In game helpers for nuturing our noobs ;)
Mako
Join Date: 2011-07-04 Member: 107766Members
Join Date: 2011-07-04 Member: 107766Members
Came up with the idea originally <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=114071&view=findpost&p=1858251" target="_blank">here</a> whilst discussing the latest dev update regarding competitive play. Thought I would repost here as its the best spot for this discussion.
The basic concept is to have a select group (or pact) of players who are passionate about the game and want to share that with those discovering it for the first time (sometimes referred to as noobs ;) ). They would be in game helpers who were visible via a tag on the interface (like Veteran in NS1). Normal players just playing their own game but as a bearer of the tag expected to be polite and approachable individuals available to help new players with their questions. These people could really make a difference on release.
Lets face it NS2 and NS before it arent the easiest games to get into. Here is a common theme from the original mod...
<i><b>NSPlayer joined the game</b></i>
<i><b>NSPlayer joined marines side</b></i>
<b>Marine Comm: "There are fades attacking the phase gate at Generator!!! NSPlayer Get through the F-ing phase gate you noob!"</b>
<i><b>NSPlayer left the server</b></i>
Now as that was a free to play mod the chances are NSPlayer was put off completely by this first experience and just uninstalled. NS2 benefits only in the fact that people are paying for it and will stick with it a little longer, but that doesn't help our noob and his unsatisfying first taste of our beloved game.
I know there are others passionate about the game who really want others to get a great experience and dont mind spending a little time nurturing them. Even if its not an idea the developers want to adopt officially I would be more than happy to start a group (and build a website) devoted to this cause, have our own little tag and maybe make a difference for a few noobs out there.
[EDIT:] Just noticed my misspelling of Nurturing in the title, forgive me. At least I didnt write 'neutering our noobs', they definitely dont deserve THAT.
The basic concept is to have a select group (or pact) of players who are passionate about the game and want to share that with those discovering it for the first time (sometimes referred to as noobs ;) ). They would be in game helpers who were visible via a tag on the interface (like Veteran in NS1). Normal players just playing their own game but as a bearer of the tag expected to be polite and approachable individuals available to help new players with their questions. These people could really make a difference on release.
Lets face it NS2 and NS before it arent the easiest games to get into. Here is a common theme from the original mod...
<i><b>NSPlayer joined the game</b></i>
<i><b>NSPlayer joined marines side</b></i>
<b>Marine Comm: "There are fades attacking the phase gate at Generator!!! NSPlayer Get through the F-ing phase gate you noob!"</b>
<i><b>NSPlayer left the server</b></i>
Now as that was a free to play mod the chances are NSPlayer was put off completely by this first experience and just uninstalled. NS2 benefits only in the fact that people are paying for it and will stick with it a little longer, but that doesn't help our noob and his unsatisfying first taste of our beloved game.
I know there are others passionate about the game who really want others to get a great experience and dont mind spending a little time nurturing them. Even if its not an idea the developers want to adopt officially I would be more than happy to start a group (and build a website) devoted to this cause, have our own little tag and maybe make a difference for a few noobs out there.
[EDIT:] Just noticed my misspelling of Nurturing in the title, forgive me. At least I didnt write 'neutering our noobs', they definitely dont deserve THAT.
Comments
Taxen, you didn't. <a href="http://www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com/" target="_blank">http://www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com/</a>
More on topic, <3 the idea. I think it should be somewhat self-regulated, yet developer-supported.
For example, one way it could happen is... a player could choose to turn on the tag, or turn it off. In-game, other players could rate this player's helpfulness (those with the tag) with a 1 to 5-star rating (averaged); or if you wanna keep it simple, a +1 (green) or -1 (red).
Another way is simply for players to organise themselves (I think this is more along the lines of what you were suggesting), and apply for "helper" status - they would be approved by community moderators (or reported by players), which would display in-game which they could turn on and off (which would necessarily still require developer implementation).
Taxen, you didn't. <a href="http://www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com/" target="_blank">http://www.d-e-f-i-n-i-t-e-l-y.com/</a><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
aww, that is what I get for writing in the mornings.
"Read the manual!!"
Harimau, I love the star rating idea. I also think that if implemented perhaps there could be a separate voice channel that when assistance is requested the helper and player join so as not to spam comms for other team mates.
From what I read in Valve's DotA2 FAQ, they're planning on implementing something like this. If I understand it correctly, a player (a mentor) could basically piggy-back on a player (think of them as an involved spectator) and point out things, and they'd have a private voice channel, so that the spectating player can basically guide the new player. There will also be robust casting and replay systems. Mentors would be rated, and the game will be built around a community (which will be integrated into a new Steam platform), and there would be some benefits (probably aesthetic) to being an involved and helpful community member. But this is Valve... they'll probably take longer with DotA2 than UWE will with NS2.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Harimau, I love the star rating idea. I also think that if implemented perhaps there could be a separate voice channel that when assistance is requested the helper and player join so as not to spam comms for other team mates.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yes. A separate voice channel would be excellent. Most of these features should be implemented into the scoreboard UI. Players can rate someone with "Helper" status by giving them a star rating (or a +1/-1 rating) on the scoreboard; and Helpers could click an icon next to players' names to invite them into a private voice channel, for them to mentor. A better spectator system (perhaps interactive like the DotA2 example) will also be necessary, for those Helpers who want to mentor. The icon should probably be coupled with a very obvious "HELPER" in like, green text. Perhaps when a player joins a server, it will get the list of helpers currently connected and a flash of text will say Mako, Taxen0 and Harimau are here to help, ask them for any advice" or something along those lines - it should be easy enough to ignore (become routine) for veteran players, but obvious enough to see for new players. Of course, an external, developer-operated server will be necessary to remember the rating information, but it can probably be the same as the stats-tracking server.
I guess I should have said the job of admins on well-run servers.
but I not sure it would even have to involve the admins of a server.
I think a universal system will be easier. you could give an optional blacklist option to the admins
so they can disable bad helpers from your server.
Saved me a lot of bullets.
Fair enough. I just question whether there are enough people willing to do this for it to be effective. IMO, it would only work if either 1) it was in their job description (i.e. as an admin) or 2) there was some other major incentive (like getting a custom title on the forum, think Constellation members).