Welcome Boards

[lawrence]

We currently plan several new forums for new players, so-called "Welcome boards". People registering a new account would be directed to those forums through the welcome email.

With these forums, we would like to assist new players with help and guidance on their first steps and make it easier for them getting into the game.

We would need the help of veteran players here who volunteer to actively help new players on those forums by responding to their questions and posting helpful information and guides. If you are interested in helping new players, please indicate that by voting "Yes" in the attached poll.

We'd also like to know if there's anything (i.e. basic information, guides, or FAQ's on certain topics) you thought was missing or inadequately documented, back when you were new to the game yourself, so we can focus on improving those things for new players, utilizing the new welcome boards.

[raynes]

I started on Sept 22, 2004 so just about everything was undocumented or missing when I started. lol

[rushin]

nice idea.. think whats more important is to sort out the starter islands a bit. having been back recently it can feel a little shall we say devoid of life and i am sure that there are some ppl who start the free trial, spend 10mins on the island and imagine the rest of the game is like that (it isnt!!)

sooo maybe:
* linking starter isle region chat into the races main region chat. (bit confusing for 'res pls!' i suppose)
* linking all 4 starter islands chat together (see problem above)
* physically linking the starter islands with portals? (or just having one island)
* having guide's manning the islands whenever possible.. even if its just their avatar there while they are answering tickets.
* having a new 'help' channel available to the islands which linked in with guides and ppl who have answered yes on this poll

just my 2.5 dappers

[vinnyq]

what's the reason for not allowing veteran players to return to starter island from the mainland if they wish to? Just to muck around and help new players out?

I am curious to the reasoning behind this.

[b00ster1]

what's the reason for not allowing veteran players to return to starter island from the mainland if they wish to

Reasons?
Q200+ Light armor with bonus
Q200+ Jewels
Help with leveling.
Recruiting to guilds.
etc

[vinnyq]

oh.

dam, those pesky veteran players ruin things for everyone!

carry on.

[magick1]

I did occasionally create a character and play on beginner islands.
It can both be fun (oh no, yubo killed me, now I have 1k DP ), you also meet homins you might not meet (off in an another region).
Furthermore it is a nice way to relax when you are hooked on SoR.

As for the forum, it should probably be focused on certain aspects of the game (FAQ/HOW-TO like) or directions, otherwise it will just be another place for the same content found on the 'normal' forum.

[caitiff]

* physically linking the starter islands with portals? (or just having one island)

I think having a single island for all 4 races would work out well. Have one corner desert type, 1 corner jungle type, etc. The fyros would start out in the desert corner and so on. This way you have more people in starter islands (i think this would help a lot). People get to see a little of all types of characters and lands (helps show of the diversity of the game right from the start). All-in-all I think this would help to retain players.

* having a new 'help' channel available to the islands which linked in with guides and ppl who have answered yes on this poll

This is also a good suggestion and I think this would help out as well.

[iciak]

I'd be willing to help out. I also think that having 1 single newbie island where everyone starts, would be the best way to work it. That way, new players won't feel so isolated and alone (newb isle can be pretty desolate at times), newbies would have the option to pick up any racial craft patterns they would be interested in earlier in their carreers, easier, and would be able to get a taste of all 4 racial areas before hitting the mainland, and having to do the big treks just to see and explore what the other races stuff may look like. Would also make it easier for veterans to make 1 new character to help out a lot of different players, who may be seperate races. 1 teacher for a lot of new players, vs having to make 4 new teachers to help new players.

[hmartono]

I think having a single island for all 4 races would work out well. Have one corner desert type, 1 corner jungle type, etc. The fyros would start out in the desert corner and so on.

I like this idea better, and to elaborate further, instead of quartering the starter place into the respective zones of each race which looks bland and generic, why not put some thought and effort into designing the terrain that will look good.

Or do away with the starter isles. If it is as Rushin said, devoid of life, might not it be better to just start new characters in the respective main city of their chosen race? That way, it shows them that the game is populated...well, depending on the time, that is.