Topic

Engage Nuggets in the Game through Trade [Formerly Quest: Don't give a noob a bean]

Remember when Glitch was new? Whether it was 2010, or two weeks ago, odds are pretty good you remember when Glitch was still beta. Remember when we were figuring out this game together?

Now that Glitch is open, a lot of new players are experiencing the game for the first time, going through all of those same experiences. They have a greater challenge though, because they're faced with a tight knit group of players who have been here longer, achieved more, and have a level of status they can't ever achieve. They ask those players for help and often times get some very nice and helpful answers.

On the flip side, this older, cooler group can be a bit intimidating. We've got a new class of freshmen and there's a bit of hazing and disgruntlement going on. There's a lot of "people keep stealing/annoying/whatever," types of threads / comments in chat. 

Yes, there are jerks in this game. There will always be jerks in this game. Jerks are a part of life, and no one has succeeded in creating an effective jerk filter.

But, I have an idea.

Us being curmudgeons will only result in the new guys getting prickly in return. Part of what makes us so cool is the fact that we're as open and supportive as we are. We have quests that grant experience in the game - give a newer player something (levels 3-5), but that's a pretty easy quest to win. I can give a bean to someone and get experience for it. I want you guys to do something awesome for someone else. Don't give noobs a bean, is what I'm getting at.

I task you with bartering for something with another player - doesn't matter what level they are, but it helps if they're newer to the game and need something from you as well. Exchange a service or stuff with them for something you need, even if you can buy it/get it yourself pretty easily some other way. But here's the fun part: 

Go above and beyond. Surprise them with your generosity. Impress them with how cool of a community this is. Do it because you can, not because you're getting something in return. Show them how awesome it is to be a part of this game. Do it when they need it - when they're low on energy, when they have a broken tool and no cash, or when they need a mood boost. I'm not asking this to be completely selfless - get them to give something to you - but really reward them for it. 

This is to the glitchen like myself who aren't habitually super cool players. The average folks who have fun but don't go crazy being saintly like some of you guys are. I know there are quite a number of seasoned glitch pros who are generous and friendly and awesome. This is mostly directed at the rest of us who want to build upon this community but don't necessarily know where to start.

Edit: I also want to point out that some of the "x keep stealing/whatever" threads and comments are totally legit issues. My point here is that it's tough to come in as the other guy when a lot of that is going on.

Edits:
1. In 2010, the game was in Alpha, not Beta.
2. Instead of Noob, (which is apparently offensive), I propose calling new people Nuggets. Yes, this is a BSG reference.
3. Clearly I am not clear. Hence the title of this post has been changed. Give nuggets as many beans as you want for the in-game quest. For this quest, engage them in the game and community by trading with them.

Posted 15 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • Thanks Xev. As a very young noob in the game, the sentiment expressed above is an inspiration. <3
    Learning this world can be a tad overwhelming. Leadership from the ol' salty dawgs can only help the prickly noobs like me become less prickly. Resistance if futile. We will be assimilated 8^)
    Posted 15 months ago by xeviel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Xeviel! Lots of players with names beginning with X running around. I think we need to start a club soon.
    Posted 15 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • X-actly! ;>
    Posted 15 months ago by Chetmo Subscriber! | Permalink
  • A bean! When I had that quest, I was making special drinks or giving them fruits. A bean! That's so simple. Why didn't I think of that?

    At any rate, I do randomly toss stuff at Level 7s and below. Before, it was fun. Now? Not so much as a 'thank you'. Ever. That's kind of shocked me. 
    Posted 15 months ago by Jarhaven Subscriber! | Permalink
  • OK, I have met several very nice "noobies" and enjoy helping them out with goodies and advice. I have also come across the jerks including one I have had to block. "let the games begin"
    Still lovin' it!!
    Posted 15 months ago by Fstra Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Beans are great to give because often new players' bags are full and a bean is one of the only things that fits!

