BuzzerBeater Forums

I suggested to put new teams into the lowest Division to get an easy start, that was like two years ago...

Sad that something so obvious and easily thought of can't be applied. I think this simple change would probably double Japan's user-base in a few seasons. People'd enjoy a bit of success early on, learn at the same time... and then stick around.
As the machinery's set up now, they end up in a packed-and-very-tough division, which increases the high turnover. The current system is designed to fail.

Come on malice give us all a break... we know this thread only exists out of pure selfishness on your behalf :D

I wonder if the BB who believed you were actually suggesting this for pure personal gain would care to change his opinion?!

Heheh... dunno! That conversation took me by surprise.
But honestly, don't really care any more either. It's obvious that this is a major flaw in the system as it is currently constituted, and that it impacts more people than simply *me*. The interesting thing won't be seeing if any opinions change, but seeing if anything changes at all.

Last edited by malice at 1/25/2012 4:00:28 AM

I think that calling them names is a good way to get them to change things. While they are at it, maybe they would put up a statue to you for all your hard work translating the site for them. You are truly a martyr. I have read you write about how much work you put into the translation of this site about 20 times. I have never read a single other translator mention it at all. What gives with that?

I completely agree with all new teams beginning in d.III at the highest. It is the best idea, in my opinion, to retain new users.

Look, whilst I have definitely been at odds with Wolph more than once, and agree that he does tend to have a tendency towards self-promotion, I'm not sure that here is the time/place for a character assassination... however merited.

I have had someone who still has an impact on the game tell me that there's definitely a sizable amount of people leaving the game. Yet something that's so obvious remains unchanged - when addressing it may help stem the outflow. At the very least, the lack of effort addressing this is puzzling (referring to this issue having been discussed before).

Someone promoted this game in some popular forums in HK and kick started it. In HK many young people watch NBA and play street basketball. The interest is there and it was simply a matter of giving the push that it needs.

I know there was a very popular Japanese comics (definitely in the top 10 in their all time selling record) about basketball. So it's not as if basketball is alien to them. With their large internet base there is no reason why Japan should be less successful than HK.

Last edited by 7ton at 1/29/2012 5:05:46 AM

Does someone know the approximate number of different Japanese users who played this game?

Is it a case of a game not being publish good enough, or is it a case of users leaving the game?

Someone promoted this game in some popular forums in HK and kick started it. In HK many young people watch NBA and play street basketball. The interest is there and it was simply a matter of giving the push that it needs.

I know there was a very popular Japanese comics (definitely in the top 10 in their all time selling record) about basketball. So it's not as if basketball is alien to them. With their large internet base there is no reason why Japan should be less successful than HK.

You are talking about the Japanese manga "Slam Dunk". Definitely a popular magazine, and whilst Basketball isn't as popular as soccer or baseball, it definitely has a following. Even if just a very small percentage of that group played/stayed, then Japan could easily number members in the 100s.

Does someone know the approximate number of different Japanese users who played this game?

Is it a case of a game not being publish good enough, or is it a case of users leaving the game?

I would guess (from a brief perusal) about 5-8 of the supposed 35 users are Japanese nationals. The vast majority are content to just 'play' and not participate in community as the majority of that is in English.

As far as your second question goes: both. It's not so much a case of the game "not being promoted well enough", but "not being promoted at all".
And at the heart of this thread: new users get stuck in leagues which nigh on but guarantee they will have a tough time of it in their first weeks (getting placed in the strongest divs in the Nation), and are more likely to quit as a result. Even if this were changed (either coming up with a better system of promotion, and/or developing a more equitable way of new-team-placement), it'd help retain new teams.