Baby Pirates and New Players

[JM Ohara]

It seems I've found myself a teacher to a couple of brand new baby pirates who's players are new to the game. I met them in the welcome ocean, and gave them the hint about not rep stealing. I also told them how to crew each other for better points. I think I might have made myself an ambassador. Anyone else been down this road?

It's funny cause I'm also giving major pointers to two very good friends, who are both a mere step behind me. But, having a 27 and knowing what I do I wouldn't feel right not helping. I don't know everything by a longshot. I do know enough to help them start out. Somehow I never feel right not helping, even though I'm new myself by many of your standards. But now, more than ever, after being a Duece, I want to make I make a good impression not just for me but for DW and for guilds in general.

Here on POF I imagine this is a common train of thought. But it leads me to wondering, how far are you willing to go to help a baby pirate of a new player you don't know? When does help become hinderance? Do you let them come to you or check on them to see if they are okay once or twice? In short, when does an ambassador become a teacher become a general help desk to all?

[Cannon Mad Dan]

I've been down that road, but not lately. Seems like the majority of "new pirates" are rude, disrespectful, young, and arrogant and I don't enjoy helping people like that. If I ever do find a nice pirate that needs help, of course I'll be their guide.

How far is too far? When they depend on you. I like to let people learn for themselves. Facts about the game are what I give... if someone asks a question that the game answers, I tell them to search harder.

[Amelia Heartburn]

When it come to pirates asking me to be their friend, I have a hard time saying no. Thus, it seems I wind up with many baby Pirates who tp to me when I am working on quest.
I try not to let this annoy me, after all I did say yes and I have met a few friends that way.
I do not know how to tell them not to tp to me and taking them off my friends list I feel is rude.
What's a Pirate to do????

[lostmymarbles]

If people ask me for help, I'm willing to help. But helping doesn't mean hand-holding. We all know there are some parts of the quests that, well, need some team effort or at least a little healing help from a friend.

Also when giving instruction, remember that even if something worked for you, it might not fight that person's playing style, so it might not work for them.

And regarding the tping, if I friended someone and they tp unannounced, I nicely explain my preference for being asked first. If they don't honor my request, they aren't going to be a respectful friend anyway, so I have no problem with deleting them.

[Basil Dreadflint]

Meeting new people and making new aquaintenances is part of what makes the game so much fun. But there has to be a limit to how much any one person can do for anyone else.

A lot of new players are terribly unprepared for what happens to them when they are dumped into PR the first time. The instructions say to kill these skellies, go see TIa, here's your compass, and good-bye. Nothing about crewing, guilds, friendships, or anything else in those regards.

It never hurts to give some guidance and advice, but it probably is not helpful to take them by the hand and lead them around. Part of the fun of the game is when they 'discover' something on their own. (Hawke, I just commented to you about that ingame yesterday.)

As far as friends go, I almost never accept random friend requests myself. And, if someone TP's to me without asking first, I tell them that it is impolite to do so. A second time, they are taken off the friends list without even being warned. We are only allowed so many friends. There are millions of pirates, and hundreads in a guild. The most often seen "HINT" when Teleporting is the one that says "Make friends wisely."

[Jack Sunskull]

I don't mind helping out new pirates or baby pirates. I have made many friends this way, but I try to stay away from the overcrowded servers where most of the children tend to hang.

In my guild we tend to tp to each other unannounced and we all have an understanding in our guild that its OK to do that. Its a trust issue there. If I have friends that TP to me unannounced they get 3 strikes and then they are out. The majority of them ask before tping so that's not an issue, it's the random few can not comprehend a simple do you mind if I tp to you and all of sudden appear.

If someone TP's to me with out asking, I sometimes change servers or tp out of the place I am in. Hopefully, that way they may learn to ask.

[BigJohn]

I try not to be cyncial when a 'noob' has just joined, as I was once a 'noob'. Not to say I am seasoned pirate now, but answering questions and helping them find chests on canjeros may seem like "I've done this before can't really be bothered, but must help as I was once helped."
Also there should be an 'accept' option if someone decides they want to TP to you. They could end being in middle of a fight and there pirate dies, or you die because your distracted. "Hey man, how are you?" or the "I really need your help right now!" whisper

[ex8404]

I have no problem helping new pirates. But that help can only go so far. Baby Pirates are just fine. I was one myself once. I will even put them on my friends list but if a noob gets needy, I really have no trouble cleaning out my Friends List.

If a baby pirate TPs to me while I am in KH or Tormenta, I really can't be expected to keep him alive. An my least favorite thing from ANY pirate, friend or guildmate, is getting "Come to me" as a message. Ask why and I get "NOW." Hate that...

But if you really want to help a noob. take him or her sailing in your big fresh War Frigate, plunder a ton of Royals and fill their pockets with gold.

[Eliza Creststeel]

Once she was mastered, helping others is how I keep Eliza still fun to play.

But, you raise a good point - how far should you be helping them? In nearly all cases, I will NOT just fight enemies for someone. I am happy to heal a baby to keep them from getting killed out so easily, but even that may taking away from their experience. Unless they are getting mobbed.

Remember having to sneak through Tormenta Cave to find the last dig spot for the Black Pearl? Or how many times did you die fighting Timothy Dartan? Would you have felt good about those achievements if they were just given to you? And the other downside is that the baby pirate player starts to EXPECT getting bailed out or in some cases DEMANDING it.

