Becoming more friendly to new players

[Howlando]

No, I agree that it sounds like we should make the link more prominent somehow.

I mean, it really is plastered lots of places (server description also I think? as well as multiple places in the start area...), but I don't doubt people miss it.

[Barehander]

People will always miss it, though. It's a fact that even if you write something in huge blinking neon letters and stick it in the middle of the monitor, a good number of players will still not pay notice.

Anyway, that's a good post, Howland!

[EfU.Scroll]

I think a lot of the information is out there, the problem may be the presentation. What about having an OOC NPC in the start area (the area you first log into when you create a new character) that is labeled something like "New Player Advice". I would have this NPC have a dialogue that goes over some things that are apparent to older players.

1. The wild areas (including the sewers!) are dangerous on EfU and should not be attempted alone. The red NPCs in the wilds are there to give the server a certain feeling. They are -not- there to level you, they are dangerous!
2. Quests are meant to be done in a group, if its a quest for more than one person its probably a combat quest and you need a good group.
3. The solo quests are meant to be done by one person and in general dont get you into to much trouble.
4. Right click and examine a NPC to see if they offer a quest, what the levels of that quest are, and how many players can go on that quest.
5. You see a lot of consumables offered on quests, thats for a reason. Quests on EfU often require using those consumables to survive the quest.
6. There are a lot of mechanics changes going on. Go to //www.escapefromunderdark.com to read up on some of them (especially if you are playing a cleric, mage, or bard).
7. Its a roleplaying server, the best way to get involved is to attempt to join up with a group of players IG. Recommend some DM factions (or create one or two) that are good for new players to get involved in and see the greatness that is EfU at its best.

[Lulzebub]

I'm actually helping out a newbie right now, so I'll ask him the next time he logs in.

[Capricious]

Well, as a recently new player I can tell you a couple things I'd like improved on for new players. For one, by this time a lot of new players really are old hats at NWN, and may not appear to be so "new" to the casual eye. However, these kinds of players also tend to decide quickly if they want to stay on EfUA, so they need to be snapped up quick.

One thing that really would help (that still confuses and surprises me at times) is having a better idea of the myriad of things possible here. There's' far more unique things that a character can achieve, whether through apps, or factions, or just through impressing DMs, than I've seen on any other PW I've played on. But to an extent, since I'm still being having my eyes opened on exactly what these things are oftentimes, I have no idea that I can actually work toward those kinds of things.

Of course it's impossible to sit down and list these things, nor would you want to if you could. But I think that if DMs see new players that impress they could hook them to stay on EfUA pretty easily if they gave them a little ingame attention early on, something that makes them realize that so much more is possible here than on most other NWN PWs. That kind of thing goes a very long way. People will stick around that much longer where maybe they get past the acclimation period, and EfUA scores yet another great roleplayer.

[Hilltop]

I know it's always said to be on the 'to do list' but UPDATE the webpage.  Make it actually say what changes are made, correctly mind you, and also the factions as well.  As a new player to places I often read the webpage first and if what is on the server doesn't match with what the webpage says it would throw me off alot.

THIS.

[Divine Intervention]

Here's my idea for helping to soften death for new players.  Often death in the wilds leaves players annoyed and frustrated and it's not always easy getting help.  Perhaps an NPC in the Pallid Mask Mausoleum who offers assistance to those who end up there.  E.g. "hey you're awake, guess you must have had a nasty accident, come speak with me" offers a couple of free invis potions to recover your gear only for level 5 and under or something.

[Dirtskunk]

There's obviously a lot of little things that could help along new folks in familiarizing them with the website and style of EFU:A, and that is great that those things are or are going to be implemented.

Really, I think the best thing is alerting veteran players here that helping newer folks goes a long way, regardless of whether it's a PC or a DM. I know when I was new and people were actually going out of their way to help me I was genuinely impressed.

