There are many topics about what keeps us playing this game, and what HCS should do to keep the new players that trickle in interested long enough to stick around and become part of the community. But, how often do we consider how much of this is our responsibility as well? Tonight, while hanging out on global chat as I usually do, a brand new player came in and said "Hello". He was warmly welcomed to a guild by a veteran player, generously buffed by another, and had lively conversation with us all. I predict this player will join the ranks of the addicted as we teach him how to play the whole game. This is what we did in the old days. I remember in my first guild, helping my guild founder scope out the online players list for brand new players. Those that went before passed down their knowledge. Players like AzUK and Mowglik and Crace made maps and guides to help us all through. The original USFG was Crace's creation. It was an invaluable tool then, as it is now. Anyway, back on point, we didn't have chat like we do now. You had to have an IRC client to communicate in real time, or as WK does, have a Skype chat room set up for the guild. We should be using global chat to welcome new players that pop in and encourage them, as we did this new player tonight. It doesn't hurt us to give free advice to the new guys, and it can't be anything but good for the game.