The Novice Network, is it working as intended? Should it be Moderated?

[Kailwisdom]

Ok, this is something I want to get honest opinions on for how the Novice Network is working on your server, and do you or do you not believe it should be Moderated?

Mostly I suppose this question is geared at people who have decided to become Mentors to "lead" and "help" new and returning players.

As a returning player I have been put into the Novice Network myself and have been appalled by the junior high school boys locker room trash talk that goes on in the channel on a regular basis.

And lets be sure to point out that the "Mentors" are in fact great contributors to this level of conversation that permeates the channel on Diablos.

Also I would like to get some sincere input on how you, as a current "Mentor" believe you should be conducting yourself in the Novice Network and in the general public eye.

[Kailwisdom]

In my opinion a "Mentor" is a teacher, you are teaching new and returning players not just the mechanics of things in the game; but also your demeanor and decorum will be received by most as another clear lesson you are presenting to your perspective pupils, there-by setting the tone for the Novice Network Channel. Thoughts?

Sorry had to add that last bit by itself due to character limitations.

[Jade3173]

I mean, sure? The whole mentor system was a bust in my opinion. They added a shiny mount and "oh look a CROWN symbol" to it. Most mentors I see in game are among the worst players I meet so not surprised that the Novice Network isn't great either. Had intended to actually be a mentor and, ya know, help people. But the ones who actually want to help are vastly outnumbered. Haven't used my mentor symbol in months for this exact reason.

FYI, you can edit your posts to bypass character limits

[Kailwisdom]

That is exactly the kind of input I am looking for! Thank you!

Can we get some more opinions and perhaps some examples of what kind of things you see in your Novice Network Channels? If We put the problem in front of them, we can at least say we made an effort to make the situation better right?

[TSLsmokey]

When I actually get into Balmung's novice network, I usually see things that could be useful for newcomers. People asking questions and actually getting helpful answers and it also had the mentors confirming those answers if someone was unsure. I admittedly even saw the mentors learning stuff sometimes but that wasn't common. At the very least Balmung's was good when I last checked. I'll try to get in today to confirm whether or not that is still accurate as the last time I got in was before Stormblood.

[Kailwisdom]

Excellent response! If the Novice Network IS working well on your server, that is equally important!

So I definitely want to hear about those as well.

[Endeleon]

It's not. Most newbies who actually need the help don't even know how to get into the novice network, and never get into it. Let alone the idea they'd actually get help there, which is laughable.

[JunseiKei]

The problem with the Novice Network is that it's really no different than any other linkshell. The 'enforcement' of this chat is up to the discretion of fellow players. The whole system relies on player honor, something profoundly lacking on EU and NA servers as, apparently, the system works fine on JP. Apparent because I have no character on JP servers nor have the ability to read characters easily.

The term itself, novice, simply means someone inexperienced in something. While many take this channel to be only for new players (Newbie Network), that's simply not the case. It's an advice hall. The only problem with that, as well, as it's entirely too easy to give bad or straight-up incorrect information about the game.

In Cactuar's NN, complaints about hunts are rampant about "early pullers." You can't explain to anyone that their perception of "early pulling" is completely subjective and the moral/'courtesous' obligations they force other players to adhere to, or will harass them (moving for people to remove individuals from all hunt linkshells, false reporting, proceeding to witch-hunt those people), when their own personal views are the complete opposite of SE's stance. There was a time when people were saying things like shirk is bad and any person using this skill is a bad player and proceed to stick their fingers in their ears and drown out anyone else that says otherwise while continuously giving this 'advice' out. People have an incredibly hard time separating personal bias, viability, and actual application.

I absolutely wish SE would implement a quiz and/or upkeep exam for mentors simply to stop the spread of misinformation, or at least slow it. While I think the idea of the NN was an example of good intentions to help players start, making Hall of the Novice a requirement, and expanding on that, would be far better executed in the long run. Where even if you jump potion, you will still need to do it to show that you have a grasp of the very fundamentals of the game.

[Kailwisdom]

I agree that the Novice Network is riddled with problems from its conception, but in my opinion, if we can not navigate a solution to the problem that exists on some servers with the inappropriate behavior being exhibited by the "Mentors" then our only recourse is to keep putting the problem in front of the eyes that have the ability to put the problem in front of the eyes that can make a difference in the way the Novice Network functions.

If that means that no resolution can be found and the Novice Network is removed as a feature then what have we lost if we are only losing a broken system? I believe that the Novice Network is a wonderful idea, and it would be fantastic if it worked as intended; However, if no real guidelines/rules are put in place to insure appropriate behavior is all all times upheld by the "Mentors" in the Channel, then how can this ever function as intended?

[Kailwisdom]

Personally I would rather see the Channel and the program go away rather than let it continue in its current form; at least on my particular server/world.

If the team that is in charge of this particular aspect of the game is unaware of a problem, then how can they address it? By posting about it and continuing a conversation about the problem we stand a better chance of getting some kind of resolution, than if we just be quiet about the problem, leave the Channel, or just recommend that people do not use the Channel, or even if we just ignore it.