Simply put, the data showed that players weren't leaving Kavala, which meant they weren't experiencing about 90% of the asylum's content. Many players would log into Kavala, play intensely for a week or two, and then quit. They rarely joined gangs or formed their own groups, and there was little to no participation in AFD/APD, which are essentially starter gangs.
However, when players moved to Athira, they became more engaged with the content. There was a noticeable decrease in VDM/RDM incidents in Kavala, and more players started applying to join the APD/AFD since they were exposed to these factions (APD doesn't exist in Kavala).
While RDM/VDM reports in Athira did increase somewhat, it wasn't as significant as the drop in reports from Kavala. New players tended to stick around longer, often starting in Athira and then moving to slower-paced cities like Sofia or Pyrgos. In contrast, players who started in Kavala often struggled to adapt or simply didn't move away from the city, except for those who spawned in Kavala a couple of times before opting for a Sofia start.
Unfortunately, I no longer have access to the current reports, so I can't provide up-to-date numbers on RDM/VDM. I just have access to the ban list and not the repots which doesn't paint me a full picture. With an Athira start, retention would drop again after about a month, likely due to the limited availability of housing. Additionally, some players would attempt content like the Purification Factory prematurely, leading to frustrations and rage quits.
Athira offered more activities for new players, such as safe options like Quarry, both oil runs, lumber mills, alcohol, and hunting. Its central location also made it easier for players to move to cities like Pyrgos once they had enough money for housing. In Pyrgos, many players would engage in sea turtles as it was a safer way to make money.
The lack of APD interaction in Kavala was also a significant factor. Many players are drawn to servers for the cop vs. robber dynamic and the ability to roleplay with the police. However, in Kavala, officers were rarely seen, if ever. Bounties were usually handled by bounty hunters rather than cops engaging in roleplay.
While I could provide more statistics, the poll already indicates that players generally prefer a Kavala start despite the data I've collected. It's worth noting that players who find a group to play with, whether it's a gang or the APD/AFD, tend to stick around longer and become long-term players, which is ultimately what we want.
In essence, my theory was that a single player who stayed for months was more valuable than ten players who logged in briefly to cause chaos in Kavala.
I 100% agree Athira is too small. But in a sense its kind of good as it forced players to spread out and seek out citys like Pyrgos/Sofia. New players don't fly helicopters. So a drive from Athira to Pyrgos in a potato hatch is much more likely than a Kavala to Athira in a potato hatch.
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