The FPE is coming, some things to consider.

Ken Dei

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jan 2006

W/Mo

Greetings,

To all those reading the thread, I thank you for the time from your days you have alotted to read this. Eariler, about 1 AM (-6 GMT, U.S. Central) I was sending out my recruiting message for my new guild in Lion's Arch District 1. Surrounded by the usual spam, I was intently focused on timing my message so that it wouldn't roll off the screen.

And then Gaile Grey, in purple text, spoke one line:
"No one talks anymore "

It was as if for most people there, time stopped. Immediately, one little line of text caused people to first try and prove otherwise and then came the usual flood of questions about new stuff.

But it did one thing for me personally. It kicked me out of my little trance long enough to realize...Gaile was right. True, there have been many various threads discussing the behavior of the community at large. But you never really consider it till "everything stops."

I looked at those who denied what Gaile said, and then thought to myself "But moments ago not a single one of you was speaking to each other, you were all just selling your wares" and it occured to me, I was just as guilty.

By now you're asking what the point of the little story is. Well I won't keep you from it any longer.

Many of the older players, those of us lulled into the trance of endless spam, positioning posts, and chasing "the next cool item" will be enjoying the FPE Weekend soon, and many of us will be buying Factions.

But, also consider this, there will be MANY new players who are new to our little community. People who will be examining us, judging us, testing to see if we are worthy to have them with us. Yes, gameplay, and graphics make the physical portion of a game, but even that is just a husk of electrons without the community.

Therefore, in light of my little revelation tonight, I put forth a small set of challenges to the entire community.

Enjoy the weekend in all its aspects, not just for the "cool new stuff" you can get. Consider the number of new players, and increase your tolerance of less then perfect playing ability. Be kind, answer questions, stand around and talk with your friends, old and new. Seek to challenge others, and then seek to challenge yourself by doing difficult things that you haven't before.

See if you, can make these new players see that we have not forgotten that this game is about team play; not just to "get stuff" as a group, but to play as a team for the sake of being a team. That, we welcome the new blood who seek to be taught by the knowledgable veterans and experts. That, ultimately, we are a community worthy of their time and respect.

Last, and most important of all. At the end of the event, if you have done these things. See if you are better for it, if you gained a new perspective, new friends, good memories and experiences, and a new found appreciation for thi game that you thought you'd lost. If you challenged yourself, and find those things to be true, then the final challenge is to keep doing them. Do everything you can not to sink back into this trance that acts as a siren's call upon the minds of even good well meaning players.

We are better then spam, we are better then self indulgence, we are better then to be hollow and listless. Let's prove it oncemore.

Thank you again for your time, it is greatly appreciated. *Bows*

Kai Nui

Kai Nui

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2005

Behind you with a knife

Celebrity Gangsters [FamE]

Me/

I completely agree, I think you might have been better to put this elsewhere, but I agree. Recently I've become bored, I've done everything, seen it all. Recently I've been helping complete strangers do things, just for the heck of it, and it's pretty fun.

Manic Smile

Manic Smile

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2005

Hawaii

----- 15^50[Rare] ---- Alliance: ----- [SMS] -----

it's LA...or Droks...best not to waste your time there


ToA is oddly confrontational

.defekt

.defekt

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2005

Ex Talionis [Law], Schindlers Fist [ouch]

Amen.

Lowly Peasant

Lowly Peasant

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

Unfortunatly many places have become rather hostile. Marhans Grotto, which used to be a great meeting place for people to chat and discuss the builds they prefer, has become a crap hole where morons go to show off their shiney new armor. And I pity and new player to enter Ascalon Districts 1-3 as they are completley filled with spam. And any attempts to ask a question are simply met with smart ellic replies, ignored, or flat out flamed.

I will admit that I have played the game for so long that I have become a little jilted and I simply keep all my channels off except for when I need them. Random arena's have become a breeding ground of trash where ignorant and outright terrible remarks are made. Something must be done to stem the tide of these low brow players from causing new players from leaving or doing as I have become and simply play through the game solo and group only when forced.

