Quest Speed Indicator for LFM's

[Ganak]

Suggestion:

A quest speed indicator for LFM's.

What I mean is a formal checkbox or something of the like for LFM's that indicates the pace the group leader plans--slow (exploring everything), medium (sniff some flowers) or fast (zerg!).


With the new F2P model and the game becoming more accessible to very casual/occasional players, I grow concerned about us vets and the game play experience for newer players.

Granted a good LFM will manually type out the desired pace, but I suggest a more formal change, as not everyone advertises their LFM's by speed of completion.

Can anyone else see the need and the benefit?

I want to see new players have a good experience as it means more revenue, which means more content I can zerg:D

[rnor6084]

Suggestion:

A quest speed indicator for LFM's.

What I mean is a formal checkbox or something of the like for LFM's that indicates the pace the group leader plans--slow (exploring everything), medium (sniff some flowers) or fast (zerg!).


With the new F2P model and the game becoming more accessible to very casual/occasional players, I grow concerned about us vets and the game play experience for newer players.

Granted a good LFM will manually type out the desired pace, but I suggest a more formal change, as not everyone advertises their LFM's by speed of completion.

Can anyone else see the need and the benefit?

I want to see new players have a good experience as it means more revenue, which means more content I can zerg:D

/signed

[Big-Dex]

I can sign on to this (or some indicator similar to this).

As a matter of fact, I think such a change is absolutely critical in light of the merge that will be taking place here. You can also add the following three reasons as ammo for the need for such a change...

1) There have already been a quite a few threads by new players complaining about this. They want to take it slow and not be rushed through. Make it easier to identify LFMs with those who are in the same boat.

2) The fact that the player base is fairly evenly spit on zerg/anti-zerg sentiment. Give us an easy indicator.

3) A lot of vets will be hitting the lowbie circuit again to roll new toons (due to FVS or the ability to get new character slots) and reroll old toons that MOD9 made less than satisfactory in their minds. This will only exasperate the problem for new players who want to smell the roses, as many vets tend to zerg the content they have rolled so many times and those who don't will certainly not want to mess around some chance of failure, so they will prep any new player, and some might not want to the spoilers.

Dex was here. :cool:

PS - I know the DEVS have upped the XP for optionals, but that won't really stop the go fast issue.

[kingfisher]

PS - I know the DEVS have upped the XP for optionals, but that won't really stop the go fast issue.

why do they not understand this though? it just means more to do in a short period of time, groups splitting up to get bonuses in a short period of time, more lost players missing chests, etc. sounds fun.

[szaijan]

/signed

Great idea. I always add this sort of comment to my LFMs and look for it in other people's group comments. A checkbox or slider would be great. Then the community nazis would just need to start in on forcing their definitions of Fast and Slow down everyone's throats, something I suspect we'd take care of in short order. ;^)

[Big-Dex]

/signed

Great idea. I always add this sort of comment to my LFMs and look for it in other people's group comments. A checkbox or slider would be great. Then the community nazis would just need to start in on forcing their definitions of Fast and Slow down everyone's throats, something I suspect we'd take care of in short order. ;^)


Oooh... I like the idea of a slider!!! Good call. It is small ... graphical ... and probably not hard to implement.

Dex was here. :cool:

[HeavenlyCloud]

How many people do not select a quest on the lfm... and just type the quest on the comment part... same thing will happen with this. But having the option would be nice tho.

[Big-Dex]

How many people do not select a quest on the lfm... and just type the quest on the comment part... same thing will happen with this. But having the option would be nice tho.

Agreed. Not everyone would use it, but many would. With the new influx of players, I think there is a higher chance of training folks to use it and a higher likelihood that VETS that like to go fast will use it to avoid having their lowbie groups slowed up.

Dex was here. :cool:

[Kalari]

I wouldnt mind this idea but youd still get the people who cant read or understand what the speed means. Ive joined several "fast runs" that ended up taking three times as long as they should have because "ooh should I get the optional?" or "hey whats behind this door?" or "can I get a <insert random unnecessary buff>" Its worst at low-mid levels for me then higher levels but man even with something like this id rather have a system where you know if a player can actually do a speed run. Cause it just dont matter what you put in the lfm if not everyone is on the same page.

[Big-Dex]

I wouldnt mind this idea but youd still get the people who cant read or understand what the speed means. Ive joined several "fast runs" that ended up taking three times as long as they should have because "ooh should I get the optional?" or "hey whats behind this door?" or "can I get a <insert random unnecessary buff>" Its worst at low-mid levels for me then higher levels but man even with something like this id rather have a system where you know if a player can actually do a speed run. Cause it just dont matter what you put in the lfm if not everyone is on the same page.

Valid point, but instead of making the indicator say...

Slow ------ Moderate ------ Fast
Have it say...

Crawl ------- Average -------- Zerg
You can even have it say ...

All Optionals ------ Some Optionals ------- No Optionals
Or you might have the SLIDER have mouseovers that with an explanation for each setting.

