Define: "Rookie Friendly"
Calego
Join Date: 2013-01-24 Member: 181848Members, NS2 Map Tester
Join Date: 2013-01-24 Member: 181848Members, NS2 Map Tester
Well? What's it mean?
This is from an old post on a quick search from when the server option was first implemented. No real definition given which is why I'm asking the community at large to define it conclusively.
The main reason I'm asking is because the communities on some of the so-called "Rookie friendly" servers is hardly what I would deem friendly to people who have either just bought the game or are trying it out (on a free weekend).
So have at it. What is a "Rookie Friendly" server supposed to look like?
This is from an old post on a quick search from when the server option was first implemented. No real definition given which is why I'm asking the community at large to define it conclusively.
I've bolded and underlined the closest thing to a definition in there, but I think we can/should elaborate.Quick docs here
There is the new "rookie mode" system in Build 220.
Servers indicate if they are "rookie friendly" or not by setting the tag "rookie friendly":
ServerConfig.json
{
"settings":
{
"rookie_friendly": true,
"auto_team_balance": true,
"unbalance_count": 2
},
"tags": [ "rookie" ]
}
Servers that are set as "rookie friendly" should show up as such in the server browser:
All players are marked as "rookies" until they have logged 4 hours of play. During this time, their communication (chat, voice icon) are displayed in green and they are indicated to others as a new player. Other players are told to help rookies via a loading screen hint.
Players can disable display of themselves as "rookies" by turning it off in the options
After 4 hours, you are automatically set to not being a rookie. Even if you turn it back on, it will turn off every 30 seconds of play.
This is a social convention, nothing is enforced. I'm hoping this is enough to let players get games with others that aren't way above their skill level, allowing them to get some kills and some guidance while they are learning. There could still be poachers, but hopefully there will be less then without rookie mode.
The main reason I'm asking is because the communities on some of the so-called "Rookie friendly" servers is hardly what I would deem friendly to people who have either just bought the game or are trying it out (on a free weekend).
So have at it. What is a "Rookie Friendly" server supposed to look like?
Comments
- Veterans being as helpful as possible, even if the rookies don't respond as much as you'd like.
- On that note give tips to the other team if you notice they're not doing so hot.
- Creating as positive an atmosphere as possible. Even when you're down to one hive and no upgrades with a rookie comm.
- Never stacking teams.
- Ideally not having people that can go 30-2 in a round. This is simply not comprehendable to rookies. They start thinking that the game is not worth playing because of all the hackers around.
I'm not saying that rookie friendly servers should coddle the newbies. Loosing is part of the game and in the end, one side will always lose. But when you learn to swim do you just jump right into the deep end? The best learning environment is one where the opponents are either on your level or just slightly above it.
Nor am I saying that only rookies should be allowed to play on rookie servers. That's madness. A blind man leading a group of blind people is going lead the whole group in circles or over a cliff. But tossing a rookie into a game with stacked veterans on one side having a grand old time being invincible is not friendly in any universe.
So I'd urge server owners who know that they have veteran regulars that like to play together (stack teams) to switch off the "rookie friendly" tag.
So from that it seems like its absolutely random. But someone who knows better can probably answer better.
On servers marked as "rookie friendly" one can/should expect:
- Rookie players (duh)
- Veteran players trying to help new players
- A general focus more on "playing" the game than "winning" the game
There is no technical way to enforce these things, and sadly quite a lot of servers are marked as rookie friendly simply because the admin thinks it will get more players this way.
On the upside however there are quite a couple of servers out there that have very active admins that will deal with unfriendly players.
The tag "rookie friendly" might help you find a suitable server in the beginning, but in the end you'll simply have to play on a couple of servers and find those you had the most fun on. Think of it as test driving new cars.
Nailed it.
We had a +10 page long thread a while ago about whether or not it's okay to play on rookie servers and go 50/5 or whatever. And the end result was pretty much no, there's really no excuse. Most anywhere you are, there will be normal servers to choose from. Some argued that it's okay to stomp newbs because it's just rookie friendly, not a rookie server. But as Charlie described it, rookie friendly does also include a certain level of skill.
I'm also interested to know how many beginners figure their way to a rookie friendly server?
I have noticed however, that a lot of people over the weekend were flocking to the UWE Official servers even though they were white. I suppose the lure of "official" instead of some other organization owned server was too great.
So tell them what they do wrong when you stomp them. (and if they do it right you maaaay want to let them win every now and then. like if they properly skulk, I tend to let myself die a little more so they realise its the right way to skulk.
So what does that entail exactly?
-Never getting publicly frustrated at a player for any reason
-Answering questions/giving advice if the opportunity presents itself
-Attempting to keep skill level of teams as close to each as possible (sometimes this may involve biting the bullet and commanding so you don't throw off the balance massively)
There have been plenty of times this weekend where I wanted to tear my hairout while playing. Walker fades, ground skulks/lerks, fast drop robos, marines who couldnt hit a stationary gorge, you name it. If you ever in one of these scenarios, and can't keep your composure, just disconnect and find another server.
A little bit of pregame banter and some friendly tips before the round starts can do wonders, really.
Skilled (Veterans) players please join marines every round and slaughter the aliens.
Most "rookies" can point and shoot a gun and since skulks are so slow its no prob for them to pick up. Now when a rookie joins aliens welp you just hope marines are actually rookies and not just some veteran getting off by slaughtering a bunch of noobs. (which seemed to be the case about 6 out of 10 games)
This certainly hasn't been my experience (mind you I'm not the greatest player, but the comming thing too). Over the weekend after I'd played a few games and the server got to know me a little, we tried a gorge rush for the heck of it. I hopped in the chair and said "You guys want to do something fun?" It failed miserably but it was still hilarious. Another time we tried an Arc Rush and had a grand time. Rookies are there for the fun, if you come off as a fun player, they won't mind you much. Problem is that no matter how good your attitude, if you're going 30-0, half the server population is going to be discontent. That's not ideal for NS2 as a whole, nor for the newbies playing.
When I go to rookie servers to help rookies there's some veterans that go on and just completely stomp rookie teams and coms...
I think its really unjust and unfair, not much you can do though at the moment.
If you are going to be keeping experienced players out of rookie servers then there must be a way to keep rookies out of experienced player servers (assuming there is one at some point). I'm not sure its fair otherwise.
And a side note if you make rookie servers 100% rookie that does them injustice because it prevents them from getting a comm who knows what they are doing. Having the blind lead the blind i'm not sure is the best way to make rookies feel at home.
1) You wouldn't be able to toggle it on/off, so as to prevent lamers from tagging themselves as rookie over and over again just to stomp true rookies.
2) It'd have to last for far longer than 4 hours.
3) As a rookie, you're not allowed on non-rookie servers.