of developers.

Ever checked the staff list on Classic? 2 coders. Maybe Dusty and Rufus pop in every once and awhile too, but they don't necessarily have the means to pump out content like Era or Zone.

I also think that one of the reasons that classic releases much less content is because they actually have pretty good management, that is picky about what they release. Ever noticed how all of classics updates are actually really organized and come together? Thats because their management is actually good enough not to throw in whatever they make. If you think the problem is Classic's management then you really dont have an idea what good development is.

There isn't enough development for a game with 3,500 players on at a time. It isn't the developers' faults because I understand they're doing as much as they can. Maybe if management actually paid developers or made an application system so they could get more, there would be several big updates every year instead of one or two.

Do you know why era and zone have more developers? They have an application system to become a developer. Frankly, I don't know why classic doesn't have the same. Why should you have to be picked to volunteer develop their game?

If you go to the Minor Tweaks and Updates thread, you'll find plenty of updates. Heck today there was an update with new emoticons which are pretty cool :0

Just sell all the UN hats to idev hat shops. Everyone would be happy!

It sure seems like a pretty obvious solution. So why does classic not apply this same application system? Clearly it's working for Era and Zone. Classic has a bigger playerbase than both those games.

Can we push to have this implemented? Surely there's plenty of developers that would love to work on Classic. Is management listening to any of this? Can we start some kind of petition? This is just so frustrating. A lot of the current devs are doing a really great job. I can't stress this enough. It's become very clear to me that the problem is lack of devs, and the fact that new devs are unable to apply. It also doesn't help that they're not paying them.

Back when Classic had 1k players on during peak hours, it was a different situation. Classic's playerbase has shot way up, and they haven't compensated for it with more developers. It's just so clear that there's a problem and (most) everyone can see it.

Don't think the majority cares about trivial "tweaks".
I guess the lack of updates is due to just how classic is. A social game with hats with a other small things. How else can you change the current set up?
Only thing I can think of is maybe opening up a new area kinda like york but larger give people something to explore and find things to do...
Idk..

"Lack of updates" threads are immature enough, but this. It's difficult to explain how stupid this particular thread is.

Do you even understand what content is? Or the difference between development and graphics staff? Developers dont make the cutesy little hats. Thats the graphics team's job. That's their job; make graphics. The hats that get released have absolutely no relevance in the development of content.

If you read anything that Dusty posts, you know that he is able to multitask between big things (things that will take ~1yr+ to complete) and small things like bugs.

All Graal servers have voluntary staff (not paid), so the money that Toonslab makes on gralat packs also has no relevance in game development. Era gets more attention with the graphics-related releases, because its the money-making pay2play server.

And then in your 'note' you say Dusty is doing a good job, but he is one of only TWO development staff Classic has. And Fp4 doesnt post here often, so I dont know what hes done recently.

I feel sorry for the graphics team the most. They're expected by both players and administration to churn out hat after hat and I don't know why anyone would want to do that. Hat updates were seen as a now-and-again treat on the majority of PC-based servers; the way iPhone servers handle it is awful. I also detest VIP because on Classic it's either a mount or a morph, anything else would be better suited in a shop, and it is very ****ing hard to make a decent looking mount. Certain staff members are expected to produce one of these every single month and that is such a waste of resources.

Developers have it easy.

Both iZone and iEras player count are growing greatly due to the new updates. I'm not sure what iZones highest player count is, but I believe iEras is around 4,000.

Waste of talent. If I made graphics I wouldn't go to iClassic based on this post. What a shame.

couldnt that be said about everyone volunteering on graal(all graal).

YOU obviously didn't read through the thread. There's been a lot of discussion and I've learned things that I didn't know. In that Classic doesn't pay its devs nor do they allow new devs to apply, among other things. Read through the thread before you pick apart my original post.

I semi agree and semi don't.. Classic might not pump out content after content but that's because we're a little more strict than other servers when it comes to what we release. When we do release something we want it to make sense and look nice and function properly. Sometimes depending on what we're working on, that can take a while. We're also preparing things for minor releases and updates at the same time that's we're working on bigger projects (i.e. new emotes)

Due to the massive increase of players, we also have less time for events and now have new ways of hosting said events. The GPs are always busy responding to reports and the gfx team is always busy keeping up with content. When we do get to host events we have to be very careful as well. The slightest mistake could cause immense lag for the players, and no one wants that.

Back when there was only 1800 or less players we could be a lot more lax about what we did, since there was a lot less to worry about.

I understand the majority of what we release is hat-based, and if that doesn't work for you, then what small releases would you like to see? the more feedback we can get from the players about what they want the better. Some things simply can't be done, but every now and again we get some really good ideas that we follow through with. SO if you have anything you'd like to see (preferable something small) then let me know :o

Non-vip morphs that aren't animals? The last one like this to come out was snow bunny before christmas
Also more bodies in the body shop?