Crawl - This party will move slowly through the dungeon, attempting to complete all optionals, stick together and not spoil the experience for anyone. This part is best suited for newer players or players who prefer a slower playstyle.

Average - This party will move at an average pace through the dungeon, complete some optionals and will likely have players who know the quest and readily share that knowledge. This is better best suited for players who prefer not to go too slow, but prefer not to go too fast either.

Zerg - This party will move at a very fast pace through the dungeon, will likely spit up, and skip most of the optionals. Those joining are expected to know the quest and be able to keep up. This party is best suited for players who want to complete the quest as quickly as possible.
The verbiage might need ammending, but I think you get the idea. BTW - Make "Average" the default setting.

Dex was here. :cool:

[HeavenlyCloud]

Pffft just give us the skull in the lfm. White skull = slow, red skull = zerg! :D Just to make it more appealing instead of just colors.

[Karranor]

I think this is a good idea as well.

Though it will still be dependent on a good leader filling things out right for the LFM. However, it being present should prompt more people to set up groups right.

For the time being, be a good leader and put a note in for the speed you are running. :)

ALSO

I would like to see a flag on the PLAYER for this as well. We can put notes in our LFM, why not say. I'm a ZERGER! XP XP XP! Then we can see this little bit when they ask to join the group.

Meriki, 16lvl Drow Wizard, Suicidal Zerger would like to join your group. :D

[DoctorWhofan]

Suggestion:

A quest speed indicator for LFM's.

What I mean is a formal checkbox or something of the like for LFM's that indicates the pace the group leader plans--slow (exploring everything), medium (sniff some flowers) or fast (zerg!).


With the new F2P model and the game becoming more accessible to very casual/occasional players, I grow concerned about us vets and the game play experience for newer players.

Granted a good LFM will manually type out the desired pace, but I suggest a more formal change, as not everyone advertises their LFM's by speed of completion.

Can anyone else see the need and the benefit?

I want to see new players have a good experience as it means more revenue, which means more content I can zerg:D

I like!

/signed


Now if we can train everyone to change the levels, we would be golden!

[Kalari]

Valid point, but instead of making the indicator say...

Slow ------ Moderate ------ Fast
Have it say...

Crawl ------- Average -------- Zerg
You can even have it say ...

All Optionals ------ Some Optionals ------- No Optionals
Or you might have the SLIDER have mouseovers that with an explanation for each setting.

Crawl - This party will move slowly through the dungeon, attempting to complete all optionals, stick together and not spoil the experience for anyone. This part is best suited for newer players or players who prefer a slower playstyle.

Average - This party will move at an average pace through the dungeon, complete some optionals and will likely have players who know the quest and readily share that knowledge. This is better best suited for players who prefer not to go too slow, but prefer not to go too fast either.

Zerg - This party will move at a very fast pace through the dungeon, will likely spit up, and skip most of the optionals. Those joining are expected to know the quest and be able to keep up. This party is best suited for players who want to complete the quest as quickly as possible.
The verbiage might need ammending, but I think you get the idea.

Dex was here. :cool:

I like this idea seriously I hate feeling like a bad person for getting annoyed joining a "speed run" thats anything but. And many think they know what that means and still will stop to get optionals and the like. Something like this would hopefully quell some of that frustration and maybe put people on the same page running together.

[Big-Dex]

Pffft just give us the skull in the lfm. White skull = slow, red skull = zerg! :D Just to make it more appealing instead of just colors.

:D

Might need to add a setting or two to my list above.

NOOB - This party will likely fail no matter what speed they go at. This party is suited for players who have no skill, no tactics and no idea of what they are doing.

LEET - This party thinks they have no chance of failing this quest whatsoever. This party is suited for the best of the best and if we don't know who you are, you don't stand a chance of getting an invite!
:D:D:D :p

Dex was here. :cool:

[DoctorWhofan]

I wouldnt mind this idea but youd still get the people who cant read or understand what the speed means. Ive joined several "fast runs" that ended up taking three times as long as they should have because "ooh should I get the optional?" or "hey whats behind this door?" or "can I get a <insert random unnecessary buff>" Its worst at low-mid levels for me then higher levels but man even with something like this id rather have a system where you know if a player can actually do a speed run. Cause it just dont matter what you put in the lfm if not everyone is on the same page.

Therer are always idiots in the game. I have found deep breaths and a simple boot from the party at first oppertunity helps if they cannot get a clue. Also leaving them behind helps too.

IF they are new, and stated as such, I am more patient with them, for it is a new experiance for them even though it is dull for the rest of the party. They may not understand the termology we use to discribe things and end up in the wrong party. However this system will help.

[Ralmeth]

I suggested this a long time ago, but alas it was ignored. I still think it would be a great idea, so...
/Signed.

And I like the idea of a mouse over description that says what the speed means.

