Because current test server patch introduces some gameworld changes, and they are being explained as "making wastelands more accessible to low/mid-lvl characters", I believe devs want to improve "noob experience.
However, in my opinion, messing up with high-lvl players experience is entirely wrong thing to do. Not because high-lvl experience is perfect, but because access to Wastelands is the least of new players problems.
In my opinion, greatest NC asset in welcoming new players are old players. In my experience brand new players are often shocked how helpful the community is and how noone even tries to bash them for using HELP chat the way it was meant for. Well, maybe noobs came from DOTA, maybe old players are too bored with endgame and have no better things to do than help them. But every time someone proves himself to not have a clue over public channel, usually few capped chars race each other to help the noob with tons of cash, starter items and most importantly good advice.
This is the biggest thing NC has, a real human to human interaction MMORPGs exist for and something no game mechanics can ever match.
Statement:
The way NC is designed, makes noobs entirely dependent on high level players to res and cst new weapons for them.
Mostly because of the relationship between weapon TL and xp gained creates constant need of new guns and the shop quality means they have to be csted. Also the availability of huge amounts of useless guns (eg. freezers) is nothing but a n00b trap only vet's advice can help avoid.
Any attempts on making noobs life easier should focus on bringing them closer tradeskillers. Anything too far from player activity hubs is simply useless to average noob, a wasted dev's time and most likely harm to the endgame for no good reason. The DoY fiasco had proven that splitting the community to create more tradeskilling hubs is not possible even with pop counts ten times current. Therefore:
Noobs belong to Plaza 1
I would like to present few things I've learned over the years that in my opinion are obstacles in fully enjoying NC as soon as possible. Things that could be removed quite easily to iron out the experience.
1) Area MC5
The very existence of this thing contradicts the Statement as well as the MMORPG genre. It's function is no other than to separate noobs from vets. Current pop count makes the situation even worse.
Area MC5 offers noobs nothing the big world can't. Even mr Jones missions mostly duplicate MC5 functionality in making players familiar with the game. However portraying leaving MC5 as one-way ticket creates false value which some people try to cling to.
Solution:
- remove Area MC5, make noobs start in their apts.
2) Chat system
The chat system (F1 window) is not an easy and user friendly one. People have trouble understanding how to use HELP chat, and the muting/unmuting of channels adds confusion. If there is one single tutorial that would help most, it's "how to use F1" tutorial. Because from this point other players can answer all questions - IF the noob manages to ask them.
Solutions:
- reduce number of CUSTOM sub-channels by reintegrating TRADE. Same with SERVICE.
- unmute all CUSTOM sub-channels by default. The pop is small enough to make it look even quieter.
- stop "you have to select something to use CUSTOM chat". Remove ability to deselect sub-channels list. There is absolutely no reason for this, one sub-channel always has to be active. Make it autoselect one (I vote for OOC) if it can't be done in another way
- rename CUSTOM to GLOBAL. It's something vets won't like, but for a noob "custom" means nothing, "global" explains everything.
- speaking on a channel should unmute it automatically, both CUSTOM and it's sub-channel
- maybe think about language-specific channels, which I believe both Proud-to-speak-German and German-haters would appreciate much. It's not mine idea and I didn't thought about it much, but its seems harmless.
2) OZ Complex and other unfriendly starter apts
I recognise the need of OZ Complex. It was necessary to transfer all DoY apts to some reasonable place.
But what does it teaches new players now? That apt is in some remote, dangerous place, virtually useless and unused.
Solutions:
- return FA and TG starter apts to their native environment, mark CM,FA,TG as "advanced player factions", remove mr Jones missions for these factions.
- mark all factions starting outside city (Plaza, Via, PP) as "not recommended for new players". Let's face it, OZ is not exactly noob friendly place with easy access to Plaza1
- maybe make ALL NC-based factions (that is all except CM/FA/TG) start in Plaza1 as a temporary solution.
The point is a noob should create a toon, come out of his apt and immediately run into other players.
3) GR Activation
I've met a player who wasn't even a n00b, yet he forgot to look for "Activate" button. The NC2 interface is not exactly clean one and it's hard at times to tell a button apart from decoration. With the "move up" and "move down" buttons, there is absolutely no reason why GR should not be activated by simply clicking it first time.
Also the GR activation fee of 150nc is laughable. It's not any barrier for anyone capable of taking out Small Sewer Rat. Vets well know the value of tagged GR far outweighs the cost, however a noob may hesitate spending his hard earned 150nc. Therefore the fee should be removed.
Solutions:
- remove the 150nc GR activation fee.
- make GR activation automatic on first click, without having to click the "Activate" button
4) LoMs
If anyone have never tried to use LoMs as a 0/3 let me tell you how it works: You lose whole level every pop, that is you can never gain free point. A noob does not understand how LoMs should work, therefore he continues to pop them inevitably ending up at 0DEX. OFC the message "Your skill DEXTERITY have increased" does not help.
- change the levelup message from "Your skill %s have increased, new level is %d" to "Your skill %s have changed, new level is %d"
- change the xp penalty used by LoMs on low levels. If that's not possible without messing up high levels, add a minimal requirement of level 20 or so.