Grimm

Grimm

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

N/

I agree completely. I really don't know a way to fix this problem though. Being able to filter out "WTS" and "WTB" would be good, but the offensive crap in Random Arenas and Temple of Balthazar wouldn't be affected.

studentochaos

studentochaos

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2006

Seeking atm

N/

Quote:
Originally Posted by Manic Smile
ToA is oddly confrontational
ToA is weird like that

I agree with the OP. Actually during the last factions pvp preview weekend I was kinda suprised how many people raged on the "n00bs." Do people want to play a MMORPG all alone?

neoteo

neoteo

Banned

Join Date: Jun 2005

Macau

www.exilesofdarksteel.com

E/

/kneel

kais

kais

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

China

The Hatebreeders [Evil]

I agree entirely with you. I ve always tried to make the best use out of myself after i hadfinished the game, such has:
-help in THK with monk.
-answer to questions whenever I can.
even though I cant really consider myself an "older player" I agree that people new to the game need to be welcomed warmly.

Quote:
Originally Posted by studentochaos
ToA is weird like that

I agree with the OP. Actually during the last factions pvp preview weekend I was kinda suprised how many people raged on the "n00bs." Do people want to play a MMORPG all alone?
Horrible but too true. I too was astounded by the number of those "player wannabes" insulting newbies, laughing at them for every question like this.
as a sidenote, I got my guild that way.
I was in CA, and a jerk was just spamming curses and insults about newplayers being noobs and I just quickly replied:
" arent 'noobs' the one who calls other noobs, when those they call are actually just newbies?"
or something like that.Anyway, I was taking the defense of the new players.
after that, someone asked me if I wanted to join her guild and i accepted. It must have been for her a garantee I was a good person.

I m getting a bit off track, but what I want to say is that being nice doesnt cost a thing.

Gonzo

Gonzo

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2006

Netherlands

Defenders of the Blackblade [DotB]

W/

During the FPE hunting for the next cool item is useless. All items gained will be lost. I do agree, but the towns that are useless or next to useless are rather nice towns to talk in.

theVariable

theVariable

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2005

CA, USA

Knights of the Hokuten [KotH] (hokuten.org)

Mo/Me

This is a very well thought out post and it is very true. We'd all do better to remind ourselves of this, often. By doing so, we can have a very positive effect on the community, as a whole. If people are open to it, it'll catch on and spread.

Let's do our best

kimahri

kimahri

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Sep 2005

Defenders of the Blackblade [DotB]

E/

Fishermans Haven is great, we have massmeetings there, sitting in a circle talking about the game and stuff. Come and join us in European dis 1, if on that server. Anyway, I completely agree with the post, and as theVariable said, let's do our best.

Gonzo

Gonzo

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2006

Netherlands

Defenders of the Blackblade [DotB]

W/

Indeed FH island is a great example my guild is widly represented in FH.

Kook~NBK~

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: Mar 2005

A little chalet outside Drok's

Natural Born Killaz

LA, Droks, and Ascalon City have turned into the major trading centers (ESPECIALLY District 1). IMHO, thats's why most people spend time in those towns. Chatting there has been made very difficult because of all the trade chat, especially when people fail to use the trade chat channel, and that's why people don't congregate there for chatting.

The places that lend themselves to good chat are the out of the way places like Fisherman's Haven, Ice Tooth Cave, etc. It's so much easier to carry on a conversation when it's not peppered with "LFG For xxxxx" (Storyline places), "Pro runner ....." (Beacon's Perch, Augury rock) or "WTB / WTS" (Droks, LA, Ascalon)

When it comes to answering questions that people have, I don't hesitate to help out where I can. Two reasons - 1, It's the right thing to do, making for a better community. and 2, It cuts down on the "OMG Noob doesn't know...." type crap in chat.

Kaly Mason

Kaly Mason

Academy Page

Join Date: Jan 2006

E/Mo

I'm looking forward to the preview weekend! I cant wait. I'm just sad that they're starting it basicly 3am my time.

My reasons for enjoying the weekend:

1) I get to try my ritualist which since the pvp preview has become almost my favorite character.

2) I have people that are new to the game that I invited and want to help them have a good time with the game.

3) I'm looking forward to venturing into the new world that has been given to us.