    But I 100% agree with the sentiment. Sometimes, just helping people out/answering questions can be a godsend for them.
    Posted 15 months ago by Mackenzie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Jarhaven: Which is exactly why this shouldn't be a charity thing. Don't throw stuff at newer players just because they're new - engage them for skills or resources they have that you need, legitimately. 

    Part of Glitch as a whole is creating a community of people that works together. You don't NEED to learn every skill on the tree. It's hard to do and time consuming. Instead, focus on a few skills you want to learn, and exchange services / items with other glitchen in game. 

    Working together is a lot more productive and profitable. What better way to illustrate that to new and old players alike?

    @Fstra & Mackenzie: Yep, and please don't think I'm calling out anyone for NOT helping out; I know everyone does and has.

    It can be tough even for people who've been playing from the beginning to reach out to the new guys and include them, especially since many of us have been around for a while (and been reset). Our goals have changed considerably since we first began playing. That gives us a pretty good advantage while at the same time creating a wee rift between us and the people who are playing totally green.
    Posted 15 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I've been helpful i think. But, the 'where's a wood tree' someone posts zoggles thing cycle gets old really fast. I haven't complained, but I've riffed about it in GC a few times.

    I tell people to give everyone a bean til that quest is completed. It's by far the easiest way to do that quest. But... If you want to give someone something, give them an experience.

    That's why I try to engage people whenever I come accross them. I ask them what they're making. What they're trying to save  up to build. I engage people with the games and I go easy on them and show them how to play. I also have been trying to gamble with people. I don't care how much they have to gamble, going as low as 50 bucks a roll. I even gave away a pair of dice. I think showing people Dice is cool in and of itself even if they don't gamble.
    Posted 15 months ago by Mr. Dawgg Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Mr. Dawgg - agreed. This is really about getting involved with other players. Having a conversation and helping one another keep playing. It sucks when you're in game and you realize you're out of food and you're not going to be able to keep doing what you want to until you get more energy and the next day isn't coming any time soon.

    But you can't force it. Just wanting a culture and saying "culture" a lot doesn't make it so. One step towards building that, however, is to keep interacting. I'm definitely more of a casual socializer. I'll crack a joke, help someone out, ask a question, whatever. 

    I don't think we as a group have to be more than that, though, at least right now. There's a self-induced pressure to be something amazing, because we've all seen glimmers of that here and there. And we get frustrated when the game and the people in it don't live up to that expectation and aspiration. 

    We've set some pretty high standards for this culture and ourselves, and we're figuring out how to meet them. It doesn't happen overnight, and you can't force it. Forced kindness and best-friendliness is weird. 

    Don't do stuff because you think you should, do stuff because you want to and it's fun. Glitch is first and foremost a game. If you're having fun, other people are going to have fun too. 
    Posted 15 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • that's why I love you xev, and I still have your 50 currants in our bank.
    Posted 15 months ago by Rook Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The Royal Bank of Rook?
    The Rook Bank of Ur?

    We need to make it happen, whatever we call it.
    Posted 15 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I love this, Xev :)
    Posted 15 months ago by Millie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks Millie :)
    Posted 15 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • When I did this quest, I gave the newbs a butterfly lotion or two and explained what it was for. Since it's immediately intuitive that you need it or where to buy it, I think it's useful to have in inventory at the start.
    Posted 15 months ago by SleepyAce Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Kind of just have this compulsive need to point out that Glitch wasn't in beta in 2010, it was in alpha. ;)

    ETA: Also, awesome post! :)
    Posted 15 months ago by Cupcake Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Somewhat offtopic, but I always consider "noob" to be a derogatory term, something said with distaste about newbies.
    When I first read the topic title it had therefore a negative vibe to it.
    It seems the meaning of " noob" has changed, but it's been used as a swearword lots. Usually, if one means a new player, "newbie" is the friendly expression for it.

