Background
QONQR is a very mature game. It’s longevity has, in some areas, caused domination and stagnation. This makes it difficult for newer players to come into the game because they simply do not see a way to compete. When an area stagnates, the existing players become less involved and sometimes leave the game. This is why the game needs a mechanic that addresses the zone stack size in these areas. It is referred to here as Attrition. There are two kinds of attrition Player and Zone.
Attrition {noun}
The process of gradually reducing the strength of something through sustained pressure.
Player Attrition
This is a plan for players that leave the game. We should introduce another player status beyond retired. After 365 days since their last launch, a player’s status would become ‘abandoned’. Once the player has abandoned the game, their bots will be removed from the game. The player’s account would remain. If they return to the game, they would have to start over in their bot count.
Zone Attrition
At 000 QST on the 15th of the month, bots will be systematically removed from selected zones. For each zone with a total bot count above 100,000, each formation for each player will be reduced by 10%. This will reduce the largest zones by a greater number than smaller zones. Forcing the defending players to choose where they wish to invest their limited launches. The 10% reduction is productive in reducing the count without being punitive. Without other actions, a 1 million bot zone would take 23 months to be reduced to the minimum 100,000 bots. While a 2 million bot zone would take 30 months and a 10 million bot zone would take 45 months. The largest towers are far fewer in number whereas the 1-2 million bot
zones are the focus of this attrition.
The 100,000 bot minimum limit protects the ‘missile game’ that is popular with many long-term players. It also limits the number of zones that have to be processed on a monthly basis. Based on the most recent monthly zone file, there are only about 80,000 zones above this limit. This is 3% of the total world-wide zones or 6% of the active zones. While this is a relatively small zone number, it is how they are concentrated that is critically important.
Conclusion
This is a big departure from how QONQR works now. We are looking for your feedback as to its merit. Whether that be positive or you see issues. If we are to pursue this change we want to be sure all angles have been examined. Just like launches in Atlantis, all feedback counts.