4) I wanna just hang out with people and shoot the breeze when I'm not trying my hand at the missions.

I hope everyone would put away their E-"Members" and just enjoy the weekend. Would be great to have cities full of questions and decent answers without all the measuring of their E-"Members".

Enjoy the fun that comes this weekend! ^_^

Wind of Horus

Wind of Horus

Academy Page

Join Date: Dec 2005

N/Me

So true..

But it sounds like to me this comming FPE is going to be all out war. I dont think anyone will know what exactly is going on (no matter how "exp" you are) because its all new. Everyone will be in a sort of confused state at first... I just hope it doesnt turn into one big giant Random Arena's bit, where everyone is sour about losing. It will be interesting to see how things play out.

Gonzo

Gonzo

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2006

Netherlands

Defenders of the Blackblade [DotB]

W/

I think the phrase OMG DID YOU SEE THAT will be a common phrase this weekend. Too bad I won't be able to get some serieous gaming time in untill sunday.

Guardian of the Light

Guardian of the Light

Forge Runner

Join Date: Sep 2005

Radicals Against Tyrants

W/

Well there is talk in RA.....not exactly pleasant talk though.

O well remember we always have Guild Wars Guru to talk about things.

thunderpower

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2006

Europe

KiSS

Everything said is sadly true. Hoards of wannabes (lets not say idiots), self proclaimed pro's, kiddos with ebay account, etc... invaded the game in the past few month.

I don't say that this is a new thing and that older players were perfect. But as the game became more popular, easier to play (runners, etc) more and more "unwanted" players started to play the game.

Also, I think there is an issue with younger players (under 13-15). They tend to be pritty annoying, with all the childish remarks. Also, some of them have a terrible necesity to show their achievments in every possible place. So the beta/preview weekends are paradise for such players. I can see them hanging around CA, RA or anywhere insulting new players, swearing, showing off in their armor, spitting "n00b", "stfu", "mofo", "fu" in every possible chat.

Of course, those who played the game for a while can just turn off trade, local, etc.. chat. But what about the people who join the game for the preview event? Can they do the same thing? Guess not.

I say that for this event there should be a someone from Anet in some major outposts, towns and warn/ban anyone who spams the main channel with WTB, WTS, LFR.... or insults people in any way in the main chat. And if they continue with the harrasment, ban them for the entire preview weekend.

Zubie

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2005

Ireland

W/Mo

It has been said before and it will be said again (and Gaile if your listening)

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE put in an auction house ....
It would cut down on a lot of the WTB/WTS (not all mind)

Either that or split the trade channel into 2 a WTB and a WTS section.
Sure people are going to to use the incorrectly but if you want to sell stuff you dont have to listen to most of the WTS chat.

Also just from myself these days Local and Trade chats are nearly always off for me.

I just chat with my guildies in guild chat (and a crazy bunch they are) or we meet in little groups and sit around and chat .. sometimes I log in for an hour and do nothing

well just a little bit of my 2c

Cymboric Treewalker

Cymboric Treewalker

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

Imperial Palace - Cantha

[SFK] Sacred Forge Knights (founder)

Me/Mo

I agree... I have been for the last two weeks assisting all new players that I can find... I try to look for unguilded people, but there are a lot of people that pay the 200g to make a guild just to have one... they are the only member.

I am made and deleted seven pre characters for doing this... I find it best to be at the people's level so they have an "impact" on the game. I try not to run them from point A to point B -- they need to soak it all up and enjoy it. I will only guide them to "where" when they ask for that assistance.

I will be doing that as much as possible in the preview.

