Originally posted by rakshak
First question most newbies ask: How do I play this game.
Possible solution: 1. Tutorial before starting actual game,
Suggested multiple times - run a search through the Wishlist section, and you will see loads upon loads of threads concerning in-game newbie tutorials.
2. In-game newbie orientation by experienced players,
It\'s being done :)
3. At least tell a newbie through the system chat, or pop a message on the screen that *you can ask for help in the HELP tab in communication window*.
This is one of the messages that already appear in the chat window as soon as the PlaneShift world loads. Granted, it\'s one of the many. But a decent player should always read the player guide before jumping in anyway - thus he or she has the first responsibility.
Second question newbies ask: How do I attack?
Possible solution: When everyone starts their game (newbie or older or anyone), there should be a message if the NPC is down, and *possibly* information on when should it start.
What, like a count-down? ;) If the very second question newbies ask is \"How do I attack?\" they need to be told very thoroughly that PlaneShift isn\'t meant to be combat-oriented, and there are things to do that do not involve attacking - particularly when NPC client is unavailable. There is exploration, and most of all, roleplay.
Third question: Where are the monsters?
Answer: explore.
Possible solution: First combat site should be searchable by newbies fairly easily.
Ey? Why is that? Again, PlaneShift isn\'t combat-oriented, and since players start in cities which are
not built near monster-infested sites (though there are the sewers and the Hydlaa Arena) immediate combat areas do not make much sense.
If someone cant\' find his/her way, he/she will simply leave the game (and possibly fall back to whatever other game they were earlier playing).
If someone has such little patience and desire to explore, they aren\'t likely to bring anything to the community - definitely not any roleplay, which is what matters most. I wouldn\'t regret such people\'s departures.
My question: Why aren\'t we making planeshift more user friendly?
Possible answer: We are, but the developers aren\'t paid to work *that hard* ;)
True answer: This is a tech demo, where a working code at the moment means a whole lot more than making entry easier for lazy players ;)