Brief thoughts on the Castle so far

[Nyphil]

Maybe I am not seeing things clearly as a newbie, but so far my impression of the Castle is that new players are welcomed, are treated courteously, but are to be relegated to be someone else's problem.
People have been nice to me, no doubt, but if I did not thrust myself into their way and call attention to myself, I would be ignored and left to try to figure everything out myself.
Not everyone is comfortable jumping into the limelight, and it is difficult to get even a simple question answered with the people speedwalking around the castle.
By the time you see someone enter the room and bow, it is too late to ask them a question. They have already headed off to another room. Good luck finding them again.
I understand that it might not be entirely "in character" to welcome a new player into some plot or roleplay, but lets face it, how many were put off by the speedwalking people who didn't seem to have time for them, and left?
I know that I have become frustrated numerous times already. And I have been here about a week.
And just for the record, I happen to be a player of the game Ultima Online. More specifically, I was a member of a volunteer group whos purpose was to greet new players and teach them the game, the Companions. I know it can be difficult, but if it is not done, you end up with surly and belligerant players with the attitude of "I had to learn on my own, so should you!" I have seen it happen over the past three years.

- Player of Nyphil

[Linnet]

I'll throw my 2 cents in this one. I have never played Ultima Online, but your "Companions" sound very like our Awakener's Guild. As a member of the Awakeners, I feel I can answer some of your thoughts.

The Awakeners suffer from drastic understaffing and at times, sheer exhaustion. It is not uncommon to wait in the vicinity of guest rooms for an hour, waiting for a Newly Awakened, only for nothing to happen, but then when you're on your own, to have 5 come out at once, all demanding food, clothing, and weapons. It can be terribly overwhelming.

Most times, we will see a Newly Awakened, offer help only to be ignored completely. After a while, as long as we see a Newly Awakened dressed, we assume someone else has taken care of them. This is wrong, but we're only human.

A new system has been set up, where the Awakeners now get 'psychic alerts' to newly awakened in the castle, but the system is quite buggy yet. Hopefully when it gets it's timing right, most of your complaints would be solved.

This doesn't really help, but we're all still learning here. If you ever need help, feel free to speak with my character.

[Nyphil]

The Companions of UO are very much like the Awakeners. We also recieved notification of new players logging in. (New player status lasts 30 days, or 4* hours of in game time, or 350 points of skills) However while "on duty" and helping a new player we were encouraged to avoid any interaction with people other than the new player. Lets face it, if the person who shows up to help you suddenly turns and has a five minute conversation with someone, it isn't going to endear you to them...Especially if you are frustrated.
But it is more than just learning the systems. There is also the introduction to others. In UO, there are things to do even if the other players ignore you...This is because there are mechanical systems involved as well. You can go cut down trees to make chests to sell at the local carpenter's for example.
In the Castle, being ignored is tantamount to being asked to leave. If the players ignore you, there is not much to be done, unless you want to nod to the servants to have them nod back.

[Lobo]

I've been thinking about this myself and trying to think up ways to help it. I know one way to get the newly awakened involved in the old days (addition to Top 10 list of knowing when you've played to much: You refer to the beginning days of the beta as 'the good old days') was to go thru the remembering sessions. This would help get someones background set, and give them a direction.

What's happened nowadays, and this seems to apply with everyone, is that there are so many plots already begun and occupied with the older players, that the new players get left out of the mix. I know I've spent the majority of the time these past few weeks with just a few people. While in a lot of situations this is what WOULD happen IRL, we have to make the effort to get the new people involved with SOMETHING, even if its just talk and gossip in the dining hall.

I know the CEs have been trying to set up plots to keep new and old alike busy, but they are still swamped (a number of them are also working on other projects) so I suggest the veteran players should work to develop plots on their own, while not interfering with the main storyline, that the new players can take part in. They don't have to be big things, just stuff to keep them interested for the few days they need to get used to the castle, make some friends, and get addicted http://www.skotos.net/ubb/wink.gif

I'm working on something now, and I'll hopefully be able to present it to the CEs soon. Until then, all you newbies stay at it, your time in the sun will come, and you oldies, work on trying to give'em a boost up (but watch your hands ANDREW, we all know you can have some sneaky fingers when the seras are around http://www.skotos.net/ubb/wink.gif )