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/...layers.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

[Rolfski]

I posted this idea ages ago, it's called Planetside Military Academy.

[siliconsmiley]

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

[snafus]

Originally Posted by siliconsmiley

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]

Originally Posted by snafus

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]

Originally Posted by OCNSethy

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]

Originally Posted by CzuukWaterson

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]

Originally Posted by siliconsmiley

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]

Originally Posted by OCNSethy

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.