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Newbie Helpers (official ones)


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Poll: Is this a good idea? (81 member(s) have cast votes)

Is this a good idea?

  1. Yes, great idea! (76 votes [57.58%])

    Percentage of vote: 57.58%

  2. Yes, but there could be changes to make it better (18 votes [13.64%])

    Percentage of vote: 13.64%

  3. No, this idea isn't anything that would help the game (11 votes [8.33%])

    Percentage of vote: 8.33%

  4. Yes, and I would be interested in being a newbie helper. (27 votes [20.45%])

    Percentage of vote: 20.45%

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#1 Zukira

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Posted 24 November 2007 - 16:04

EDITED FOR CLARITY, and some tweaking of the idea.

We know many new players need help getting started and might not find the forum, tutorial or chat right away. A little help might help keep the new player from being overwhelmed, and help get them hooked on the game.

Many of the people who are getting recruits are new themselves so aren't able to teach someone else how to play since they're still learning too. Couple this with the fact that the tutorial is out of date, reads like an EULA, and it isn't very hands on. So while in theory it might be explaining how things work, it isn't really teaching mechanics overly well, nor is it providing up to date, salient information that will benefit a new player long term.

What I propose:

* Add hand picked volunteer newbie helpers
* Don't require it as a full time activity.
* Helper availability on and off indicator in profile which has to be ticked 'on' when a player logs on, or is able to help, and ticked 'off' when finished or when player logs off. Default setting would be 'off' when logging in.
* Automatically have the indicator turn off after three (3) hours, in case someone forgets to log off.
* Notification of status change in helper's log.

* make helpers easy to locate (see images)
* Links below: 'view tutorial' and 'view online players' 'chat with a newbie helper' or 'view online newbie helpers'
* Allow (possibly) a method for helpers to indicate which languages they are able to speak well.
* help irc channel
* Helper indicator for who might be on irc (also ticked 'on' by the helper if they're in irc)


Why?
Having readily available newbie helpers would be like an outreach project which acts as a method of absorbing new players into the community. Since the community is generally the heart of the game and being part of it adds to how loyal someone might be to the game, getting people into that community early is important.

How would these people be chosen?
The initial group could apply and HCS would decide which of those people are appropriate, much like applications were taken for moderators. Later additions could be screened first by those who are already newbie helpers and then nominated. This would cut down on having additions to the newbie helper pool being as much work as it possibly could be. These people should be those who show a clear understanding of the game, a sensible grasping knowledge of the rules, and be level headed and newbie friendly.

Why would people volunteer?
* Helpers get to know these new players, and in a sense, get cream of the crop for a recruitment field for their guilds.
* Knowledge that they're helping the game grow and retain players.
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Images mentioned earlier:
Posted Image Posted Image


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~additional reasons to volunteer~
(ideas for minor rewards **Non transferable! ** )

* Medals for numbers of newbies helped.
* Helper credits awarded if a newbie feels they were assisted. Points would be good for use towards various things, such as a free ticket in a lotto for a certain number of helped points.
* increased stamina regeneration for x number of hours, for turning in helper credits.
* a small amount of extra stamina, for turning in helper credits.

A reward isn't necessary but might be a nice bonus (or reimbursement in cases where temporary increased regeneration is an option) if there is a reason to later offer an incentive, or a reward as a thank you to the players.

How would you avoid abuse of being a helper if a reward was given?
To circumvent abuse issues, a helper could not get helper credits from anyone they themselves recruit to the game. They'd still be getting bonuses for helping their own recruits, the same bonuses that everyone else gets. Being a helper, and helping your own recruits would not be a cause for 'double dipping' the system. Only players within a specific level range would be able to give a helped credit.

If you say that something could be modified in this to make it better, please post what you suggest

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#2 fs_deemer

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Posted 24 November 2007 - 16:09

Too much words :shock:

but by teh sound of this idea i like it. Anything to make people stay active.

#3 TheEggman

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Posted 24 November 2007 - 18:05

great idea!...i like helping new guys...and each time i see a noob do something rediculous i tell him his mistake...today ive seen a third level dude biding for a helm which is 71lvl for 300g thinking that he could wear it...he probobly saw it first on item lotery since its a "noobie hangout" and after non wining it (i won lol) he tried to buy it...i just sent him darn thing it costs like 100-200g and explained how it works...

#4 fs_bigbluedog

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Posted 25 November 2007 - 03:11

Too much words :shock:

but by teh sound of this idea i like it. Anything to make people stay active.



