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

[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.

[Kailwisdom]

We are the community, we need to stand up and speak our minds on the issue and at least try to find a resolution that benefits everyone concerned. I know you can not please all the people all the time , but you can appease some of the people , some of the time, and frankly that is better than what we have currently. We need to continue to speak out about this so that the issue is put in front of the right people to get some kind of action taken.

I personally will continue to do so until some kind of resolution is achieved. I hope many more of you will continue to also speak out about any issues you are having, or about how well the system works on your server, and perhaps some tips on what makes the system work better for your server.

We must persist if we ever expect any change to happen.