Novice Network Feedback for SE

[Scorcher24]

I did a trial for a week and from level 1-20, I was not in this channel. I then got added to it by someone after I bought the game (no idea how that works) while I was questing, around level 20. Then, 3 hours later, at around level 23 or so, I got kicked out again, while I was actively asking questions. All in all, this channel was pretty useless for me as a new player.

[Mycow8me]

After a couple days, this system is pretty discouraging. I really think a "linkshell" was a poor idea. It's littered with chat from mentors about nothing important and even when a sprout asks a question the mentors can give conflicting advice and even argue.

In all honesty SE, there should have been a simple "Request Mentor Assistance" in which case the system gets a sprout into contact with a possible mentor and they can speak with them directly with any questions they may have. I've actually considered quiting the mentor system because I don't need extra babble when my current LS's and chat log is important enuogh already.

Edit: Actually, I don't think that a "Request Mentor Assistance" should be limited to just sprouts either. Anyone who isn't a mentor already should be able to request it.

Thats my honest feedback.

[RubyCirha]

ah i just posted my own thread on the afk bit thank you for posting this one and get in the attention that is needed for this

thank you OP

~Ruby~

[Syrehn]

I am completely disgusted and disheartened by the GM response shown in this thread, regarding a player getting a ban for kicking mentors for spammy chit chat.

With no clearly defined rules about what is on/off-topic for the channel you (SE) have left it in our hands to use discretion when removing other players, however, you then punish us for it.

So now that SE has confirmed via the screenshot in that thread that Mentors can use the Novice Network for idle chit chat, something that LS's are actually for, I now no longer want to participate in the Novice Network global chat.

I personally don't appreciate walls of random banter text between mentors in that channel (I consider it borderline spammy); that's not why I joined to be a Mentor. A lot of the time sprouts won't post if they feel they are interrupting a mentor/mentor convo and then their questions go unasked/unanswered. Additionally I've seen sprouts ask to be removed from the Novice Network because of this spammy idle mentor/mentor chit chat.

If SE is ok with the Novice Network being used this way then give Mentors the option to decline being auto-invited into the channel if it's not full. Our crown icon should serve as enough status to sprouts that we're approachable to talk without being forced into a general chat that is clearly not what the Novice Network was described to work as.

[Melondra]

[QUOTE=Mycow8me;3591949]After a couple days, this system is pretty discouraging. I really think a "linkshell" was a poor idea. It's littered with chat from mentors about nothing important and even when a sprout asks a question the mentors can give conflicting advice and even argue.

In all honesty SE, there should have been a simple "Request Mentor Assistance" in which case the system gets a sprout into contact with a possible mentor and they can speak with them directly with any questions they may have. I've actually considered quiting the mentor system because I don't need extra babble when my current LS's and chat log is important enuogh already.



Edit: Actually, I don't think that a "Request Mentor Assistance" should not be limited to just sprouts either. Anyone who isn't a mentor already should be able to request it. This is actually how it was done in Final Fantasy XI.

[Kosmos992k]

Regarding kick protocols, please consider this suggested solution.

Yes, this kind of vote kick mechanism would be a very good idea, it would prevent mote kick abuse, and it would also allow the mentors as a group to self police the channel. I'd suggest 3 or 4 other mentors need to be in accord rather than the 2 in the original suggestion since a smaller number of mentors in accord would make it easier for a small group of friends to dominate vote kicking from the novice network.

It would also throw some of the onus for justifying conduct onto those who are kicked since it wouldn't be a case of an individual abusing the kick feature.

[ShizuCheese]

-Maybe being a mentor for DOW/M and DoH/L should be two different things with two different chat channels. That way you don't need to worry about DoW/M mentors giving bad advice about crafting or gathering or vice versa

-Seeing as some people could benefit from a mentor even past the 40 hour mark, maybe base it off of what level you have certain classes at (like....you qualify for tank mentor until you hit level 30 or something), rather than how long you've been logged into the game.

-Instead of it being a world-wide thing, maybe chat should be based on whether you're in Thanalan, La Noscea, etc. Not only will this at least help with the overcrowding problem, but it'll also mean that if a novice is asking for help with something, they're asking in a chat of people who they know are at least relatively close by and could possibly come help them, rather than just a random voice in the void.

[ShizuCheese]

Regarding the idea that being a mentor should be something you earn and have to work to keep, I 1000% agree. Besides the other really good points people have brought up about it meaning only people who actually want to be mentors would bother with it, there's also the very important fact that just because you have a job at 60 doesn't mean you're good at it. I get that the idea behind the whole "have a tank, healer and dps at 60" thing is that you'll be well rounded and be able to help people regardless of job, and that's a great idea in theory, but it doesn't necessarily work out in practice. People have all sorts of reasons for getting classes to 60 ranging from wanting to be a better player/ be able to help others to being completionists who just want everything at 60 to "I already have SCH at 60 so might as well do the SMN quests." Plenty of people get a job to level cap and then never touch it again (until the next raise in level cap. Maybe).

[Chasely]

[QUOTE=Melondra;3592397]

After a couple days, this system is pretty discouraging. I really think a "linkshell" was a poor idea. It's littered with chat from mentors about nothing important and even when a sprout asks a question the mentors can give conflicting advice and even argue.

In all honesty SE, there should have been a simple "Request Mentor Assistance" in which case the system gets a sprout into contact with a possible mentor and they can speak with them directly with any questions they may have. I've actually considered quiting the mentor system because I don't need extra babble when my current LS's and chat log is important enuogh already.


Edit: Actually, I don't think that a "Request Mentor Assistance" should not be limited to just sprouts either. Anyone who isn't a mentor already should be able to request it. This is actually how it was done in Final Fantasy XI.

Agreed. We could all use a bit of assistance in-game from time to time.

[Melondra]

The mentor channel isn't really the problems here its how the player-base is using it. If you choose to become a mentor then you should take that role seriously. In my opion if the system is being abused a account suspension is warrented to combat this problem. This system was designed to help new players and those that wish to assist new players. If this is not the case a 1 week suspension is in order for all offenders. Not talking about suspension from the mentor channel,talking about a suspension from ARR. That will fix the problem really fast. If that is not viable then do a 1 week suspension of the mentor network, if problems still persist from the offenders then a permanent ban from the Mentor network is in order,ban it by the account not the chart. But make sure the ban is account based not charter based. this would put a stop to this mess really fast. Here is the one thing that really irritates me though, the people that would be great mentors either cant get into the channel or don't qualify for it,while people who have no intrest in helping others and are using it for there own selfish reason are in this channel,they got this system backwards.