If we're going to move to a new setup, I would also like to consider items such as:
- Game size- is 9 players still the right mix? Should it be less than so that games can fire faster with fewer Newbies/SEs?
- Phase lengths- previous feedback from Newbies was that the 14/2 mix wasn't ideal for them so we began to shorten phase lengths. Should we keep the phase lengths the same or modify to be quicker/longer?
- Design- we've utilized a Matrix-style system for the past 8+ years. Should we keep a new setup in the same system or move to something else? Previous ideas raised included a rotation of closed or open setups.
- The primary goal is Newbie attraction/retention. Whatever setup we continue with/move to should be easy to understand, but also be engaging for new players for preferably more than one game. It should be continuously engaging for our SE population so that they have desire to continue to join games and help integrate newer players to the site.
- Secondary is game balance. Game balance does tie into the primary goal, but I would prefer a setup that addresses the primary goal even at the cost of the secondary. So long as people want to keep playing it - and do feel like they have a chance to win as either alignment - I am not particularly concerned with theoretical balance.