How to create community?

[Natalie]

Have you got any ideas how to create community?
Recently we've reconstructed our website (http://www.elephant-games.com) where at last we've set up a forum. We've also announced the contest (http://elephant-games.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7#7)with rather good prizes. I'm posting news about the competition wherever possible. What else can I do?

Many thanks in advance,
Natalie
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Welcome to the game factory!
http://www.elephant-games.com

[spellcaster]

Give them something to collect. Doesn't have to be something fancy. There are some forum games (included in the forum software) that allow you to "steal" gold from another member. You might get caught (which basically means you can't steal for n days and have to pay a fee). You can also deposit gold on the bank (can't get stolen there, might cost something).

I'd also suggest that you create an avatar creation utility (like http://www.dookyweb.com/avatars.swf) so they can create online avatars themselfes.

These two things will give them something to play around with. It's also "neat" which might result in some mouth-to-mouth propaganda.

Ok, and now comes the evil part:
Award gold and / or new avatar building features for doing something special, like uploading some fan art, writing a guide, fan fiction, hint, etc.

Also, allow to buy some new stuff for your avatar using the forum gold. This way, helping the community is rewarded.

In the ideal case link web and game. Allow them to find out a password in game that gives them something on the web (registered users only) or vice versa.

Provide "Fan Site Kits" with a basic layout, link to good fansites from you start page, etc.

The possibillities are endless.
Feel free to PM me if you like the ideas and want to get some other ones as well ;)

[kay.altos]

You can give something free for comunity members.

[Phil Newton]

As spellcaster said, let your players collect things. There are a couple of forum mods that let you have a shop system, where they can buy things for their profiles.

You could let them "buy" sprites of characters from your games for them to put in their forum profile, which allows them to show their support in a different and interesting way. People like to personalise things, so having plenty of things to "buy" makes it easier for them to customise their forum profile.

You could even link the forum's gold system to high scores in the game, so the higher they score the more gold they earn.

The main reasons people come back is because it's interesting and fun, so make sure your forums are a fun place to hang out and you'll do fine.

[electronicStar]

Provide content, people won't come to your site just to watch your list of games aligned on the screen.
You should maybe open a news section,post general stories, things interesting enough so that I want to come back to the site, not only centered on your games' awards.

Or post regular previews on your games with screenshots or art, etc...

[Sillysoft]

Forums are key. I don't know about any special add-ons. I would just recommend you plan on slow and steady growth of the people and discussions there. It won't happen automatically, but if you continue to nurture it over time you can achieve good results. Be an active participant in your forum, start discussions and join the ones that other people start.

From looking at your forum I can say you should replace the default phpBB image in the top left with a custom image from your company. Also, when I started up my forum I only had 1 section, so people didn't have to make any choice about where to look or post. Only after it got more crowded did I divide it into multiple forum sections. Something to think about for you maybe.

Also, include links to your forum in the game installer and everywhere else your fans will see it (newsletter if you have one).

[spellcaster]

I'd also recommand that you reduce the amount of individual boards at the moment.

You have 9 boards. One post. Chances are most people will leave directly.

Esp. at the beginning you need to make sure that there is something going on in the forums.
Instead of an introduction board, start an introduction thread. Let the developers of some of your games post there. This will have two effects:
a) The buyers will know that those behind the games are in the forum and will listen
b) They don't need to start a thread

If your forum looks deserted (and it looks deserted at the moment) nobody will post. It's better to have a single board that has 20 threads than 20 boards with one thread.

[Natalie]

Hello and many thanks to those who replied!
You gave just cool ideas!

Sillysoft, a very good remark concerning the logo, I'll change it right now!

I also start thinking that it' s better to unite all boards on the forum into one.
Actually I wanted to do it from the very beginning - but than it seemed that if I divide it into several boards - it will look more "in order". Now I understand I've been wrong.

