New Players / Veteran Players

[LadySorrows]

I don't post too much on forum but I visit it periodically look over posts, and it always seems the same Old Players VS New Players. I would consider myself a veteran player, and I keep reading about how on Thelanis veteran players aren't passing on knowledge of game play etc. When I started on DDO years ago I was a mess :} But it's ok because I was the type of new player who took time to listen and learn. In that process I joined a guild when guilds first started, its not around anymore. Got a little more comfortable with game (not good :} comfortable) Started my own guild which consisted of new players like myself who had potential...Now we all know what I mean when I say that. There are new players that can play for years and still be a new player, but then there are new players who with help and a bit of mentoring become good players, and then veteran players.

After 2 years this original guild basically imploded (its still around) but I longer lead the guild or am even a part of the guild. I am pretty proud to say about 90% of that guild still play, though the members have spread far and wide across the guilds in Thelanis they are all people who would be considered good/veteran players by any standards whether Thelanis or a different server. We worked at becoming good players, stayed to become veteran players. This would not have happened without a lot of help from some very good players on the Thelanis server who took the time to teach me about DDO inner workings, questing, builds, being self-sufficient without being selfish. I am years later still in awe of these players who took the time and effort to teach a very new and awkward player..

Because these players took the time to teach me, I turned around and was able to teach people in that old guild and teach others what I was taught. And every time I had a question no matter how silly how out there, or just my lack of understanding they always helped me till I got it. They invited me along in raids when I really shouldn't of been there and explained and taught me, which again in turn I turned around and taught the other new players that were in my guild. To this day I am now an almost 7 year veteran of the game I take time, no matter how much I get irritated, or want to just brush someone off who does not always understand, I remember how other players DID NOT do that to me.

I also happen to throw up LFM's all the time on Thelanis not because I need help, I don't unless there is multiple switches etc. because it is how I met players who taught me, I joined their LFM's they took the time to teach me, so I continue that same idea - and you know what I offer my help and knowledge to those who are willing to listen and want help and want to learn the game better.

So all this stuff about new players, veteran players, lack of pugs and channel-guild runs is a choice, a new player who wants to learn on Thelanis will find plenty of people willing to help, educate, encourage, and run with if that's what they want from the game. Also to those who took the time to teach an awkward new girl gamer years ago Thank You, your legacy lives on even if you don't realize it :}

No I haven't posted my toons names in this post no real need, Each of you know if you have helped and took the time for new players, whether you were the one who took that time with me or it was someone else the results are the same...someday what you took the time to teach or not to teach someone will impact your game, your gaming community, and every part of your game because some of those new players do stay to become good players/veteran players or bad players/veteran players.

[MrTastyHead]

Do you feel better about yourself now?

Your statements do not match up with my experiences, and haven't for quite a few years now.

[MuleAxe]

<snip>

Some great points about the server population. There is a distinction you made that I think is a very important differentiation between yourself or others like you, and those who lack the ability or desire to learn and grow in the game. Those who have the ability to absorb and put into practice the good things people are willing to teach, and filter out the garbage that is irreverent, always make the best long term players (IMHO). Attitude is KEY over starting ability in my book 100% of the time. Nice post, and well said.

[Talon_Moonshadow]

I join their LFMs.

(I even spent a very long time in Snowy Khorthos recently)

I heal them. I raise them.
I do not leave them behind.

I watch red bars and map dots.

I am polite and helpful by my actions in game.


I offer no unsolicited advice, but answer their questions when asked.

I do not critisize how they play. I let them do what they want.
But like I said, I help them. My vet knowledge means I can see a bad situation arising, so I take steps to be ready to help them when they need it.

Occasionally, I find a group with no clue, and I have to tell them what they need to do to complete the dungeon, but this is rare.

and as a general rule, I give no spoilers.
I let them figure it out and have the thrill of experiencing surprises for the first time. (and rescue their soul stones right after the surprise. )

[protokon]

I join their LFMs.

(I even spent a very long time in Snowy Khorthos recently)

I heal them. I raise them.
I do not leave them behind.

I watch red bars and map dots.

