Card Stories Survey - 2011

=Key takeaways=


 * Most important aspects of the game (most important first):
 * 1) Writing stories
 * 2) Guessing which cards other players chose
 * 3) Discovering new cards
 * 4) Making new friends in the game


 * Creating stories/games or participating to other people's stories seem equally liked - with maybe a slight preference of newcomers for creating stories.


 * Main flaws of the game right now (most important first):
 * 1) Not enough people to play with
 * 2) Not knowing when friends are playing
 * 3) Hard to know which games are active
 * 4) Nothing to do or earn after a few games


 * Most wanted features (most important first):
 * 1) Add "tabs", to allow to easily play several games simulteanously
 * 2) Earn new cards and levels when you play
 * 3) Add (smart) bots who could join games when there is not enough players


 * Even if the interest for levels & earning cards is high in all groups, it is much lower in veterans. Coupled with the the relatively low ranking of achievement & progression in Q2, it could indicate that the leveling isn't perfectly aligned with the core appeal of the game. It is still an important feature, but it could be interesting to think of additional end-game features, more related to the socializer role. Cf: http://tickets.farsides.com/issues/724


 * The idea seem generally well accepted, and a significant proportion of answers (23%) denote a willingness to help the project by buying cards.

=Detailled results=

There has been 47 answers to the poll, which was enough to segment in three groups, according to the number of games played by each player:
 * New players: 0-10 games (blue)
 * Mid-range players: 10-60 games (red)
 * Veterans: 100+ games (yellow)

Q1. How do you rate the game?



 * Most rate the game as "interesting", which is a pretty neutral stance, even if we had to chose between neutral+ ("interesting") and neutral- ("somewhat interesting").
 * The appreciation of the game doesn't vary significantly depending on the group - new players seem have a similar appreciation of the game as veterans.

Q2. What's important to you?

 * The order of importance is the following overall (most important first):
 * 1) Writing stories
 * 2) Guessing which cards other players chose
 * 3) Discovering new cards
 * 4) Making new friends in the game
 * 5) Playing with your own friends
 * 6) Getting better at the game
 * 7) Thinking of ideas for new features or cards
 * 8) Chatting
 * 9) Welcoming/teaching new players


 * If we were to match these preferences with the Bartle categories of players, it would likely be mostly around the socializer role, possibly with an explorer component to explain the pleasure of discovery of the cards, or with the broader definition of socializer as "idealist" to also encompass the fact that the chat appears as one of the last results. The achiever role appear to be much less important, as the position of "getting better at the game" seem to denote.




 * When we differentiate answers depending on the group, some interesting differences appear:
 * Writing stories is much more of an appeal to newcomers than to more experienced players, even if the interest remains high. This may be affected by the fact that newcomers start by creating a story, or simply because the pleasure of writing/imagining is immediately accessible, even without understanding much of the game, while it takes more time to really understand the subtleties of card selection.
 * The pleasure of discovering new cards seem slightly less important for mid-range players - a possible explanation would be that novelty felt by newcomers when seeing new cards has worn off once in mid-range, which may be more focused on understanding the subtler parts of the game mechanics, while veterans have played a large enough number of games to welcome the addition of new cards to renew the gameplay.
 * The "older" the player is, the more he seem to prefer making new friends *in* the game rather than wanting to play with his own friends. This seem pretty usual: newcomers didn't stay long enough to form relationships in the game, while on the other side bringing your own friends to a game is hard, so those who stay are more likely to be those open to creating new relationships. (See the related discussion).
 * Similarly, the veterans find the chat more important than newcomers.


 * Note: the units used in the graph don't have meaning except as a comparison. Choices have been scored by order of selection (first choice get 9 points, second 8 points, etc.), and put as percentage of the total for each group to allow comparisons.

Q4. Which role do you prefer?



 * This is consistent with the results of question 2 for mid-range players and veterans, ie creating stories seem as important as participating to others' stories for experienced players. In Q2 however, newcomers had a marked preference for creating new stories, which we don't find in the answers to this question.

Q5. What are the biggest flaws of the game right now?

