This is going to be a quick article but a very important one you should take to heart when putting your first web game online. It's one of those, this is why and your not alone messages.
You've been coding up a storm, you've tested the game to the best of your abilities or even had a few select friends test it for you as well, you upload it to the server and start the arduous process of letting the world know about your game. The player's start coming in, you are getting suggestions left and right from your new players, you have unfinished ideas, the player's say something which sparks something in you for a new idea.. It is a very, very exciting time, and I believe it's "the rush" that we web game developers are looking for when we create said games.
But
Those first batch of new player's are going to be your explorers and no matter what you do, no matter how you run your game they are going to leave your game. These explorers get there thrill from being the first on a game and helping a new game out with ideas, once the ideas start becoming reality and the game goes from first time online to a well established game they leave. Some stay, mind you, but a lot of them leave.
The point is... This is part of the games life time cycle and don't let it get you down when you start seeing your explorers leave. My first couple games I watched them leave and actually got pretty upset that they left and wondered what I many or could of done to keep them because they, after all, contributed a lot to the early parts of the game. By my 3rd/4th game I realized nothing I can do will make these player's stay and it has nothing to do with me or my games. After speaking with other online developers over the years I've come to realize this is just part of running the game.
So in the end you are not alone, it happens to all of us, and don't let it get you down. Forge ahead with your game, more player's will come
