An Outfit to Help New Players

[Discovery Pilot]

The original post on the official forums, since I'm too lazy to type it all out: https://forums.station.sony.com/ps2/index.php?threads/an-outfit-to-help-new-players.145697/

It's a long and messy post, but it basically comes down to this: It would be nice to have something like the newbie corporations in EVE for PS2, since it also has a rather steep learning curve. An outfit led by experienced players, but made up mostly of new players who learn how to play the game, and see how much fun it is in an organized group. I'm pretty tired, so the idea is really messy and probably needs a lot of revision, but I'm just throwing it out here for everyone to critique. Thoughts?

[snafus]

Funny thing is I was about to right up a post supporting this same idea. I do agree that SOE needs to implement a system that allows newer players to be centralized into one group so they can be accessible to veteran players. PS2 is a very confusing game for many of our new comers and having people to assist from day one helps keep many from quiting.

I also feel that there needs to be a /help chat that is optional to be turned on or off. If there was an easy to access comms between new and vet players it only makes the transition into playing the game that much easier. Maybe even go a step further and somehow setup a reward system for players who assist on the help channel.

And though this has been on their plans for a while there really needs to be an outfit list in game. Can't say how many dudes I have told to check the recruitment threads when they were looking for an outfit. If there was an easily accesable list of outfits along with a friendly and easy to use new player interface. It could only help retain many new players rather then see so many quit due to lack of knowledge on what to do.

[Calista]

Not a bad idea for a new player friendly outfit listing. Something else crossed my mind like using one of the BI maps (with 3 wg's because I am certain a completely new cont would be out of the question) for a noob friendly zone. It would be isolated from main game and just be a standalone "on the job training" area. Something like only BR1-10 could play on it but of course they would also be allowed into main game at anytime. Anything above that wouldn't be allowed to join the continent. Would give a chance to learn the game with players of similar knowledge level and make friends in the process before jumping into the core game. At any rate there are some good ideas floating around here lately and it will likely take a combination of several ideas to help the situation.

[maradine]

We'd love to have new players cycle through us once a week, but I can't see us organizing something around it ourselves.

[Calista]

I tell you though, if the official forums are indicative of the new player base these days, anyone taking this on has a real challenge on their hands :lol:

[Rolfski]

I posted this idea ages ago, it's called Planetside Military Academy (http://www.planetside-universe.com/showthread.php?t=50039).

[siliconsmiley]

Interesting. What's to prevent players from remaining in the noobie outfit permanently?

[snafus]

Interesting. What's to prevent players from remaining in the noobie outfit permanently?

Maybe have a level ceiling of 20? If new players don't find an outfit or group of people to play with by that level then they are set adrift. But they will at least have been exposed to the help channel and others sources if information. Giving them a much needed boost that our current new players are generally lacking.

[CzuukWaterson]

Maybe have a level ceiling of 20? If new players don't find an outfit or group of people to play with by that level then they are set adrift. But they will at least have been exposed to the help channel and others sources if information. Giving them a much needed boost that our current new players are generally lacking.

Not a bad suggestion, but too easily exploited. If the perks are good enough, people will exploit it. In a free to play game, exploitation could be rampant.

[OCNSethy]

Not a bad idea but Czuuk, what is there to exploit?

[siliconsmiley]

Not a bad idea but Czuuk, what is there to exploit?

In EVE you get protection. I'm assuming there would be some kind of perks. If not, then maybe there is nothing. Some ideas mentioned where removal of resource timers. That would be exploitable.

[snafus]

Not a bad suggestion, but too easily exploited. If the perks are good enough, people will exploit it. In a free to play game, exploitation could be rampant.

I don't foresee any exploits to come from this. That starter "outfit" or what ever it could be, is simply a concentration of new players. It will allow them to have access to the help channel to ask questions and maybe even have an outfit recruitment list to help them find a home. If there is anything bad that can come of it I don't see it now.

Edit: saw your latest post and I personally feel there should be no advantage to being a new player. The starter outfit should be purely information and recruitment based in my opinion.

[robocpf1]

An in-game "Help" channel by itself would also be a fantastic addition to the game, now that you mention it.

[OCNSethy]

In EVE you get protection. I'm assuming there would be some kind of perks. If not, then maybe there is nothing. Some ideas mentioned where removal of resource timers. That would be exploitable.

Oh, okay... yeah that may be an issue but I guess it will depend on how it is set up.

I would have thought that a newbie platoon / squad would be more of a mentoring / guidance thing.

Having said that, it may run the risk of being farmed aggressively by any opposition they run into, without some sort of protective mechanic.... lambs to the slaughter, so to speak.