 * The results are pretty clear - four main flaws are consistently cited as the most important flaws of the game (most important first):
 * 1) Not enough people to play with
 * 2) Not knowing when friends are playing
 * 3) Hard to know which games are active
 * 4) Nothing to do or earn after a few games




 * There are only a few differences between the groups:
 * Newcomers seem less affected by the lack of players - this could be due to the fact that the ads were running mostly when someone was in the game to welcome new players. Recurring players are more likely to connect when nobody is there.
 * Newcomers are more sensible to the difficulty to learn the game, most likely because the experience is fresher in mind. Interestingly, even for newcomers, it's still one of the less important aspects, right after the bugs and the loading time, which confirms that the problem has been solved.

Q7. What would you like to see implemented?

 * The results for the most-wanted features are more contrasted. There are some clear winners, but the results vary considerably depending on the group considered.


 * Clear choices (overall):
 * 1) Add "tabs", to allow to easily play several games simulteanously
 * 2) Earn new cards and levels when you play
 * 3) Add (smart) bots who could join games when there is not enough players


 * Top 6 for newcomers:
 * 1) Add (smart) bots who could join games when there is not enough players
 * 2) Earn new cards and levels when you play
 * 3) See when your friends are online on Facebook/MSN/etc. to easily invite them
 * 4) Poke other players when they take too long to play (make a sound)
 * 5) Allow to see cards in full size, and not covered by other cards
 * 6) Add "tabs", to allow to easily play several games simulteanously


 * Top 6 for veterans:
 * 1) Add "tabs", to allow to easily play several games simulteanously
 * 2) See which players are online
 * 3) Add (smart) bots who could join games when there is not enough players
 * 4) As a player, getting more cards related to the story
 * 5) Earn new cards and levels when you play
 * 6) Hearing a sound when we need to pick a card/vote/complete a game




 * Clearly, some features become more important after playing for some time (tabs, seeing who is online, getting more cards related to the story, sound when an action is required), while others appeal more to newcomers (poking other players when they take too long, seeing when your own friends are online on MSN/FB/etc., seeing the cards in full size).
 * Interestingly, even if the interest for levels & earning cards is high in all groups, it is much lower in veterans. Veterans usually give a good indication of the core interest in a game, and coupled with the the relatively low ranking of achievement & progression in Q2, it could indicate that the leveling isn't perfectly aligned with the core appeal of the game. Its relative popularity could just denote the lack of a proper end-game. It is still an important feature, but it could be interesting to think of additional end-game features, more related to the the socializer/idealist & explorer roles, to see if they resonate more with the most experienced players. Cf ticket created for this discussion: http://tickets.farsides.com/issues/724

Q9. Some extra features will be made available for a price. What do you think about it?



 * The idea seem generally well accepted, and a significant proportion of answers (23%) denote a willingness to help the project by buying cards.

=Appendices=

Q3. Most important aspects of Card Stories - Anything missing?
Raw answers:
 * a score Leaderboard reward points that you could redeem for virtual prizes run a weekly contest for members to come up with their own stories and cards a mobile app for the game in the future tshirts to promote your game ( i would proudly wear one!)
 * Closed playing sessions … only with my friends (maybe in the first phase do only FB Friends through the API). - Tournaments or some kind of Achievements
 * Collectibles for my amazing stories!
 * having some mid term and long term objectives in the game
 * navigation on the site should be easy--> pretty important
 * Playing alone when i have some time to kill. Create my own card
 * See my scores and history of my own stories. See others stories or exemple or suggestion.
 * variety in the cards

Q6. Main flaws of the game - Anything missing?

 * Cards get repetitive after awhile, I wish there were a lot more. But the reason I stopped playing is because there is never anyone on when I can play.  Mostly around lunch and in the evenings (around 8 and later) in US central time.  I would wait for hours for enough people to get on.  The only flaw I really cared about is people to play with.  I would have left the rest blank if it would have let me continue with the survey.
 * I don't agree with point 6, 7, 8, 9 but survey make me to list them
 * I would pick "Not easy to understand the game", but it would not be exactly right, cause I do understand it, but sometimes it's hard to explain to people that just started to play.
 * it becomes too repetitive and sometimes boring I think it's because of lack of players and few cards to choice
 * it would be super awesome If this game wasn't just a ripoff of Dixit with added internets.
 * No way to add someone who already plays as a new friend
 * Not enough variety in the cards. The clues being slightly vague if the game creator has to make a actual connection with the card, or they can just write literally anything.
 * Same as before - I've chosen four, and had to fill up the list to proceed. Red error message: "This question is mandatory. Please rank all items." the game UI looks more like a serious app than a game the progression is missing (we don't level up, we don't have a score, etc.) Play different parties at the same time? (not sute of it tho) Quit a party without having to log off
 * There should be a tutorial mock game for new players to watch before playing. Create avatars for players and ability for players to give themselves a nickname for their avatars I don't remember if there was a member profile page when you click on their username but he profile should have the player stats, their winning trophies/badges, etc

Q8. Any other ideas of features ?

