Maxxi(KAI PALPAMEME) wrote: ↑08 Mar 2017, 23:01
Hello everyone.
I want to speak to you about an issue that has been bugging me recently.
I am still relatively new to the JK2 community, having only been playing for about 10 months now. In that time, I have learned to play pretty well and have taught many new players. 2 of my students in particular are now respected members of KAI.
But I was not always as good as I am now. like most others, I had to be taught how to play properly. I enjoy teaching players now because I find it incredibly satisfying to see these newbies accepted into the ranks of a clan or just generally become decent players.
I have noticed an increase in new players recently, particularly on the SoL server and occasionally on the main KAI server as well. most of these newbies give up JK2 because of the harsh learning curve and due to the fact no-one is there to teach them.
This is a shame because we are losing so many people who could become valuable members of our community.
Is there any way to help these new players become inducted into JK2? I am open to suggestions.
Palp
You're a strong one, you didn't give up, you stayed despite the negative things (not saying that you have noticed/cared for). :lol:
You, along with whoever taught you can teach, that's a good start.
I even notice new players come in servers, not realizing that the "players" shown on the server name (Not serverinfo), are possibly bots, or another case, the player wants a part of the action, not knowing the other players have a greater skill level, general gameplay or otherwise.
It's a delicate process. That one time the player comes into the server may be his/her only time attempting to look, and then move onto another game since it was uninteresting.
The problem is that new players come in, they may or may not have played single player, and depending on each case, they could end up like this:
1. See a server with 2 (32) (Bots) -> Enters (Does NOT look at serverinfo tab) -> sees TK-421 (Bot) -> attacks -> wins fight -> bot says scripted line -> player talks back -> bot doesn't respond -> player leaves
2. See a server with 2 (32) (Real players) -> Enters (Does not look at serverinfo tab) -> player finds other players -> attacks -> loses fight rapidly -> player leaves immediately
My point is, this game didn't come with a
thorough instruction booklet, like you said, harsh learning curve. (Goddamn it Ravensoft.)
Here's a idea, how about a video if not a series of videos, with/without a combination of readmes to go with them, going over the very simple, easy basics. Show with a whole keyboard overlay on-screen or in-game, that'll make it even easier for these guys. Controls, menu options, player options, easy console commands.
Q: "Hey, what's the bind for moving forward? Is it forward? moveforward? walkforward?"
A: "Open your console, type /bind W +forward"
Q: "How do I open the console?"
A: "You press ` (Tilde, appears as ' in-game) and Shift at the same time."
(Keys displayed in answer were used, no effect.)
Q: "It won't open, are you sure those are the keys?"
A: "Press the key below escape, and above tab, while holding shift at the same time."
(Enough console messages have passed to move the helpful message above, and not visible.)
Q: (Console is open) "What was the message again?"
:roll: (You right?) Come on! He's new!
A: "/bind W +forward"
(More messages cause the help message to roll up.)
Q: "I can't see the message, it disappears!"
A: "In your console, press page up to see previous messages."
(Message is seen.)
"YAY! I CAN MOVE FORWARD!"
No? Too hard for the new guy to learn? See, this is why I suggest
DETAILED videos and readmes about this. Let alone all the other things that follow suit, maybe need a IM program, like Steam or Skype, because they can't copy a link in-game, or heck could be very new to the computer age, and doesn't know what a link is.
Reach out and help.
My $0.02