Chihiro Itto
66
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Posted - 2012.07.28 21:30:00 -
[1] - Quote
It depends on the experience and expectations of the player. Anyone with any online FPS experience should expect to get a bit mauled in their first few battles, Dust isn't so far different than other shooters in that respect, but the learning curve is made steeper by the skills system.
Dust certainly has a hardcore element to it and CCP seem to begrudge over-explanation, which has positives and negatives. On the other hand, the point about new players having beta invites for just a weekend is valid. It's not clear what CCP expect for these players - sure, some will love Dust and pay out for the merc pack (which I think if you enjoy the game is worth it, it's how I got in), but how many others are just trying it out, getting pasted and then steering clear, possibly passing on negative opinions to others? If new players supposed to be expanding the beta player base it might be worthwhile to gift new players a few million just so they can get some catch up against the old-hands.
It might well be that CCP are using these weekends to test how new players fare against well-experienced and skilled-up players, in which case the data will surely prove valuable, but there is a hit on the players they are effectively using as cannon fodder. But then if those players stick with it, get advice on these forums and work to improve, there's no reason they won't be able to hold their own in time.
EDIT: The Eve University mentions remind me of a thought I had earlier - it would be good to have information, guides and the like (quite possibly written by players) available from a terminal in the merc quarters or planning room. I don't see any reason why this kind of thing shouldn't exist in Dust and it would make the task of entering Dust late a slightly less daunting one, especially if the 'Mercenary's Guide to the Galaxy' (or 'Battlegrounds of New Eden' perhaps?) was available in-game. It' isn't going to happen in the beta, but for later I think it could be very valuable. |
Chihiro Itto
66
|
Posted - 2012.07.29 15:34:00 -
[2] - Quote
I don't agree that you need to be super-hardcore to play this game or to have lots of tutorials before hand.
I have decent experience in shooters and played a fair bit of Battlefield: BC2 and some of BF3, but would hardly call myself a hardcore FPS player. Anyone who has played Battlefield's Rush mode should feel at least a little at home in Skirmish and Rush doesn't have any tutorials.
I know more than the average player maybe because I've been following Dust since it was announced, but there have been plenty of things I've had to work out myself or find out here. If you want to learn a game's systems then you stick with it. If you want to hop straight in and start handing out cans of whoop-ass then Dust likely isn't the game for you.
Dust could be friendlier, but -BETA!- it's early days yet and I believe although EVE has a limited set of tutorials now, it didn't until recently and all they do is get you started with the basics. Anyone who has played an FPS should have the Dust basics already - it isn't all that different gameplay-wise and neither are the controls - so with that in mind, if the game asking you to make a little effort and figure things out for yourself (with help from your fellow players) is too much for you, I'd suggest either wait for the public release or go and find a game more suited to your needs for instant gratification. |