TriadCity Message of the Day
2006-02-03

A newfangled trying-to-be-smart automated suggestion system for newbies is now online.

When the server thinks a newbie seems to need help, it makes suggestions based on what it thinks the problem might be. For example, if a level 1 newbie doesn't type anything for more than a minute, the server writes a message to the game window asking if everything's ok, and pointing out where the command field is. It'll encourage the quiet newb to type 'help', or ask questions of the Help robot.

Different kinds of suggestions will be made depending on where the newb is in the game world, and what level they've reached. Here's the list:

  • Level 1: No command entered after 60 seconds: points out the command field, suggests typing 'help'.
  • Level 1: Has left Sanctuary Island: suggests going back to SI until reaching level 2.
  • Level 1: Tired: suggests resting or sleeping in the Temple of the King.
  • Levels 1 - 3: Hungry: suggests picking and eating fruit.
  • Levels 1 - 3: Thirsty: suggests drinking from the fountain on SI.
  • Levels 1 - 5: Naked: suggests wearing the robe given by the Monk.
  • Levels 1 - 5: Over exp to level: suggests bowing to the Statue of the King.
  • Levels 2 - 3: Has left Sanctuary Island and not gone to NorthWest: suggests NorthWest instead.

This list is just a guess. You probably have more experience with newbies than we do. If you think of more problems to try to second-guess, or if you feel these should be changed, please give a shout.

Note that this feature could turn out to be more obnoxious than helpful. There's no way to turn these messages off (newbies would turn them off before they've received them all), and they come every 60 seconds, regardless of whether they've already been seen (there's no way to guarantee that a newb saw the message on their screen the first time). For people who are getting started nicely, they might seem naggy or patronizing. We dunno!

Feel free to create a new character and check it out. Suggestions very much appreciated!

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