    More ontopic: Good idea to create more interaction!
    Posted 15 months ago by Miriamele Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Not entirely on topic:
    I always give "noobs" something along the lines of a handful of meat or eggs.
    If I notice I have a lot of either (happening a lot now that I have better skills), I'll just go around giving out whatever I have the most of, then run off.

    I agree though, that only maybe 2 out of 15 or so people have said thanks. I guess that maybe they didn't notice though, there is so much to do at the start of this game that I don't expect them to see the little notification in chat or to understand why +__ eggs popped up on their screen.
    Posted 15 months ago by Biohazard Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Xev, I actually rethought what you meant entirely. And now I get it.

    It's not so much that you shouldn't give them a bean. The entire idea behind the quest is to usher in the new players. Giving them something isn't important. That just fulfills the quest. We actually had a friendliness meeting at work today. (I know it's kinda silly, but whatever. Our boss is legitimately passionate about these things, and I try to respect that.) Anyways, just greeting people isn't enough. You have to go the extra mile. Sure, give them a bean, but don't stop there. Go the extra mile. Give them a tour. Show them something neat. That's how you win friends and keep people interested.
    Posted 15 months ago by Mr. Dawgg Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Why not give them an Earthshaker or an advanced recipe that they won't get to for a bit? It shows them what's possible down the road. And, really, when harvesting a bean only costs you a handful of seconds and a dribble of energy, it's silly to give someone a bean.

    The whole premise is to make the world and make it stronger. If you want a world where people are handing out beans and being stingy, I suppose you can hand out beans. If you want not just a game, but a community (and a place where the whole 'vote them off the island' mentality of the 'real' world isn't a bother), then give something more than a bean.
    Posted 15 months ago by TK-855 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +A bajillion, Xev. You're exactly right, and I am penitent for the vaguely grouchy feelings that I've been having towards everyone who doesn't know how to make cheese or where to get salt.

    I hereby promise that I'll stop calling them whippersnappers. <3 Thank you for the reminder that our culture is what we make it. :) There can't be a culture of kindness if we aren't living up to it.
    Posted 15 months ago by Arii Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks for all the great replies!  And yes, Cupcake, you're totally right. I thought about that too, but was too lazy to edit.

    Just to reiterate - the point isn't to outdo everyone else by dumping AWESOME ITEMS on new players. The point is to exchange goods or services with them. Get them to play the game with you. You should be getting something you legitimately need from them in return. This is not a charity quest.

    The in-game challenge is a nice way to help out new players, but at the end of the day, it's basically a charity quest. The players you are helping out have no need or obligation to give anything in return, and a lot of the complaints are these "no one says thank you when I give them stuff," to which I counter, "surely the thank you is in the XP boost you get for completing the quest." You are using them to complete a quest. Don't get disgruntled when their inventory is full or they don't express sufficient gratitude.

    New players aren't dumb, they're just new to the game. We can assume, with some exceptions, that most players getting into this game are inherently like us. They share this same interest, enjoy the same things about the game that we do, and want to play it with us. Just because they are low level does not mean they are younger, dumber or less experienced in life than we are. They know that you're giving them stuff because you're on a quest. 

    I think the first clue is when they afk and wake up to a full inventory of random stuff. There are also guides advising them to go afk in high traffic areas if they are low on goods or food specifically for this reason. It's not a secret, peeps.

    So yes, get something in return. In fact, that is my point. You're giving them something better by asking something of them. They get that they have something to offer the community, something to do in game that isn't necessarily a rock-related quest. They get to be a part of our culture, and they get to feel needed. They also should get something pretty cool in return for being nice people. 

