Newbie MC5. A new player's first in-game look into the world of Neocron.
A lot of people hate MC5, and immediately leave through the GeneRep. If you're not a new player, it's certainly a better choice to immediately leave, too. I do this too, but I really like MC5. Every once in a while, I'll stick around for a while on a new character, doing missions for implant parts and the prototype chips. I'm sure you remember the first time you set foot out the door, and heard the wasteland wind for the very first time. MC5 is a nice introduction to the desolate, yet adventurous atmosphere of the game.
(by the way, right-click -> view image, if an image is shrunk too small)
Here are my thoughts on improving newbie MC5:
1.) Restore original map size |
In Neocron 2, the playable area of MC5 was decreased by blocking off areas with walls. This may be because some players were getting lost.
a.) The most obvious problem is that some content was eliminated. Even if the walled-off content is "just" a few valleys with some scorpions, bushes, and overturned barrels, it's still content which was meant to be seen by players.
b.) There are still some enemy spawns in the inaccessible areas. This means, that over time as players kill monsters, they will naturally accumulate in the out-of-bounds areas, and become scarce in the "proper" areas. This would probably need to be fixed by a zone reset, or by kind volunteers who clip through the walls just to clean up.
c.) Lastly, you can actually see the out-of-bounds clusters of enemies through the fences. This COULD entice a new player to attempt to get into those areas. They will probably succeed, because most of those new walls can be easily clipped. This is bad, because new players would then immediately learn about the clipping problems. The player might also get stuck on the other side!
I say, remove the new walls, and replace anything else that was removed such as other enemy spawns, decorations, and that GoGuardian that used to be in the north valley (check map below, on the right, white dot). This will restore MC5 to its original, large size.
(Red lines = NEW walls)
(Blue lines = OLD walls (they're all still there, too!))
(Cyan "H" = Home building)
(Red "G" = GeneReplicator)
(White dot = GoGuardian
(Yellow "E" = Energy Core Dungeon)
(The colorful "diamond" icons are locations of new things, which I'll explain later)
However, now that MC5 is large again, it's confusing again, and new players might get frustrated with the empty dead ends, or they might get lost. One thing we can do to fix this, is add more of the yellow guide signs which point back toward the main building, to ensure players can't get lost.
The next thing, is to add some more interactive content, such as NPCs, who would also teach new players about Neocron, and/or give them things to do.
2.) Lorcan: Fetch quest & RP/storytelling |
In the northeast corner of MC5 (check map), there is a large, empty dead end. A small hut (copied from the swamp maps) could be placed here with an NPC inside. He's another victim of MC5, but his procedure made him paranoid and out for revenge. He could look like an NC1 monk in ratty clothes.
He would be a mini-quest NPC. Find three "X" and he'll pay you. Since the player has to run pretty far to get to his location, the reward should be higher than 550nc, which is what the implant part guy pays. Also, he could ask for chemicals instead.
Lorcan: WHO ARE YOU? GET OUT!!
--> Whoa, relax! I was just looking around. I just woke up in MC5. Do you live here? #option1
--> Hey! It's me, remember? I have what you asked for. #option2 |
#option1
Lorcan: They won't stop, will they? They said... they'll destroy my home. I'll kill them. I'll... Did you know they got in your skull... They put a machine... inside your brain!!
--> Look, I'm really sorry to have bothered you. I'll be going.
Lorcan: No no no. I'm sorry. Can you help me? I'm terribly sick. I need chemicals.
--> Chemicals?
Lorcan: Blue and yellow tubes. I need them... to make medicine. Do you have any? I need at least three of three specific types.
--> Are you a... a doctor?
Lorcan: Please get them for me. You'll be making a difference. Get me three Solantium, three Deutrithium, or three Tiberal. I'll reward you.
--> I'll see what I can find.
Lorcan: For the greater good... (click) |
#option2
(if you have the chemicals)
Lorcan: It's you again! Hello! Let me see... Three <chemical_name>! Good work! I'll give you 325 per unit; that's 975 credits. OK?
--> Sure! So, these are for... medicine, you said?
Lorcan: Almost complete... I'll stop them... Everything will be better, you have my word... (click)
(if you don't have the chemicals)
Lorcan: It's you! Let's see the chemicals... No no no no. You don't have enough. Get me at least three Solantium, three Deutrithium, or three Tiberal. (click) |
3.) Ezra Reid: Fetch quest, recycling & vehicle info |
In the far bottom left of the map, there (currently inaccessible) is a thin pathway through the canyons, which leads to a dead end with two trees. So, I had this idea, which teaches new players about how vehicles can recall automatically if they get stuck or lost (common newbie question), and also serves as another mini-quest NPC. After explaining the basics of recycling, he would ask the player for three Limbs, three Entrails, or three Chitin Scraps, and reward them if they have it.
Ezra Reid: Sup.
--> Sooo... car trouble, huh? #option1
--> Hey. I think I have what you wanted. #option2 |
#option1
Ezra Reid: Cool, a comedian. I'm saved.
--> Haha... ...sorry. What happened?
Ezra Reid: I flew over that hill too fast and got stuck between these trees. Damn thing won't budge.
--> Maybe the both of us can get it free?
Ezra Reid: Nah. The controls are shot anyway. Just waiting for it to recall.
--> Recall?
