Published Oct 22nd, 2012, 10/22/12 11:32 pm
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It's late at night, and I am alone with nothing but my thoughts and my computer, so these are just my ramblings.
Regardless of what some people say, first impressions are often the most powerful ones. It is when you decide if you do or do not like something, it is when you suss out the pros and cons, and it is when you determine how you are going to treat and use things. (Replace "Thing" with people, place, activity, sport, game etc.)
Servers are no different; the first thing someone sees as they log into a new server is the spawn. For those of you unaware, a spawn is the predetermined start location, and often houses things like rules, ranks, commands and all other basic information that is usually essential for new users to know and understand.
Spawns are the first thing anyone sees as they login, and if the spawn does not meet certain standards, it is often the last thing anyone sees. Spawns may seem like they're pretty simple, and when you think about it they really are, yet it is not uncommon for me, as I am surfing random servers I find sprawled across PMC and the broader internet, to come across servers that have their spawn set in ambiguous fields and areas, or simple, square structures. These servers are the kind I resent, and often before I can even say hello to the other (if any) users online, I leave.
Why?
Because if the owners and admins will not take the time to introduce their server, its expectations, rules and basic guidelines on how to use it, I will not provide them with my time to find out. It's a simple trade-off, and I am confident I am not the only person in MC who has similar views.
What makes a good spawn?
There really is no right or wrong way to make a spawn, but there are certain measures that can be made to ensure yours falls under the category of "good".
-Structural design: People like things that look nice. Fact of life. If something looks appealing, the general consensus is that people want to have it, or be apart of it, if they didn't, why would car manufacturers invest so greatly into things like shape, colour and style?
Your spawn doesn't have to be the greatest build ever, but it should be at least somewhat impressive in terms of scale and appearance. Good block variation, walls that have depth. Minor detailing can, and often does, make all the difference between an okay build, and a great build.
-Linearity: Give people somewhere to go, getting lost the first time you join a server is no fun. Have signs, paths and other visual queues that show users where they should go, otherwise, they might get sick of feeling like they're on a wild goose chase, and leave.
-Information: This one is really a no-brainer. People need to know the basics of a server in order to be expected to use it. Rules, ranks, points of interest and the basic commands should be easily found throughout your spawn. Don't make the common mistake (I am guilty of this) of overwhelming new users with information. Having a million signs to read is too much to ask from the average person, they will feel suffocated with an over abundance of information, and probably leave, or ask stupid questions. "I can haz OP?."
-Grammar and punctuation: You do not need to be on the same level as Shakespeare, but you should at least ensure your basic spelling and grammar appear to be correct. It does not take long to distinguish between a legitimate server being run by a hardcore, dedicated staff, or a group of financially well-off 12 year olds.
What makes a bad spawn?
-Not having one: Some servers, believe it or not, do not have any distinguishable spawn. No signs, no rules, no paths. Nothing.
-Non-linear, unclear layouts: I do not want to get lost as soon as I join. Make sure it is obvious where to go and what to do. People, in this regard, are a lot like sheep.
-Not enough, or too much information: People need to know the basics. You need to ensure you have basic rules and guidelines easily located within spawn. At the same time though, I don't need to know things like your favourite colour, how many times you shower a week, or what time it is in Hong Kong. Make sure your provide what is needed, without over or under doing it.
I hope this info has been at least somewhat helpful, especially for people who are newer at making servers, and were wondering what sort of things they should have in a spawn.
I do not consider myself to be an expert by any standards, I simply like to think I am observant, and at times have valid points to make.
Give me a diamond if you enjoyed this post :)
Regardless of what some people say, first impressions are often the most powerful ones. It is when you decide if you do or do not like something, it is when you suss out the pros and cons, and it is when you determine how you are going to treat and use things. (Replace "Thing" with people, place, activity, sport, game etc.)
Servers are no different; the first thing someone sees as they log into a new server is the spawn. For those of you unaware, a spawn is the predetermined start location, and often houses things like rules, ranks, commands and all other basic information that is usually essential for new users to know and understand.
Spawns are the first thing anyone sees as they login, and if the spawn does not meet certain standards, it is often the last thing anyone sees. Spawns may seem like they're pretty simple, and when you think about it they really are, yet it is not uncommon for me, as I am surfing random servers I find sprawled across PMC and the broader internet, to come across servers that have their spawn set in ambiguous fields and areas, or simple, square structures. These servers are the kind I resent, and often before I can even say hello to the other (if any) users online, I leave.
Why?
Because if the owners and admins will not take the time to introduce their server, its expectations, rules and basic guidelines on how to use it, I will not provide them with my time to find out. It's a simple trade-off, and I am confident I am not the only person in MC who has similar views.
What makes a good spawn?
There really is no right or wrong way to make a spawn, but there are certain measures that can be made to ensure yours falls under the category of "good".
-Structural design: People like things that look nice. Fact of life. If something looks appealing, the general consensus is that people want to have it, or be apart of it, if they didn't, why would car manufacturers invest so greatly into things like shape, colour and style?
Your spawn doesn't have to be the greatest build ever, but it should be at least somewhat impressive in terms of scale and appearance. Good block variation, walls that have depth. Minor detailing can, and often does, make all the difference between an okay build, and a great build.
-Linearity: Give people somewhere to go, getting lost the first time you join a server is no fun. Have signs, paths and other visual queues that show users where they should go, otherwise, they might get sick of feeling like they're on a wild goose chase, and leave.
-Information: This one is really a no-brainer. People need to know the basics of a server in order to be expected to use it. Rules, ranks, points of interest and the basic commands should be easily found throughout your spawn. Don't make the common mistake (I am guilty of this) of overwhelming new users with information. Having a million signs to read is too much to ask from the average person, they will feel suffocated with an over abundance of information, and probably leave, or ask stupid questions. "I can haz OP?."
-Grammar and punctuation: You do not need to be on the same level as Shakespeare, but you should at least ensure your basic spelling and grammar appear to be correct. It does not take long to distinguish between a legitimate server being run by a hardcore, dedicated staff, or a group of financially well-off 12 year olds.
What makes a bad spawn?
-Not having one: Some servers, believe it or not, do not have any distinguishable spawn. No signs, no rules, no paths. Nothing.
-Non-linear, unclear layouts: I do not want to get lost as soon as I join. Make sure it is obvious where to go and what to do. People, in this regard, are a lot like sheep.
-Not enough, or too much information: People need to know the basics. You need to ensure you have basic rules and guidelines easily located within spawn. At the same time though, I don't need to know things like your favourite colour, how many times you shower a week, or what time it is in Hong Kong. Make sure your provide what is needed, without over or under doing it.
I hope this info has been at least somewhat helpful, especially for people who are newer at making servers, and were wondering what sort of things they should have in a spawn.
I do not consider myself to be an expert by any standards, I simply like to think I am observant, and at times have valid points to make.
Give me a diamond if you enjoyed this post :)
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I think that impressing new users is paramount, and a method to do that is have an impressive scale for your spawn.