How do I introduce a new community to FM?

[orangeandblack5]

So I've already run one game on a forum completely new to the concept of FM. It was a Cop13 and went relatively smoothly, but the Mafia curbstomped the Town because none of them really have a concept of scumreading.

So. What can I do to help kickstart this community's growth? There is pretty high interest in another game, so since we're past the super-basic basics I'll probably run a game closer to 20p (or more, there's a lot of expressed interest) and with a bit more going on than Cop13. Are there any setups you'd recommend to help bring new players to actually push scum instead of rely entirely on power roles? Or would I be better suited running a game with a lot of power roles?

Beyond just the next game, is there any way I can help push people to develop better play on their own? Should I bring in a friend or two that's more experienced to help show the Town how to make use of the day? Or would it be more beneficial to let them learn on their own pace? Any other tips for essentially starting a new community?

Any help you can provide here is much appreciated.

[Mistyx]

Bring stronger players in to give mentoring but don't have them join games. A giant skill gap would pretty much discourage newer players from playing.

[Mantichora]

So I've already run one game on a forum completely new to the concept of FM. It was a Cop13 and went relatively smoothly, but the Mafia curbstomped the Town because none of them really have a concept of scumreading.

So. What can I do to help kickstart this community's growth? There is pretty high interest in another game, so since we're past the super-basic basics I'll probably run a game closer to 20p (or more, there's a lot of expressed interest) and with a bit more going on than Cop13. Are there any setups you'd recommend to help bring new players to actually push scum instead of rely entirely on power roles? Or would I be better suited running a game with a lot of power roles?

Beyond just the next game, is there any way I can help push people to develop better play on their own? Should I bring in a friend or two that's more experienced to help show the Town how to make use of the day? Or would it be more beneficial to let them learn on their own pace? Any other tips for essentially starting a new community?

Any help you can provide here is much appreciated.

Did they have fun? If yes, keep playing. Practise makes people better. If what you're saying is that Mafia alignment is too good on that site (by virtue of town playing poorly) run a more town-sided setup.

But end of the day, if you want to get a community going, just consistently host games and make sure everyone is having fun.

[orangeandblack5]

looks lile I could've just asked on ToS lmao

Still, thanks for the input thus far!

Chemist, you mentioned bringing in players to mentor but NOT having them play - that seems like it's difficult to comvince people to do and would be difficult to arrange overall. Any particular ideas as to how that would be accomplished?

Cow, any particular setups you'd recommend? We both know you're much more familiar with setups than I am

[Mistyx]

looks lile I could've just asked on ToS lmao

Still, thanks for the input thus far!

Chemist, you mentioned bringing in players to mentor but NOT having them play - that seems like it's difficult to comvince people to do and would be difficult to arrange overall. Any particular ideas as to how that would be accomplished?

Cow, any particular setups you'd recommend? We both know you're much more familiar with setups than I am

Just like

Ask people to join the community and hang out

What I'm saying is not don't let them play, just have them understand that people getting stomped by more experienced players isn't fun for a newbie

[Frog]

Some would say start with Vanilla 15er because it's the most basic (3 wolves, 12 Vanilla town)

Or just keep doing cop 13ers until they get the hang of it

Then move on to D6 13er setup to introduce new role mechanics

---

It sounds like your villagers just needed to read that Yates article on Seer Hunter Clear play

It's in the Mafia University sub forum

[Mantichora]

looks lile I could've just asked on ToS lmao

Still, thanks for the input thus far!

Chemist, you mentioned bringing in players to mentor but NOT having them play - that seems like it's difficult to comvince people to do and would be difficult to arrange overall. Any particular ideas as to how that would be accomplished?

Cow, any particular setups you'd recommend? We both know you're much more familiar with setups than I am

cop vigi doctor vs roleblocker+tracker+goon or smth like that

make the doctor a jailkeeper if you prefer

Just make it simple and easy to grasp.

[Newcomb]

If your community is enthusiastic about playing games, and clamoring for new games, you're like 90% of the way there already.

No matter what, if they keep that, they'll get good eventually. "How to get good at werewolf" isn't a hard thing to figure out, it's just hard to execute.

It's a matter of taste and what your overall goals are, but if it were me, I'd probably shy away from introducing a bunch of new people / mentors / whatever. A big group who's really psyched on mafia is something that's pretty unique and valuable, and I'd try to not overtly screw with it too much.

I'd definitely lean towards PR-light games, because you learn the fundamentals better that way. Cop 13ers are kind of... narrow in scope, though, and rely on playing around one very specific thing.

About the most I'd do in terms of trying to push people or help them get better or w/e would be to link them articles, or even old games that are really good. Players who really catch the bug will seek those things out on their own, but hype is contagious.

Once people start to get the fundamentals down, I'd mix up the games a bit. Try something PR heavy, once. Try a flipless game like WitchHunt. If it were me, I'd want to nurture the idea that werewolf can take many forms, that different kinds of games test different skills and can allow a larger section of people a chance to show them off and shine.

[Phighter]

Also like, remember that Mafia Universe players are insane. I used to play on Cracked and hitting 50 posts as a group for the entire cycle was a good day.

Here that's forty-five minutes sometimes.

[orangeandblack5]

Believe me, I know that - I've been a part of starting a new FM community at the Throne of Lies forums, although not nearly as single-handedly as I am trying right now, and we've gone from having 900 posts in our first 16-player game at 120/48 to having our current biggest game at over 12,500 posts by the end of day 3 at 48/24. Starting off small is definitely what I expect.

[Logic]

My likely poor recommendation is give them a Samurai instead of a regular vigilante.

In fact except for cop, make them learn power roles with more emphasis on getting their reads right. You could run PR madness, but give them consequences (such as death, or turning powers off) for guessing wrong.

[Frog]

Also like, remember that Mafia Universe players are insane. I used to play on Cracked and hitting 50 posts as a group for the entire cycle was a good day.

Here that's forty-five minutes sometimes.

[DoubtingThomas]

i can help

[WaywardSon]

Don't try and go too fast. If the enthusiasm is there you have to give it time to grow and flourish. The play will evolve. But having a mentor type thing would probably help it along. Good luck!