Starting a New Character with some automatic flags..

[mansa]

Hi.


I think new characters should start with a prompt.  Perhaps an option for prompts towards magickers and mundanes.  prompt 1 gives mundanes, and prompt 2 gives magickers a very basic prompt.

I think new characters should start with some no-save flags already toggled.  Primarily, No-save arrest or no-save soldier or whatever that one is.


I think new characters should start with a hat.


What else do you think new characters should start with?  Different types of clothing?  Coded things?

[Delstro]

They should start with a waterskin. It is hard as hell to find a waterskin in the south, unless you already know where one could be. If you already know where it could be, it is still a 50/50 shot if it is there or not.

[jhunter]

I agree about the nosave flags and about new characters starting with a waterskin.
I think they should start with some sort of basic cloak and belt in addition to a hat.

[brytta.leofa]

A helper.  Seriously.  Though that might ultimately be too much of a burden on our helpers.

[fourTwenty]

I agree about the nosave flags and about new characters starting with a waterskin.

[number13]

Waterskin, starter prompt, nosave arrest.  Yes, please, and not just because it would be helpful to new players.

[mattrious]

Waterskin. Larger selection of 'starter' clothes. Right now when you pint you get a set depending on where you're from. I'd like there to be a few different sets for each locations. Would give the game even more flavor. Is it something that is needed? No.

[fourTwenty]

Waterskin. Larger selection of 'starter' clothes. Right now when you pint you get a set depending on where you're from. I'd like there to be a few different sets for each locations. Would give the game even more flavor. Is it something that is needed? No.

There's already another thread concerning this.


But I love the idea of having your prompt, nosave_flags, and maybe even aliases travel from PC to PC.

[Riev]

S'far as prompts, I just have mine set to a global macro based on the characters, but this -would- be amazingly beneficial to _NEW_ players to the game, along with the current message about HELP prompt.

I would -gladly- change having a backpack to having a water skin, or some other water carrying container. I could probably find a pack or bag easier than a water skin half the time.

Also no-save arrest would be great. So many times I've seen some new player killed for brawling without nosave arrest on, and it may help deter new players from getting frustrated.



I mean, after all, the more players we have, the more people I can be belligerent to in game, right?

[Kassindra]

I agree with starting with nosave arrest. I didn't know of it on my first PC and promptly lost her by following orders to spar in public. heh. Having a waterskin would also be brilliant after nearly dying as a new player before being taken under the wing of a clan or someone willing to help you.

These two I think are essential to getting on your feet and living long enough to find some help in game and learning from others and I'm speaking from my own newbie standpoint.

[Archbaron]

-nosave: arrest
-full waterskin
-1 or 2 kalans
-starter prompt with health, stamina, and stun

[FantasyWriter]

-nosave: arrest
-full waterskin
-1 or 2 kalans 3 Travel cakes
-starter prompt with health, stamina, and stun

Sorry... I have a thing for travel cakes.

[Archbaron]

-nosave: arrest
-full waterskin
-1 or 2 kalans 3 Travel cakes
-starter prompt with health, stamina, and stun

Sorry... I have a thing for travel cakes.

The reason I didn't suggest travel cakes is because flour isn't available everywhere and then they must be made through crafting. By giving them kalans, they know exactly what to look for in stores, and they're available practically everywhere.

[Morgenes]

Ok, question for you guys, if we were to start handing out things like a waterskin or some food, would it be best to load it in their backpack, or just their inventory?

Also, do you guys have any suggestions for prompt format?  Something like '%hhp/%vmv/%tsp> '

[NoteworthyFellow]

Ok, question for you guys, if we were to start handing out things like a waterskin or some food, would it be best to load it in their backpack, or just their inventory?

Also, do you guys have any suggestions for prompt format?  Something like '%hhp/%vmv/%tsp> '

I vote inventory.

My first prompt (before I had the more complex one I have now) was like this:

< %n | %h/%H HP | %v/%V MV | %t/%T ST >

It worked really well for me, but I added more info to it now that I imagine the average new player might be a little overwhelmed by.

[Lizzie]

I think something like this would be great:

You're in the Hall of Kings, and this is your first, 2nd, or 3rd character in the game (no more than that, by then people -should- know at least a couple of commands like INV)...

You touch the starting point location on the map and there's a delay. During this delay, you get to see this sentence:

>Your character is about to arrive in Tuluk, with things in his/her inventory, and your game prompt set for you. Please type INV, and HELP PROMPT, to see what items you are carrying, and how to change your prompt.

Then another 2-second delay, so people can't say "Oh it went by too fast I didn't see it."

And then whatever Morgenes ends up putting into the game.

I like this prompt, for myself:
%h/%H;%v/%V;%t/%T> (with a space after the > )

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

Ok, question for you guys, if we were to start handing out things like a waterskin or some food, would it be best to load it in their backpack, or just their inventory?

Also, do you guys have any suggestions for prompt format?  Something like '%hhp/%vmv/%tsp> '

Put it in the inventory, so that they instantly know they have it.

As far as prompt, let's make it look neat and organized. This is how I would do that:
[##HIT|##STA|##STU|You are POSITION and SPEED.] for mundanes
[##HIT|##STA|##STU|##MAG|You are POSITION and SPEED.] for mages
The brackets contain it all real nice like. Open ended prompts are a bit messier.

Edited to include Seph's suggestion.

[Sephiroto]

I'd like to see the position and walking speed indicators to 7DV's proposition.  Lots of times newbs don't realize if they're running and it's always helpful to see whether or not you're standing/sitting if you're into combat with your characters.

[FuSoYa]

I've got an alias set up... 'promptme'.  I was sick of going through old logs trying to find out just how I set up my prompt.  Either way, these are all great ideas.

