Somewhat understandably, however the way it has always been is that many games won't attract interest at a certain time. Fortunately, time is rather infinite, and the ideas can always be picked up in the future.
It's less about catering to everyone and more about giving as wide a range of options for people as possible - it does no harm to let people run any genre or type of roleplaying game here. It only gives them more freedom to do so.
Many of the users here share interests, which is the basis of many games and indeed all of the successful ones. In fact, the original site was very successful, bar the usual low-activity times (such as
RIGHT NOW because many people have exams and are under a lot of stress).
Four. We have four moderators.
As for the so-called elitism, there is none. I have always maintained that Darkstorm is a welcoming and accepting place for people of all writing abilities. I take a great deal of pride in how far many people have come with regards to writing skill since getting involved in our games here. If that isn't irrefutable evidence of a welcoming community which nurtures and assists people in developing their skills while having fun, then nothing is.
With an attitude like that, of course the game won't succeed - after all, it's not even starting when you come at it like that. 'But it might not work, so I won't bother.' No one ever got anywhere talking like that. Thankfully, many people do not share your way of thinking in this instance, otherwise the site would be doomed.
A minor note, being a naerly published developer really doesn't have anything to do with this discussion, you must understand - it comes across as an odd attempt to try and sound more credible yet it doesn't have that affect. If you want to talk about your fledgling career then by all means, do so in the appropriate place, not here.
Edit: forgot to quote and respond to this:
It's not just the players, GMs need to be just as committed.
We really don't need less or different moderators, everyone knows who the mods are, and they're good at it (not that there's usually any trouble).
Harrab is always very on the job, ready to respond to incidents.
Castiel is incredibly enthusiastic and very approachable.
Warork is friendly and sensible, looks out for people.
As for Raptor, as I've mentioned elsewhere in this post, he is very busy currently with exams I believe, but he's always been a strong part of the team as well as a good roleplayer and GM. Much like the others, he is an excellent example and inspiration for other users of the site to look to.
As for this 'elitism' (a term you're quite fond of throwing around), I simply direct you to where I talk about why there is none and that this is a welcoming community. No need to repeat myself too much. Though, I'll repeat this:
the site isn't failing. Keep that in mind when posting.
In fact, while I'm at it, I'll point out that you said you've been saying all this for the better part of two years. In all that the time the site has continued to run, games are played, people have a good time, all incidents are overcome in short order. Yet you keep saying the same things... ever consider that you might be wrong? (Clearly not, but have a think about it)
Of course, if people don't get involved then they don't get to know people very well and, does it really need saying - this
is a roleplaying site. If people don't participate in roleplaying then it comes as no surprise that they aren't going to enjoy their time here a great deal.
Now while that sounds rather callous, it is quite simply true.
However, this is a welcoming community and measures have of course been planned to make it much more so. Accessibility for new users is important, and in time much easier means of doing so will be firmly put in place, such as the Houses mechanic being revisited and finished. For things like that, patience is required.
I myself and many others actually make sure to take interest in new users, enthusiastically introducing them, discussing their ideas and helping them develop those into games. However, unless that user actually commits and is active enough, of course they're simply going to be seen as an unrecognised new user. They have nothing invested in the site unlike people who have been here a long time and there's no real reason for them to stay if they don't want to.
This is a good time to mention Aegis Fate. In almost no time at all, he was already a regular, well-liked and involved in the community. It goes to show it takes only a bit of effort from new users and then the rest of the community will meet them half way. A new user who isn't going to do that little is, I suspect, not going to stick around in games to see them finished even if they did join one and while that is regrettable, I'd rather they were honest about not being committed rather than joining and then leaving mid-way or not getting involved at all. It's better for them, it's better for us, we all get on with what we want to do.
Ash didn't get lucky, he got involved, like what I was talking about right before this. It's as simple as that: he wanted to be here. In fact, I'd say he still does, as even with the site's issues and him saying he wished to leave, I still see him on almost every day (the option to log on invisibly doesn't hide people from moderators and administrators, which should not come as a surprise to anyone).
I must emphasise it: if a person WANTS to be here then they are going to stick around, get involved and have fun. If they don't really have an interest, then they're not, and that's perfectly fine by them.
The first sensible part of this post, and it is true. Still, the games are steadily getting more committed players as the exam season passes by and I remain steadfastly confident that things are improving.
Something of an exaggeration, you log on occasionally. Again, if you do want to add credibility to your opinion of the community, just be quite honest about it. There's no need to embellish in the slightest or bring in unrelated matters. It's a small point, but it is nonetheless true.
Some of us have more time and indeed bouts of creativity than others can spare, it is only natural that we continue striving to keep activity up and present more game options. While it does seem quite quiet, as much discussion happens in the skype group (which would, arguably, be better on here as it'd generate more activity, it is much quicker and more efficient for discussing these things, particularly among those of us familiar with each other), there is always some new game being planned, old ideas being tossed around, so on and so forth. Often it's in the background, or Warrender and I might be discussing things for the future, but there's always something going on.
I would make the point that actually, quite a few of the many game ideas that some of us repeatedly put forward actually get a fair bit of interest, however your comment to the contrary suggests you haven't properly looked at many of the threads recently.
Less frequent GMs are always encouraged by myself and always have been. Rap for one is very busy, Aegis continues to try running games and just recently launched one, and I know for a fact Draxy is always thinking up possible ideas, and when he wants to launch those is his prerogative. After all, as you say, 'it has to work' - this means GMs being committed as well as players and thus I advocate people launching games only when they are good and ready.
As for your comment about the site dying, I refute that, it most certainly is not. This is sounding much like the disruptive arguments you were rather heavily involved in near the end of last summer that caused issues. As I said then, the site is not dying. It has periods of less activity, yet even now we have examples of enthusiastic new users such as Silence and games regularly starting.
Having been with this community from the very start, if it were truly dying, I would be the first to bring it up, although if it were the case then there wouldn't be very many people here (rather than the typical number of regulars we get. It's 10AM here and we've already had 23 users online today. Our average has been 20-30 most days for over a year, ergo statistically everything is normal).
Now that's silly. If someone doesn't like the genre, then there's no reason for them to get involved. I'm much more interested in showing people that our users have FUN here, regardless of how long games might last (often the journey is more important than the destination). Honestly, to anyone reading this - please join and create games YOU WILL ENJOY. Never feel obligated to get involved in something that you know will not be fun for yourself, as that will make it less fun for others.
Whether or not a game is great isn't so dependant on having large amounts of players, nor small amounts. Just the right amount, and that is subjective to each individual game.
True enough, hence such projects as my new fantasy setting or the original games like Harrab's god nations.
Once again, I must reiterate - do not feel obligated to join games you do not want to. You won't have fun, it'll be miserable and nobody gains anything. DO WHAT IS FUN FOR YOU! Enjoy your time here, whatever it is that that means to you. Whether you like a simple game, or the most complicated, in-depth one, just have a laugh, make some new friends, and enjoy writing.
That, more than anything, will keep the site going.