Like many here I have hundreds of hours invested in this game. I've found that the best way to introduce a new player is to literally sit next to them and tell them all the stuff they need to know that the tutorials won't. I've had four or five friends give up in frustration after purchasing the game and it makes me sad as it becomes so rewarding once you know the ropes. I remember starting out and I was so enthusiastic that I did it all by trial and error. But not everyone has the time or energy to spend 12-20 hours faffing about because they didn't know how important the tiny compass on the HUD is, or that lateral thrusters exist, let alone how Powerplay or the bgs function. Even Dark Souls has tool tips at the start for new players. I understand the importance of immersion but retaining players is important too!
This game is too tough on newbies
- Thread starter Willa Allason
- Start date
Guide them to a couple of YouTube videos!
Before purchasing ED last year, I wanted to see what the actual gameplay was like, so I watched a load of CTOPs videos on him starting out as a noob.
Once I decided the game looked good enough to buy, I did. And I had a good understanding of how most things worked.
Still had alot of stuff to learn, but it took away most of the "OMG! there's 400,000,000 star systems and no idea how to even undock!" feeling away! Lol
Before purchasing ED last year, I wanted to see what the actual gameplay was like, so I watched a load of CTOPs videos on him starting out as a noob.
Once I decided the game looked good enough to buy, I did. And I had a good understanding of how most things worked.
Still had alot of stuff to learn, but it took away most of the "OMG! there's 400,000,000 star systems and no idea how to even undock!" feeling away! Lol
It didn't help that the RNG gods hated her. No doable delivery missions spawned at all. I said "scoop some cargo at a weak signal source..." It was toxic waste. Etc etc. It took hours to get off the ground so to speak and I ended up going and killing a cobra in a nav beacon for her so she could actually upgrade the jump drive and take some missions.
Impressive
I spent the first day spinning round trying to find the right direction - when I spotted the compass it was a bit facepalm really as the exact same system was used in the original!
Majinvash
Banned
Devils Advocate.
What is wrong with them learning themselves?
We did and we are better players for it.
Why should the game be easy to pick up? Its already pretty dumbed down.
Do the tutorials, read the terrible manual and die 20-30 times in your sidewinder as you figure stuff out.
Majinvash
The Voice of Open
What is wrong with them learning themselves?
We did and we are better players for it.
Why should the game be easy to pick up? Its already pretty dumbed down.
Do the tutorials, read the terrible manual and die 20-30 times in your sidewinder as you figure stuff out.
Majinvash
The Voice of Open
If you want a step-by-step tutorial on what to do, Elite isn't the game you should be looking at.
Supreme Commander takes you by the hand and teaches you each stage of game play. I played that about thirty hours.
Elite: Dangerous shows you the basics through tutorials then sets you free into the world. Some players flourish, some die. It's Darwinian and savage, but I've played Elite for several thousand hours and counting. The games success undermines your arguments, I'm afraid.
Supreme Commander takes you by the hand and teaches you each stage of game play. I played that about thirty hours.
Elite: Dangerous shows you the basics through tutorials then sets you free into the world. Some players flourish, some die. It's Darwinian and savage, but I've played Elite for several thousand hours and counting. The games success undermines your arguments, I'm afraid.
I would suggest this too. - also avoid power play at least until you understand what is going on.
OP - Trial and error, and if your friend has questions you're there to answer them.
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I was fortunate/unfortunate enough to buy the game in beta a couple of weeks before I could actually play in open so I just went through the tutorials over and over again. By the time I actually got to play the game I had a fairly solid understanding of the basic ship mechanics.
It's not ideal and you are right, it's a steep learning curve but You Tube is your friend and nearly everything is covered on there.
It's not ideal and you are right, it's a steep learning curve but You Tube is your friend and nearly everything is covered on there.
Heaven forbid we should learn by experience. It seems the excessive nanny state now includes ED. I cant find the quote, but somebody used to have it in their sig, something along the lines of "most games hold your hand for the first few weeks, ED throws you in the deep end with a brick tied to you feet, its not wrong, just different", or something along those lines.
![[VR] Deggial](https://forums-cdn.zaonce.net/data/avatars/m/47/47252.jpg?1553527110){kind=avatar}
@Majinvash:
It's terrible! It's really terrible!
I agee with you!
It's terrible! It's really terrible!
I agee with you!
Yes, to start play Elite is not easy since there is no handholding like in modern games...
Here is 9h tutorial from Andy:
https://www.twitch.tv/londongaming4fun/v/6864135
that is quite good.
And I recommend to start play in Solo,Private and then play in Open if you like
Here is 9h tutorial from Andy:
https://www.twitch.tv/londongaming4fun/v/6864135
that is quite good.
And I recommend to start play in Solo,Private and then play in Open if you like
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There is nothing wrong with that base learning cure. Watching tutorials and reading the manual help a lot.
Next option is taking part in the forum which will give you every hint on any specific question you make.
Finally some things need their time. I don't want to have too much Imperial Vice Admirals in Cutters that are now
playing Elite for 6 weeks. Let them mature with the game.
Regards,
Miklos
Fully agree here. It's a reason of part of the criticism the game receives specially on steam, as casual players just roll in and the start of the game is like the game hates you, pretty hardcore huh?
Should have some degree of progression on early game, to help that matter, as not everybody really bodes well into figuring everything by themselves on early-game!
Should have some degree of progression on early game, to help that matter, as not everybody really bodes well into figuring everything by themselves on early-game!
You're going to tell me in the same paragraph that "not everybody has the time or energy to..." and that "the best way to introduce new players is to sit next to them and tell them the stuff they need to know". New players dont have the time but veteran players do?