I don't really think the chat restrictions are too unbearable either, but I do think having some sort of a timer somewhere would alleviate the situation some. I really was just sharing a story of "man that sucks "and it made me curious about other things dealing with the new player experience.
I'm sure there are questions new players will have, however. I can't say what, but it would be frustrating to have a question (even if it seems obvious in hindsight, whatever it is) and not be able to do anything about, and thus not progress in the game. Fortunately, there is always a little hub of players around Defender to go ask things in local if they are so inclined. Hopefully, a new player will notice them. I can't really say what things a new player could get confused about, but knowing myself, I can miss small details that would otherwise be quite noticeable for another person and will even get a little ragey about it. lol Then feel ridiculous when I do discover it.
That said... m-my name is blumoon8. ._.;
I say stuff and I say things, sometimes together but only when I'm feeling adventurous.
The editor deleted this post and now I have to retype it. ;~;
So here's the sparknotes:
First, I agree that the chat limitations aren't too unbearable, but a timer would help with patience. The thread was just intended as a "that sucks" story and got me curious about the new player experience
Next, yes, there shouldn't be too many questions for the early experience (I would hope) but things can pop up and there's not too many places to turn. Hopefully a new player will notice the hub of players around defender. For instance, new players may not be sure where to put their talents.
Finally, m-my name is actually blumoon8 ._.;
I say stuff and I say things, sometimes together but only when I'm feeling adventurous.
I had an unfortunate experience with a new player that I just have to get off your chest. Now, before you jump to the obvious conclusion, no they weren't awful. What happened was, I essentially got an anonymous friend request. I get them every now and then, always weird out about it (WHY ARE YOU FRIENDING ME. YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW ME. *suspicious*), but this time I actually decided to accept out of an odd generous mood. Well, they were a new player who wanted to ask questions but the only way they could talk was through friending someone. To be specific, they were an older (age-wise) new player. They were a very nice person, and unfortunately, some of their questions I just didn't have an answer for. Because they felt they had no where else to turn, essentially reduced to asking me or looking online for help, they quit. They couldn't use zone chat to ask for help from someone who may be able to actually help them. What sucks the most is they actually really, REALLY enjoyed the game. They just couldn't put up with the limitations, became incredibly frustrated, and decided to move on to something else.
TLDR: New player quit because of chat limitations.
So for me, reflecting on this experience, I'm left to wonder how many new players like the game but can't make it through the various limitations? I have zero knowledge of the new player experience because I started playing back in 2010 when it was P2P. Are the early hurdles that obtrusive? I just find the whole thing unfortunate and wonder how many people start playing only to quit.
A bunch of hypothetical questions, but that's the experience and what's been on my mind.
Thanks for reading!
I can relate to this because my initial experience with CO was similar (I am an older player, too). I felt so caged in and grounded with the limitations that I eventually ended up purchasing a sub (and eventually the lifetime membership) which is really the goal of the FTP limitations.
When I was a new player in CO, I didnt mind spending the time trying to unlock the basic access of the game. However, it was frustrating not to be able to use Zone Chat and I didn't feel comfortable enough to randomly friend someone. The only other way to communicate with others without sending random friend invites is joining a group, which I suspect is also intentional. However, being a new player with a lowbie toon within a group (PUG or not) can be a dicey experience as well, especially when the other group members rush through the mission and give little to no instruction.
I can see how that person would be frustrated quickly with the limitations of the game; they are annoying at best to even the most seasoned MMO player. In my opinion, age can make a significant difference when trying out new games; it seems many of the younger players and some of the older players have little tolerance or patience for anything that slows/hinders the game experience.
My guess is that there was a lot more going on than just the *chat limitations* that made the player quit so soon.
CO's limitations are nothing like DCUO's. The chat restriction is only temporary anyway. Shame that player left for something so trivial.
