Somatic Neuron
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Posted - 2006.02.15 16:53:00 -
[1]
 Originally by: Oveur
Originally by: Rodj Blake
Edited by: Rodj Blake on 15/02/2006 16:14:20
Eve is tough on new players.
Very tough.
In fact, I'd go as far as saying that it has the steepest learning curve of any computer game that I've ever played.
But you know what?
That's a good thing.
Sometimes, being a veteran isn't all beer and skittles either, and the early part of the game ensures that players without the patience to become veterans will move on to less demanding games. Patience is everything in Eve.
Oh, and I for one don't tell new players to train the advanced learning skills up before leaving their rookie ship. Level 4 in the basic ones is more than enough for the first few months during which new players should be training things like engineering and electronics.
You are a good example then of why it's good to join a corp, you provide valuable guidance - but wouldn't you say that decreases the toughness you mention? I don't think so, because what is "tough" afterall for a new player? Is "tough" having to learn your basic learning skills to level 5 or is "tough" the difficulty of survival with so few resources when you start out? I'd personally say the latter, I don't know if you agree but I don't see the toughness of EVE being how long it takes to train level 5 of skills.
So, what's the difference between giving the players a boost in character creation/early stages, and having them join a corp that helps them?
1) When they join a corp that helps pull them up from their bootstraps, they begin to experience a team atmosphere, and understand the benefits of being in a corp.
2) When they are handed everything on a silver platter because they complain "we're too far behind the veterans, we want to be uber now", then all they learn is that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"...and you've then ensured that you will have a completely new generation of whining carebears.
I would think you would want a lot more of #1, and lot less of #2. At one time, you offered a reward to players/corps that brought in new players and mentored them. It quickly disappeared into the history books...but there should be some thought into reviving that thought...as that is where the real effort to bring new players into the "fold" should be...player to player...not changing game mechanics for new players.
New players already gain the benefits of the knowledge that veteran players have to offer (assuming they accept the knowledge). Plus, I know that for me, there was a great sense of accomplishment in obtaining my first cruiser after mining in a frigate for a couple of days...not to mention my first battleship, which was a rite of passage...kind of a coming of age. You start changing things to cater to the new player's whines, and you lessen that sense of accomplishment...not only for them, but for us as well.
Now, granted, a lot of skills don't make sense...their requirements or their use, but that could get into another whole topic in itself....I'd love to be in a focus group for that.
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