The Future of NML

Deadheads · May 2018

I know people have been complaining on the boards for awhile now and I've been ignoring it mostly because I actually don't agree with most of what they're complaining about, but the financial reports I read about this morning made me think and that thought worried me for the first time. I don't mind the grind or spending a little bit of money each week, but if the game is on the decline and could possibly end soon, I thought why should I spend money if it could possibly end soon? What worried me is that started to feel like a self-fulfilling prophecy. People think it might end, stop spending which causes it to end? So what does everyone think? Is NML already in its unavoidable death spire or can it still be saved and have a long fruitful life?

R2runfast · May 2018

Well since you asked... I think NG needs to put their attention back on the only game that makes them money. This game will only die because of the people running it don't know what the f×ck they are doing.

war · May 2018

It's gonna turn out like Compass Point West.

Sadly, I really liked that game but every time I reinstall it my progress gets lost.

nadecir · May 2018

The game will be around for a while. It does not cost a lot to keep a game like this running. So as long as the game is making some money, this game will be around.

NG will release an update to this game sometime soon. Will there be many more updates to come, and how big will those updates be? Your guess is as good as any. Here is the NG CEO's own words: "The number of active users in The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land declined which lead to a decrease in revenue. The main cause for the declined amount of active users was weakened retention of players. The significantly lower revenue coupled with the organization’s growth led to a loss in the first quarter. However, in relation to the resource and marketing investments to the Walking Dead: No Man’s Land during Q1, further developing the game was still sustainable.

The investments in The Walking Dead: Our World, the Blade Runner game and other upcoming games in the pipeline are reflected in our first quarter numbers. During the end of 2017 and first quarter of 2018, Next Games has shifted resources from the No Man’s Land team to the Our World team and other new projects. Next Games has actively recruited new employees during 2017, but during Q1 2018 the staff grew only by five employees, thus the recruitment pace has slowed down considerably."

It is pretty clear that the development on this game has slowed considerably over the last year or so. What does the CEO meas by "further developing the game was still sustainable"? That's up to your own interpretation.

I am pretty sure that we will get someone from NG around here soon to rally the troops by telling us that the game will be around for a long time, and they have great things planned for this game's future. Talk is cheap, investment speaks louder than words.

WellyLuga · May 2018

Regarding the age old money question, it comes down to 2 things. Do you have the money to spare? If your electric company is threatening to cut you off or your landlord about to evict you then your money would be better spent elsewhere. If yes, then do you enjoy the game enough to want to part with it? The rest is irrelevant really.

Ultimately, it's a mobile phone game which passes a little time. I don't expect to play it forever but I enjoy it now and am fortunate enough to be in a situation where I can part with a little bit of money on a silly little phone game. Certain parts of life you should really look to the future for but I don't think NML should be one of those things

Jenng · May 2018

Nothing is guaranteed to last, enjoy the moment, however long it’ll be.

Deadheads · May 2018

WellyLuga said:
Regarding the age old money question, it comes down to 2 things. Do you have the money to spare? If your electric company is threatening to cut you off or your landlord about to evict you then your money would be better spent elsewhere. If yes, then do you enjoy the game enough to want to part with it? The rest is irrelevant really.

Ultimately, it's a mobile phone game which passes a little time. I don't expect to play it forever but I enjoy it now and am fortunate enough to be in a situation where I can part with a little bit of money on a silly little phone game. Certain parts of life you should really look to the future for but I don't think NML should be one of those things

That's true, I'm in the same boat as you, I guess it would just 'irritate' me if I dropped of money in the game over the next few months only to have it suddenly go belly up.

Kaz · May 2018

Deadheads said:
I know people have been complaining on the boards for awhile now and I've been ignoring it mostly because I actually don't agree with most of what they're complaining about, but the financial reports I read about this morning made me think and that thought worried me for the first time. I don't mind the grind or spending a little bit of money each week, but if the game is on the decline and could possibly end soon, I thought why should I spend money if it could possibly end soon? What worried me is that started to feel like a self-fulfilling prophecy. People think it might end, stop spending which causes it to end? So what does everyone think? Is NML already in its unavoidable death spire or can it still be saved and have a long fruitful life?

When our previous financial report was posted here, it led to the same questions and concerns: but don't worry, we do have an update coming very soon (and I can't tell you anything about it yet because I'll send that info to the content creators first). And we do have a bigger update planned for after that. I know I said that the big update would be after 2.10, but well, now you know why it's not such a good idea to announce stuff before they are actually concrete. :P

But I totally get that the information found in the report is not the most friendly one, and to raise the questions you are asking are only a natural reaction. But again, I can reassure that NML team is totally focused on making NML better and more fun. Some people from NML moved to other teams indeed, but so was I from support to NML. And actually, we just had a new joiner today to help us with the new stuff we are developing.