Metanoia

Metanoia

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Feb 2006

The Random Arena outpost isn't all that bad if you ignore the random ventings, flame baiters, people who should know better attempting to start a debate on the lack of ethics of GW players and of course the people who talk about how much of a hypacr-- saint they think they are... er, I forgot the point I was trying to make.

unclepunchy

unclepunchy

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2005

Dwarven Ale Company

R/Mo

ive seen it too the senceless vebal slaughter of people who dont know and just would like a simple questions answered or a little advice...

for example: hangin around Ammoon Oasis last night, enjoying the desert, and this ranger was asking (and slightly spamming) "whats better, Bear or Lizard?" and now there was a few short answers like " Bear is slow" and such but the majority was "shut it N00b" and the like....

now i tangent: to Ken Dei's post, i too have noticed that myself and even my guildies rarely even talk outside of team or guild chat....

so i felt obligated, being a ranger w/ a lizard to explain the 'lizard side' of the picture (never had a bear) i did so in all chat and got slammed as well....

which was kinda lame, because there prob was someone else who wanted to know as well...

but anyhow the next thin i know im running this ranger from aurgry rock to elonas reach to cap his Lizard....

the onbly thing i hope is that he will remember that and do the same to another n00b down the line


i usually am one to chime in when some one gets the slam in the all chat for a game question.....

i mean the countless times someone told me somthing that totally helped my game....(like the 1st time i was told "hey ranger....use ctrl- when you attack to call the shot"..)duh...

we were all n00bs and we will be again

punchy out

EternalTempest

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

Very good post, I still try and answer questions to other players that ask but find myself sending them to via PM.

Also I'm still chatty but it has shifted to PM on friend list.

frickett

frickett

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Shinigami Keys [SHIN]

R/Mo

Ill have to delete my pre-searing monk to play, but i dont mind, I will have a new monk in cantha.

Megla Zero

Megla Zero

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2006

North Carolina

[OS]

Yea, I agree that I fall into the trap of only selling some things in town from time to time, but if I see any "noob bashing" going on, I'll step in and defend the new player, and I've met some pretty cool people that way.

Tangent:

Quote:
Originally Posted by unclepunchy
...but anyhow the next thin i know im running this ranger from aurgry rock to elonas reach to cap his Lizard....

the onbly thing i hope is that he will remember that and do the same to another n00b down the line...
You know you could've just taken him right outside of Amnoon and a bit down the path you can cap a lizard, right?

eudas

eudas

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Feb 2006

Tx, USA

The Infinite Monkeys [TYPE]

W/

It's up to the community to change the community. It has allowed itself to be reshaped into the form in which it currently finds itself. Be the kind of people that you would like to see, and lead by example, and you will cause change.

eudas

Studio Ghibli

Studio Ghibli

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

Gaelic Storm

I agree.

No one talks anymore.

Why?

Because my local chat is normally turned off to avoid the endless spamming.

If Anet would like to address this problem, add an auction system.

Count to Potato

Count to Potato

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2006

Imagination Land

I Swear She Was Eighteen [Gwen]

W/

/bow

nicely written

good topic

/agree

unclepunchy

unclepunchy

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Jun 2005

Dwarven Ale Company

R/Mo

Quote:
You know you could've just taken him right outside of Amnoon and a bit down the path you can cap a lizard, right?
yeah he was lvl 17 and i had my running shoes on (escape/dodge/storm chaser) and i hate jade scarabs...and actualy we ended up having to fight our way outa destinys gorge cuz the teleporter was full of hydras....he was a pretty good trapper too...

i never knew that a sand drake can keep up with you running

but enough of that off topic stuff....i sure am glad that there are other people who help others...not that i thought i was the only one....

if all you see is the trash around you, you never see the gold right next to you...

Lord Iowerth

Lord Iowerth

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

Atlanta, GA (#guildwarsguru FTW!)

Biscuit Of Dewm [MEEP]

R/Mo

Well, you can take the spamming player out of the game, but you can't take the spammer out of the player. I mean, there *IS* a trade channel ... do people use it? sure. Do countless throngs of idiots spam "WTB" and "WTS" in local chat? Yes.

Use the RED ENGINE'd trade channel, people! >_<

warban

warban

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Apr 2005

No one talke because of the trade flood. Guildwars needs a Better method of Trade that doesn't need to be spamed before it drops off the page before there is room for "Chat"

Lady Lorwinia

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2006

In this universe. In north america. That should keep you pedophiles guessing^^

R/Me

Auction house would solve lots of problems.

But lots of idiots would still spam the local chat. But I guess that would get rid of some of them -.-'

Lord Iowerth

Lord Iowerth

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Sep 2005

Atlanta, GA (#guildwarsguru FTW!)

