Newbie Helping Functions

[Grakrim]

No, its nothing like a tutorial. This is merely a method to give newbs the help they need when they first log in that doesn\'t spam the global channel.  However, I\'m conflicted on how I\'d like to see it implemented, any clues?  Well, here are my two ideas on the subject:

1) A global /newbie channel, much like /shout other then that can be turned on and off.

2) A /helper command that flags the current player as a newbie helper.  Newbs then use the /newbie command to find an online newbie helper.  This kind of system could even offer the possibility of a helper ratings and rankings.

Method 1 would be, by far, easier to implement, but more prone to abuse.  Method 2 would likely be less prone to abuse, as the helping player has to go out of their way to flag themself; but #2 might be more confusing to the newb, especially if they don\'t have MUDing or MMORPG experience with /tell.

In fact, Star Wars Galxies will be using a system like #2.  In contrast, I\'ve been on multiple MUDs with the /newbie command.  So both systems have actually been implemented in other games, demonstrating their plausablity and appeal.

[Jefka]

I suggest quite simply that a simple text screen appears the first time you run the game ; lots of people haven\'t even read the website ...i\'m only here since 3 days but anyway it is normal to ask some help to xperienced users....but I agree that saying : how do you buy weapons and kill monsters is like spam....

Simply, draw a text file on the first run , that would be fairly enough ( and the cahnnel idea is quite good too )

[hook]

the first idea\'s better IMO ...and is 100% compatible with the new chat idea (has a thread of it\'s own) ...i\'d go for that

[tygerwilde]

heh, I like the newbie help channel idea, and flagging yourself as a helper, that makes it easy to choose to help others, but some people might abuse it, use all this just to torment new players. anyone caught abusing the newbie help channel should be insta banned, and if they\'re giving a new player a hard time they should get warned strongly... I can vaugely remember my hardships as a new online gamer... and it\'s not very fun to have people cuss you out because you don\'t know how to swear to them or that sort of thing... btw, I wasn\'t stupid enough to swear to a person AFTER they cussed me...

[Vengeance]

Actually I like both of these ideas.

The question is, if a newbie refuses to read *anything* before playing, how will they find out about the /newbie channel, etc.?

[DizzleCorinthos]

Ive always liked the mentorship approach best.  If there was a system in place to promote this, I think that would be the most effective way of teaching newbies.  

Possibly a sign-up form to tryout for the job.  Once approved, you type in a command in game that says that your active for receiving \'newbie tickets\', (ie /newbiehelper active).  Then when a newbie needs help, they put in their own command, (ie /newbiehelp descriptionofquestionorproblem).  That would send out a request to the newbie help system and it would \'round-robin\' with a prompt until someone accepted.  The helper would receive a msg like \"A newbie is requesting help, are you able to assist?  Type /newbiehelper accept to assist.\"  Then you would be transported next to the newbie, (and made to be invulnerable and unable to attack, so people couldnt request newbie help just to get someone killed).  

From there you could help with any problem.  At the end, the helper would type a command like /newbiehelper finish.  This would prompt the newbie with something like, \"The newbie helper has concluded their help.  Did the newbie helper help you?  Please type either /newbiehelp yes or /newbiehelp no. \"  There is a minor QA check.  

Also, you could have a random 5 question survey come out every 10 or so helps.  It would rank the helpfulness of a newbie helper.  Something like this:

Did the newbie helper assist you with all the questions that you had? Yes or no.  

Please rate the helpfulness of the newbie helper you just received assistance from. 1-5, five being the best.

etc.  

You get the idea.

For the newbie helpers, offer them something special.  Access to a special shop that carries very odd and rare items.  A 5% discount to all shops.  Access to a private hunting grounds for only newbie helpers.  etc.  Make people want to be there.  Helping people out should be considered an elite status, it\'s a mentally taxing job.  Trust me, I do it EVERYDAY.  

Thanks for reading!