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Going back to Scotland, the 4 most recently created teams are between 178 days old and 765 days old. None of those 4 have connected in the last 50 hours. Well, it's not entirely true, we have two teams less than 100 days, but they will become bot next Monday (so after 42 days of inactivity). New teams do not stick in Scotland. Sure, some responsiblities lie on BB, but some lie on the format of the competition in Scotland.

Now the more shocking fact for me is that in 178 days ONLY 4 teams in Scotland registered a new team!

So we are making the merge to have more competition for new teams.....for lets say 8 new teams joining per year.?!? are you kidding me....out of this 8 maybe 2-3 would have stopped the game anyway....so what are we talking about??

The problem is not the competition.....the main issue is to get more people in the GAME. Thats not a competition issue thats an advertising issue....

Last edited by mdex at 4/12/2016 4:41:44 PM

I think the debate about micronation economy have to stay out of this, for two reasons:

1. We can't help with what country we are assigned to. It's not where we want to be. Taking our flags away is strange. Who would do that? Lowering income is an unfair solution, and either way, it does not solve our problem. Hmm, note to self: Money does not solve all problems.

2. Let micro nation managers get a chance to have their say on the merge. Stop pummeling us about the economy, because it is nothing we can do about it, except find the best solution for a merge.

The discussion about a merge must go on. Please don't drown it with the same arguments that have plagued global forum since the dawn of man.

Now, on to my post:

I see a lot of managers willing to merge. Within this thread and elsewhere. Raising the opinion of wanting to keep the NTs, is what it is. It is not an absolute demand for me. (I will explain a little why it matters). I will also use Scandinavia as example, and possible scenario.

If the only way it can be done is to have new make-believe nations I am ok with that. As long as I get to play in an enviroment with real people. This is what it is about. It's a social game, on a much deeper level than Farmville, or whatever all those app games are called. And you need to play against someone around their own level. If I am an active but casual player, I want to play in a league where I meet about the same level teams. If that is div V or VI, I am fine with it. It is about people meeting people. I remember when I started with my first team, in season 4 maybe. The social part drove it. That is what needs to stay and be revived when a merge happens.

That is why it takes a little tweaking to find a common language. But not all people talk english. Believe it or not, there are other world languages. I know there are some in Norway, especially adults, that have a hard time expressing themselves in english. So the input on keeping the national forums in some form is a, straight to the point, important factor for this merge to succeed. If it is a norwegian thread, or subforum I think that may be enough. There is not so much going on. A sub point to the forum part, is if we get to keep the NTs. Then there would have to be NTforums. When our community have been most active it is often because of the NTs. They are important as a social platform. Would it work with a Scandinavia league NTs? Perhaps. The players could get double flags. One for the league they are playing, Scandinavia, and one for their original country (Iceland, Denmark, Norway, maybe Sweden and Finland too). Displayed alongside each other. So, let's say, if the top scorer on Scandinavia team is Danish. That will keep them talking.

The need for competition and challenge in micro nations are real. A change is welcome. I think the Scandinavian/Nordic micro nations are willing to merge. Iceland, Denmark and Norway are all on good standing with each other. Perhaps these countries can become the guinea pig for this project. The term Scandinavia also includes Sweden and Finland, but I don't know what they think about a merge. Sizewise, we would get a new league with about 130 managers, which does not make a whole lot of difference, but it would be an improvement. But if Sweden and Finland are included we get a league of 450-470 managers. I think that would be nice.

Let us have both. Competition and social interaction. @Denmark and Iceland: Are you with me? @Finland and Sweden: The ball is yours...

Last edited by Surpomp at 4/12/2016 4:53:43 PM

If the competitiors are too strong for new teams, one of the main issues is the size of the league. New users join, lose a few games by a huuuuuge margin, are discouraged (because they can't buy players) and have to spend like 2 real years to catch up.

I think bigger nations lost less users (relatively) because the gap between the worst established teams and newbies is smaller. If you join in Austria you can expect to get beat by teams like mine, by 50-60 points for a few seasons. You could advertise as much as you want, as long as this leak isnt plugged we wont see a significant trend upwards.

Left alone to tank?

please watch out your comment. i understood where you coming from, but this guy is our most sincere countryman.

Puerto Rico 4 user, Dominican republic like 2, Jamaica I think has 10, These are the types of nations that simply need to be ANNEXED into the largest nearby country. And with the really small fry's I don't think those players will be putting up protest.

But the more vibrant yet still small communities have let their voice be heard. And they don't want to have their identities taken away.

I backtrack from my complete opposition to restructuring micro's, some consolidation is needed, but there has to be care to do it right.

When I played with my first team starting from season 7 or something we still had four divisions where there were many new teams you could compete with relatively fast even as a newcomer.

Today, the case is that we have third divisions consisting of bots, very experienced players with good teams and new teams. It takes a lot of time for those new players to reach the level where they can seriously compete with the elite of their league, and I'm positive this situation is what often makes them leave the game - crushing the bots and getting equally crushed by the older teams most likely gets quite boring quickly.

Thus, in my opinion, some kind of merging of the leagues wouldn't be a bad thing. Additionally the competitive spirit between us Scandinavians could bring more joy to the game. Obviously though, this is only my own opinion, and I don't represent the entire country.

Thus, in my opinion, some kind of merging of the leagues wouldn't be a bad thing. Additionally the competitive spirit between us Scandinavians could bring more joy to the game. Obviously though, this is only my own opinion, and I don't represent the entire country.

This is great to hear. The BB's should ask all the Scandinavian countries if they would be willing to merge. I think explaining the reason for it is in order for everyone to be able to play someone their own level, would make it easier for everyone to see it with their good eye. Through understanding and empathy, I think we will find a way to get along. Especially if we can beat you while doing it ;) (the competitive spirit between us Scandinavians)

If the competitiors are too strong for new teams, one of the main issues is the size of the league. New users join, lose a few games by a huuuuuge margin, are discouraged (because they can't buy players) and have to spend like 2 real years to catch up.

I think bigger nations lost less users (relatively) because the gap between the worst established teams and newbies is smaller. If you join in Austria you can expect to get beat by teams like mine, by 50-60 points for a few seasons. You could advertise as much as you want, as long as this leak isnt plugged we wont see a significant trend upwards.

Again....how many users are potentially joining BB Austria per year??? Not enough!
Even if we would keep all of those new users playing.....we are losing more on the "old" teams side!

So the solution of the declining user base is what?!? Merging? NO. Maybe spend some dollars on advertising? Maybe YES.

So far I think I have seen only one or two suggestions that have all of the following attributes:

1. Every team retains its national identity and retains its flag.
2. Every country could continue in BBB.
3. Every country would continue to have its own forum.
4. Countries that do not want to merge with each other would not have to do that.
5. Every world would have a full Division 1, 2 and 3 at least, and probably a full Division 4.
6. The competitive and financial advantages and disadvantages of playing in a macro country or a micro country would be completely evened out.

I think all of those are essential to the health of BB and should be the minimum standard for any change.

(continued in next post)

Last edited by Mike Franks at 4/12/2016 6:17:33 PM

Some additional features I consider good but not deal breakers:

7. Every team could retain its own history.
8. The drafts could continue as they do now, making it easy for Marin to put better players in the draft and have it apply to everyone evenly.
9. Private Leagues could become more important to the game as they showcase teams of the same country.
10. New teams from any country would have an equal opportunity at the start.
11. Competition would be between relatively equal teams at the start (but of course some might improve and some might decline).

These are all true of the suggestions I was thinking of in my post immediately above.

Last edited by Mike Franks at 4/12/2016 6:16:46 PM