Episode 1 and 2 ... how to prevent that new players get lost (again)?

Discussion in 'Feedback Archive' started by Paladin Michael, Mar 17, 2020.

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  1. Paladin Michael

    Paladin Michael Bug Hunter

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    New access to Episode 2 lands with Cross-Continent Galleon is a good idea.
    BUT:
    Another great chance to send new players into nirvana ;)

    Please, consider at least a kind of warning information for NEW players to prevent they enter areas too early ...
    Fast travel is a real problem for new players to be driven away from the main story line ...

    I met new players in Novia center, far away from starter area, asking me, what to do next (because they had no idea). I told them to go back to Solace Bridge Outskirts / Soltown. Worst case: they group up with high level player in UT or control points ...

    If people have no intention to play storyline and prefer sandbox style - okay.
    But people who would like to follow the questlines can be driven away fast ...

    A Questbook/Journal rework should include a "red line" for new players, what to do next and where.
    You can run around for hours - no clue what you have to do ...
     
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  2. Numa

    Numa Avatar

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    A kind of danger zone sign should be at the teleport landing zone at Mistrendur. An option to port back to Solace Bridge outskirts would also be useful.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2020
  3. Feeyo

    Feeyo Avatar

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    I am one of those players getting totally lost when I started playing years back. Did not have any clue where to go nor what to do, so I stopped playing.
    Tried to play a few times every so many months, after gathering information (gameplay vids, wiki and posts on the forum) I finally got the hang of the gameplay, world map, quests system and so on.
    I fully agree this needs a big rework. Although I think the latest integrated map system by @Undone does show better where to go as you can see at least the blue icon on the map.
    Now if the quest system was not as buggy as it is. It would help already tremendous ;)
     
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  4. AoiBlue

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    I think the level tier on the zones should be enough to help new players, but for high levels well above a player's ability, adding skulls at the end of the level (one skull for each level beyond two levels above their recommended difficulty to indicate GTFO.) Also, having one of the NPCs in each outskirt quest mention about difficulty might be good.

    A warning box on entering any such area should be used to recommend players not enter areas way over their skill level without a proper escort.

    Making the road between Ardoris and Solice Bridge might be an ideal way to reduce players getting lost. All of the roads in Novia need more emphasis in their texture design, and primary roads really need to be better distinguished from minor roads. We also need some landmarks to be made more distinct in order to make it easier to navigate.

    The new continent already has better landmarks for the most part, but it could use further enhancement in this matter as well. Also, when roads are put in, be sure to tier them as well.
     
  5. Toular

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    As many have pointed out, it's easy to get lost getting from Solace Bridge Outskirts to Soltown. Perhaps adding a caravan in the bivouac to provide transport directly to Soltown

    Another thing that's missing is a clear "linkage" between the 3 starter scenes. Since the original design had (approximately) 33% of new characters starting in one of those three, and just leaving it at that, the only part of the quest line that connects the three is Arabella an most new players probably never speak to her.
     
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  6. Numa

    Numa Avatar

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    Poor Arabella :( She used to be so central to a new avatar's life.
     
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  7. Paladin Michael

    Paladin Michael Bug Hunter

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    In addition to the Oracle, she was a central figure who was the Outlander guideline.
    Removing the intro took important information away.
    The meeting with Arabella should take place immediately after Solace Bridge (Outskirts) automatically.

    Well, maybe things change again ...
     
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  8. Anpu

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    The player can still speak to Arabella at any time though.
     
  9. Paladin Michael

    Paladin Michael Bug Hunter

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    Yes - unfortunately a newbie doesn't know her and her meaning ...
     
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