[Radi]

Before you flame me, read the post by Algore. And try to have open mind.

Originally Posted by Algore

I'm not a fan of safe zones, but not knowing what level of protection a safe zone would give makes me want to reserve judgement for fear of looking foolish at a later date. There hasn't really been enough information released for me to have a definitive opinion.
That being said I've always seen carebears as future recruits. All the current OV came from squads I would have considered to be more soft centered than hard centered
As there have been less trading squads in Jumpgate I have noticed a clear difference in recruiting. People join a busy squad, they either like it or move on. From a PvP pov I tended to recruited bored traders/fluxers who wanted to try PvP. Honest, non polluted PvP noobs. A blank canvas if you will.
The apparent lack of protection, by game mechanics or player governed for these groups has reduced the number of trading squads. This directly reduced the pool of possible new pilots to PvP. I'm not saying make any area of space totally safe, but if retaining them with some sort of greater levels of safety means we avoid the current bastardisation of squads made from 2nd accounts this may be a bonus.
I guess there is an angle for every opinion in Jumpgate. But if retaining players creates more PvP. Or more importantly more people continue long enough to try it before leaving due to lack of protection, then surely this is something we must consider.

Regards
Al

Al brings up good point that has been the core problem for Jumpgate in the past: player retention.

More player is always good, no matter if they are carebear or pvp-ers.

Since there is heated discussion about the safe zones, maybe we should consider them at least to some extent. Or maybe something completely different.

Problem: throwing people into deep water.

We all know how hard it was to learn Jumpgate (docking anyone). And it is not fun being poded almost instantly by a player that knows how to do it.

Obviously, ND did think about those problems by trying to implement some safe guards: no damage in collisions, safe zones, automatic docking etc.

I do believe that the core gameplay for Jumpgate Evolution should be relatively the same as it was in Jumpgate. However, we do need to keep learning curve to acceptable levels for average players.

Couple ideas:

- automatic docking: sure, but only in major factional station sectors, further from those "hub" sites docking should require more skills. Think of it as a challenge. You can go there, but it is not going to be same as it was in core station. It brings some of the novelty to the game. And makes a game more interesting and not boring.

-safe zones: I believe that there should be noob zones or private starting zones (like in Auto Assault), when players can learn the ropes. NO PK'in would allowed in those zones. Period. Of course those zones would be available only to the beginning players. And maybe some people that can be mentors. Also, in order to ease transition the collision damage should be disabled. But only in the noob zone. Everywhere else, it should be enabled.

-getting players accustomed to the environment: if pilots know what can they expect, it will make the more willing to get accustomed to the potential surprises in later game. For example, let them get ambushed by an AI. Of course he/she should be rescued by AI police, and stress that he/she could be killed anytime, anywhere.

[Jump]

Well, that's kind of what I was saying way back here in this thread. >> If I were designing the Jumpgate Evolution universe...

[GrimGriz]

Turrets.

[Ratneck]

Safe zones for learning to play/new players is a fine idea.

Why not make a "safe zone" in the simulator for new players only...Like stated above, you can only get in if you're below a certain level or a mentor. You can choose to play "real world" any time you want but when you do you're subject to the PvP aspect. Once you hit a certain level (I'd say light fighter level) you can no longer use the new player simulator. New players get XP and money in the noob simulator, mentors do not....well perhaps XP for helping...that would have to be figured out.

But this way they can have a "safe haven" to learn in, and they have a chance to play in the PvP aspect if they so choose. This way they don't get scared away by someone who's just out to shoot new players.

[Tritian]

how long does it really take to learn to dock?

1) get infront of the rings
2) drop to 0v, turn towards tube
3) accelerate while pointed at tube, keep speed under 100v.

[Jetset]

Perhaps an uber NPC policeman to escort all ships under level 6 or something?

[Tritian]

Jesus when did our game become such a pansy-fest. some things SHOULD be difficult, it's a fricken game!!!

EASY GAMES DON'T GET PLAYED FOR VERY LONG.

I personally LIKED that Jumpgate took some degree of competence to fly. I liked that there was danger. Am I the only one?

[Radi]

Originally Posted by Tritian

Jesus when did our game become such a pansy-fest. some things SHOULD be difficult, it's a fricken game!!!

EASY GAMES DON'T GET PLAYED FOR VERY LONG.

I personally LIKED that Jumpgate took some degree of competence to fly. I liked that there was danger. Am I the only one?

Since the actual number of players that play the game (and pay for it) actualy counts.

[Jetset]

I mean personally, when I started Jumpgate, I never got shot at when I was a noob, but who knows what might happen when there are "5,000" people playing?

Edit : Blimey, I'm into double figure postage.

[Chaser]

I agree, we need new people who have time to learn before getting podded or pirated for fun, if that means upsetting a few to gain many, so be it. If the few that played Jumpgate Classic were enough to pay the bills, then we wouldnt even be here, it would be like that forever because no one would throw money at it to get MORE people. I saw on a site that said they are hoping for many thousnads of players now, and with the old croud, (no offence) they lost like 10 million on it, so it was this, or none..

[Jump]

Lost 10 million, what?

[Tritian]

Originally Posted by gealyn

Just because you get your kicks from pod killing a newbie doesn't mean they should have to be killed by you or laughed at by you because they came in with no skill. Sorry for the rant but asinine "carebear" comments like your are really starting to annoy me on the forums around here.

Are you done?

I don't know who you are, or where you get off, but obviously you have extremely little knowledge of me. Also, your rant has absolutely zero to do with my post, which you obviously did not read!

First of all, I was voicing my concerns for dumbing down the flight model in my post, which was in response to the auto-docking suggestion, not protection schemes for newbs. Your rant is completely baseless and far from reality. Infact, I do believe their should be schemes in-place for protecting very low level pilots.

What I'm against are things such as auto-docking and dumbing down the flight model, as I think they are unnecessary. It really doesn't take long to learn to fly in Jumpgate Classic. I've crashed plenty of times, but that's part of learning. If you make the game too easy, no one will play for very long. If you hold their hands too much in the early game, they will just eventually have to learn how to properly dock and fly without aids later. So it really is kind of pointless.

You can go on and believe that I would kill newbies, and laugh at them like some asshat. The truth is, i've done more for helping newbies then you know. I've helped newbs well beyond giving them 100k as I fly by. I've dropped everything to give them equipment and help them level, i've helped them kill their first manta, i've gotten them involved in PvP, RP, and have taught many people to duel in the sim. What have you done?

You have 10 posts here, and if you want to actually contribute to the conversations, I advise you actually READ what people say and then respond to their posts, rather then ranting and personally attacking people when you have no knowledge of the facts.