 * 3 picks is a bit small for such a large list ;) - I'd add to the above with less priority: 548 (full size cards), 598 (see what's new), 648 (earn something for playing)
 * a feature that allows you to add players as friends and have a way to show you who your friends are in the game
 * buddy list
 * I can only chose three of the above, but I would love to have (smart) bots joining games :)
 * Really like the idea of the smartbots!
 * To have a different background color for every new message. For example: Xavier: "I am awesome..." ---> has beige as a background color. then a new player writes something. TartarugaFeliz: "Yes, in your dreams...hahaha" ---> has lighter or darker background color than the one before.

Q10. If you don't plan to buy cards, why not?
because I like the game, but it's not worth paying money to play on the internet, i have to eat and pay for school, ya know?
 * 0.5-1 € per card seems expensive. I had more in mind to buy new deck (not new card), for a price of 2€ to 5€, and chose which deck i'll use when i start a game.
 * 1 euro for me is quite a sum of money for 1 card, it's about the same as 1 liter of milk or 1/2 a bread here in Iceland. It all depends on the exchange rate between currencies. I would buy it if it were 2 for 1 euro.
 * Almost everything cost money to get the extras in todays world. Such as the iphone or android apps, and not to mention the facebook apps. It would be really nice to be able to play a game with all its features with out having to pay. Maybe make it to where you ahve to unlock a new deck or whatever.
 * Am working and lots of other stuffs to do so I wouldn't have much time to play games. Only occasionally. So I don't think I feel the need to purchase something which I wouldn't play so often. How bout selling merchandise like the cards itself (so people can play it in RL too...haha) or maybe other stuff related to the illustration of the cards. Hope it helps. :)
 * As a player, I can understand that you want to get compensated for you hard work..but usually as soon as I see restrictions on a game and need to pay..I look for a game that is free..even if it might not be as good...
 * En fait je préfère donner de l argent pour que vous puissiez développer le jeux et avoir des cartes en remerciement. Sinon j'ai pas envie d'acheter des cartes parce que y a pas grand monde qui joue quand je viens sur le site! En fait selon comment les choses sont présentées j ai envie, ou pas :-)
 * For me personally - I got the shares, that's enough for now :) (If this form is submitted anonymously - I'm Felix). Additionally, I'd like to know a bit more what it means to "buy a card" - where could I use it? When I start a game? (With everybody else or only with those who have the same card?) *When I join a game? (Can I just throw it in there to choose among the other cards?)
 * I can't afford to pay for things like this right now. Money is tight as it is.
 * I don't usually pay money for my online games
 * I don't want to pay for games. Maybe you can gain some money from adds?
 * i dont have a habit to buy anything related to online games, and i think its a waste of money.
 * I like the game, but it's not addicting enough where I would want to pay money. You really have to great a culture before implementing people who are willing to play. Plus, taking your credit card out to pay for something so cheap also seems like a hassle, it would be easier if you could buy on an iphone or only registered your card once maybe, kind of like itunes.
 * I might be willing to buy a real-life version of the cards, but I simply won't pay for games online.
 * I personally don't enjoy paying for something not tangible--as in, if I pay for the game, I'd rather be paying for the physical cards itself than an online card that I can't hold nor keep.
 * I usually don't spend money on online games. When buying, I tend to opt for more "palpable" versions: in the case of Card Stories, I would probably and more likely be inclined to invest towards Dixit, a similar board game.
 * I wouldn't really want to pay for anything. The cards are really great as they are. I don't need any new cards, if I have to buy them, really. If it gets boring after some time, I'd stop playing for a while so that it gets interesting again. Maybe you could include some ads? For example from Etsy or other cute shops that would fit to the cardstory image. :)
 * I wouldnt pay for cards until i had been playing for quite a while and see this as a main game for me to play
 * I'd rather have new cards on my deck if players' ranking has been developed.
 * I'd rather pay the indie drvelopers who actually thought up this game rayher than some ripoff mervhants disguised as creatives.
 * I'm brazillian and buying things online from other countries are not the best of ideas, cause you need an international credit card and have to pay taxes they charge you for every single cent spent.
 * It will depend on continued playing experience. I am not opposed to paying if I can get others to play, as well. If I knew it could be consistent, then paying would not be an issue.
 * mainly because its euros
 * not a special reason:d
 * personally i see no point in buying things to add extras to the game. I think its getting crazy with all the in game purchases you can make in most games now-a-days.
 * playing the game is fun. but i personally cant afford to be throwing money away on a game of any kind.
 * social games are extremely popular now, I think if you are going to implement any type of payment structure, I think people would be more interested in buying things that they can show off to their friends such as maybe the ability to buy extra virtual avatar items to decorate make their avatars look cool or the ability to buy virtual gifts for their friends. some virtual gifts can be free some they will pay for. Or the ability to decorate their card room when they invite someone to join their game, or the ability to send players virtual gifts while they play at the table, or the ability to play virtual sounds while they're at the table.
 * The game seems fine as it is.
 * Though I realize you need financial support for the game, I'm just not one to spend money on online games. Maybe at the time when I was really interested in the game I may have but I got burned out waiting for other players and lost interest.
 * Well, First of all, I live in Brazil and we hardly think that those paying metods are reliable, second, every little cent in euros are a little too much for us.

