Okay, I'm relatively new to the server and perhaps I'm overstepping here, but I'd like to voice one concern that I have so far.
Isn't a little bit too unforgiven on new characters ?
You start your level 2 character at the center of an area, and it's pretty confusing to know where to go from there. Two of four possible areas to go around the main ziggurat area are potentially dangerous and although the signs do say "caution" I find it hard to keep track of the day\night cycle, as the night isn't as dark as expected (And I suppose other people would too), so it seems almost a certainty to me that a lot of new players with new characters die too early before ever getting to know the server, and the frustration ensued could turn people away.
I'd be turned away already if wasn't for the helpful and friendly players that tried to help me out, but I suppose not everyone is as persistent as I am.
I don't know if this is a problem that I, alone, am concerned about, but maybe you should give some thought on this. And I'd like to make it clear that this isn't a critic, as I don't know if the setting is meant to be so unforgiven, and even if it's just me that find it unforgiven, but it's a concern about how the sword wielding skeleton sends a welcoming message to new characters walking around the areas right next to the ziggurat.
I don't think anyone would dispute that this a very ,very hard server. No one will get far by themselves. The areas even near the ziggurat are full of things that can easily kill a solo character.
It takes some getting used to. The first night it was up, people were dying and respawning in droves as the skeletons killed them, even veterans of the old server. They'll deny it, but I was there and saw them get pwnt.
You need patience, and you need allies, whether it is friends you slowly bond with or pick up groups made by the sending system.
Amourae, I offered to you no less than three times to show you around the Ziggurat, tell you about the history here, and more.
You refused each offer!
But welcome to the server.
I mentioned "helpful players" because of your tells actually. Your offerings of help were very nice and warmth, but I just didn't had enough time to play with you at that moment.
But my point is related to the fact that the spawing point for new characters is to close to extremely dangerous areas. A character running away from some of these areas could lead monsters to the ziggurat's spawing point, as an unadvised new character could get killed in the first transition that she makes after arriving just because she went in the wrong direction. It's not something that happened to me specificaly, thanks to your advice, but I thought that I should voice this concern nonetheless. But hell, maybe it's just me being paranoid!
Sorry, I didn't read your entire post.
But yes, This is intentional. The areas North and East of the Ziggie are entirely safe during the day. The clock on your compass tells you when it's safe and when it isn't.
the 5 on the clock means it's daylight, quest grind!
the 17 means STOP if you value you're life! <3
Welcome to the Underdark island!
The dangerous, semi-survivalist setting is very much the style of this server. It is not meant to make things arbitrarily difficult, but to add to the flavor. This also encourages meeting/working with other players, which can be incredibly fun and rewarding.
Sorry lad, and I know this'll come off as harsh but...
This is like the Marines. You either die off during Hell Week, or you become an elite killing machine. Or something like that.
Your best chance for survival is to hook up with a dwarf IG and have him protect you for a while. Always works. *nods sagely*
dorf powah, lol.
Oh, and welcome Amourae!
Yup, welcome! In order to survive the server until you get used to it, I'd suggest either a fighter, or a rogue with a high hide/move silently skill!
The author of this thread made a point that could easily be corrected: nighttime could be darker. As for the pretty confusing, I would agree somewhat. That is, if you don't slowly and carefully read every sign and dialogue you first encounter (beginning with the new char OOC area,) it's easy to die a horrible death just by heading to an adjacent map - it could leave someone with the impression that the server difficulty level is not balanced, and they move on to another server.
Now, I know some will reply to this and say, "it's their own fault for not reading," but not everyone approaches games the same way, and some are expecting the first few minutes of game play to safely lead them along and fill them in on the fly. I'm not suggesting that be done, but perhaps it could be clearer in the OOC char start area that "IF YOU DON'T READ THIS RIGHT NOW, YOUR CHAR WILL DIE AND YOUR DAY WILL BE RUINED." Perhaps make it to where they can't spawn at the Ziggurat until they've (A) gone through a dialogue that explains the most significant things they should know, or (B) know the password to bypass the dialogue.
Quote from: JackOfSwords;92406perhaps it could be clearer in the OOC char start area that "IF YOU DON'T READ THIS RIGHT NOW, YOUR CHAR WILL DIE AND YOUR DAY WILL BE RUINED."
Good idea!My first time in the Underdark I decided to have my PC go into the cave/tunnel that lead to port-claw instead of into Sanctuary. I had no clue and hadn’t read the majority of the threads. Needless to say that 2nd level PC died solo in the tunnels of the underdark. Learned my lesson and I’m still here (
whether ya’s like it or not:p).
First timers may not know how big a part these forums play in EfU and now EfU:A.