[CzuukWaterson]

Oh, okay... yeah that may be an issue but I guess it will depend on how it is set up.

I would have thought that a newbie platoon / squad would be more of a mentoring / guidance thing.

Having said that, it may run the risk of being farmed aggressively by any opposition they run into, without some sort of protective mechanic.... lambs to the slaughter, so to speak.

Yeah that's kinda where I was going. If there is some perk (and there probably should be) it has to be balanced. Would have to provide the experienced players some perks to get them to do it, and the new players some additional reason to stay.

It does seem like a good idea if it's done right. There does need to be something to help new players. I'm sure there are plenty of people who are excited to get into the game but then after getting farmed for an hour or so just never come back.

[Calista]

The problem will become, if not already, that there is no "middle class". You will have constant turnover rate on the low end and no one buying anything on the high end since most have what they already need. Not a good economic position for a game or hell a country for that matter.

[snafus]

The problem will become, if not already, that there is no "middle class". You will have constant turnover rate on the low end and no one buying anything on the high end since most have what they already need. Not a good economic position for a game or hell a country for that matter.

That is a true statement calista. That is why I feel a proper new player environment could help retain more players that try out the game. If newer players had an opportunity to be assisted from day one we could avoid them getting farmed day in day out. And if players are not being destroyed on a constant basis they may feel more inclined to spend money on the game.

[DevilzRightHand]

Until they do this "new ppl squad" so we vets to the game can help them out.

We should do a call out and let them write there names and each of us here on the forum take 1 prao ^^

[snafus]

Until they do this "new ppl squad" so we vets to the game can help them out.

We should do a call out and let them write there names and each of us here on the forum take 1 prao ^^

Problem is the vast majority of new players don't even know about or don't bother looking at the forums. We the players can only do so much at this point. SOE needs to pick up the ball and give us more tools to assist the new comers to PS2.

[Wahooo]

This video belongs here.

Planetside 2: New Horizon - YouTube


On top of that, the game really needs something. Some way of funneling brand new players into a learning environment. But it can't be overly forced as there are plenty who don't need it and would be just as put off by something that is pushing easy mode on them. Something where outfits could sign up to be on a list and the game could offer those as squads/outfits to start on at the end of the tutorial? As well some of the new player suggestions in the return of TB thread like giving new players a hundred or so certs.

I like to snipe, and feel so bad that a good number of my victims are BR1 or less than 5. Sometimes I go into the players stats page to check on them, and I wonder if they ever come back. I don't know but some way to help guys like this not get a bad taste about the game.

https://players.planetside2.com/#!/5428106629447508337/killboard

45 minutes of play. 1 kill 13 deaths. 9 maybe 10 of those deaths (depends on the how he died to the commissioner) were ?where dahfuk that come from insta death. Then the obligatory run over by a friendly tank to finish his day. Is this guy ever coming back? Is there someway he could be helped to make the game more palatable or even the first experience fun and retain him or have him spread the word? I see these guys a lot looking through my own kill logs, normally it is one I kill who just dropped in. I feel a bit bad when I see they are BR1 and think, whoops well welcome to the game. Then a minute later in a big group I hit the easiest target... damn same BR1. I check his kill board from curiosity and they soooo often look just like this guy.

I don't really have much for ideas on HOW to fix this just throwing out there what I see as a possible problem.

[DevilzRightHand]

....

[capiqu]

It's Boot Camp for all BR 1 to 10. Let them learn how to work together.

[JohnnyRicardo]

I remember this battlerank five coming to the same little base on Amerish over and over again in a desperate attempt to cap the point. At the last attempt he came in a liberator, landed it by the building and ran for the point. I found him in the exact same corner every single time. At the time i was happy for the free xp, but damn. Poor lad. :/

[snafus]

I remember this battlerank five coming to the same little base on Amerish over and over again in a desperate attempt to cap the point. At the last attempt he came in a liberator, landed it by the building and ran for the point. I found him in the exact same corner every single time. At the time i was happy for the free xp, but damn. Poor lad. :/

Have similar situations in the air when I shoot down low BR pilots. I get the occasional tell on how are they suppose to learn if they can never get away from the BR100's hunting them. I try to give them tips and offer them good pilots to fly with on their faction. But many of those players will simply quit due to a lack of guidance and support.

[Calista]

If I were Pro7 I would be leaning hard on SOE for something to help improve new player retention. From what I understand they are doing a good job of advertising and getting new players to try the game. However, it seems these new guys don't stick around very long and the advert money is being wasted. Now on the other hand you have SOE going headlong into competitive MLG mode which is directed at the most experienced players. SOE and Pro7 need to get on the same page because as it is now they don't look very coordinated in their efforts, which is kinda sad and wasteful.