Why aren't leagues Filling?

[Jeepdriver]

Theme league are dead. I used to have to turn away droves to my theme leagues, now they won't fill, or it takes a long time to fill.

Post on the boards here about a new league and there's little interest. Kev's 24 team league with the new p/o rules is taking forever to fill. Not even half-full after several days.

Eddie posted for a new theme league. Absolutely zero interest.

I get in a league and it seems like it's the same people I'm playing with.

I know there was a big discussion on how to generate new business. However, it seems like a large group of core players are becoming disinterested, too.

Anyone want to discuss?

[MICHAELSCIANATICO]

I love this game, but one of the things that keeps me away and I am sure possibly some others is the price.
The economy is hurting a lot of people.
If I have some extra cash, I will buy a team here and there.
For me, 25 dollars for six weeks for a simulated game is a lot compared to a computer game that you can enjoy longer. Personally, I wait until I have some money to purchase a team for this game.

[fredpaii]

I already have four or five teams active. That's a lot.

[keyzick]

Personally, my interest hasn't waned at all, still keep 10-14 teams active at all times.

You're right though Jeep, seems like the same group of us competing against each other over and over in different leagues.

I don't play ATG at all, but I wonder if they have a lot more participation?

There have been a couple new managers appearing...Shakeyboomer comes to mind...Chasenally started showing up a lot more last year...

Maybe some of the newbies don't really know much about the theme leagues, or kind of intimidated joining in on a group that all seemingly know each other already? Can't discount the fact that we typically post the leagues as "vets preferred" too...although we both know why that is, it may keep people away too.

Anyway...would love to read others feedback.

[JOHNMADDEN]

Jeepdriver, I think I remember you from years ago when I was on here. I just recently came back on, and absolutely there is a stark difference in the amount of people playing the game. Leagues would fill up very quickly and you were off and running. Now, it seems like a wing and a prayer to fill up unless you get people focused on filling it up. I would have to say I believe it has to be the economy affecting people joining. If possible, I think the pricing should come down to entice more people to play- at least in the short term. When someone can purchase the strat game and find a league to join via other forums for not a ton more than the price of one league on here, I think they are gravitating toward purchasing the game. It is a one time purchase and they can enjoy the game forever.

[visick]

I've been scouring ALL of the leagues the past few days.
From 2001-2010, ATG, the Mystery games etc...

Since I've got some credits to burn, I wanted to just play something...anything.

I have a team ready for Kev's 24 team league, but wanted to get away from the regulars for a season or 2. That approach doesn't seem to be working. As it has been mentioned before me here, only regulars seem to be playing.

In almost every season of Strat, there are leagues available but there's either 1-3 teams in there and they are stagnant, or there's 5-6 teams in and the league has been around for 2-3 weeks. Leagues get created, but then flame out for lack of interest.

This NEVER happened 2-3 years ago. If you had a credit and wanted to play, you needed to get into a league ASAP, before it closed out.

[AeroDave10]

I've been a bit hesitant to do leagues in the 2010 set because I simply don't like this card set. I'm also simultaneously involved in both 2010 and ATG leagues, and I don't like to start more than one team per week or have more than 5 or 6 total teams at a time. That being said, I think should be a bit more adventurous with the 2010 set. Let's see what kind of themes you have, Jeepdriver.

[KEVINEHLE]

Yes, Jeep and others are correct. It seems like I'm playing against the same group time after time. I do know there are some players who have gone to the extreme keeper leagues and don't really play anything else. I know this, because I recently joined 4 ongoing keeper leagues. A lot of the guys in these leagues I haven't ever seen in these open leagues.

Also, I think the ATG guys stick to their ATG guns while the 20xx guys stay away from ATG these days. The economy plays a part I'm sure.

I have 10 teams going and 3 in the wings waiting for drafts. I like Eddie's new theme, buy I'm a little tapped out in regards to team overload.

Kev

[elpasopesos]

I think the problem is also too many leagues. There are how many?
ATG leagues plus 1999 1986 2004,5,6,7,8,9, and 10. I would shut down half those leagues after the current teams play through.

[kylerose256]

Here is my opinion, for what its worth. I just recently became moderately active on the message boards, which has opened me up to so many new leagues, but I would venture to guess that over 60 to 70 percent of players in SOM have never even opened a message board window. Theme leagues and private leagues are almost always ran through the message board system, so automatically the theme leagues have cut their potential players in half. Then, any private league that is set up by a veteran is going to intimidate the more novice player just because the chances of them winning are likely slim, and let's face it, everyone likes to win. Secondly, private leagues require passwords to join. So once again, a novice player is overwhelmed. My uncle and I run a 24 team keeper league and we had to recruit to fill that league and recruit hard.

What are the solutions? I don't know. More advanced players are going to win more times than a novice, so how do you attract novice players to those leagues? I am not sure. SOM sponsered events would help. Rookie leagues, vet leagues, pro leagues could be an idea. Making the message board more accessible than just a tab at the top of the page. Also, remember, theme leagues are not going to attract everyone. In fact, I would venture to guess that only 10 percent of SOM players have tried a theme league.

Finally, SOM has to find a way to appeal to the younger generation. Right now, a group of young guys can set up a league very similar to what we have here at SOM on any playstation, xbox or wii. They have 30 team leagues that simulate as fast or as slow as they want. They can play head to head whenever they please. Not only that, but they can play multiple seasons, where there younger players improve and older players retire. So after 3 seasons, Eric Hosmer is now an All-Star and Albert Pujols is a fading veteran. How do you combat that? Eventually, those young kids become adults with kids of their own and want something to fill that gaming void and hopefully they find SOM, but SOM needs to do something now to get its face back out there.

This is just my 2 cents and I went on many different tangents, but it is what it is.