#5 fs_mags

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Posted 25 November 2007 - 03:58

i'd do it without incentive from the game but can understand that newbies may be more comfy with the idea of a game-approved person assisting with inquiries. sign me up, for what it's worth... more than happy to help people develop a new addiction. :D

#6 fs_dapredator

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Posted 25 November 2007 - 04:50

i sometimes do it already, if there comes an option that can allow me to choose when i do it, happy to do so

#7 fs_thrender

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Posted 25 November 2007 - 05:36

There have been designated NH's in other games I've played(in fact a couple play this game as well) and it's worked out great...I think this would work great here as well...

#8 Zukira

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Posted 25 November 2007 - 20:45

glad to know I'm not the only one willing to be an official helper.

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#9 Willoughby

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Posted 25 November 2007 - 22:16

Nice idea, hopefully it'll get HCS backing.

4re39x.jpg
That's how long I've been waiting for this game.


#10 fs_devinegod

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Posted 25 November 2007 - 22:56

Why do we need this? FS already has the community to help the newbs, I'm sure they'd appreciate a helping instead of asking rewards for it.

EDIT: This sounds like just another way to get FSP. It's not THAT hard to get FSP.

#11 Zukira

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Posted 26 November 2007 - 00:16

if I'm not mistaken, I said that originally, I had thought that might be nice, since it would give people who couldnt get fsp a way to earn them but I said in the post that I felt rewards weren't really necessary, maybe a medal (which does nothing) but thats about it. The benefits of having more active players outweighs the time involved in my humble opinion.

Why would FS need something like this? .... well, theres how many level 1 players? The tutorial really isn't accurate, or helpful, as the introduction states. Besides, some people learn a game better when they can talk to someone, rather than be bombarded with a wall of text and rats of doom.

Standard arsenal for a newbie helper would be a smidgeon of gold (to buy gear with from ah) and a couple buffs to help the new folks with leveling. A helper could guide the person through buying their gear, be there to explain it might take 10 minutes to drop off auction house, and explain why stats should go where they go, and why some stats aren't worth bothering with. How hard is that? Those of us with bigger packs, who might do regular helping might even just hold onto a padded armor and a pickaxe for recycling. *shrug*

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#12 DarthViper

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Posted 26 November 2007 - 03:32

Good idea.

#13 TheEggman

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Posted 26 November 2007 - 15:21

and it should be in lenguages...like in alphabetic order of countries...cuz its pretty hard to find help if you speak norwegian or something...but thats kinda dumb cuz english is a must...

its like only a few advices and an advice on what item to buy or something...its easier like that than to post on forums...i had to explain a guy how to run fallenguide and such...

and that first quest "rat slayer" should be blue when you step on it...its something like silver square on your right and most of us didnt even see it...and you just stumble on it theres no house or anything...

wow sounds would be great...like in the swapm frogs and crickets and such...in the caves water dripping in the forest birds and leaves...and its optional you can just turn it off...

what will happen next?...im waiting :/

#14 fs_dolfie

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Posted 26 November 2007 - 16:32

Good idea…
And for the lAnguages, Ill do dutch :+]

#15 Zukira

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Posted 26 November 2007 - 18:32

The idea of the gear is to maybe help them through the auction house, so they learn how it works.

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#16 fs_faebie

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Posted 26 November 2007 - 20:18

The idea of the gear is to maybe help them through the auction house, so they learn how it works.


NUUUUUUUUU! Don't tell them!!!!

#17 Onemanmob

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Posted 26 November 2007 - 22:35

I guess the new recruiting rules obligate you to help each new recruit you bring into the game.
But as for official helpers? nah.

#18 Zukira

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Posted 28 November 2007 - 14:30

I wouldn't say they require you to - but they certainly encourage you to.

Still, how often are you on at the same time as your recruiter?
How often are the majority of new recruits also recruited by people who are still very fresh and new to the game themselves?


Its not like the idea is to spoon feed the newbies. Part of what is important about newbie helpers is that they give a new player the feeling that 'hey, there are people besides me playing right now, besides my recruiter too - wow there is a whole community' and it draws them in.

The active retention levels for players would go up. That has been the case in many a game I've played where newbie helpers have been introduced.

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When in doubt, lean to the side of mercy.

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#19 fs_fishball2

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Posted 29 November 2007 - 04:27

How are these newbie locators located?

I don't know if you intended it in your post, but would there be something similar to the Shout Box on the home page that tells people what newbie helpers are online and how long they've been online? And how many people they're currently helping?

Also, in case a NH is only signing on for a quick second, they should have something in their profile similar to "Check this box to make yourself appear on the "Newbie Helper Shout Box" on the home page" etc

But yes, newbie helpers would be a great idea!

#20 fs_devinegod

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Posted 29 November 2007 - 04:43

Still a bad idea, helping newbs isn't a job it's called being nice. And the tutorial works just fine, players quit because they play without bothering to read it and get frustrated because they read like a quarter of it.


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