New Mentor requirements

[Erza_Scarlets]

Anyone that needs some crown or reward for helping others shouldn't be a mentor in first place. Helping someone else learn something or just helping should be all the satisfaction you need.

[RoyalBeef]

snip

Can I have your stuff?

[Galenini]

If this change is upsetting you enough to threaten to cancel your subscription despite your claim your primary reason to play is to help others, I can't help but think you're lying.

You don't have to be a Mentor to help others. I help others all the time without being a Mentor, nor do I want to be one thanks to the many negative past experiences I've had with Mentors.

You aren't getting kicked from the Novice Network in the foreseeable future. You'll still be part of that community.

If you're truly the helpful player you claim to be in instanced group content, you'll get those commendations you need to retain full Mentor status.

So what's your problem?

By the way, it's irrelevant you're posting from a second account. It doesn't add any more weight to your opinion.

The note on the 2nd account is to offset anyone thinking it is a new account with no experience. Nothing more, nothing less. It was for clarity.


"Upsetting" is not the same as lost trust. Players were given a published set of criteria for remaining a mentor at 5.0 release. With 2 months to go before the "recertification", SE has now significantly changed that plan. This is an arbitrary change at a late stage. I met their stated requirements. Again, as I said, they moved the bar, and now, with less time, I have a new requirement.

Yes, I will continue to be a mentor through 5.1,

The server that I am on, is, and has been an online community I have been proud to be part of and enjoyed for the most part. That will not change.

I have been a "mentor", unmarked, unnoticed through many of the over dozen MMO's I have both played and tested over the last 2 decades.

Helping is what I do BECAUSE it's good for the community.

The problem is the sudden change and how that impacts my gaming experience, a concern that SE, as a Japanese company, has as a focus.

My concerns include a broken commendation system that is easily exploited, is no longer meaningful (often a mere token for "showing up" as a tank or healer, regardless of skill or helpfulness, or as a few mentors mentioned in chat today, for "fan service".)

The change will tilt the game even further towards tanks/healers in the duty finder, and create an even bigger barrier to entry for new players.

My feelings are valid. They are within reason given the situation. And they were carefully described and owned.

Thank you for contributing to this discussion.

[Galenini]

Anyone that needs some crown or reward for helping others shouldn't be a mentor in first place. Helping someone else learn something or just helping should be all the satisfaction you need.

Absolutely agree.

[Hugowulf]

I semi like the changes, but I also dislike the mentor system as a whole. Especially the unmoderated novice network. The drama that some mentors have and go on a kicking spree can be tiresome.

[Galenini]

I semi like the changes, but I also dislike the mentor system as a whole. Especially the unmoderated novice network. The drama that some mentors have and go on a kicking spree can be tiresome.

I agree with your sentiments on the drama that often gets created in NN, especially because there are no guidelines for moderation (other than obvious ToS violations), or in many cases, no understanding of self-moderation (impact on others, including how the game appears to new players.)

Issues which would not occur in Japan (very much like handing out a commendation for anything other than exceptional play or helpfulness.)


And yet, NN itself is extremely useful for answering questions, and learning, both as a mentor and as a new player. Shared information and community building concepts that are sound.

[RyuSaarva]

Hey Galenini, if you read the mentor changes you should know that you can still talk in the novice network, the only thing you lose is the new battle mentor icon and mentor roulette.

[Galenini]

Yes, I have and am aware, thanks!

The icon is meaningless to me and I don't use the mentor roulette.

As I said, I will remain a mentor through 5.1.

And I will have decisions to make about how to move forward.

As does everyone impacted.

[Bewhatever]

Hey Galenini, if you read the mentor changes you should know that you can still talk in the novice network, the only thing you lose is the new battle mentor icon and mentor roulette.

Until 5.2, at which point everyone who has not requalified is kicked, per what was announced at 5.0 release. This discussion is really about what happens at release of 5.2, not what happens during 5.1.

[Rongway]

Until 5.2, at which point everyone who has not requalified is kicked, per what was announced at 5.0 release. This discussion is really about what happens at release of 5.2, not what happens during 5.1.

That's not what the announcement says.

Mentors who do not renew within the specified period [prior to December] will be unable to access the following features:

• Duty Roulette: Mentor
• The ability to change online status to “Battle Mentor,” “PvP Mentor,” or “Trade Mentor.”

They will, however, still be able to participate in the Novice Network chat channel. An icon will indicate that they are a mentor who has yet to renew their certification.