[Kalari]

Definitely I never lump new players into the equation. I dont mind slowing down for new players. But ive joined many lfm's with known players who have been around for awhile who just think their version of "Speed" is fast and it really isnt. If its on a day where I have time to play a lot then I dont mind heck who hates extra loot? But when I know ive only got an hour or two before I need to go and the speed run is pushing into the two hour mode its hard not to get annoyed. Right now due to rl stuff I dont get to play as much as I like so when I do I try to manage the amount of things I get done before having to sign off. Thats why I can appreciate a good speed run from time to time helps me get more done so that I dont feel like ive wasted the limited time.

[Big-Dex]

I suggested this a long time ago, but alas it was ignored. I still think it would be a great idea, so...
/Signed.

And I like the idea of a mouse over description that says what the speed means.

If it is any consolation, a long time ago there weren't about to be a gazillion F2P players hitting the live game servers en masse.

Sometimes a suggestion looks better when the need is greater. It is a good idea, no matter who came up with it.

Dex was here. :cool:

[Sandpredator]

I totally agree with the scaling system but that will that takes away the learning process from the newer players. I remember when I first started and had no clue how to zerg through a dungeon but I learned pretty quickly. If they start segregating newer players from older players, how are they supposed to learn anything?? Just my 2 cents.....

[Kalari]

I think it is up to the new player on how fast they think they can go. Everyone was new once I did not start out as someone who could go fast threw a quest. Heck until this year id get lost half the time trying to get around. It takes time to learn quests if you want to do them right and fast and I think new players should take the time to learn the quest before trying to blow threw them quick. I think they will appreciate the game more and it will benefit more if they learn it before blowing threw it quickly.

[Big-Dex]

I totally agree with the scaling system but that will that takes away the learning process from the newer players. I remember when I first started and had no clue how to zerg through a dungeon but I learned pretty quickly. If they start segregating newer players from older players, how are they supposed to learn anything?? Just my 2 cents.....

This is not necessarily a segregation system from new players and older players. It is a segration of play styles. As is indicated in the gazillion zerg/anti-zerg argument threads, the veteran population is fairly evenly split on whether or not they like to zerg or crawl.

Even though I prefer to move fast through content I have run a hundred times, I don't mind taking a new player through and falling into a support role and letting them experience the quest for themselves and even making sure they stay alive long enough to enjoy it.

I will add that there will new, experienced gamers who will try F2P who will prefer a faster gaming style out of the chute. So, this suggestion is not just about new players/veteran players. Many will mix it up. Many will not be sure what they like at first and find later on that their tastes for one style over the other change.

It is just an indicator so folks know what kind of party the party leader has in mind.

Dex was here. :cool:

[Big-Dex]

BTW - in my suggestion above. I recommend making AVERAGE the default setting. Adjusting that post to reflect that.

Dex was here. :cool:

[Xionanx]

Suggestion:

A quest speed indicator for LFM's.

What I mean is a formal checkbox or something of the like for LFM's that indicates the pace the group leader plans--slow (exploring everything), medium (sniff some flowers) or fast (zerg!).


With the new F2P model and the game becoming more accessible to very casual/occasional players, I grow concerned about us vets and the game play experience for newer players.

Granted a good LFM will manually type out the desired pace, but I suggest a more formal change, as not everyone advertises their LFM's by speed of completion.

Can anyone else see the need and the benefit?

I want to see new players have a good experience as it means more revenue, which means more content I can zerg:D

On a basic level I agree with you, however there will always be people that ignore your LFM listing.

When I have CLEARLY stated the quest, and the pace I still have people join and say:
"So what quest we doing?"
"How do I get there?"
"Whats zerg mean?"

Worse still are the people who join and DONT ask the above questions and try to pretend they know how to get there.. you end up spending 10 minutes waiting for some ******* to do a 5 minute quest.:rolleyes:

This is why so many people only group with guildies and you see all the noob hate out there.

[Arianrhod]

Personally, I'd prefer a few options (of which the leader could check some, all or none), such as:

Slow
Fast
All Optionals
No Optionals
All Chests
Completion
No Spoilers
Need Opener
Need Guide
Be Self-Sufficient (BYOH)

These are common things people put in their LFMs anyway, but having them available as checkboxes would help newer players figure out that saying nothing means allowing everything ;)

[Zippo]

Suggestion:

A quest speed indicator for LFM's.

What I mean is a formal checkbox or something of the like for LFM's that indicates the pace the group leader plans--slow (exploring everything), medium (sniff some flowers) or fast (zerg!).


With the new F2P model and the game becoming more accessible to very casual/occasional players, I grow concerned about us vets and the game play experience for newer players.

Granted a good LFM will manually type out the desired pace, but I suggest a more formal change, as not everyone advertises their LFM's by speed of completion.

Can anyone else see the need and the benefit?

I want to see new players have a good experience as it means more revenue, which means more content I can zerg:D

Heh make it look like a speedometer and you can move the dial to the level of speed you wish to run. Hung on 0 gets you an all optionals type run, halfway up gets you a mix, and bury the speedo to get the all out balls to the wall zergfest.

Sorry Vicadin is kickin in and I'm getting loopy. But what hell I can go along with the idea.