Hi
I am a Newbie
I am also in the @AFS program (unless getting kicked out now
)
I am old (getting 40 real soon), so I generally try to see beyond "bad writing" to get the intent of it instead, perhaps this has nothing to do with age though.
As many have pointed out, this is a game, and people will only play it as long it is fun. If the game initially suck, as you have not learned it, having a caring and fun community can help. At least I think so.
My experience so far is not that bad. Yes, there are few people flaming away on the forum (activate flame filter, done!) and similar there are a few people doing bad stuff on the servers like assuming I can't recognise enemy miners (activating Ignore filer, Done!). Over all I do feel welcome. In most games the Comm has been appreciative of my questions and has made an effort in giving usefull feedback, and any time there has been an @HELP or similar around they have been very helpful, especially in asking you to go on their team, regardless if they are commanding or not.
This saturday I participated in a @AFS training game. VERY learning, positive and helpful. After training scouting and prox a few times we did a scirmish which was fun, how ever next time I will sugegst we team up (both students and trainers) on one team at main server instead if the trainers dare =)
As a Newbie, it does help to fly together with someone who can give you a pointer now and then. I understand that having an @HELP in base (besides the commander) all the time is booring long time for the @HELP and also removes one valuable player from the team but being there short time now and then (which I think actually happens) to view Newbie actions and give a tip or two is very much appreciated, at least by me.
I thinkt the AFS is the right step to go and that it contributes. I am sure newbieservers and DN might also contribute.
I have a suggestion on how to recruit new players!
As I have many years experience form another "dying" activity (i.e. Scouting, has been dwindling in numbers in Sweden since the 1960's but just wont die) I would suggest trying a recipie which have been used successfully there to re-vitalise current ranks.
Bring along a friend!
Now this suggest that you, as bringin along the friend will invest some time the first weeks playing together with him/her.It would also require Comm's to allow you play together on same team, i.e. being aware of a Bring along incentive.AFS should be rellay good for the ones who still find Alleg fun after 3-4 weeks, taking over some responsability of the recruiting friendPoster to print to put up in school (for younger players), links to cool videos in youtube etc. help visualising the FUN of the game and being part of a communityI am sure that Newbie servers, DN and all the other ideas you more experienced players suggest also helpA coordinated reqruitment (with perhaps a little reward graphic for the "recruiter of the week/month) for EU at one time US another etc. would create a lot of newbie players at once, allowing more newbie games etc. etc.
Example:
If there are 300 EU players and they manage to recruit 30 newbies during a "Bring along a friend" month, the 30 ppl PUG I see today should get much more interesting with 60ppl, for both veterand and newbies as I see it.
Improving community handling of newbies and AFS programs and all the rest can never be replaced, "Bring along a friend" may just be a way of expanding the player base and making all the community efforts more wirth while.
Yes I know, one day I will learn to make short posts
Highly understandable the response he got even though it was a harsh.