Brandon

[AmandaGreathouse]

[Name:%n | HP: %h/%H | STAM: %v/%V | STN: %t/%T| You are: %O, %w, and %A> \n \n

That's always kind of a nice prompt, plus the text doesn't start on my prompt line (pet peeve).

I really like the nosave arrest. I do think that the cloak is a great idea, I think that the food and/or waterskin should start in your pack though, it just makes more sense to me that way. I also really like the idea of starting with the possibility of several outfits. (big fan of the pregame shop idea, but not trying to derail.)

[number13]

Something like '%hhp/%vmv/%tsp> '

imo. Something like that would be best for simplicity sake.  The prompt needs to be short, so that it's less intimidating, yet the numbers need to be labeled, for the sake of the newer players. There doesn't need to be a second default prompt for magickers because ideally a player of a karma class already knows how to use the prompt command.

For the more complex prompt examples in this thread, some common preset prompts could be added. Though that may be something more for Arm2.

[Tisiphone]

How about a little blurb the first time a new character logs in that goes something like, "Welcome to Armageddon. Remember to read 'help prompt' and set your prompt so that you can see vital information. Alternatively, read help infobar, and type 'infobar on'."

[mansa]

How about a little blurb the first time a new character logs in that goes something like, "Welcome to Armageddon. Remember to read 'help prompt' and set your prompt so that you can see vital information. Alternatively, read help infobar, and type 'infobar on'."

I think that a blurb will be easily dismissed.

[Morgenes]

As an update, I've got code that loads some food (appropriate to your start location) and water once you point at the map in the Hall of Kings.

I'm still listening here though, and do plan on giving a default prompt as well.

[mansa]

As an update, I've got code that loads some food (appropriate to your start location) and water once you point at the map in the Hall of Kings.

I'm still listening here though, and do plan on giving a default prompt as well.

And nosave soldier turned on ??

[Morgenes]

Edited:

'Nosave arrest' will default to on (not resisting arrest) for newbies.

Default prompt set to '%hhp %vmv %tst>' (so all new characters will get this)

(Note that you always could do: 'prompt default' to get the default prompt, just on Armageddon the default was '>').

[Mood]

Code Select Expand

prompt %hhp %vmv %tst> [Please check HELP PROMPT]

I think that would be best.

[number13]

Rock on. Little UI improvements like these should help retain new players.  And it'll make life slightly less hazard-prone for my next 0-day character.

[Archbaron]

THANKS MORGENES!

[Ammut]

I like it when my prompt shows the current/max of hp/move/stun.  ie.

Code Select Expand

prompt %h/%H %v/%V %t/%T

also, is it only me or does the infobar command not work in zMud?

[KIA]

<%tst %hhp %vmv> makes more sense, because as a newbie, you'll be wanting to watch your stun a lot more than your hp, and perhaps (arguably) in combat too. I always prompt my stun ahead of my hp because it's just so vital to a lifestyle where contact/barrier meets weapons and fists regularly.

I understand that hp first may be similar to most other MUDs however. Something to ponder I 'spose.

[FuSoYa]

And nosave soldier turned on ??

Psst... nosave arrest.

Brandon

[Winterless]

and maybe even aliases travel from PC to PC.

Your aliases aren't saved locally within your client?


I have aliases for both a mundane and 'gicker prompt. Whenever I feel the need I just type disp1 or disp2.

[Winterless]

Ok, question for you guys, if we were to start handing out things like a waterskin or some food, would it be best to load it in their backpack, or just their inventory?

Also, do you guys have any suggestions for prompt format?  Something like '%hhp/%vmv/%tsp> '

A very basic prompt... <H(%h)%H S(%t)%T V(%v)%V>

The prompt I use and prefer... <%o / %a / %A / %k / %s / %w>\\n<H%h/%H S%t/%T V%v/%V>

[Morgenes]

But I love the idea of having your prompt, nosave_flags, and maybe even aliases travel from PC to PC.

See http://www.zalanthas.org/gdb/index.php/topic,31870.msg393436.html#new

This is something we're doing for Arm 2, not Arm 1.

[Fnord]

The prompt I use and prefer... <%o / %a / %A / %k / %s / %w>\\n<H%h/%H S%t/%T V%v/%V>

That looks familiar!

[mansa]

I think new characters should start with Mercy On.

[Cerelum]

I think new characters should start with Mercy On.

Besides for HG's and Muls, I don't think any newbie is a danger of killing folks.

JaRoD

[Riev]

I think new characters should start with Mercy On.

Besides for HG's and Muls, I don't think any newbie is a danger of killing folks.

JaRoD

No joke, I had a 0-day warrior almost kill someone I believe to be a sorceror. Had I known (OOCly OR ICly) how to deal with him, it would have been a tough fight. A 0-day warrior could easily accidentally kill a merchant PC if the situation was right.

[mansa]

Well, having Mercy On will force people to turn it off, before they "kill" someone, and remove them from the game.
...Giving people the opportunity to roleplay the final scene.

Rather than "forgetting" to turn it on, and ruining a nice death scene.


I'd rather force people to turn off mercy, than force them to turn it on.  It's the subtle things that help promote better role-play.

[FantasyWriter]

it is one of the things I do as soon as I leave the Hall of Kings, before my prompt even, and I keep it on unless I am hunting NPCs critters. 
I accidentally killed a PC one who I wanted really bad to let live.  Mercy on has been my friend ever since.

[Yokunama]

Hrmm... I would like the prompt, pagelength, and nosave flags, from my last character experience to be saved to my account when I start I new character.

[mansa]

Hrmm... I would like the prompt, pagelength, and nosave flags, from my last character experience to be saved to my account when I start I new character.

This will happen in the next game, as per Morgenes' post.