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A "IF YOU'RE NEW, PLEASE READ THIS!" sign would be a good addition. There's a LOT of information to take in when you first enter the OOC beginning area, and I doubt most new players will read it all. Most servers that I've browsed actually have a beginning area like that, and it's just not worth it to read all the signs, and then get in the game, only to realize you don't like it.
I'd suggest the sign have only the most basic starting information so that new players don't feel overloaded. Of which, I'd include mentioning the low-level/magic nature and difficulty of the setting.
Maybe make a brief warning of "This server is TOUGH, but the Ziggurat is fairly safe. It is recommended to stay there and learn about the dangers before venturing out. Lock the door to the Ziggurat and make it unlock when you view the warning, just like one of the quest doors does when you view another book.
I'm positive the NPCs in the starting zone makes it pretty clear how dangerous it is outside the ziggurat.
When starting the server you should pay attention to NPC dialogues and interact with other PCs about the island. This is what I've done and when starting the server not long ago, I didn't find troubles.
There are plenty of low level quests in the ziggurat, some of them are even soloable. I think it's pretty clear from NPC's dialogue how things work in there. IMHO.
Quote from: Sr.N;92474I'm positive the NPCs in the starting zone makes it pretty clear how dangerous it is outside the ziggurat.
I believe you are correct, but my suggestion is that they can't spawn at the Ziggurat unless either they actually click through NPC or sign dialogue, OR enter a password that they'd know if they've actually read it. As well, something very obvious should be visible in the OOC area that reading it is mandatory and essential.
Sure, they could just click, click, click without actually reading it, but no one can say they weren't sufficiently warned, and there would be no room for complaints.
Quote from: JackOfSwords;92538but no one can say they weren't sufficiently warned, and there would be no room for complaints.
:???: Really? Ya think so?
While the intentions are good, a system like that would probably ward off more people than it saves. No one enjoys bureaucracy.
I don't know, IMHO a small quest given by the NPC atop of the ziggurat to send you to a populated direction, like the Kingsman, could be more appealing and help to stay in character, whitout all the bureaucracy of OOC dialogues.
Now -that's- a good suggestion, Amore.
I've always felt (since EFU:A at least) that when you get to the Ziggurat, you feel a bit directionless. You're in this random place, no idea what's going on, and you just kinda feel like you should walk around in a confused daze for a while.
A few quests to kinda get you on your way would be nice. Like, hey, go read this book from the Society, then answer a few trivia questions. If you get them right, I'll reward you with side boob.
Yes, but there's a difference between your character being confused, and a player being frustrated.
QuoteI don't know, IMHO a small quest given by the NPC atop of the ziggurat to send you to a populated direction, like the Kingsman, could be more appealing and help to stay in character, whitout all the bureaucracy of OOC dialogues.
He gives a quest already and has been given it since a while ago. We will be adding some to introduce you to the various agents as the city builds itself, of course.
Without reading most of the thread, I'm going to agree with the OP that the server is unwelcoming to new players.
I've been playing EfU casually on-and-off for over a year and wasn't really able to insinuate myself into any DM factions or in-depth plots, but I always knew that I could log into a fun, vibrant world with strong themes and find dynamic and fun players.
In EfU:A the themes seem terribly obscured, and starting out is painful. In the old EfU you could run Fed-Ex quests to level three in about 45 minutes and see a lot of the city along the way, and get intimations of themes - the Seekers, the Spellguard, Lower versus Upper, etc. They led you nicely from one to the other.
In EfU:A the quests seem less direct and accessible, and less fun. Go... scavenge burial shrouds? I'm still not sure about this one. If there was some way with the intro quests to introduce characters to the themes of the server, whatever they may be (something about the undead?) to get them settled, get them some experience and gold to start out with - I think new players would be having more fun.
The old players are determined to be the first to plumb the thematic depths of the new server, so this isn't a problem for them. But for casual and new players, I think that if there was some way to introduce them to the world in a compelling way and get them started a little stronger it would be an improvement.
The old EfU had a great balance between strong roleplay and popcorn video game fun. I think the popcorn factor ought to be shored up a little bit here - maybe not immediately, to keep the server mysterious in its beginning stages - but definitely along the way.
edit: As far as players being welcoming, I know that a lot of you out there are. But there's also the faction of players with short-tempered, rude, and ready-to-fight characters looking for PvP. To that crowd - go easy on the new guys!
The thing is, while the overarching plot may not yet be apparent, general server themes are being constructed and dictated by the players.
Well, that makes sense...
I love the fact that even the Zig isnt safe. (even after dying randomly while standing there to a commander crit) This server wasn't meant to be easy, and I dont think adding more no risk reward is the answer. Long live EFU:A :)