Official Training Guild/Academy for New Players

[DezNutz]

I think most people just dont want the slow pace of the game there are so many games that you dont have to wait for hours or days to make a move. But thats the game thats one thing i like, most things on here dont happen really fast.. and most people are probably overwelmd when they realize the scope of time it will take to grow large and just give up.. i almost did

That is quite the possibility. I find that more plausible than social interaction (lack there of) as a cause; however, the extent of any cause or whether a suggestion could have any effect would still be an unknown. The best approach to new players would be to make the tutorials as practical as possible while also providing as much information as possible. At that point, it is the player's choice to continue.

In a more specific notes to this suggestion, I don't see this being beneficial at all. The experienced players would have to be completely unbiased towards any guild , nation, player, or playing style. They would also need to have sufficient knowledge of game mechanics to direct the new players without bias. Additionally these players would have to be 100% self-sufficient in the game, as being in this "official guild" they would be completely by themselves without any support. Furthermore what exactly are these experienced players doing that can't be taught in the tutorials? Are they there to coerce players to stay in the game?

[Sir Thalius Hayle]

I think most people just dont want the slow pace of the game there are so many games that you dont have to wait for hours or days to make a move. But thats the game thats one thing i like, most things on here dont happen really fast.. and most people are probably overwelmd when they realize the scope of time it will take to grow large and just give up.. i almost did

As I have watched the new members to the game fail to progress, it does not look like most get far enough to realize how long it will take to do anything. I understand what you are saying though, as I am one who likes these kinds of games as well.

The suggestion is simply geared toward the idea of providing a way for them to connect with something that will keep them around long enough to see what they are walking away from. This is an online game that is big on community and social interaction. I thought it might be helpful to start them out with it in the context of learning the game rather than hoping they find their way into it before leaving. Many would still leave, probably most, but I'd wager a good bit that the game would retain more players if they connected with their peers and other players in the game faster.

~TH~

Oh,

and a check mark next to the box that says Dez doesn't approve of the idea.

[DezNutz]

Oh,

and a check mark next to the box that says Dez doesn't approve of the idea.

What gave you that idea?

[Shadowood]

Oh,

and a check mark next to the box that says Dez doesn't approve of the idea.

+1

[DezNutz]

Oh,

and a check mark next to the box that says Dez doesn't approve of the idea.

+1

I was going to say that I don't have an official stance on suggestions until after Shadowood has commented, but I decided against it. Low and behold, the next post was made by none other than....... Shadowood.

[Meliva]

I disagree that this would be ineffective to helping increase the percentage of players to stay. Though I agree that finding the right mentors for the job might prove challenging. A large percentage of active players were once part of a training guild, many players also state that it was largely thanks to the community they remained, I myself probably would have quit if not for HELM inviting me in. To establish a mandatory training guild that players automatically get sorted in may be beneficial, and I think it certainly deserves a chance. It wouldn't even need to keep and train players for very long- just long enough to help them decide what path they wish to take and point them into a guild that may help them in that path. Wanna be a pirate? well go to the PIRAT guild, or maybe MERC. And the tutors wouldn't need to be 100% self efficient either Dez, since the Tutors could support each other. And I would hope many players would hold some measure of respect for those players and not hit them particularly hard unwarranted.

[DezNutz]

The suggestion is simply geared toward the idea of providing a way for them to connect with something that will keep them around long enough to see what they are walking away from.

Coercing new players into staying? That is a great idea. Why didn't I think of that. Oh I know why, because it's a bad idea and can give this game bad publicity. New players needs to stay out of their own free choice. Trying to coax new players into staying is beyond a bad idea.


Places check mark next to the box that says, stupid idea by player with head inserted in butt.

I disagree that this would be ineffective to helping increase the percentage of players to stay. Though I agree that finding the right mentors for the job might prove challenging. A large percentage of active players were once part of a training guild, many players also state that it was largely thanks to the community they remained, I myself probably would have quit if not for HELM inviting me in. To establish a mandatory training guild that players automatically get sorted in may be beneficial, and I think it certainly deserves a chance. It wouldn't even need to keep and train players for very long- just long enough to help them decide what path they wish to take and point them into a guild that may help them in that path. Wanna be a pirate? well go to the PIRAT guild, or maybe MERC. And the tutors wouldn't need to be 100% self efficient either Dez, since the Tutors could support each other. And I would hope many players would hold some measure of respect for those players and not hit them particularly hard unwarranted.

Most players don't start, let alone complete the tutorials. I'm sure CJ posted that on another thread. This will do nothing to keep additional players. You would need the mentors to be online constantly monitoring the join queue and messaging the new player as soon as they join. It doesn't take very much game play to see if you are going to like the game or not.

Mentors shouldn't be guiding players to specific guilds.

So the mentors should get a free pass in game play because they are working to help new players. They are no different than anyone else, why should they not get hit in the same manner as someone who doesn't have a guild or is in a weak guild. And how many mentors would be needed. It is a beginners guild.

As well, the whole community point falls flat as once a player reaches a certain point, they get booted from the guild. Welcome to the beginners guild. We are here to help you until you reach a certain point at which you will be kicked out and have to join a real training guild or guild that fits your needs. That's a great message to send to players.

[Sir Thalius Hayle]

Coercing new players into staying???

You lost me Dez, just when I thought I was beginning to catch up.

Where did you see anything in my suggestion that even hinted at anything like coercing new players into staying in the game?

[Astragek]

Coercing new players into staying???

You lost me Dez, just when I thought I was beginning to catch up.

Where did you see anything in my suggestion that even hinted at anything like coercing new players into staying in the game?

We are talking about Deznutz here. He spins everything around. Always has, always will.

And no one has said anything about booting anyone out of the training guild either.

[Stan Rogers]

This is not the first time such an idea has been suggested. Up until recently, 90% of Ayes members were new recruits or relatively new players.
Many players like to explore the game dynamics on their own as a challenge to their sense of adventure before they join a guild and I understand that part of it.
If they like the basic game dynamics, they will end up in a guild and at that point, realize there are lots more "things" about the game than is obvious to a new comer.
Some do not want to be a burden to a guild until they at least know the basics of getting around and earning a few coins.

I also have brought in brand new people fresh on their first log in to Ayes guild and provided cash, ships, advice how to grow and be profitable and the players are grateful and enjoy the game for a few days or even a few weeks/months and then disappear. I'll assume the dynamic did not appeal to them the way it does with others.

All the mentioned aspects in previous posts do help in player retention but it is still hit or miss.
There have been training guilds formed solely dedicated to helping new players get started and only recruit new players and they contribute considerable to generating interest in new players but there is no magic formula to get the basic retention numbers we seek.

I think there is a "join a guild" training bonus much like the bonus to post in the forum but been too long since I joined to remember correctly, but, again if Admin thought it was a good idea to automatically put new sign-ups into a special guild, the opportunity and similar idea's has been presented numerous times in the past.

Thanks Sir Thalius for expressing such a keen interest in seeing the game grow larger.