Electronicstar, one question: Should I write news about our company only or about all events (gaming) happenning in the world? And what kind of general stories should I post - should I take them somewhere or write them myself?

Spellcaster and Phil Newton, could you give me several links concerning building avatars and adding sprites to the profiles (How it is in the other forums, just for the example)?


Again, many thanks for the ideas, I'll surely take them and apply on the site!

Regards,
Natalie

[Phil Newton]

No problem, here's a shop mod for phpBB (http://dowan.org/2005/10/23/shop-mod-261-for-phpbb/). There's another on zarath.com (http://www.zarath.com/mods/?action=details&mod=shop). I haven't tried either, so can't say how easy/hard they are to use & install.

I can't find any examples of forums that use this system, but I'm quite sure there's plenty around. I've seen it used on a forum before, and I remember it being very popular. I seem to remember the main problem was that people started visiting just for the shop system, but I know it brought in a lot of new members so it might be worth it.

[electronicStar]

Electronicstar, one question: Should I write news about our company only or about all events (gaming) happenning in the world? And what kind of general stories should I post - should I take them somewhere or write them myself?


I don't know but the best method is to put yourself in the place of the visitor, imagine stories or web content that YOU would find interesting enough to come back regularly and involve in the community.
A generally good idea is a little online game with hi-score table.

I can't give better advice because I don't have enough experience sorry.:o

[amaranth]

I wholeheartedly agree with the collection idea. I've seen some forums that are almost like games. You can earn gold, buy items, trade things, etc. Very addictive!

It might be a good idea to announce your forums to gamers (maybe through other forums? Or you could put a link in your non-portal-version game?)

I think the contest idea is great!

One other thing... Maybe you could include cool add-ons? Stuff that players can only get through your site?

My two cents :)

[Greg Squire]

Lots of things could help create a community (the sky's the limit). Some things that come to my mind are forums, high score board, newsletters, blogs, contests, and user created levels or other content. I think it mostly boils down to making the player feel a part of what's going on. Letting them be able to contribute something (even if it's only posting on a forum) can help even more.

A few of indie's that I think have done well at creating a community are http://hamumu.com/, http://www.caravelgames.com/, and http://www.amaranthia.com/. (And I'm sure there are lots of others out there too.) You might be able some ideas from some of the things they've done.

[ErikH2000]

When you start out with forums, contests, and community-building stuff, it helps a lot to talk directly to individuals and show your real personality. If every post/announcement sounds like you are addressing a crowd, it tends to fall flat. A brand new empty forum like you have now is particularly challenging. You can get to know people a little in your support case e-mails and this is good place to recommend your forum. If you've got some other team members or gameplaying friends you know, you might ask them to help populate your forum so your posts don't look lonely by themselves. There's a bit of a catch-22 to get past with your forum needing posts in it to get posts. If it looks dead, it will stay dead.

Your contest is good in that it doesn't require too much work for people to enter, but the best contests generate discussion on your forum. So having everyone e-mail you privately doesn't help liven up your forum. Here is the last contest (http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=10456) I ran. People post their entries on the forum and talk about them immediately. It works really well. Another technique is to simply ask on the forum who plans to enter the contest, and then people pop up and say "me!!!!". You just gotta do things like that to get past forum silence and convince people it is a fun place to be. And I don't think that job ever stops.

Man, you guys have put out a lot of games and have the fans. I don't think you'll have trouble over the long run.

-Erik

[Natalie]

Thanks to you all for your advice! It turned out an extremely interesting topic!
Phil Newton and Greg Squire, thanks for the links! Will certainly try to make it.
Electronicstar, our new small on-line game is almost ready! Will give you the link for estimation.
Amaranth, thanks for your kind words about the contest. Here is my "psycological test" (http://elephant-games.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8)Let me know your thoughts on that.
ErikH2000, saw your forums, they are really cool! The idea with Prize pile is brilliant! I think, we'll make smth like that.
Good luck to you all and many thanks for your help!