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Dubya Guy
Abandoned Privilege
Top Men.
114
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Posted - 2014.12.17 14:02:00 -
[1] - Quote
There has been a lot of discussion recently around the notion of improving the New Player Experience (NPE), based on the premise that new players do not persist because they are turned off by getting stomped/owned/repeatedly brutalized in battle. 
Most discussion has focused on the idea of constricting each battle to certain levels of gear. Others have suggested that skill level of players is more of a factor, and have suggested battle limits based on total skill points or limiting gear based on skill levels required to use that gear.
Others, myself included, have suggested that the greatest factor in deciding which team is victorious is not gear, or even experience/skill of the players, but the degree of coordination and communication amongst members of one team vs the other.  To truly improve NPE, methods must be found which alter the level of coordination and communication amongst team members.
With this in mind, I propose the following new features to improve both New Player Experience and Old Player Experience. I believe it offers something for everyone. Please identify problems and recommend improvements.
FPS = First Person Support. Kills win battles but it's kinda hard to kill if you're dead and out of ammo.
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Dubya Guy
Abandoned Privilege
Top Men.
114
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Posted - 2014.12.17 14:02:00 -
[2] - Quote
A preliminary step is to change the Create a Squad option to allow a choice between two sizes of squads: Max4 and Max16. The Squad Finder would reflect these two different sizes of squads by displaying them in different colors as is done now with the Daily Missions. Another preliminary step is to add a random 0 to 10 second delay between clicking to search for battle and placing the entity (player/squad) into the search queue. This to reduce Q-syncing which will not be "necessary" with the below modes.
Then, I propose that three modes of battles be offered based on the level of communication available: No COMMs, Low COMMs, and High COMMs.
No COMM Battles
In these battles, interference and jamming have rendered all communication impossible.
Features:
-Only individual players who are not in squads may join this mode of battle
-Squads cannot be formed while searching for battle or deployed in battle
-Microphones are deactivated once deployed
-Orbital Bombardments cannot be requested
-Vehicles cannot be called down
-Rapid deployment with zero wait time in the War Barge
-A GÇ£flatterGÇ¥ reward system
This style of battle will most resemble a traditional First Person Shooter experience. New players, unfamiliar with the richness of Dust, may expect this style of play. Some experienced players simply prefer solo play, or want to play a quick match or two without having to squad up or communicate. They may want to experiment with roles or fittings without letting down their team by not communicating.
No COMM Option 1: If, after this mode has been in existence for some time, and there is STILL the impression that new players are turned off by being beaten, then this mode, and ONLY this mode, can be given some sort of equipment meta level cap. I, personally, think there is some value to occasionally being beaten by individual players who are skilled into better gear. It provides motivation to improve.
No COMM Option 2: If, after this mode has been in existence for some time, and there still seems somehow to be GÇ£stompingGÇ¥ style coordination, then restrict this game mode to participation by players who belong only to NPC corporations, and reduce ISK payouts by 10%.
No COMM Option 3: If there is concern that adding more game modes will thin the player pool too much, then restrict this mode to just Ambush. No Skirmish or Domination for this mode.
Low COMM Battles
In these battles, standard levels of communication are possible. These are the same sort of Pub Battles we currently have except max squad size is reduced to 4.
Features:
-Only non-squadded or Max4 squads can search for these battles
-Max16 squads cannot be formed while searching or in battle, but players can leave squad
-Microphones are available
-Orbitals are available
-Vehicles are available (except in regular Ambush mode)
-1 minute wait time in War Barge to allow for minimal squad hopping.
This style of battle will provide a mix of coordinated and non-coordinated play. New players who experiment with it will see the difference coordinated play makes, and will be encouraged to form their own squads and/or join corps to learn.
Low COMM Option 1: I have heard that in the old days, 4-clone teams were tried and despised. I am not sure why. If the High COMM mode below does not satisfy player desire for extensive coordination, then Max4 can be changed to Max6.
High COMM Battles
In these pitched battles, pre-placement by advance parties has allowed for an exceptionally strong communication network. As such, full teams of up to 16 players can deploy together and share comms if desired.
Features:
-Only players who start out in Max16 squads can search for these battles (regardless of how many clones are in the squad)
-Once in the War Barge, players can leave squad and/or join other squads
-Microphones, Orbitals, Vehicles are available
-3 minute wait time in War Barge for squad reorganizing or consolidation
This style of play offers the maximum level of pre-planning and coordination outside of an actual PC match. As such it offers a great training opportunity for PCs as well as opportunities for corporation rivalry matches.
High COMM Option 1: If there is concern that adding more game modes will thin the player pool too much, then restrict this mode to just Skirmish. No Ambush or Domination for this mode.
