New player looking for starter stuff? look here.

[JohnCarver]

you serious? no clue what are you even talking about. or why you feel the need to mention the Tribe and Darwoth in literally every post of urs even tho they're never actually related to anything u say (or mb im missing smth here)... BUT as being 3 month old on salem im a "new player" and i dont feel like the 'climate' is bad because of high biles players. Me or any other noob dont even know those 400biles players and those 400biles players surely dont know us/ever heard of us/annoy us, so how do they 'grief us out'?

Improving the early game is the February patch. I tend to agree that on average new players are not quitting because of the 'high bile people'. I will be more confident even after the PvP changes that rampant crime on new players is even 'less' of a thing. So, what is your opinion then, perhaps on why you 'thought' about quitting as a new player, as I feel almost everybody does.

[AntiNeko]

The new players I've interacted with that quit or consider quitting mainly because there's not really an interactive tutorial phase. Most games don't require so much research to figure out how to play. They normally hold your hand until you have a strong grasp on the basics and then encourage you to go forth and succeed, where as Salem tosses your ass into the ocean and tells you to swim or die. The newbs I've played with who quit were too lazy to read the tutorials in the game, or just skim through them, and blatantly ignore the wiki and forums. They didn't understand what to do or how to get started and kinda just flounder around getting KOed by snakes and picking random skills to chase after which amounted to being able to do a whole lot of nothing. Those who push through the utter confusion of it all (or actually read all the tutorials and the wiki instead of wandering blindly) start to really enjoy themselves.

[JohnCarver]

The new players I've interacted with that quit or consider quitting mainly because there's not really an interactive tutorial phase. Most games don't require so much research to figure out how to play. They normally hold your hand until you have a strong grasp on the basics and then encourage you to go forth and succeed, where as Salem tosses your ass into the ocean and tells you to swim or die. The newbs I've played with who quit were too lazy to read the tutorials in the game, or just skim through them, and blatantly ignore the wiki and forums. They didn't understand what to do or how to get started and kinda just flounder around getting KOed by snakes and picking random skills to chase after which amounted to being able to do a whole lot of nothing. Those who push through the utter confusion of it all (or actually read all the tutorials and the wiki instead of wandering blindly) start to really enjoy themselves.

Thank you for the perspective.

[Xelsol]

I don't think the game needs an hour long, hold-your-hand-tighter-than-an-overprotective-mother-at-walmart, tutorial, but I do agree it needs something more than what it has. Maybe force the player to craft an inspirational, learn settling and/or self-defense, a short note on inspiration, experience a gluttony session, give him/her some tips on how combat works (and that using a slingshot helps when hunting skittish animals), then a hearty slap on the back to send him/her on his/her merry way. Of course, optional skip function for those who already know how to play or those who just don't want to listen (and will likely die and complain and quit, but who needs those kinds of players, anyways).

[JohnCarver]

I don't think the game needs an hour long, hold-your-hand-tighter-than-an-overprotective-mother-at-walmart, tutorial, but I do agree it needs something more than what it has. Maybe force the player to craft an inspirational, learn settling and/or self-defense, a short note on inspiration, experience a gluttony session, give him/her some tips on how combat works (and that using a slingshot helps when hunting skittish animals), then a hearty slap on the back to send him/her on his/her merry way. Of course, optional skip function for those who already know how to play or those who just don't want to listen (and will likely die and complain and quit, but who needs those kinds of players, anyways).

This is very similar to the approach we had. Make sure the player 'dabbles' in the systems before sending them on to the New World

[Draken-Savage]

The salem forum is quite a beast and searching it is not exactly easy as many things are
either outdated or buried under tons of other search results. The wiki is also a little
outdated and missing some entries. The "You tube videos while helpful seem to have been
made by people learning the game. None of this would bother me too much if I could log
into a chat room or walk over to a player and just ask for whatever I've been unable to
find in my research. Silly though it may seem this just hasn't been the case.

I agree with the "teach a man to fish" statement, perhaps a tutorial should include making
a rod and how to fish. However that sentiment also doesn't mean dropping a bunch of
"fishing for dummies" books on the refugees. Players learn from other players and
when there are a bunch of ??? named people running around doing their business and
avoiding each other out of distrust it's not an environment that fosters human
kindness.

I like the dept of the game and I don't mind researching a little(or allot in this case)
and while I am sure that for many new players the steep learning curve would make them
quit I also think that the type of player that seeks out this game would have patience
with learning. That learning process should just be made easier and a helping hand should
be available... and the last thing you need is a newbie struggling with learning how to
walk having his stuff stolen or murdered.

Has a newbie "tag" been discussed? In other words newbies have something displaying over
their character so you can visibly distinguish which players need help the most and
perhaps they can enjoy some protection and voluntary house arrest for a short duration?
Newbie quarter bordering on town? I realize that marking new players could make them
targets for grief but not marking them means you can't identify those in need or those you should not trample on.

As for "new player looking for starter stuff" I really would have loved to be able to go somewhere and use a fire or oven or kiln or such... luckily after some wondering I found a deserted homestead with a sawbuck and some chests. Currently I need a crucible. I also need a map has anyone gotten round to making once since the new world?

[shizuka]

changes that rampant crime on new players is even 'less' of a thing. So, what is your opinion then, perhaps on why you 'thought' about quitting as a new player, as I feel almost everybody does.

You say that some think about quitting when they lose their stuff /die, but if u cant handle that then u shouldnt play a permadeath game and u dont get to complain about the system, i died several times but so what i made mistakes and i learned from it. So you asked about my personal reasons, well first because i have no experience in this kind of game and its HARD to understand/learn about everything, its a lot of knowledge to acquire quickly. Also i had been living for over 2 months alone and i found it hard when people team up against you just because u prefer living on ur own. Main problem i think is that the tutorial and the wiki dont help noobs enough about understanding the mechanics and the game at all. And when i say noobs well even after my three months there are million of things/details i dont get. On other video games people stream / make videos to help beginners understanding the basics, but on youtube if u type salem u'll just find some video about how to make a fire which is not enough. for example i know that 99% of them are clueless about gobbling which is one of the most important things on salem ,and the tutorial wont even talk about double points etc etc. Salem imo needs volunteers to make videos for beginners to get started on salem, they are too often left downtown desperately asking questions in area chat and trolled/flamed which is a shame. what do you think about all this?

[pistolshrimp]

Thift stores disgust me, it seems like it's just a bunch of stuff somebody didn't need any more and rather of throwing it in the trash they decided to share it and let someone who does need it have it instead. Smells like socialism to me.

[er-queent8r]

I started Salem as a single player after my friends left the game. I have found the wiki very helpful when learning the game. Hell after 2 years of the game, I still use it. This game takes a lot of time to learn. There are some of us that will help if you catch us in providence. Once the next patch gets released, younoobs will be able to call on the rangers to avenge who ever committed a crime against you. Until then just use the wiki. I would be happy to teach anyone fishing on providence claim but you must have the equipment.

As far as the tribe griefing to new people no way man. We only griefed the people causing grief. Heff you are just butthurt because the tribe owned you many times.

[agentlemanloser]

You might also consider placing around Providence a number of bulletin boards containing summaries of the most important features of game. The NPC directing people to the forum is a good start, but it is a lot of information to wade through, especially without a loose framework to begin with. For example, a board next to the executioner or courthouse explaining the rudiments of the crime system would assist new players more than a random trawl would. And, ultimately, the forum and wiki are out-game, and new players and players concerned with immersion are less likely to research. In-game boards, rather than or in addition to tutorials, makes some sense.