When creating a character, the nationality choices are in the order Itani, Serco, UIT. I suggest that this order should be randomized at each character creation, to prevent the kind of people who just choose the topmost option from harming the balance between nations.

That also helps to remove any "Why are they listed first?" type issues. (Of course, they're actually in alphabetical order right now, whether intentional or not, but random things are more fun!)

sadly most newbs wont even bother to read the worthless descriptions and simply grab the first thing they see.

+1 to randomising the display order.

+1

<Alloh>
Also change the serco color from red to something ....friendlier. It's ridiculous, but it's probably a factor
</Alloh>

+1 not sure if it will help, i mean the Itani have the best write up <_< >_>

oh and JJDane, you didn't post a link a another thread you posted. newb :P

Reposted here from another thread:

At the nation selection screen, detailing the current active population for each nation in terms of high medium and low could help to balance things. Most people looking for PvP tend to go for the nation with the lowest pop.

This might be more effective than randomizing the order.

Having read and enjoyed all twelve sections of the VO back-story, I concur with this recommendation.

-CR

I agree with this.

It might be harder than you think to code in, but this is defo something that needs doing, and something I had previously brought up in 2004/5ish.

+1

+1

Can't see this suggestion doing any harm.

Excellent idea, though I think it has been tossed around before.

Serco really has a branding problem. Most people don't want to be the angry red faction that the backstory casts in a negative light. Further than randomizing, switching Serco and Itani colors might help balance things out as well.

Personally, I'd rather be red than blue. Red might seem angry, but blue just seems lame and weak to me. Only electric blue has any energy about it, and electric blue is only good in dashes. Large amounts of it lose the tingle and become soft looking. A nice mean red, on the other hand, means business in any amount.

Yeah, but that's just you. This is mostly anecdote, but before there were "Serco" and "Itani", before there was even a backstory, "Red Team" ~always~ had less activity than "Blue Team". Blue is a more agreeable color to people in general and I think a large part of the nation imbalances stem from that.

Yea the Itani should be portrayed a bit more accurately in the nation select thing.

Something to do with most people who go up into space is to fight to avenge lost ones or shite like that, seriously though 80% of the itani population ends up doing more pew-pew than would be appropriate for a true follower of the path of Eo/Buddha, plus if you're gonna end up being all buddhist and stuff why the hell would you leave yer planet.

/me is tired but hopes you get the point otherwise whine about it and i'll fix it when I wake up.

Maybe its time for a new more detailed/told from a national perspective description. Until then, +1.

Each nation description should read as if written by the opposing faction. That would make people think a little harder.

+1

Make Serco green?

Edit: Woops, I forgot how far back I was in the suggestions, don't mean to be gravedigging.

The itani do get painted in a fairly positive light: epic culture, most advanced, ect.. instead it should say something more like pacifist hippies and bloodthirsty terrorists. That'll balance out the description that calls serco war-philes.

Serco should get a new color though, what's a fierce war color that's not red?

The Itani are depicted as being the Jedi style, individual warrior sort, while the Serco are depicted as being horde style savages. The appeal of the former over the latter to gamer dweebs looking to create an online persona isn't hard to figure out.

Lecter, you hit the nail on the head.

Maybe we should integrate this idea with RR`s A non binding contest... and change the way the races are displayed.

Reading again backstory, really seems that the Itani wrote it.

So, we should make 3 descriptions for each race, each from each other nation`s perspective.

The Serco describe themselves as defensive, and Itani as treacherous warmongers.
The Itani think to be "Eo's Jedi Monks" and blame Serco for War
UIT states that they are against the war, while both Serco and Itani says they foster the war for profits.

Also, offer some incentive for joining the (then) lowest population, to keep balance. Something as a starting credit bonus, or better ships earlier.

Probably both measures would produce better results that OP alone...