Newbie or Lowbie?

[Corri]

One of the things that is common is that new players are mixed in with low level characters of old players. I rarely find one that is an actual newbie.

What about identifying this upon character creation?

Would you like this character to be flagged as a new player (This will let other players know that you are open to assistance with getting started in game)? yes/no

This could display infront of their name on the who list (NEW) and the flag could go away automatically at level x. (5? )

Old players could certainly say yes, but the gains in such a case are going to be fairly minimal - a lot of basic level information they already know, some pit level gear, perhaps some extra spells.

Possible side effect could be that anyone who doesn't flag as new will get even *less* attention than they do now, as everyone would assume they are an old hand.

~Corri

[Solaron]

I kinda like the idea.

[Belsambar]

Yeah, I like this one too. Though sometimes I like to play stupid with my newbies. Still, it could help some :) ((Are you a first time player? y/n))

[Corri]

Originally Posted by Gertrude :
I do think the game is very hard for someone just starting from scratch.

Originally Replied by Tynian:
I tend to agree. If you are completely on your own, no one helps you out, and especially if you are inexperienced with text games, it's tough.

Originally Noted by Silonch:
I think it would be way cool if there was a way for characters to self identify as "newbie friendly." Maybe a flag or some kind or an abbreviation in a title. Maybe "NF"? Not sure how the FLI's would feel about that.

This is something that could cross alignments, as it seems to be in the best interest of all that TFC recruit and retain new players.


Based on some of the comments in Gertrudes post on trainers and Silonch's ideas, I thought I would give this thread a bump.

I believe that there are very few players who aren't open to answering some basic questions for truly new players. Or even going out of their way to help orient someone new. The trick is figuring out who is new.

I like the direction Silonch is heading - make some way to help new players get attention and answers. But I think a more effective approach would be to tag the new player, rather than tagging the people who could help.

Advantages:
1) The new player will probably get a lot more unsolicited attention - which is crucial in catching their interest long enough to get them consistently playing the game.

2) Minimum opportunities for exploitation. The worst this can be abused is to have old players choose to flag themselves as (New). Any truly new player doesn't need good gear, they need advice. I would expect that old hands choosing the (New) flag would quickly learn it doesn't bring them goodies, just a lot of talk - and they would stop flagging themselves as new (unless they felt lonely?)

Disadvantages:
1) True new players would probably get even LESS attention, if they didn't choose the (new) flag.

2) If too many old hands did this, it would be a wasted step in the character creation process.

[Ylang]

I like the direction Silonch is heading - make some way to help new players get attention and answers. But I think a more effective approach would be to tag the new player, rather than tagging the people who could help.

You may have seen my response in the other thread (http://forums.finalchallenge.net/showthread.php?t=1231). I'm very much in agreement here. Flagging real newbies, rather than flagging newbie-helping characters, is a far better idea.

It does have character separation issues, but I think the advantages trump the implied admission that you have other characters too.

[Gertrude]

I think this is a great idea as i believe the true newbie stands allmost no chance at this unless givin lots of help

[Xerit]

In general I like this idea, but I think as I've stated in other threads that it needs to come packaged with other key "newbie oriented" adjustments to really be effective.

[lins]

Great idea! We need more players and this way, we (mortals) can identify them easily. I would be happy to spend a few hours to teach a real newbie the basics and get him started with some EQ.

[Corri]

Noted by lins:
I would be happy to spend a few hours to teach a real newbie the basics and get him started with some EQ.

I actually disagree with the second part of this. This is what makes old players choose to pretend to be newbies - they can get more equipment.

My recommendation to new players is to plan to play a character or two up to level 15 as a way to learn, and to have fun doing it. Then start working on good equipment etc. I have never met a new player who thinks they should be a strong character right out of the gates.