True; even though DCUO has a "Premuim" membership that allows a 5 dollar purchase to get you a few more perks to the game (like more character slots), the real money/in-game money paywalls and content gates truly limit how far a player can take their character based on their membership. Even if FTP/Premium members purchases ALL of the episodes of the game, they STILL do not have full access to the game because they are not subscribers. For example, you could purchase all of the episodes of the game but still be limited to 2000 in game cash beause you do not subscribe. Any other money you earn after 2000 is put on hold (escrow) and you have to pay to get access to it. DCUO even limits their subscribers; when you subscribe you have access to the full game but unless you purchase the content, you lose access if you cancel your membership. SO basically you have to buy the game twice in order to fully experience it; first to purchase all of the episodes and second to subscribe to have access to the QOL perks (unlimited access to your in-game cash, stipends, free lockboxes, ect).
Most new players drop DCUO when they find out that their content access is so limited and that subscribing only *rents* the game content.
Does the chat limitation end after *hours of gameplay* or just *hours, real-time*?
I believe it was "hours of gameplay" when I started out. Since an hour of "real time" isn't always equal to an hour of "game time", it would make sense to measure it by game time.
Is it just 1 hour?! Geez, you guys had me thinking it was much more than that. This problem is literally 100% solved by having it show "your chat block has X minutes remaining" when the person tries to type.
Twenty hours play time is a pretty long time to have such chat limits. Makes it hard to ask about beating those first couple of bosses, an event, etc.
When I started, I seem to remember being able to use zone chat sooner as a silver, though I am likely misremembering. Also, I spent lots of play time making costumes initially.
Comments
I'm sure there are questions new players will have, however. I can't say what, but it would be frustrating to have a question (even if it seems obvious in hindsight, whatever it is) and not be able to do anything about, and thus not progress in the game. Fortunately, there is always a little hub of players around Defender to go ask things in local if they are so inclined. Hopefully, a new player will notice them. I can't really say what things a new player could get confused about, but knowing myself, I can miss small details that would otherwise be quite noticeable for another person and will even get a little ragey about it. lol Then feel ridiculous when I do discover it.
That said... m-my name is blumoon8. ._.;
I say stuff and I say things, sometimes together but only when I'm feeling adventurous.
I'm @blu8 in game!
So here's the sparknotes:
First, I agree that the chat limitations aren't too unbearable, but a timer would help with patience. The thread was just intended as a "that sucks" story and got me curious about the new player experience
Next, yes, there shouldn't be too many questions for the early experience (I would hope) but things can pop up and there's not too many places to turn. Hopefully a new player will notice the hub of players around defender. For instance, new players may not be sure where to put their talents.
Finally, m-my name is actually blumoon8 ._.;
I say stuff and I say things, sometimes together but only when I'm feeling adventurous.
I'm @blu8 in game!
My super cool CC build and how to use it.
When I was a new player in CO, I didnt mind spending the time trying to unlock the basic access of the game. However, it was frustrating not to be able to use Zone Chat and I didn't feel comfortable enough to randomly friend someone. The only other way to communicate with others without sending random friend invites is joining a group, which I suspect is also intentional. However, being a new player with a lowbie toon within a group (PUG or not) can be a dicey experience as well, especially when the other group members rush through the mission and give little to no instruction.
I can see how that person would be frustrated quickly with the limitations of the game; they are annoying at best to even the most seasoned MMO player. In my opinion, age can make a significant difference when trying out new games; it seems many of the younger players and some of the older players have little tolerance or patience for anything that slows/hinders the game experience.
My guess is that there was a lot more going on than just the *chat limitations* that made the player quit so soon.
Most new players drop DCUO when they find out that their content access is so limited and that subscribing only *rents* the game content.
Whoever you are, be that person one hundred percent. Don't compromise on your identity.
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My characters
Whoever you are, be that person one hundred percent. Don't compromise on your identity.
My super cool CC build and how to use it.
Whoever you are, be that person one hundred percent. Don't compromise on your identity.
My super cool CC build and how to use it.
No, it's 20 hours.
Click here to check out my costumes/milleniumguardian (MG) in-game/We need more tights, stances and moods
When I started, I seem to remember being able to use zone chat sooner as a silver, though I am likely misremembering. Also, I spent lots of play time making costumes initially.
Whoever you are, be that person one hundred percent. Don't compromise on your identity.