I do appreciate your feedback and concerns because it definitely shows that you care about the game. I'm aware of that and I'll be the one always making sure that you guys are being listened.

But long story short, we have a long road ahead still. And also, AMC has just announced the filming of the Season 9 so I would say we are very far from an end if that's what you are worried about.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Deadheads · May 2018

Thanks Kaz. I know the saying talk is cheap, but for now, what you've said has made me feel a little better anyway

PTR · May 2018

THX Kaz for answer.

kamilowaty · May 2018

I play cause im still enjoying game.Yeah, many issues there but Im hella patient

ShadowaceAz · May 2018

I will be here for as long as they let me.

What we read all the time is from those who have complaints or concerns, what we don't see is posting from the multi thousand people who still love the game. A few of us post encouraging words, or support, but I know I am in the Major Minority for our Guild Group. Most of them never come to the forums, but our Line Chat and Guild Chat is full of people who still, very much, enjoy the game and the companionship we have created because of it.

capibara · May 2018

ShadowaceAz said:
I will be here for as long as they let me.

What we read all the time is from those who have complaints or concerns, what we don't see is posting from the multi thousand people who still love the game. A few of us post encouraging words, or support, but I know I am in the Major Minority for our Guild Group. Most of them never come to the forums, but our Line Chat and Guild Chat is full of people who still, very much, enjoy the game and the companionship we have created because of it.

Yeah... i already see the day when me and Shadow will be here posting alone

Starr621 · May 2018

It's nothing new when it comes to mobile games. I, myself, have wanted to see some games just end after playing them because I got so burned out or got to a point of frustration where it was unbearable.

I do kind of wish I found out about this game a few years back though LMAO. Then I probably wouldn't have hopped around so many mobile games LOL.

Drunken · May 2018

@Kaz

I assume one of these big updates will be a council upgrade as you can see increase in sales during that time, but is putting a band aide on a missing limb going to fix the companies major struggle of keeping players? Fun fact less players = less money. Fun fact #2 pissing off larger spenders = less money.

EL34xyz · May 2018

And also, AMC has just announced the filming of the Season 9

The game may go on for a while, but the series has gotten totally boring

They should have killed off Negan a long time ago and started a new chapter
How many more times is someone with a weapon and a perfect chance to kill Negan gonna totally miss Negan?

ShadowaceAz · May 2018

EL34xyz said:

How many more times is someone with a weapon and a perfect chance to kill Negan gonna totally miss Negan?

Is that not what the entire Star Wars franchise is built upon? How many times do 1,000 storm troopers missed their target. Again, and again, and ah hell... Always.

So they just took a play from the greatest franchise ever! Surprised?

ATLAS-Z · May 2018

I was hoping for one more scene of Rick hiding, wilynilly emptying his cylinder at the air then charging in for some CQC.

The_Overcomer · May 2018

OMG .. I am soo sick of hearing. Oh, we have something really amazing coming ... BUT we cant tell you. You'll be amazed, but we cant tell you. I dont care if every single player NEVER comes on to this forum or only .5% come here. Simple FACT is the CEO admits the over 50% decline in revenue is due to people LEAVING the game. It didn't say the forum writers leaving the game. It says GAME players are leaving period. The forum community warned over 6 months ago that this would happen, nothing was done. NG nerfed, screwed and around with rewards, radios, traits and pissed even more players off. So making a comment that the thousands who like it is an empty comment because, forum or not, PEOPLE ARE LEAVING NML. If thousand are loving the game, WHY is there over 50% decline in revenue. SIMPLE, MONEY TALKS. People arent spending. A lot of people won't even waste their time and come to a forum and say what they really think, they just move on. Hence the bad revenue numbers. The game I once coudnt put down and loved IS dying, nearly dead. Trying to resuscitate a dead race horse doesn't bring it back to live to be a race horse again. You might get a pulse for a brief time, BUT it will still die because you neglected it for too long.. This sposed great new update and one to come are a case of too late, too bad so sad... Here's a prediction, if NG are relying on Our World to save them and be their new money maker, I can tell you right now it will fail. Already after 1 month they have made bad changes where people are already backing off on playing as they are nerfing and trying to get more money out of you with the current update and the game cannot survive with its very simple game play. Same company, same mentality, same screw the players when they can. Our World in its current format and the current way it is going will not be anything like NML and will die a quick death and not make anything on revenue like NML. MIKE DROP ...

Mabiki · May 2018

I hope Mike is OK.

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