I think classic needs better hat releases, a lot of the hats I see added are remarkably bad, and I don't understand why because theres so many talented gfx staff o_o

good gfx staff should = good hats


aside from that though I'd really like to see more cool juggles.

What I want, as a player:

1.) More functional furniture items - these are always appreciated. Re-skins of the same house basics (couch, chair, table, bed) are decent now and again, but unique stuff like that guillotine last halloween, for example, make release events something to look forward to!

2.) A revamped submissions system - this is two fold. I have been asking for this a long while, and it could be done in a way that would ease your dev/gfx burdens. How? If players were able to submit furniture, graphics, ganis, etc for approval, in addition to the typical sword/shield/body/head options, some might be able to be released publicly. Aside from that, creating a streamlined approval/disapproval system for submissions would allow for less player & admin headache (granting more time for working on quality updates).

3.) Stuff to explore that isn't just empty space - "House of Mr Chimp" or whatever it's called comes to mind. I mean, really, what is the point of having old player houses in the game? Jesus freaks? Does any new gen player even know what that refers to? Nice for oldbies who remember it - useless to the server as a unique entity. The railroad re-release was awesome. I was so excited to explore it, and still occasionally go hunting through the caves for bugs or rare baddies. It was a useful release that added something worth coming back to, and not just a one-time run through.


Basically, less throw-away content like the 5 or so pages of hats that I don't wear anymore, or the 6-7 horses that I don't use and would love to just sell.

I appreciate you starting a dialogue. This is the kind of thing I like to see.

Some things I would like to see? More admin events, specifically events that don't use the random queue. Hide and seek, buried chests, maybe even some new stuff. Like, give admins the ability to spawn rare enemies (that work similar to the giant blob, but are admin controlled and can be spawned anywhere. Like maybe a giant snow monster in snowtown. The drop system could work just like the giant blob, spoils containing gralats or a small chance to get something rare). Just more admin involvement would be nice.

Speaking of rare spawns, I love the idea of them. Like the bomb rats, the bandit leader, the (regular sized) golden blob, etc. Would love to see more of these, maybe with a chance to get a rare hat or something.

I also would love to see rev/nexus open more (or.. ever). Even of there's not that much in the gift shop. A few hats, a cool new furniture item, maybe a new bomb. Everyone's happy when revolution or nexus opens for the weekend.

Maybe bring back the token system or something similar? You could add new ways to get tokens too, like through loot, or maybe buried in the ground (would actually give shovels some use).

Finally, more unique furniture. How about booby traps? You know those moving spike things in Sardon's Tower? I would love to be able to purchase those. On that same note, either an option or an item that gives you the option to make the player respawn at the entrance of the house (or room in the house when they die). Or a furniture item that warps players to spot in your house that you can choose.

I could go on and on and on with more ideas for houses, but I'll stop there.

I'm likening some of these ideas, especially the furniture ones :3

And of course, lets not mention that most of the staff are players as well, we play the game just as much as you do, so it's not like we are totally clueless on what we want to see on the server as well.

this would never happen

For people mentioning how Zone and Era get more updates: I think with the way the server is structured, more RPG-esque, it's kind of natural for it to be that way. Their economy is generally more immersive and they have more "activies" that make sense in context of the game.

What you also have to consider is how easy they have it. Era and Zone got to see the successes of iClassic first, and then develop around that. Both servers have their equivalent to towering. It didn't take some genius to come up with hats or towers, they just saw what was working on iClassic and went with it. Obviously I have no way of verifying this, but I wouldn't even be surprised if Era and Zone were allowed access to the scripts that iClassic developed for towers, and they built off of that. It was a lot less initial work for these servers to become big and successful, so they have more time and effort that they can spend building around the stuff that already works.

Alot of scripts got used from iClassic. Wouldnt suprise me if that kind of stuff got copied + modified too.

I'd love to see more 'Classic' themed furniture, to fit that 'Retro' look. It suits Graal the best. Red Barn has some great furniture, but they don't really fit in with the game's style.

I just want to say I like this approach, kudos.

Though that is true, your signature begs to differ

Ahhh forum newbies fighting with forum vets....

Guys I love minor tweaks and updates so much. Kinda a little secret for forum users to impress others :-)

Classic's staff is amazing.. They are friendly, helpful, and great friends as long as you don't come off as if they are gods.

Graal classic grew massive really quick. Imagine it as a bush: it is a large plant, but lacking thickness and fruit (large map, playerbase, little content). The administrators are gardeners, lay fertilizer (detailed updates) every so often. After some time, the bush is a thick, fruitful plant (large playerbase, large amounts of content). The bush then flowers, representing a happy, large playerbase and staff.

The server is growing. It was large with little content. The staff has added more content, and improved smaller, but important things. Time is key.

he already stated that most of that was from his early days on classic. Most players no-life it in the beginning(especially 11-16 year old's) and they eventually come to their senses(well most of them, some will be part of the council).