Q11. Any other comments?

 * Good luck on your game development. It's a pretty awesome idea!
 * good poll !
 * Good to see you guys moving beyond the bug fixing. It's a game, after all :) more important to make it fun than stable.
 * I love card stories because it's about creating and writing a story--no matter how short. I would LOVE to have a physical deck of cards to play with (:
 * i love this game and i find it easy to make friends with other players from around the world. :)
 * I may be biased as I am one of the developers :P
 * I think instead of charging for a new deck or whatever, you should try a donation thing. Like Wikipedia does or something. If that dont work, then it would be understandable to charge...but...i wouldnt play anymore. sorry. I mean no offence, just read my above statement as to why. Thank you for your game, the time and money you have put forth. Please have a merry Christmas or happy holidays, which ever is your preference. :)
 * i think more cards in general would be cool. playing the same ones over and over gets kind of boring.
 * I would love to see this as a card game. It would be great for parties but also to get kids interested in writing (writing prompts and exercises).
 * I'm very happy to see an online version of this sort of games become available! I think the art is lovely and I hope a lot of people will play. I can't wait to invite my friends and play often, too! :)
 * If i choose a card to write a story, i will be the only one to have it and so easy to found for other players. 1 euro for 1 card it's too much for me. Maybe i prefere pay to have suggestion or history of my play.
 * If you didn't check it already, you guys could take a look at a boardgame called "Dixit". It similar to Card Stories and could be a source of inspiration about what the directions CS could take in the future.
 * improve it as soon as possible plz....I'm too eager to play;)
 * It really is a great game and I really enjoyed it. I think the problem was most of the people who play it are overseas and not in the same timezone as me.  At first I got up really early just to play but it got old after awhile.  It's unfortunate that there aren't more players on my schedule.
 * Je vous kiffe et j ai envie de jouerrrrrrrrrr !!!!
 * Just a great game :)
 * Keep up the good work! :)
 * keep up the good work! i hope that there would be more and more plyers, so the game could be more interesting :)
 * More colors! more "accessible " artistic direction! The game looks quite sad imho, increase the saturation, add less 'absurd' cards...
 * No. For me, the only issue about the game right now is the difficulty of finding people to play with.
 * Seriously, ripping off indie games is like stealing vicodin from the disabled. Shame on you!
 * Thanks for all the hard work to make this a awesome game...or as I call it.."the Alzheimer prevention game"!
 * You are great for developing such a cute and interesting game. :)
 * Debs, it's a relly cool game! Keep on going!

Raw answers, stats & graphs

 * Raw answers and spreadsheet used to produce the stats & graphs