Forums » Suggestions

Beginner Discoverability

Feb 20, 2005 Spider link
The current userinterface is a bit odd when you enter space. Here are some suggestions for small changes that might be able to help a beginner.

The chat interface is prequired with two help-keys. But none for how to type. A pre-filled, dimmed grey text that says "press t to talk, m for the mission-computer" would help beginners. Removing this text once they reach level 1 would also be usable.

Alternatively, A greyed text beside the chat pane that mention this. ( still, removing it for higher level players would be good. )

Defaulting the "press F1 for help" for all low-level characters whenever they are near (100m ?) a station.

Buy ship button. Seems this, and "Char Info" are the two least found buttons in the game. Perhaps an event after a few kills that tells you where the buttons are?

Key focus. There are still focus issues in the stations, whenever the missions are reloaded, for example. This is confusing to beginners, but more experienced players get "used" to it and don't think about that they are working around it.
Feb 20, 2005 Spider link
n00b just mentioned something here that goes along with this.

<q00u> Anyway, I think the avalibility of instation help should be emphesised. I think the only way for a noob to find out that pressing h in a station without the chat selected gives you a bit of an explanation is by accident...
<q00u> That sentance made little sense!
<q00u> The fact that there are two of them only confuddles me further.
Feb 20, 2005 ananzi link
nobody cares about n00bs. we want the game to have 100 people forever. the interface should be more complicated not less. we dont want retards using the game.
Feb 20, 2005 UncleDave link
Like you?

Personally, I think that the map should reveal itself as you explore each and every system/sector when you sign up. That in itself adds a deal of discovery instead of being able to see everything all the time.
Feb 20, 2005 ctishman link
Seconded...again
Feb 20, 2005 Fnugget link
Well, you should be able to see all of your own nation at least starting as a noob. Initially, Serco shouldn't see beyond their borders, Itani should be able to additionally see Edras, UIT should see all UIT and Grey(except Odia, Sedina, and Bractus).
I would love to see lots and lots of more people on. Eventually to have guild convoys, group patrols, large battles, and pirates lurking every dark corner of grey space. Besides, even if they're retards, Guild gets ten more dollars per month for them. Bling bling, ananzi. It's all about the benjamin's.
Feb 20, 2005 ctishman link
[deleted spam and counterspam. Quit it, dude.]