I am polite and helpful by my actions in game.


I offer no unsolicited advice, but answer their questions when asked.

I do not critisize how they play. I let them do what they want.
But like I said, I help them. My vet knowledge means I can see a bad situation arising, so I take steps to be ready to help them when they need it.

Occasionally, I find a group with no clue, and I have to tell them what they need to do to complete the dungeon, but this is rare.

and as a general rule, I give no spoilers.
I let them figure it out and have the thrill of experiencing surprises for the first time. (and rescue their soul stones right after the surprise. )

Some of my best memories of this game as a new player, involved some pretty big face planting with our party. I remember the first time I attempted Von 3 back when 14 was the cap, with a full group of relatively new people, taking us almost two hours to complete the dungeons..probably an hour spent trying to deal with the beholders. It felt like such an achievement when it was over.

The same the very first time I completed a von6 as a cleric. Almost awe-struck.


I do not get to feel that way about this game anymore, even with brand new content. I like to enjoy playing with new folks, and appreciate their curiosity (especially around traps hah) and amazement when they come across a surprise in a dungeon.

PS.... I'M BACK!

[Talon_Moonshadow]

Some of my best memories of this game as a new player, involved some pretty big face planting with our party. I remember the first time I attempted Von 3 back when 14 was the cap, with a full group of relatively new people, taking us almost two hours to complete the dungeons..probably an hour spent trying to deal with the beholders. It felt like such an achievement when it was over.

The same the very first time I completed a von6 as a cleric. Almost awe-struck.


I do not get to feel that way about this game anymore, even with brand new content. I like to enjoy playing with new folks, and appreciate their curiosity (especially around traps hah) and amazement when they come across a surprise in a dungeon.

PS.... I'M BACK!

My favorite days to play is the first day of a new mod.

But lately even that is slightly ruined, since everyone has already previewed the content on Lamia.



Due to my own experiences, I have decided not to give unsolicited advice, and to give as few spoilers as possible.

Von 6 though, would be one that I would eventually chime in on. (and hope I didn't wait too long and the bridges got destroyed. )

[Cryohazard]

/popcorn

[Kawai]

Very nice post Op.
+1

then, there is is: an instant classic:

Do you feel better about yourself now?
Your statements do not match up with my experiences, and haven't for quite a few years now.

Jack: "you cant handle the truth!!!"

(^^^ what movie, anyway?)

[LadySorrows]

Do you feel better about yourself now?

Your statements do not match up with my experiences, and haven't for quite a few years now.

You sir I think missed the point to this post. And if your experiences have not been the same as mine in DDO - you should ask yourself "WHY?"

Do you expect for the veteran gamers to just stand in Korthos and pick up new people and say I am here to teach you? Do you expect to have your hand held taken through the game just because you are new? Being a new player is just that you are new to this gaming community, maybe not to gaming or RPG'S, MMO'S, or even PNP - But to the DDO gaming community. Do you expect that veteran players are going to fall all over themselves at your unique set of gaming skills? Veteran Players want to see that you have some sense, know how to close your mouth and open your ears, see that even if you are not good or great you have the aptitude to take what they teach you and put it into some course of action to improve your own gameplay.

I also am sure you missed a very important part of my post....It said if that is what new players want from the game. It's what I wanted from the game - Maybe you should ask yourself what you want from the game.

There is no rules that say Veterans or anyone else for that matter have to share their knowledge and know how, it a courtesy extended to/and for those who will one day enrich the game, be a team player when needed, and become a dynamic and hopefully good/veteran player.

To Answer your question Sir, yes I do feel good about myself.

[Musashiclaw]

Everyone plays for a different reason.
Everyone comes from a different background and experiences.

I personally like playing with new players as well as experienced players.

Just last night we did FoT on EE had a spot opened it up to PUG'rs and a 396hp Rogue joined. We welcomed him/her. We did the raid. Raised them a few times and they got some nice loot since we allow anyone to roll on items.

They were very thankful.

As a server we all need to do all we can to help new players because as this game gets older and new games come out we aint going to have anyone to play with.