Keep in mind, though - the rude and demanding babies tend to be younger players. Manners may escape them. I will put them on notice about it and hold out until the attitude changes.

Disney geared POTCO to be a group experience; rewarding cooperation as much as possible whether through guilds or crew bonuses. How about get your baby pirates friends to crew up and support each other. They both gain Notoriety, plunder with a bonus and you don't have to feel like you're babysitting.

[Bartholomew Foulsteel]

Helping becomes a hinderence when the new player won't learn. What I mean is, you teach them about TPing without asking, and they keep doing it. You're in Tormenta whacking brinescum and *POOF*! Suddenly they're running and screaming "HELP ME!"

When they are CONSIDERATE, POLITE, and APPRECIATIVE then it's a PLEASURE helping new players. That's what I try to do and how I usually meet new people. I've met pirates that were mastering whom I've been able to help. I taught them how to get the most rep per kill and also crewed with them and healed them so they could go up against Gen DH.

I've helped the babies with their Pearl quests (how I met Lizzy) and am always happy to help out. I love being a healer for the new guys and giving them pointers and tips. Again, I expect a certain appreciation for my time, not just a "HEAL!" and a "FOLLOW!" from them. When it gets to bossy, I get to teleporting away.

As for friending, I get friend requests all the time. I NEVER accept a friend request unless there's a reason. What I mean is, if some dude in RL walking down the street came up to me and asked if I would be his friend I would be concerned. So I handle it the same way in game. When I work with a new or experienced player and we seem to be doing well and it looks like it would be good to be able to work together again, I friend them.

[Nelly Darkpaine]

I used to do it all the time, but the majority of people who add you seem to be kids who just want to hang out, or young guys seeking online girlfriends. Its gotten to the point to where I won't add someone unless they are obviously an adult, or unless I've played with them.

I agree with everyone who said manners are lacking - as its truly the case. For every one polite person actually playing the game, there are about 50 kids who are there to socialize.

I did the large guild thing - and always got annoyed when the newest member an officer added needed to be deleted the first day due to drama, or rule breaking. (No TPing was a rule)

Would be fun to find some new players to join in with on our mastered pirates. We always are LOOKING for things to do. (I have 2X rep on the baby pirates, and don't feel like Grenading yet! LOL)

[JM Ohara]

Actually I sent friend requests to these two. It was about 3am here and I think I was having new pirate sympathies. While I know I opened myself to all the random friend possibilities, I just felt that these guys might in the future need a hand. I remember well coming in cold with no clue what was going on with all these big scary pirates. I didn't want these two to have the first pirate who tells them about rep stealing or whatever be someone rude who might put them off the game. I remember how that feels, to meet rude pirates first. If I can help a newbie find a love of Pirates, then I'm good with that, and it's a great pirate days work to me.

[Eliza Creststeel]

Nelly,

I understand the new member drama thing. One of my guys brought in a kid and he was great the first night. Second night, it was like he was ADHD. Finally got confrontational then disrespectful... gave'em the boot. Old guilds had an age limit (I KNOW Disney don't want us asking - usually just asked 'old enough to drive?') but honestly I've had mature kids and babyish adults.

If an officer brings in someone I'm not sure about - I tell them; this one is your responsibility. They come to you first. If they become a problem - I come to you first. Hopefully keeps down the 'Guild Everyone' attitude. As for RANDOM friending... if someone keeps at me and keeps at me, I will accept it. and then dump them once out of sight. No harm. But, more often - I will stop and actually tell them why I said No. Same with Random Crewing. As for the 'guys finding gfs issue', girls are just as bad. Seen enough level 1-5 pirate girls in tarty outfits asking to be a guys GF... Oy.

Basil - I love that you mentioned there's no TUTORIAL in the game for friends, crews, guilds etc. WHY NOT?!?

EC

[Jack Sunskull]

Looking for a girlfriend any takers? LOL. I am a married guy and if I was single I would not be looking for women an online game to date that have avatars and dress scantily.

I am a mastered pirate and I am always looking for new friends and adults to hang out with in the game. If you see me on send me an invite, any on POF is always consider of friend of mine. You guys are a great bunch of people, you are what motivates my to keep playing the game.

[Basil Dreadflint]

Originally Posted by Eliza Creststeel

Basil - I love that you mentioned there's no TUTORIAL in the game for friends, crews, guilds etc. WHY NOT?!?

EC

Because we didn't write them yet!
If you haven't noticed, or haven't started a new pirate lately to see for yourself, the new tutorials that are in the game for baby pirates are almost word for word, or slightly paraphrased, items that have been posted here or on other fan forums.

I believe that Disney DOES peruse the fans sights, and that they DO take into consideration things that are posted, suggestions that are made.

The game is ALMOST intuitive. But it is the only game I've ever played that comes with absolutely NO instructions. Since the primary target audience is 10+ year olds, it would make sense to have some in game reference manual. Not the hints, or the clues, or the ray of light that is so irritating when you sail. Some thing where you could pop open a "help" guide and type in 'how do I start/join a crew?' 'How do I open my crew to the public?" "How do I change servers without logging out?" "What does icon X do?" Maybe not even a type in field, but a list of FAQ's with short answers.