Have you hugged a noob today?

[Gimfalisette]

About 40% of new players are referred by friends, but they account for 57% of the players we retain...85% of new players who left had a living character when they stopped playing.

This leads me to believe that lack of involvement (an inability or failure to get involved with other PCs, and thus get sucked into plots and fun) is our biggest retention risk factor.

Vanth has delved into the dark depths of ARM's data to find the above pearls of numeric wisdom.

As I have stated, I believe that our biggest risk factor for new-player loss is not getting them involved. To the end of curtailing this loss, I now exhort you, my fellow players, to do what you can to involve a noob today. The job of engaging noobs does not just fall to leaders, it's something we should all be doing.

Stuff you can do to involve any noob:

-- Talk to them. Emote at them. Flirt with them. Buy them a drink. Send them Way messages. Noobs are easy to ignore, but don't.

-- Offer them a quest. Make it something simple and give full instructions: "Hey buddy, go fetch me a drink from that other tavern. Here's the coins. Here's how to get there. Make it quick, eh?"

-- Tell them a sekret. It could be true or untrue, but sekrets are engaging. "Hey, any news about the rabid jozhal attack everyone's whispering about? Oh, you don't know? Well lemme tell ya..." "Psst, if you can find me out something about Lord Frillypants' new aide and what he's doing with the new boy...oh you don't know?"

-- Offer them a job. If your PC is in the Byn or Kadius or Salarr or Kurac, this will probably not be too hard to do. If your PC is indie, you still may be able to do it. Alternately, instruct them in taking up a self-supporting city job, such as dung-collecting or clay-digging. "Instruct" here means show them where to do it, OOC the syntax, tell them ICly where to sell it, etc.

-- If you can't offer them a job, physically introduce them to someone who can, such as a Byn Sergeant, GMH leader, military leader. Don't just tell them who to look for or who to Way, make a special effort to get them connected face-to-face in game.

-- Create a scene. Get into a barfight with the Bynner on the next stool over, and make a spectacle for the noob to watch. Creatively involve the noob in the scene as it unfolds: Perhaps you pretend you're starting the fight because the Bynner insulted the noob, though in reality your PC just wants an excuse.

-- If the noob seems to have trouble with syntax or is OOCing questions, take them aside (back room of the Gaj or wherever) and do an OOC one-to-one session.

-- Be willing to do what is NOT IC for your PC, in order to get the noob involved. Maybe your PC would actually rather grunt at everyone than truly interact. I'm going to suggest something radical: Break character. For the good of the game, for the hope of seeing ARM have 25% or 50% or 100% more players, break character.

-- OOCly suggest that they contact a helper. Offer the website address of the helpers list, or even better, flat-out give them the IM contact information of a helper you think does a good job. (I have a few helpers that I refer people to.)

-- Take them on a tour of the city. Personally, I wouldn't suggest mugging the noob or attempting to kill them; but a minor scamming might give them a good feel for ARM. Or, take them up to the Elementalists' Quarter and see if you can scare them. Be engaging while also orienting them.

-- Don't let your engagement with the noob be a one-time thing. Write yourself a note to follow-up with their PC at your next login. Send them a Way and repeat any of the above involvement suggestions.



What else can you think of doing, which would help to engage and retain players who are new to ARM?

[hyzhenhok]

Given my experience as a newb, and the feedback from people I've introduced from the game, I think the problem for new players even more than getting interacted with is simply finding players.

Two things to fix this:
1) Players make a point to hang out in visible locations, rather than in apartments or in clan compounds. You don't need to be aware that someone's new or even go out of your way; just being visible and active can draw them into the game.
2) Make sure new player spawn points maximize chance at interaction. Put the Allanak spawn outside of the Gaj rather than outside of Trader's, put the 'rinth spawn outside one of the 'rinthi taverns rather than on Hathor's, etc.

My first character (a 'rinther) went south and wandered around the bazaar for hours, and I never saw a PC. Then I wandered around the 'rinth for hours before I found other players. Then I died to a beggar. But having found players before I died, I realized there was something really special about this game and came back for more.

Fix that, and 90% of the problem is fixed.

[Gimfalisette]

Put the Allanak spawn outside of the Gaj rather than outside of Trader's

I don't disagree with your points in general, but the Allanak spawn point is inside the Gaj dormitory. New players are already spawning into the most busy single point in Nak.