A simple tell to acknowledge who you assume is a new person, that you're more than willing to answer any and all questions to the best of your ability that they have, and to help them out, doesn't seem like much initially; but when a lot of people do it together the new player will obviously recognize this for the actually welcoming community it is. (even behind the jaded rude behavior of some IRCers and other mofos)

You can always at the least direct them to the right place to look or someone else anyways. (#efu: x is new help him/her usually seems surprisingly productive)

It's pretty cheesy, but it's just one of those 'do your part' things, in my opinion.

[Lulzebub]

the jaded rude behavior of some IRCers

Toning that down would help a lot. When I'm introducing a new player to the server, that is always a huge turn-off.

[Dirtskunk]

Well, personally I do not think it's cool to have certain people to act a certain way just because you don't really fancy it, but can understand the impact it can have on new players. It is not really a specific group/person that does it. ;)

Regardless, as Howland said, despite this, people in the 'category' are more than willing to shape up to welcome a new person (usually). I think that ensuring a new player that a lot of the tomfoolery there is in complete jest and we are actually all talking about a game, meant to help each other have fun, helps a lot rather than forcing everyone to some sort of code of conduct.

[Lumiere]

Perhaps some sort of updated "IG Almanac" that would tell new players of the plots that are available for pursuits (and perhaps which faction to question about it), because navigating the forums and searching for relevant information can be a daunting task for a new player.
 
I also believe one should be quick to grab people up for various factions and plots, there's nothing that makes you feel quite like home if people are wanting your help with stuff, even if it's say, just a patrol of the city.
 
Also it might be beneficial to tell people (IC and OOC) where they can find other PCs hanging around (The Kingsman or the Wastrel aren't that obvious). I've been in contact with a few new players who simply cannot find other PCs to interact with, and that is probably the biggest turn-off there is.

[Egon the Monkey]

I'd suggest having the start portals offer newbie info in the following way:

Are you a new player on this server?
Yes (go to new player guide)
No. (Go to are you ready to start your journey)

Are you ready to start your journey?
Yes
No

Did you want to see the New Player Guide again?
Continue to new player guide (launch it again)
No, I'll teleport in. (start)

Anyone skipping through in a hurry will be clicking the top option a lot, and hopefully bounce themselves back to the new player guide a couple of times, making them more likely to read it. Anyone actually taking the time to read it will be able to easily start. I tend to throw "Hi, are you new" tells to anyone using a base description, running around or looking clueless, and offer them a few tips, but a hard to miss IG explanation would go a long way.

[Drakill Tannan]

Here's my idea for helping to soften death for new players.  Often death in the wilds leaves players annoyed and frustrated and it's not always easy getting help.  Perhaps an NPC in the Pallid Mask Mausoleum who offers assistance to those who end up there.  E.g. "hey you're awake, guess you must have had a nasty accident, come speak with me" offers a couple of free invis potions to recover your gear only for level 5 and under or something.

This is an exelent idea.

Have this trigger only once, and only if the player who died did so at levels 2-4. Furthermore don't give any XP loss when this happens, but have the NPC warn OOCly: "Next time you die, you will not be offered recovery gear, and you will loose a third of your total XP, wich may cause you to become one or two levels lower than you are".

This would certianly help a lot.

[Garem]

Once you get to that point though, many new players are already frustrated and leaving.

Honestly, the best responses I've gotten from new players always happens in Tells. Connect personally, and then connect through your character. Any way to facilitate hooking new players up with old players to teach them EfU basics like consumables, quests, even how to RP would be ideal.

Honestly, one of the biggest points raised earlier that has had serious unintended consequences of the absurdity that is the "new player account for each character" thing. On one hand, it helps the DMs hide amongst us more easily. On the other hand, I now end up offering every secret Kotenku account helpful advice for new players.

Jokes aside, it really does make it hard to have a community where people know each other and can help our "new faces".

[GoblinSapper]

Something that pushes a person towards the starter quests in the Mythaller room. Seriously, there's no direction there beyond "Speak to blahblahblah".
 
Some OOC explaination of quest givers too.