Post by Victus on Oct 29, 2004 17:22:24 GMT -5
Victus' Method of Non-Interferance Newb Training
Typically I would rather give new players the chance to discover the game on their own, learning from mistakes as the play.
Instead of protecting them from every grab or probing, letting them figure out the game on their own merit usually has better results in the long term. They learn to build their defence and grow fast to be out of range of most possible attackers.
The best way to teach a new player (newb or noob) is to give them minimal help. Don't shut them out completely but don't play the mommy to their crying baby either. The best example of this would be a newb asking what planet type they should choose for the next round. Instead of telling them which to choose tell them to look up the game help or a newbie guide for details on each planet type's advantages. Of course if they don't understand what some of the terms or numbers mean, by all means explain them and what implications they might have toward playing style, but under no circumstances should you give direct advice to choose a planet type.
The same basic principles apply through out the learning process. If they ask what type of units to build, simply reply as to the costs and strengths of the units instead of simply saying, "tanks", or whatever.
Through this process I have found that after 1 or possibly 2 rounds, that new players will be self sufficient. Their NW probably won't be award winning but they will understand how to make a KD, and avoid being grabbed.
During the learning process, however, there will probably come a point where you will have to step in and protect them (if not several times). The first reaction of many newbs once grabbed it to either suicide or missile their attacker. Both of these have very bad outcomes. Instead of forbidding them from doing either, explain to them exactly what will happen if they go through with their plan. If they decide to do it anyways then no further convincing is needed, let them go through with their plan.
Another example would be when they're being grabbed many many times in a short period of time, through no fault of their own. If they're not suicided or open and are being grabbed many times then it's acceptable to put them in the sector banner for protection.
To summerize, don't give new players any more help than they absolutly need to survive. Spoiling them will only delay newb's maturation into quality players and officers.
Typically I would rather give new players the chance to discover the game on their own, learning from mistakes as the play.
Instead of protecting them from every grab or probing, letting them figure out the game on their own merit usually has better results in the long term. They learn to build their defence and grow fast to be out of range of most possible attackers.
The best way to teach a new player (newb or noob) is to give them minimal help. Don't shut them out completely but don't play the mommy to their crying baby either. The best example of this would be a newb asking what planet type they should choose for the next round. Instead of telling them which to choose tell them to look up the game help or a newbie guide for details on each planet type's advantages. Of course if they don't understand what some of the terms or numbers mean, by all means explain them and what implications they might have toward playing style, but under no circumstances should you give direct advice to choose a planet type.
The same basic principles apply through out the learning process. If they ask what type of units to build, simply reply as to the costs and strengths of the units instead of simply saying, "tanks", or whatever.
Through this process I have found that after 1 or possibly 2 rounds, that new players will be self sufficient. Their NW probably won't be award winning but they will understand how to make a KD, and avoid being grabbed.
During the learning process, however, there will probably come a point where you will have to step in and protect them (if not several times). The first reaction of many newbs once grabbed it to either suicide or missile their attacker. Both of these have very bad outcomes. Instead of forbidding them from doing either, explain to them exactly what will happen if they go through with their plan. If they decide to do it anyways then no further convincing is needed, let them go through with their plan.
Another example would be when they're being grabbed many many times in a short period of time, through no fault of their own. If they're not suicided or open and are being grabbed many times then it's acceptable to put them in the sector banner for protection.
To summerize, don't give new players any more help than they absolutly need to survive. Spoiling them will only delay newb's maturation into quality players and officers.