[LauraMars]

I agree that the rinth spawn point should be somewhere else.  And the Tuluk spawn point should be in the Firestorm or a tavern that people actually visit.

[hyzhenhok]

Put the Allanak spawn outside of the Gaj rather than outside of Trader's

I don't disagree with your points in general, but the Allanak spawn point is inside the Gaj dormitory. New players are already spawning into the most busy single point in Nak.

Whoops, my mistake. It's been awhile.

[Reiloth]

I agree that the rinth spawn point should be somewhere else.  And the Tuluk spawn point should be in the Firestorm or a tavern that people actually visit.

+5000

My first Rinth character was hopelessly confused as to where the alleys even were. The 'rinth starting point should be at the Templar statue on Hathor's Way, no if ands or buts about it.

And I agree that the Tuluki starting point should be somewhere more relevant, especially now.

[Synthesis]

The 'rinth spawn point used to be inside the actual 'rinth, but newbs would log in and do typical newb things like go linkdead, and people would PK them or spam-steal all their newb coins because they were in a no-law zone.

[Akaramu]

I am a noob.

Hugs, anyone? 

[Spoon]

-- Offer them a quest. Make it something simple and give full instructions: "Hey buddy, go fetch me a drink from that other tavern. Here's the coins. Here's how to get there. Make it quick, eh?"

I think this is really important. I remember how difficult it was to make enough money to live when I started out, it really did seem impossible. Once you know the ins and outs of the game getting money can seem fairly simple, so I urge people who hoard sids in the bank accounts to employ people for simple/not so simple tasks! Especially new players!

[Zoltan]

I am a noob.

Hugs, anyone? 

You're not a noob. /denies

As to helping out -real- noobs... it comes up pretty often. Gimf has really good advice and the only thing I'd stress is that in most cases you should try to stay as IC as possible, for as long as possible. If you can involve them in the game world right off, it seems like they're more likely to get into the flow of things. And then you should direct them to the helpers page.

[Booya]

I get stage-fright with obvious noobs.

Maybe it's the perceived pressure of shaping their first impressions of the game, or because I feel like a perpetual noob myself, or perhaps having to step out to OOC throws me off track. Or it might just be something else, like me just being crap at helping noobs.

Whatever it is, i've been trying to get better at it, and when I get all tongue tied i've at least been trying to direct them to someone else who may be better at it than me.

Thankfully not everyone is as unhelpful as me.

[Chettaman]

Every time I feel compelled to teach a noob. I feel like I do a terrible job. I can't help but to stay in character...
So every time a noob is annoying my character, I roleplay as such. It's much harder to teach when you're angry - or your character anyway.
And whenever there's an OOC, I'm all like. "ooc: he he. Yeah that normally happens when you put a bowl of soup in your cloak. And try not to OOC so much. I mean, I don't mind, but... yeah."

I'm never sure if I should step out of character to teach the noobs or what... because it is very hard to teach when your characters don't like each other.

[Jeax]

I am a newb, I have now been playing Arm for 7 days I believe.

As most of you are saying, I found it vastly confusing when I first logged in, I wandered around for a good while just trying to find something and got fairly frustrated at nothing being around. Just as I was about to just log out or something and try again later, I found the Gaj and met someone. Luckily, this person was quite involving and used most of the tips that were mentioned in the original post. I struggled a bit to keep up with conversation because I kept having to read HELP EMOTES and HELP SAY and stuff...but I made it, and it got me more comfortable with interaction as well as kind of seeing what Arm was about.

Another part that really helped me was I used the helpers over AIM. And I still use them over AIM, because I hate to break RP with OOC'ing, although sometimes it's necessary. But if I get in an RP situation where someone tells me to do something and I don't know how to do it as far as the code, I just ask on AIM.

I was also introduced to a job on my first day playing, which I have been enjoying. It has given me the supplies as a newbie I wouldn't know where to get and stuff..but working with people I now know those things, and in the process of learning didn't die from my ineptitude.

If anyone is interested in getting the opinions of a fresh newb, I am always open to conversation. My AIM is in my profile.

[RogueGunslinger]

It actually helps a lot if you just talk about your experiences as a newbie. So yeah, stuff like that.