FPS = First Person Support. Kills win battles but it's kinda hard to kill if you're dead and out of ammo.
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Dubya Guy
Abandoned Privilege
Top Men.
114
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Posted - 2014.12.17 14:03:00 -
[3] - Quote
(reserved )
FPS = First Person Support. Kills win battles but it's kinda hard to kill if you're dead and out of ammo.
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Dubya Guy
Abandoned Privilege
Top Men.
115
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Posted - 2014.12.17 16:52:00 -
[4] - Quote
Jadd, I agree with all of your ideas. I think we are in violent agreement about the problems with chats and communication tools.  Your suggestions to fix them are spot on.
I only differ on thinking my idea will make things worse. It will provide a haven for those who don't wish to squad up or interact, yet still provide opportunities in other modes to do so. The mere existence of a High COMMs mode will entice and encourage new players who wish to grow and experience the richness of Dust, to join corps or chat channels where Max16 squads are formed. Smaller corps who wish to field a good group of 16 will be incentivized to train new members about the finer details of tactics and map "secrets" or tricks of the trade. 
FPS = First Person Support. Kills win battles but it's kinda hard to kill if you're dead and out of ammo.
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Dubya Guy
Abandoned Privilege
Top Men.
126
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Posted - 2014.12.18 20:11:00 -
[5] - Quote
Update: Edited above to provide a couple more perspectives on problems this idea might address.
FPS = First Person Support. Kills win battles but it's kinda hard to kill if you're dead and out of ammo.
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Dubya Guy
Abandoned Privilege
Top Men.
172
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Posted - 2015.01.05 13:15:00 -
[6] - Quote
There has been renewed interest in this topic, so I would like to bring this up again, and hopefully get more input...
FPS = First Person Support. Kills win battles but it's kinda hard to kill if you're dead and out of ammo.
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Dubya Guy
Abandoned Privilege
Top Men.
174
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Posted - 2015.01.05 18:21:00 -
[7] - Quote
Talos Vagheitan wrote:I disagree. I'm not proud to say I've been in a few proto stomp squads back in AE's glory days. There was never coordination in pub matches unless we went up against another stomp squad.
We were just 6 good, well equipped players who knew the game and the maps, while the blueberries didn't. Communication was never a factor.
Coordination, gear, game knowledge, squad mates to communicate with all come with time and experience... which is represented by SP.
Having said that SP is still the best way to group players for balance.
Thanks for your reply Talos. You are a great player and IGÇÖd not fare well against you 1v1.
I certainly am not denying that better gear and higher skills make a difference, but I think you might have overlooked some of the advantages this group of 6 players had. They were not 6 random players. Effectively, you were GÇ£Q-syncedGÇ¥ into the same battle by the very fact you were in a squad together. And by your description, you were all top notch players who knew how each other played and what role "niches" would be filled.
What would be the chances of 6 top notch players being randomly thrown into the same battle together...and then the next battle...and then the next? And while you may not have used high-level coordination (ala PC matches), I would bet you were on mic and occasionally mentioned where you were going, or if you just saw an ADS and were gonna take it out, or that there was a cloaked scout around Alpha, etc. All in a casual, fun, joking manner, but exchanging information nevertheless.
These are all factors which new and solo players cannot depend on, nor could most players randomly squadded together via Pub Squads. A randomization factor on the timing of being picked individually for a battle, combined with total elimination of comms, would greatly reduce the chances of 6 top notch players repeatedly getting in the same matches together and any (even casual) exchange of tactical information.
I donGÇÖt mean to argue, and I do appreciate your different perspective. Sincere respect.
FPS = First Person Support. Kills win battles but it's kinda hard to kill if you're dead and out of ammo.
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Dubya Guy
Abandoned Privilege
Top Men.
174
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Posted - 2015.01.05 19:29:00 -
[8] - Quote
Maken Tosch wrote:A powerful alternative is to borrow a few things from Eve Online. So far, Eve has a very intuitive UI that provides all the tools needed for a fresh new player to survive the wild west we call New Eden. Let's look at a few examples that might be applicable to Dust 514. This will definitely require an overhaul of the UI and other changes which means a massive update.
...
This will be the most important part of Dust 514 in regards to helping New Players. When these people come in for the first time, they will have a ton of questions and the first natural thing to do is either look for a common help chat channel or read through a bunch of tutorials (hopefully intuitive ones).
Rather than an alternative, I see these as an awesome First or Additional or Simultaneous method of improving NPE. Fully Support. 
FPS = First Person Support. Kills win battles but it's kinda hard to kill if you're dead and out of ammo.
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