PSA: Mentors can talk about anything they want in Novice Network - Discussion with GM

[Kazrah]

I vote that the Novice Network have its name officially changed to "Barrens Chat".

[Huskell]

I was on that channel (started playing last month), but I quit early because of this random chat, it was useful when I needed it, but there was too much things going on, mentors chatting, spoilers of the story, and sometimes you ask a question the person explains a lot more than necessary, adding endgame content to simple answers.

[DynamoAce]

Maybe kicking was a bit extreme but punishment like this over what was kinda unclear to begin with for everyone in the Novice Networks is even more extreme. I don't think it's fair that they handle it that way.

I actually haven't experienced much of the novice channel. When I first joined my friends said it was unneeded and they'd guide me. I did see a whole lot of random banter though when I first got to see it. I suppose for some it can be nice cause it let's newbies make friends and whatnot and ease themselves into their new environment, etc.

[NinjaDante]

It's really nice to see that square enix is supporting free speech within the channel!

Hyperion novice network has been plagued with self righteous mentors kicking anyone who doesn't do as they say, and after spreading this topic around it seems to have knocked them down a few pegs.

I think this should improve the mood and quality of conversations and prevent the endless arguments over what we can and cannot talk about.

Remember everyone if you don't want to listen to people chat, you can turn of the chat, filter it out, move it to another window, or black list people you don't like.

Let's Make Novice Network Great Again!

[AsteriaStarfall]

Hyperion novice network has been plagued with self righteous mentors kicking anyone who doesn't do as they say, and after spreading this topic around it seems to have knocked them down a few pegs.

Midgardsormr has been the same way. We have one mentor that literally signs into novice network to kick a couple mentors, then signs right back out to avoid them being kicked as well. Countless people have filled reports with nothing being done. I currently sign into novice network but when someone asks questions i just send them tells instead of replying in the channel because other mentors like to be kick happy over anything.

[Luascadan]

You kicked someone for being a novice in regards to end-game melds? The game is massive, a lot of people are novices in at least some aspects no matter their play-time.

[Stormbad]

OP, although you kicking wasn't the appropriate action to take for someone spamming the chat, I thank you for your effort in bringing this to attention.

Just to give a bit of perspective, my son, who is 10 has recently started to play. He is pretty advanced for his age and can easily speed read chats and keep track of all the things going on in the game. However, I remember when I first did ifrit story with him and I was typing instructions to him and he ignored every single one. We still cleared it no problem but when I asked why he didn't read any of my instructions, he said that the chat was going crazy and he couldn't tell which was me typing or which was random spam.

Confused, I asked him to open his chat and was surprised to find the mentor roulette just being spammed with random useless (non sprout related) banter and all of my party chat was squished between. We spent a few minutes making a chat filter that only shows party/FC chat after that.

Maybe a newbie tip should go into detail on how to effectively filter chat but as far as I remember, this was not the case and any newbie might not know this. I think of all the other times I had a dungeon with a random sprout and typing in tips and instructions and being completely ignored, maybe it wasn't their fault at all.

[PizzaPastaMan]

Personally, I haven't really experienced much of the Novice Network.

As quickly as I was playing, I was snatched up by a FC day 1-2 of me playing the game.

Most of my interaction has been with FC chats. They have been helpful at acclimating me to the game.

[LalafellDown]

My favorite moments (when Mentor System came out) were when some people tried to install their dictatorship rule and commanded everyone to only helping new people and if you were a mentor with a question you went allowed to ask. Talking about anything unrelated wasn't allowed. People were getting kicked left and right. I got kicked for fighting against their rules they made up. Also got kicked with a few other people after I asked if a tank could help in a dungeon. One mentor said he was on their way to help. It got heated up quick. Since I was mentor asking for help I got booted. Asking for that is wrong and only applied to new people. After awhile those toxic players who thought their laws were above SE(s) never joined the network ever again. After SE stopped the auto join, the Novice Network became a great place. Everyone was free to talk and ask questions. Most times its was quiet and no one talked, but knowing that you had the freedom to do so was great.

Knowing what you say in chat can be used against you I made sure I spoke politely to these people even though they cursed me out. One of the mentors called me names I've never heard of before. I had to go look them up just to know what she was talking about. She never joined the network ever again after the (above) incident and she dropped her mentor status or maybe SE took it away. Reason for kick: F*** Y**

Good times, I saved the conversations for a good laugh here and there. Moved back to JP servers and I love the Mentors in the Oceanic region (Japanese and Australian people in the same chat its so cool)

[Dooblin]

I'm not a mentor yet (90ish coms and 700 dungeons away lol), but I wanted to pipe in my input here as I was in the novice network for quite a while.

I learned so much reading this random "banter" when i first started without having to ask questions. As long as there are no spoilers and the conversation is relevant to the game, you'd be surprised what people pick up and absorb from the chat.

Just my humble approach.