[Xeran Van Houten]

Zoltan hugged me while I was a fresh newb... but now that I'm just a plain newb he doesn't want me anymore... 

[Riev]

Zoltan hugged me while I was a fresh newb... but now that I'm just a plain newb he doesn't want me anymore... 

Same, I havn't felt love since Beard.

I really have to commend Jeax for sticking with the game, and powering through. I love to see people using Helpers, and I can't think of a single helper that would break IC/OOC rules or give bad information.

[A20B]

My first day-ish playing I ran into a friendly person who showed me how to get out to a -resource hub- and -collect resource- so my brand spankin' new character could learn to make some 'sid.  He also showed me one of the easier to find vendors to dump the resource into.  Sure it's listed and detailed in the help files, but even after I read that, I'd have no clue where to find the salt fields or a damn tree to chop down without that help.

Then, after a few days, I ran into one of the Byn Sergeants who offered me a place in the clan, and wasn't pushy 'bout it.

Without these two interactions, I'd be a lot more frustrated and lost.

[Zoltan]

Zoltan hugged me while I was a fresh newb... but now that I'm just a plain newb he doesn't want me anymore... 

Same, I havn't felt love since Beard.

Those weren't "hugs." They were... manly embraces.

...

And I haven't let go, guys.  I'll... I'll never let go, Rose.

[Spider]

Not today.... but I do it as often as I can.

Whenever I encounter someone who is in obvious need of help (a "noob"), I usually take them aside and give them some start-up help.  This consists of a blend of IC and OOC things. First thing I do is refer them to the helpers, OOC that the use of the ooc command is to be done minimally, if ever, but it is fine for now.

I find that if I can get them started right away, they will be more likely to log on a second time and contact the helpers. But the main thing I try to do is provide enough IG intrigue through my character to get them interested in continuing. Really, this game is all about logging in and working through the learning curve... Eventually, everything just clicks, and then all you have to worry about is the RP.

I also tell them(IC) to get a job and stop being so useless to the Highlord or what have you.

~Den

[spawnloser]

When I'm in a role where I interact with newbies, I give them some hugs.  It's not often I play roles that encounter newbies too much, though, unless I'm coming across their corpses with some nasty beastie still standing over it.

[Morrolan]

Yes.  Yes I have.

You should, too!

[Riev]

I CONSTANTLY invest in newbies that appear to be trying hard to get the game. Whether its a few coin for a weapon, or a task of trying to bring me some skinned materials, I try. I don't think my efforts have really kept many players playing, though.

[Saellyn]

I hug n00bs every time I see them. I also give them muffins and candy. I was a n00b once ;_;

[Vanth]

Personal interaction with other players does seem to be a big factor in whether a player sticks it out through the learning curve.  You don't have to teach them everything yourself, just keep them involved and try to help them find a recruiter if they show interest in joining a clan (and if they don't show an interest, recommend it anyway).

[AreteX]

I don't know about anyone else, but my first newbie experience was a pickpocket.

I tried stealing some things like a newbie from NPC's.  They yelled 'Thief'.  I ran away.

I'm walking through the streets searching for a new victim, and someone speaks to me, from the shadows... suddenly.  The person is cloaked, dark-hooded.  Now I know thats commonplace, and pretty easy to get, but then it was intimidating.  He could see my face, but I couldnt see his!?  He drew a dagger, then another.  He emotted twirling them around, plucking at the tip ect.

He said, if you don't stop stealing without paying me 50percent of the profits... he'll kill me.

Now, this might not be the "newb friendly" thing that everyone else would want, but to me that SOLD me on the game, 100percent.  I had some badass assassin type guy threatening to kill me.

It was a thrill, exciting, and it really showed me the possibilities of the game.  I think the biggest thing anyone wants in Arm is to be INVOLVED.  Whether its being killed, or beaten, or brought into a love romance... whichever it may be, involve people.


As a newbie you walk around the game not knowing who is what, and what is who, NPC's are PC's, PC's might be NPC's.  You don't know yet.  But.. you do know you've not interacted with anyone or had them respond to you.  You also don't know where to find people, what to do, how to act.

Do every newbie a favor.  If you see them in Chalton boots in the newbie area, take them someplace, threaten them, give them a weapon, show them where to hunt, ask them what they WANT to do.

Involve them, its the key to capturing the imagination.