Biscuit Of Dewm [MEEP]

R/Mo

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lady Lorwinia
Auction house would solve lots of problems.

But lots of idiots would still spam the local chat. But I guess that would get rid of some of them -.-'
I'll take getting rid of some of them ... something definitely needs to be done.

In the places not flooded by trade-spam, the average level of conversation is not that great though ... but there are a few exceptions

Mavrik

Mavrik

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2005

Alaska

May we hope that anyone who has a bad experience this weekend, also has a good one from the rest of us.

I know the free PvP weekend last time sparked a lot of crap... I know it would have turned me off had I been new at that time. But I'm now seasoned and ignore most everything and always have local chat turned off.

Good post and ideas.

Snograt

Snograt

rattus rattus

Join Date: Jan 2006

London, UK GMT??0 ??1hr DST

[GURU]GW [wiki]GW2

R/

It has already been suggested in this thread that Anet have a representative in every Town/Oupost monitoring the chat channels.

I suggest that these reps be given the power to apply a temporary "chat ban" on those people who insist on spamming the "All" channel with trades. The people banned would not be able to post AT ALL in the "All" channel for a period of time. If, after the ban period expires, these people decide to repeat the offence, then, maybe, an account ban could be considered.

Opinions?

Mavrik

Mavrik

Forge Runner

Join Date: May 2005

Alaska

/signed

Ado

Ado

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2005

Den Haag

[cute]

Mo/Me

What some ppl seem to forget is that we've all been noobs when we started playing GW. When new players ask something or need help, we should think back of the time that we also didn't know anything about the game.

When I started playing GW (7 months ago) I was helped in every way possible by many many players. I dont now how it is today for new players, but from what I read so far, things aint so positive regarding the attitude towards new players.

Treat someone friendly and you will be treated friendly in return, that's my motto.

ElinoraNeSangre

ElinoraNeSangre

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2006

Near Seattle, WA

Talionis De Cineris [EXUR]

N/Me

Thanks for posting this. I'm pretty new, myself, and I've seen some great people... and some terrible ones. I think a lot of people are afraid to get together with strangers for missions and quests and such because they don't know what they'll get.

A lot of why I came here was to try to network with neat people and find people who have the same kinds of goals I do (have a good time, enjoy a fun game, and take the time that the sights deserve). It is a little rough as a new player to find good groups of people, and there are still times that I feel kind of overwhelmed by some of the people out there. People just being abusive or plain out stupid.

(oh boo all this talk of Drok's and I'm not there yet :P)

The WTB/WTS would go down a lot if it would stay on the trade channels :: cough ::.

It's the curse of a game that's free to play, though; a lot of people are going to get in there because they can. I'm really glad to see more people rally behind the idea of being friendly, helpful, and for good conversation.

-Eli

Phaern Majes

Phaern Majes

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2005

Anywhere but up

The Panserbjorne [ROAR]

R/Mo

Heh it is sad, just the other day I was in Ascalon district 1. I noticed there was no selling going on in the trade channel (meaning it was all in the local). I started up a conversation with someone using the trade channel, and went for nearly a 2 minutes before people kinda stopped everything for a few seconds. I think they may have realized how sad it was that we had a 2 minute conversation in the trade channel with no interruption of WTB's, WTS's, or WTT's. Didn't really fix the problem, but a few did switch over to the trade channel after that.

Really they just need mods to enforce it. Give 12 hour bans for spamming WTB's/WTS's in the local chats. Maybe harsh but it pathetic when you try to cut out the spam (unchecking the trade channel) but it doesn't help. Someone mentioned Auction Houses which I don't think would be a bad idea, or even maybe just an outpost dedicated to trade spamming.

As for the comments in outposts, again mods would help. I've seen so many violations of Terms of Agreement that its pathetic. I used to report them but the stupid automated report system, always emails me saying "Thanks, we are looking into it." Then 2 days or so later I get "You never followed up on your complaint, so it has been dropped." Maybe not word for word but pretty much that meaning. It needs to stop, this community is getting as bad as WoW. Even worse I'd say.