Rockford Plaza

[Lilypad]

I'm curious as to what people think about the Rockford Plaza i.e. the mall. Is there something that could be done differently? Is there some incentive people would like to see? Any ideas on how we could make it more active, or do you think it's fine passively as is?

 

Currently from what I can tell it's fairly inactive with the majority of stores locked despite being owned. I found it a perfect place to find certain stores to buy gifts for birthdays ICly, somewhere to just browse what people have to offer without having to drive all over the city. Unfortunately, it looks like a lot of owned businesses there are pretty dormant for the most part. However, for the stores that are accessible, I love the option of the store menu and that some advertise online shopping as well.

 

I do understand that some of these businesses may be locked for furnishing or some simply prefer to only have the option of opening the store themselves, but even then there are a lot of names I haven't seen before or for a long while which is a shame.

 

Is there anything you guys would do differently or suggest?

[mrtnzi]

The GPS inside is busted which makes it very hard to find the store that's open,

I think a lot of first-time store owners are pushed to open their business in the mall, only to then realize they get 3 customers their first opening, make 0 profit, and then close up.

Most stores who have their physical location in the mall instead have to opt to be an online store. *Oh, also, the mapping inside is kind of eh? I don't enjoy the vibe, it feels so clinical and just like an area you want to quickly move through - therefore making it unfit as a hangout spot.

 

I would personally have preferred to see the attention given to mall by PM be directed towards Vespucci beach instead - encourage new business owners to open up on the promenade instead, and breathe some life into a very pleasant area of the map that usually only is used to work out in (which turns to being mugged in because it's surrounded by 5 illegal factions).

Edited June 9, 2024 by mrtnzi

[ENDREAS]

Honestly, while I like the idea of a mall, I just think it doesn't work IG the same it does IRL. Most players are active during different times/days and that makes it very unlikely for multiple shops within the mall to be open at the same time. So then you have to walk through the WHOLE mall just to try and find one shop that's actually open.

 

I also find the signs to be kind of annoying. Finding a specific shop is quite a headache with the multiple floors they got going on, and the lack of signs pointing you in the right direction.

 

I think if we were to try and make the mall feel more realistic and alive, the owners of the shops within would have to coordinate and open multiple shops within the mall at the same time. Would be doable but doubt it will happen, unless the shop owners take incentive.

[Cheeze]

They allowed some businesses to be leased via /availableleases, apparently some players are using those businesses for personal use instead of opening it. I feel like they really screwed up with the mall business and could have taken better steps. Whenever you see a Rockford Mall business open you need to run around the entire mall just to know which business is open. its just a pain in the ass and also you need to donate for it too which is not worth it.

At the same time i dont think they care, the mall looks so outdated and most of the old stores and banners are still there being un-used. 

[Lilypad]

2 minutes ago, mrtnzi said:

I would personally have preferred to see the attention given to mall by PM be directed towards Vespucci beach instead - encourage new business owners to open up on the promenade instead, and breathe some life into a very pleasant area of the map that usually only is used to work out in (which turns to being mugged in because it's surrounded by 5 illegal factions).

 

I completely agree it would've been amazing to see something around Vespucci instead, especially given the current state of things. Don't get me wrong, I love the activity around with the illegal factions and there are some incredible roleplayers active there right now, but it would be nice to see something more for the passive roleplayers and business sides.

 

4 minutes ago, ENDREAS said:

Honestly, while I like the idea of a mall, I just think it doesn't work IG the same it does IRL. Most players are active during different times/days and that makes it very unlikely for multiple shops within the mall to be open at the same time. So then you have to walk through the WHOLE mall just to try and find one shop that's actually open.

 

I also find the signs to be kind of annoying. Finding a specific shop is quite a headache with the multiple floors they got going on, and the lack of signs pointing you in the right direction.

 

I think if we were to try and make the mall feel more realistic and alive, the owners of the shops within would have to coordinate and open multiple shops within the mall at the same time. Would be doable but doubt it will happen, unless the shop owners take incentive.

 

I agree with you as well truthfully. It's a typical difficult business thing I suppose with the activity times and such. Having worked at the mall as an employee I found some openings were so hectic but it was lovely to see at the same time.

 

In terms of coordination, there is a discord for Rockford Mall store owners but even that in itself seems to be dormant unfortunately. Which is a true shame, and it's as you said, it can only work if the shop owners take incentive.

[ENDREAS]

5 minutes ago, mrtnzi said:

The GPS inside is busted which makes it very hard to find the store that's open,

I think a lot of first-time store owners are pushed to open their business in the mall, only to then realize they get 3 customers their first opening, make 0 profit, and then close up.

Most stores who have their physical location in the mall instead have to opt to be an online store. *Oh, also, the mapping inside is kind of eh? I don't enjoy the vibe, it feels so clinical and just like an area you want to quickly move through - therefore making it unfit as a hangout spot.

 

I would personally have preferred to see the attention given to mall by PM be directed towards Vespucci beach instead - encourage new business owners to open up on the promenade instead, and breathe some life into a very pleasant area of the map that usually only is used to work out in (which turns to being mugged in because it's surrounded by 5 illegal factions).

I actually agree about Vespucci beach being a way better choice than the mall when it comes to shops. There's so many little shops lining the streets and the area would be realistically very touristy and popular for boutiques and shops.

[Obi Wan]

1 hour ago, ClaudeSpeed said:

They allowed some businesses to be leased via /availableleases, apparently some players are using those businesses for personal use instead of opening it. I feel like they really screwed up with the mall business and could have taken better steps. Whenever you see a Rockford Mall business open you need to run around the entire mall just to know which business is open. its just a pain in the ass and also you need to donate for it too which is not worth it.

At the same time i dont think they care, the mall looks so outdated and most of the old stores and banners are still there being un-used. 

 

I'm not sure if the GPS could be fixed inside the interiors but if there was some way to have a multi-interior window pop up at the entrance and just navigate to the business name and teleport the player there in front of the business could be a good way to avoid people running around lost.

 

1 hour ago, mrtnzi said:

The GPS inside is busted which makes it very hard to find the store that's open,

I think a lot of first-time store owners are pushed to open their business in the mall, only to then realize they get 3 customers their first opening, make 0 profit, and then close up.

Most stores who have their physical location in the mall instead have to opt to be an online store. *Oh, also, the mapping inside is kind of eh? I don't enjoy the vibe, it feels so clinical and just like an area you want to quickly move through - therefore making it unfit as a hangout spot.

 

I would personally have preferred to see the attention given to mall by PM be directed towards Vespucci beach instead - encourage new business owners to open up on the promenade instead, and breathe some life into a very pleasant area of the map that usually only is used to work out in (which turns to being mugged in because it's surrounded by 5 illegal factions).

What might you suggest PM can do to to focus attention in that area of the Vespucci Beach Promenade? As far as I am aware anyone can put in a business application or lease application for businesses in those areas but people choose other places on the map instead.

[demia]

activity inside the mall has picked up again somewhat but i don't really think there's much that can be done to get people to RP there. people are already opening up stores inside, there's not much else you can ask for.

[Astra]

It's a good spot for passive RP like getting a coffee with friends and whatnot but there's not too much incentive to go there since as others have mentioned, it's tough to find the stores in the mall and the majority of stores are not being opened. Despite that, I hope that activity in that mall picks up as the mapping is quite nice on the inside. 

[arman]

Mall is haunted