    Don't feel at all obligated to go crazy over people who don't fulfill their end of the bargain or act like a jerk to you. There are going to be some jerks in this game. I know TS is working night and day to improve their jerk filter, but ultimately some slip through.
    Posted 15 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • My thing is I make Noobags. I buy some bags, fill them with 9 different items each, mostly food and drink that you can't get from a vendor and that give between 50-100 energy. They end up getting a bunch of new-item-experience, a bunch of energy, and a bag!
    Posted 15 months ago by La_La Subscriber! | Permalink
  • i generally give out gems. i figure i don't really know what the new player needs, and they can sell it for what they want or donate it for favour.

    i think if i gave them an earthshaker they might drink it in a useless location .. plus they might not even be a miner.

    so gems are good gifts, i think.
    Posted 15 months ago by striatic Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Spinach is also a great thing to give away, since you can use it to jump really high ^^.
    Posted 15 months ago by Demetra Subscriber! | Permalink
  • La_La: I really like that idea. I might start doing that. It would be a good premise for a group, actually. You could also include a note with some tips or what to use certain items in the bag for, etc.
    Posted 15 months ago by Mikella Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Wow La_La, that's fantastic! I'm totally stealing that idea. And with Mikella's idea of the note to welcome & explain. yay!
    Posted 15 months ago by Vera Strange Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I like giving really random things to newbies. Lemburgers. Hearty groddle sandwiches. 12-sided dice. 200 meats. 80 fried eggs. Keys to doors that they likely don't even know the location to. :)
    Posted 15 months ago by Seylah Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I gave them 10 pieces of meat. Was that ok?
    Posted 15 months ago by Bakasora Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Bakasora -- <3  whatever you give them is fine (as long as it's not a poke in the eye with a sharp stick). Everyone needs just about every item at some point, and foods are especially good for new Glitchlings.

    @Xev -- great thread!! I spent those last couple of beta days preparing a generic bag as a "new player care package." I tossed in a Glitch SWF game, a couple of low level foods, couple of low level beverages, a couple of other things I don't remember, and a knife & block (which I found lying at the base of a tree with no note and no Glitchling nearby). The first new Glitchling I started a conversation with was really nice and had been playing less that 1/2 hour. We have traded stuff/favors over the last week, and it's really cool being "the one in the know." I'll probably put together more "care packages" as time goes on. There will always be new Glitchlings, and there will always be new Glitch friends that I want to share things with. Whether you gift things to others, or trade something, depends on your own style. I tend to just give things to people, I figure if they want to give me something in return, they will.
    Posted 15 months ago by kastlin Subscriber! | Permalink
  • great post! a couple days ago, I ran around kissing all the newbies for two days. It was great fun and I meet new people by sending them an Im after the kiss and it gave me giggles which I desperately need right now due to personal health issues. I also kissed my friends. When I found as usual i was not running into as many friends as I would like I decided to send them a virtual kiss through IM. I sent one two many because I do not know this person well and he decided I was doing something wrong, but other than that I have enjoyed my Kissing bandit quest I have made up myself. Many have thanked me and laughed with me. I will continue being a kissing bandit when the mood strikes me so beware!!!! I also will look for other ways to break the ice with the new players ;D
    Posted 15 months ago by AzaleaMist Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I love this thread!  Xev, what a great idea!

    When I see someone who seems confused--I check to see what level they are and ask them if they are new (some beta peeps are still at low levels).  I ask them if they have any questions I can help with.  A lot seem to have not had greeters, or didn't have questions when they did.  I have had some nice conversations and I hope made Glitch a more welcoming place for them.
    Posted 15 months ago by noqualia Subscriber! | Permalink
  • TL;DR:

    That's awesome guys, just make sure you're getting something in exchange for all your hard work. Dumping free stuff on new people is nice, but doesn't engage them in the game.
    Posted 15 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Aw, that's sad, AzaleaMist. I don't even know you and I would think it was cute to get a virtual kiss from a fellow glitchen, whether I know them well or are complete strangers! But then again, I'm a tree-hugging hippie.
    Posted 15 months ago by Seylah Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks Seylah!!! If I see ya, watch out ;D
    Posted 15 months ago by AzaleaMist Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm being mean and giving them CrabPod Headphones! hehe
    Posted 14 months ago by HenkDroid Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I am so over this thread.
    Posted 14 months ago by Xev Subscriber! | Permalink