There was a discussion about the Newbie Channel on the Discord a while back, and generally I feel like if there are lowbies around, chances are they ask questions that go unheard.
My suggestions is to open up the Newbie Channel to characters beyond level 15 via a toggleable command, such as 'newbieon/newbieoff' or something similar.
After 15, the channel automatically toggles off and the player have to make a deliberate choice to access the channel. Anyone violating the purpose of the channel (random OOC chatter, insulting people, whatever doesn't belong on the newbie channel) would have their character's access to the channel permanently revoked.
What do people think? Would this be helpful to newbies/lowbies?
I agree with you, but I want to put out a potential similar solution that could either be instead or in addition to-- migrate the academy to a faction so people can join it alongside their feeder clan, and then you can have IC/RP help as opposed to OOC (newbie chat) help. I don't like the idea of OOC chat coming onto my screen in the middle of trying to play and taking me out of character, but I do want to help people out.
I've been in favor of this idea for a LONG time and the pros heavily outweigh the cons. The concept of having to join a faction is just cluttered and clunky. We have players that didn't even know this was a thing. If long standing players didn't know, how are newbies supposed to?
I sometimes spend a lot of time online at low levels, and it's extremely rare that a question or two pops up in the newbie channel. It is OOC for a reason, and the Academy is not (unless I am completely mistaken). A newbie/returning player asking for help on the newbie channel with a specific syntax or being frustrated with an unexpected outcome of their actions really is not really disrupting gameplay/immersion because it just happens so rarely. Furthermore, you would have to opt into accessing the newbie channel post level 15.
Having an IC clan where anyone and everyone can join to be helpful is all fine, but eventually a DKN/necro/qrace wannabe is going to use IC channels to lure newbies into IC traps. Additionally, people tend to go quasi-OOC trying to parse mechanics via IC-speech, which can cause confusion (to me, this hurts immersion more than the once in a blue moon newbie popping in with questions on the newbie chat).
I think it's a great idea allowing people to join the Academy in addition to their cabal clan, but I also think newbies should be able to expect to use the newbie channel and someone (anyone) answering their questions. Maybe we could have both?
I think that's a fine feature Kassieti, but also something not very well known to be less effective than intended.
By default, newbie channel should be on for everyone regardless of level. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's pretty easy to see when a seasoned player is using it for anything but what it's intended for. In conjunction with this, a new player should be able to flag themselves during character creation, so when they ask/use the newbie channel - everyone else can identify that the person is probably lost or needs informational help. I'd think the opposite would be more conducive, Lexi, we should choose to opt out of newbie channel. My logic is that if we recognize that bringing in and nurturing new players is good for the health of the game, then we should be accessible. As the new player matures or becomes more knowledgeable, an IMM could interview them and get a feel if the training wheels can be removed moving forward.