| Pages: [1] :: one page |
|
|
| Author |
Thread Statistics | Show CCP posts - 0 post(s) |
DustMercsBlog
Galactic News Network
17
   |
Posted - 2013.03.31 15:25:00 -
[1] - Quote
Dust is a F2P game so its obvious it intends to be accessible to a large portion of gamers. But ultimately true accessibility comes in the form of a great tutorial. Make no mistake, the initial tutorial will dictate the success of this game. We've reiterated many times how insufficient the introduction to the game is. The NPE is grossly lacking. Writers like KageHoshi have suggested well-done alternatives for months http://tinyurl.com/9wte5ku and we hope Uprising brings with it renewed efforts in regards to this.
In some circles there is this belief that 'good guy players', Dust University and other benevolent organizations within the game will provide an in-game tutorial for new players. First, depending on the playerbase to train new players is folly and always has been. There is also a large segment of 'know it all' [sometimes just non-social] players who will never accept training from other players. More importantly, is there some 'press x for Dust University' feature we dont know about? Unless there is, or some 'always on' advertisement for them, new players will never have a chance to benefit from what they can teach. They will be confused by the skill system, unfamiliar with the controls, get owned in a few games, declare the game 'stupid' and never be heard from again.
Metrics should be telling CCP what many already know, while the Dust was quick to reach 1M accounts, its growth has slowed to a crawl since then. The NPE has a lot to do with this. You must provide the basic tools for players to prepare and be successful. But at this stage, we're tired of beating a dead horse. You know where the weaknesses in the NPE are, and then need to be addressed or the game will suffer. |
Prius Vecht
Red and Silver Hand
Amarr Empire
33
|
Posted - 2013.03.31 15:59:00 -
[2] - Quote
+1 |
Kevall Longstride
DUST University
Ivy League
144
|
Posted - 2013.03.31 18:04:00 -
[3] - Quote
Thanks for the Good guys tag. o7
As CEO of DUST University I can tell that while we're happy to do our bit, a well thought out and executed tutorial is going to make everyone's life a lot easier. CCP have a real chance here to craft the kind of indepth but slick tutorial that Eve needed a decade ago but for Dust 514..
The main tools that can help are there on the PS3 itself. The browser should be integrated into the screens of the Merc quarters and direct into the Neocom itself. These forums and more importantly the Corp specific ones should be accesable via the PS3 without leaving the game. Corps should be able to expand beyond the General Discussion, Annnouncments and The Board Room that they have now.
The whole UI needs an overhaul to be perfectly honest. It's pre PS3 exclusive PC origins are apparent with no thought as the limitations (and the plus points) of a Gamepad.
The starter fits are confusing, ill considered and actually not very good fits for a new player. The only unlimited fit should be the one based on the choice of class that the player made to begin with. An interactive tutorial that builds a new fit from scratch, explaining the choices that are required to make it and the inhibitions that prevent the player from adding a bigger gun or larger shield extender.
When a skill is raised a level, a briefer window should appear that instantly tells the player which items have had a boost from the increase, what items have been unlocked because of it and what skillsbooks are now available for purchase and training to level one.
Tutorials should also reward a player for completing them, either by skillbooks being given to them or even a free day of SP boost, both passive and active.
The replace fit to 'x' times should be returned to the fitting screen. On screen warnings or Aura verbally telling them when fits are nearly dry and need replacing need to added (and user disabling of this warning should be added for those payers that learn it quickly).
A help and support channel should be added and like the Eve one, disappear after 30 days but UVT enabled for free and push to talk on.
These are just the things that are coming of the top of my head, I could sit here for hours and list dozens of other smaller stuff but then I'd have nothing to complain about at Fanfest.
Plus I don't want to be doing CCP's job.
|
bacon blaster
VENGEANCE FOR HIRE
10
|
Posted - 2013.03.31 19:35:00 -
[4] - Quote
+1 and many bacons to you, dustmercblog!
That said, Kevall, I am going to have to argue some of your finer points.
First, your idea of an integrated web browser in the menu system. It sounds really nifty, but the menu system already lags a lot and is probably the most broken part of the game. Having a browser constantly running in the background as part of it would probably make it worse.
I agree that the forums should be accessible in game, and that there should be some sort of ingame web browser, but making it part of the menu system would be like filling a fat guy's heart with peanut butter.
+1 and many bacons for the UI. I agree. They should also make it work better for people using a keyboard and mouse.
I actually like the starter fits. I feel they are simple and straight forward enough, though I'm from Eve, and I don't deal with many newbies. That said, I would keep the starter fits, as the choice starters do not fit every situation. The arbiter, for example, is a sniper. There are several maps where snipers are almost useless, and newbies don't have much capitol to spend buying and fitting new suits.
Yes, militia fits are dirt ******* cheap, but it's still a lot on a new character. Besides, the starter fits give newbies a place to start with new fits, and to experiment with changes.
The rest of it I can more or less agree with, it's just those two things I have to vehemently disagree with.
That said, the one tutorial we need above all others is dropship piloting.
What kind of monkey **** are they trying to pull? Forward is back on the stick and vise versa? |
Kushmir Nadian
Valor Coalition
RISE of LEGION
101
|
Posted - 2013.04.01 12:19:00 -
[5] - Quote
+1 |
|
|
| |
|
| Pages: [1] :: one page |
| First page | Previous page | Next page | Last page |