16.1. What kind of focus and priority do you place on the newbie experience? Will there be a tutorial?
The newbie experience is very important. We do not want to intimidate them with information overload, but we do want them to enjoy as much of the world as possible, as quickly as possible. We are looking at tutorials that more experienced MMO players can skip if they like, as well as optional “assistance” items like the Travel Journal, which will help you find you way around, Whether you continue to use these assistance items or not, however, is up to you.
Source: Official FAQ
The tutorial will be part of the game itself. Mini-quests and NPCs and the like will guide you around and introduce you to the game. You'll be able to switch classes and try them out until level 10 (tentative level, might be tweaked) when you have to then make your decision as to what classes you are going to be in the 3 spheres.
You'll also have information in your Travel Journal that will guide you to places you'd know about if you had grown up in that area (one problem I have with many RPGs is that you enter the game, say as an 18 year old human, but you have no clue as to your surroundings and where things are... I mean, I'm all for exploring, but not frustrating the player right off the bat). You would know where to see your guildmaster or where to buy food if you grew up in the area, so basic knowledge will come with your newly created character.
Additionally, there's no reason to bombard the new player with a ton of the depth and detail all at once and intimidate him. The UI and the game itself will grow as you grow.
Conversely, if you are creating your second character and/or simply don't like tutorials and enjoy figuring it all out on your own, you can choose accordingly at character create.
Source: Aradune Mithara
16.2. Will I be free to do what I want in the early game?
I think in the newbie areas it will feel more linear or on rails so new players can more easily become accustomed to the game. I think previously we weren't sensitive enough about that sort of thing.
That said, get out of that first noob region and I think you'll have that freedom you're looking for. When I play these games I want to know I can go where I want, waste time here, explore here, go after something specifically over there, etc. I don't want to feel led or on rails.
Except sometimes. Sometimes I don't mind becoming involved in a quest that involves a real story line. That can be a lot of fun, especially if it's well written, challenging, and there's a nice reward. But the point is that I chose to go looking for quests as opposed to them finding me.
Source: Aradune Mithara
See also:
Article about Early Adventuring from Silky Venom - August 2005
16.3. Will the newbie experience be dangerous or will players not see 'hard' things till later?
The key I think when helping noobs out, making the lower levels easier, etc. is what is the motive behind it and the method. The easy way out to make the game more 'accessible', noob friendly, polished, etc. is just to make things easier and to eliminate the more difficult or potentially intimidating game mechanics, and then turn them on later.
I don't think this is the right way to go. For example, let's say you turn of CRs until, say, level 10. Then suddenly they are on. Maybe this does make the newbie experience a bit less complex and intimidating. But IMHO all you've really done is delayed the intimidation and hidden aspects of the game that are fundamental to how it works. Again, this is the easier approach. From a purely business standpoint, one could justify it like 'well, we'll hide this stuff from the gamer and then turn it on later and by then hopefully they are hooked anyway and don't leave when later confronted by it'.
I don't like it. I don't want to trick players, or to hide the game from them.
The better way is to ease them into the game but still expose them to the fundamentals. Help them along, provide tips, etc. but always let them know what's coming. This requires more work and planning for those in charge of the 'newibe experience' but IMHO it's worth that extra effort. - mid October 2005
Source: Aradune Mithara