Server Reviews

Euphie · Sep 14, 2010, 06:57 PM

I know it's against the rules to offer incentives for writing reviews.. so how do you guys go about getting people to review your servers? Do people do it randomly? Do you ask them to? Threaten?! xD (I say it jokingly but I wouldn't be surprised if it's happened.)

Or if you don't own a server, but still write reviews.. why do you review that server?
Pure enjoyment? To help the server grow?

It seems like there are 2 kinds of people in regards to reviewing.. People that love to write them, and people that, even if they enjoy the server, just don't want to take the time to come on RMS and write one... well and the angry people that rage-review O_O

Yomi · Sep 14, 2010, 08:20 PM

I don't own a server.

However answering your topic question. I think it depends on type of people. Some people loves expressing their feelings or have these called concern for their server.

and a reason for them to write a review. Some people are lazy in reading IMO, so they don't really care to write or they don't seem to know the importance of writing a review even they love the server. XD

Euphie · Sep 14, 2010, 09:09 PM

The last seems to be the case in my situation.. they just don't think it helps all that much... Just different people.
I've seen huge servers barely get any.. while some small servers almost get more reviews than they have players xD
hm hm hm...

Usagimimi · Sep 14, 2010, 09:22 PM

If your server deserves a review, it'll get reviews.

That's all. You can try asking, but don't spam in-game with "review server" every 1h on an automated script. People hate that.

MeowyMeow · Sep 14, 2010, 10:08 PM

Quote from: Yusifer on Sep 14, 2010, 09:22 PM
That's all. You can try asking, but don't spam in-game with "review server" every 1h on an automated script. People hate that.

This.

Basically, have a link on the forums or the site or whatsoever, if they enjoy the server, they'll write it. Some people don't have a RMS account to write reviews, but still, word of mouth is still the best way.

Euphie · Sep 14, 2010, 10:10 PM

Quote from: Yusifer on Sep 14, 2010, 09:22 PM
If your server deserves a review, it'll get reviews.

That's all. You can try asking, but don't spam in-game with "review server" every 1h on an automated script. People hate that.

....Thats one way of looking at it I guess.

Spams annoying so wouldn't want to do that anyway. Guess the only way is to remind people :]

Usagimimi · Sep 14, 2010, 10:21 PM

Make it convenient, too. People are more prone to review if it's in front of their faces often enough (but not too often to become annoying).

Also, more prone after a successful event or a new server addition that makes it completely unique and awesomer (harhar awesome "word") is added / done.

Immortal · Sep 15, 2010, 12:50 AM

The people that I know on my server I ask them to please write an HONEST review. And explain to them that the more reviews we have the more likely people will give us a try.

When a player comments that we need more people I explain the importance of reviews to getting more players.

We actually have a couple of people in our community that have taken it upon themselves to remind people to write reviews. I think the fact that they believe that strongly that it matters helps. It is not just the staff bugging them.

When you have to do maintenance and everyone is crying about having nothing to do for 30 minutes might be a time to remind them?

Hourly announcements can be a mix of please review, vote, upcoming events, new features... Mix it in with things that they will want to know.

Euphie · Sep 15, 2010, 05:16 PM

Yeah right now we have an hourly announcer that has a number of random messages it displays.
Our maintenances only last about 2 minutes though o.o

That sounds good though, if other players encourage other players to review.. sounds like a good idea ;o

Kuprin · Sep 15, 2010, 07:04 PM

Yeah, don't announce spam...maybe a reminder on the update screen or something, just so they remember RMS exists, etc...other than that, just let the players write them!

Yomi · Sep 15, 2010, 10:30 PM

Also you might want Add a RMS link to your website and forum and you might want to explain 2-3 sentences the importance of reviewing

uncelebrated · Sep 24, 2010, 02:30 AM

Run a really great server, provide a link to RMS and I'm sure your players would be willing to write reviews.

Nomi · Sep 24, 2010, 02:45 AM

Quote from: Yomi on Sep 15, 2010, 10:30 PM
Also you might want Add a RMS link to your website and forum and you might want to explain 2-3 sentences the importance of reviewing

We do actually have the thread relating to just what you said though to make it more convenient on our forum.... that's all I wanted to say....

....*runs away* >w<

Euphie · Sep 25, 2010, 09:05 PM

We have links and such on forum yes, but not on the current web design (new web design is being coded with better functionality).
Some people just don't like going on forums, even though I believe them to be a pretty vital part of a community xD website > forums ><

Yomi · Sep 25, 2010, 10:12 PM

^
Last part is True.

xyuki · Sep 28, 2010, 12:33 PM

I believe if people really want the community to grow or help the server they will review it.
I for example reviewed servers cause I really liked them and saw potential in it. Thus I thought I would help them out a little by writing a review. The more people the better (to a certain degree)! :3

Then again we all know (some) people are lazy. Some just don't care about the size of the community and just want to play the game. That is as I see it.

I also gotta agree with the others. Remind the people but don't flood them.

uncelebrated · Sep 28, 2010, 02:59 PM

Some people don't even know they can write reviews. I personally never thought about it until the Admin of the server I played on suggested everyone write one.

Retrotiger · Oct 03, 2010, 06:34 AM

Events. Duh.

It's like, whenever you right a review with your name on it, I'll give you this that. And also, some servers have a time-to-time advertisement. Like, please don't forget to write a review for us on RMS and stuff.

uncelebrated · Oct 04, 2010, 04:18 PM

Quote from: HBP on Oct 03, 2010, 06:34 AM
Events. Duh.

It's like, whenever you right a review with your name on it, I'll give you this that. And also, some servers have a time-to-time advertisement. Like, please don't forget to write a review for us on RMS and stuff.

It's against the rules to reward players for writing reviews.

adhelle · Oct 05, 2010, 09:01 AM

Or you can just ask and explain why.

/bb Please remember to write xxxxRO a review on ratemyserver.net. Just give your impressions and follow RMS guidelines.

/bb It will help the server to grow and it takes just 5 minutes. Thanks!

Repeat that once in a while but don't put it on automated broadcasters because it gets annoying. That should do it.

Solstice · Nov 01, 2010, 05:55 AM

I think thats is more of a case-to-case basis. There are some people that are just stubborn and wouldn't make a review if there life depended upon it, but there are many people who would write a review in order to help the server. From the people who would write reviews there are also two classes, people praising the server on what it has done right and how good and awesome etc etc it is, and there is those who don't necessarily hate the server but would like to see improvements.

Alot of people also write reviews to that they can share there opinions about there server and possibly invite other players to come aboard

Most importantly, i believe that if you are trying your best and you are giving it everything you have and you try go give all your players the best time possible, then you dont have to beg players to write reviews, trust me they will write them

Failure · Nov 01, 2010, 08:45 AM

As a player, what makes me NOT want to write a review is when GMs constantly nag the players to write a review. Don't ask too often, or much at all, since all it'll do is subject people who HAVE reviewed to your annoying insistence. Also, a reminder at a constant, consistent place (hourly broadcasts, reminder at the patcher, ect.) will eventually be something players gloss over and entirely disregard. You don't want THAT, do you? Don't saturate your message and make it meaningless.

Frankly, I'd be more impressed if a server actually asked players to specifically write realistic reviews. Too many reviews are "it's perfect in every way, 90/100" or "it's horrible in every way, 20/100".