Novice Network limitation needs an update

[NarionAelrindel]

It doesn't matter. And if the NN is removed nothing of value will be lost.

[Valence]

TBH just increase the amount of mentors to like 150, while removing 150 from the 412 sprouts. I've never seen more than about 320 sprouts during peak hours on a big patch day. Alternatively, just double both numbers. To assist in this whole situation, players who don't intend to participate in NN conversations could just leave the novice network, rather than simply filtering it out. Turn off auto join setting, and this will help to keep spots free for those who wish to use it for it's intended purpose.

There's a bad side to having too many mentors in novice network though, at least in NA. One sprout can ask one simple question and then 10 mentors start arguing over the small details that don't matter, or they start speaking as if the sprout should have a high end content mindset. Does the sprout ever even get their answer? Sometimes.

Our NN is constantly between 300 and 400 sprouts in peak time, and that's without the preferred server bonus right now. If yours isn't it's because your mentors aren't doing their job at inviting a lot. Inviting new blood is also one of the key ingredients for a successful NN because it prevents staleness.

Functionally, it wouldn't matter -- All you'd be essentially doing is allowing people in regardless of whether or not they have sprout status, and whether or not they have mentor status, equally, there would be nothing stopping a global chat from functioning in a similar way to NN wherein new players and ask questions, and more veteran players answering said questions.

The only drastic change would effectively be that it would be open to all players, and it would take the moderation aspect away from mentors -- Mentors shouldn't be moderators, in no universe should they be designated moderators. The game has GMs for a reason.

It would be diametrically opposite, because you wouldn't be able to moderate said chat. The very reason some NNs are successful is precisely because trolls and toxic idiots can be removed on sight.

GMs are useless, and anyway are a different solution for a different problem, they act after the deed and bring possible punishment, but they do not nip a problem in the bud.

[Ravenblade1979]

I wouldn't mind a feedback system implemented for the true sprouts so they can rate the mentor network or specific mentors

[Valence]

Surely nobody is going to abuse that system.

[1313]

I wouldn't mind a feedback system implemented for the true sprouts so they can rate the mentor network or specific mentors

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahaha NO

[Rein_eon_Osborne]

What those "Fake Mentors" need is a global chat. Give them that, then a good amount of them will move over to the global chat. Which isn't bad IMHO.

I wouldn't mind a feedback system implemented for the true sprouts so they can rate the mentor network or specific mentors

Ever heard of "Review Bombing"?

[TlachtgaSi]

Ever heard of "Review Bombing"?

Ever heard of people getting handed punishments for being a shitty person? Happens often in this game.

[PyurBlue]

The mentor cap has needed an increase for a long time, this should definitely be looked into.

[Jojoya]

The mentor cap doesn't need to be increased because the channel doesn't exist for the sake of mentors.

What is needed is a global chat because that's what the majority of players are looking for - a place to chat with other players about whatever. Linkshells don't fill that need because the cap is based on members whether they are online or offline. Linkshells themselves would be improved and a viable alternative if they worked like Novice Network chat does.

[Valence]

I'm totally not opposed to a general chat somewhere as long as NN remains for what it is designed for. One thing they could start with is by making NN chat access opt-in at every login and not be automatic. I do believe it would already solve a lot of the congestion.