Ezra Reid: ...Where are we anyway? Feels so familiar. Yeah, recall. Don't own a ride? Remember this, then. If you lose a vehicle somewhere in the wasteland or it gets stuck, it will eventually recall to the vehicle depot. It can take some time, though.
--> So, why are you waiting here by it if it would automatically recall anyway?
Ezra Reid: To make sure no jackasses blow it up. I've removed my Law Enforcer, and that means someone else could technically destroy my vehicle.
--> Oh. Weak.
Ezra Reid: Yeah, but you don't have to worry about that if you drive carefully, and always remember to DISMISS your vehicle when you park at a depot. Or you could just keep your Law Enforcer in.
--> Right.
Ezra Reid: Actually, you can do something for me. I'm almost out of ammo, and I'm a recycler. I use shit I find from monsters to replicate more ammo. If you could find me three Limbs, three Entrails, or three Chitin Scraps, it'd help a lot.
--> Limbs... Entrails? Gross.
Ezra Reid: Yeah well, we're in a wasteland. I'd guess that there isn't an Archer & Wesson on the other side of that cliff. The recycler can break down crap from monsters and rematerialize it into something useful, like ammo or medkits.
--> Wow, that sounds useful.
Ezra Reid: Very. Come back if you find any of that stuff. Remember: three Limbs, three Entrails, or three Chitin Scraps. (click) |
#option2
(if you have the parts)
Ezra Reid: Hey! Three <junk_name>? Nice, this helps me a lot. One sec... ... Here, take 1,000nc and two Stamina Boosters. I recycled those boosters for you just now, out of leftover materials.
--> Thanks! Good luck to you.
Ezra Reid: You too, pal. (click)
(if you don't have the parts)
Ezra Reid: Hey! What do you have for me? Actually, you don't have enough. Find at least three Limbs, three Entrails, or three Chitin Scraps. Try scorpions and crabs. Easy kills. (click) |
4.) Delphine: Guide & GoGuardian info |
There is a far west canyon (an inaccessible area) which is a dead end (check map). A new GoGuardian was added in the west (accessible area) of MC5 (check map). Move this GoGuardian into the previously mentioned dead end canyon. This is so the new GoGuardian isn't in the middle of a field if the new walls are removed. Also, I had another idea for an NPC here.
Delphine: Hi.
--> Hello.
Delphine: You lost?
--> Um... maybe a little.
Delphine: Thought so. Just follow those yellow signs to get back to the main building.
--> Oh. Right.
Delphine: GoGuardians... Aren't they amazing?
--> Huh?
Delphine: Yeah, GoGuardians. The thing behind me. Do you know how they work?
--> Not really, no. I guess I'm new. #option1
--> Yeah, I've been using them quite often. #option2 |
#option1
Delphine: It's your own personal universal storage. You can store and retrieve your items at any GoGuardian you find.
--> Hmm, cool.
Delphine: One smart thing to do is to keep a big stack of the ammo that you use in your GoGuardian. So, if you happen to run out, you can pull some from the nearest GoGuardian, instead of having to look for a store.
--> Ahh... smart.
Delphine: Although... something I've been doing is hunting monsters, and storing the loot in the GoGuardian. This way, I'm not lugging around tons of stuff and tiring myself out.
--> Ohh, nice. I think I'll do the same. Thanks for the tip.
Delphine: No prob! (click) |
#option2
Delphine: Cool, same here. Damn, I hope I don't run out of room. Later. (click) |
5.) Wesley: Fetch quest, CST/RES & recipe info |
There is another dead end canyon in the southeast corner of the map, where the nomads are. It's closed off currently, like the other areas. This guy would quickly mention the basics of the CST & RES process, and also teach you a bit about unique recycling recipes.
Wesley: Hi.
--> Uh, what's up? #option1
--> I found some scrap wood for you. #option2
--> Here's some metal plates for you. #option3 |
#option1
Wesley: Trying to recycle a new rifle, but I'm lacking some materials.
--> "Recycle a new rifle"? I think you need a construction tool, not a recycle tool.
Wesley: It's true; you can craft a weapon by first having a researcher make a blueprint, and then having a constructor put it together. But, you can make some things by combining stuff in a recycler.
--> Well I'll be damned.
Wesley: For instance, you can make a Lazar Rifle by combining 5x wood and 1x metalpipe, and you can make a Metal-plated Vest I with 2x metalplate and 4x metalpipe.
--> That's too cool. So... in this case, the quality of the resulting item depends on your REC skill, right?
Wesley: Ahh, you're sharp! Yes, that's correct. Hey... if you help me find some materials, I'll make one of those things for you for free.
--> Sure. What materials do you need?
Wesley: Well, I already have a TON of metalpipes, but I don't have any more wood or metalplates. If you find me 10 wood I'll make you a Lazar Rifle, and if you find me 4 metalplates I'll make you a Metal-plated Vest I.
--> I'll see what I can find.
Wesley: Cool, thanks. (click) |
#option2
Wesley: So you did! One moment please... ...almost.. there. There you go, one Artifact Lazar Rifle... and take this First Aid, too. I'm sure there are more recycling recipes, too.
--> Thank you!
Wesley: Happy hunting. (click) |
#option3
Wesley: Ah yes... the metalplates. One sec... ... Here you are, one Artifact Metal-plated Vest I... and take this First Aid, too. There are other recycling recipes, I'm sure.
--> Thanks a lot!
Wesley: Cheers. (click) |
(cont.)