Quote
thinhallen
I've always thought that randomly new players to CF probably have a 2 to 5% chance of staying whereas people brought in through friends who are able to level with them and learn the ropes probably have a 30 to 40% chance of sticking around. Games are just incredibly more fun when you have your friends with you and I wish the Imms would say that it's completely alright to do so.

You are right.
Although I am the rare exception, it seems.

I was brought to CF by a friend like six or seven years ago and never made it past level 10 even. Maybe it was because I wasn't used to reading descriptions in English, and because of trouble reading colorless text due to poor eyesight (highlights won't help you when there are 100500 different strings for bash and whatnot). That friend of mine is no longer playing now, but I suddenly decide to try again, and lo! Here I am.

Also, I didn't find much trouble in getting unfamiliar people to help me, both as good and evil. In fact, often someone offers company (probably 'cause I like melee classes and mages are always looking for a tank), and then they'd realize I'm a newbie and offer some help too. And if there isn't anyone, well then at least noone is out to murder me (I hate lowbie PK, and midbie PK also - it is just too fast and no fun).

But YMMV! There is nothing wrong with newbies playing with their friends, as long as they roleplay of course. It's natural. Saying that this is unfair advantage is hypocritic because the game already is largely unfair, with a capital U in fact. After all, everyone is okay with having five Marans online and one Imperial, or vice versa.

P.S. I've seen muds with larger but less friendly playerbases. The mechanic there might be less severe (safe rooms, no con loss), but on the other hand you might get repeatedly killed and full-looted just for the lulz, then be humiliated, turned into a zombie and so on. So be happy with what you have.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/30/2011 08:22PM by Murphy.