Actuariolam [1967959] —
Original article
Should Torn's veterans be doing more to help new players for the betterment of Torn, or is such charity a pointless waste of time?
Greetings, Torn citizens! This is your friendly neighborhood philanthropist here attempting to promote a cause that many of you find worthless, futile and the folly of a bleeding-heart chump: The support of n00bs. I know that many of us have been habituated since birth to have a natural contempt towards n00bs of any kind - be they new players in a game or real-life incompetents. Condescension towards n00bs has not only become an expected attitude, but also a cultural norm.
N00bs are disdained because of their attitude and play-style, classically characterized as having a sense of entitlement and a tendency towards begging, whining and rage-quitting. If they can't achieve success from the moment they start, the game is deemed unfair. Truly a despicable specimen.
But not all newcomers are like this, and as a community, we have the power and responsibility to help shape new players. We can minimize the presence of classic n00b antics for our collective gain. Now, I know this may be a long shot, but I think I might have a fair chance of convincing you that it is in your best interest to fight against your natural instinct and try to see the objective benefits in supporting rather than shunning new players.
I thought long and hard about how best to present this idea and back it up with evidence. At first, I considered relaying my own firsthand knowledge based on personal experiences, but the scientist in me would never allow such poor research methodology. Thus, this article will contain both qualitative supports taken from player surveys alongside data examined through two methods of statistical analysis. In the end, if you are still not convinced of my point, then I doubt any scientific method could persuade you otherwise.
This topic interests me because one of my more expensive hobbies in the past year has been running competitions and events for new players in the Fun and Games forum. While it all started as a one-off philanthropic exercise, the surprisingly positive results have spurred me on to continue creating and running events.
The point is to encourage new players to become part of our community. I feel like all the money and time I've invested in this cause is paying dividends by helping create strong players that contribute positively to Torn City. If there's anything worth investing almost $4 billion in at this point, it's the future of the game I love.
I know not everyone agrees with me, but this article will hopefully prove to you that investing in new players is demonstrably advantageous to our collective enjoyment of the game. In my search for evidence, I will look at how giving support to new players influences their later success in the game. For the purpose of this article, success will be defined as:
(1) player retention (i.e. players remaining active in the game)
(2) player independence (i.e. achieving financial and functional autonomy).
The five aforementioned events include three competitions and two giveaways:
(1) n00b Appreciation Week and Boot Camp Competition
(2) New Player Early Christmas Wishlist Giveaway
(3) Young Trader's Competition
(4) New Player's New Year's Resolutions Giveaway
(5) New Player Faction Nomination Competition
The total value of prizes awarded came to about $3,850,000,000
Pictured: The actual process of dropping networth rank
Prizes typically included training supplies (Xanax, Erotic DVDs, etc), weapons/armor, start-up funds and stock for bazaars, properties, travel enhancers and mentorships. So how have these events impacted the new players who took part in them? Well, to answer that question let's ask the n00bs themselves.
1. How did your experience and/or reward help you at the time? What did you get out of it?
"I thought the contest was great! It helped me feel like part of a community when I didn't know anyone. And, the games/contests were fun. I did win some stuff, too so that was cool and everything was done fairly!"
2. Has it impacted your current gameplay or helped you stay active in the game - if so, how?
"I like the game, so that's really why I've kept playing. But, it did help me learn things about the game that I didn't know and maybe wouldn't have known so early on."
1. How did your experience and/or reward help you at the time? What did you get out of it?
"The biggest benefit for me was the prize. Money in the bank. It was helpful to watch the market so closely for two weeks - I learned a lot about the way different items fluctuate on the market. And it was great to meet the big time traders I chatted with during the competition (a few top traders messaged me to find out what was going on)."
2. Do you think it's worthwhile to continue running competitions/giveaways for new players - if so, why?
"I think the New Trader Competition was awesome, and I'd love to see more competitions like it. Building up money and stats is a grind - and competitions for noobs help the most motivated players to get a leg up and earn some nice rewards."
1. How did your experience and/or reward help you at the time? What did you get out of it?
"The reward did help a lot, as a new player any extra source of income is well treasured, but I think the most important aspect was definitely the experience. Due to this competition I tried to read as much as I could about training and learned a lot about the different training methods and it helped me improve in this particular field. Additionally, and more importantly, it was really fun."
2. Has it impacted your current gameplay or helped you stay active in the game - if so, how?
"During this competition I was able to form and solidify bonds with fellow faction mates participating, older players who reached out to help me and give advice and even other competitors. Bonds that still remain and are one of the reasons why I login every day. "
3. Do you think it's worthwhile to continue running competitions/giveaways for new players - if so, Why?
"I believe so, yes. From my experience, most of Torn community is pretty nice and helpful, but it might be a little intimidating as a new player to reach out and seek help. In my opinion, doing this kind of activities helps to shorten the gap while at the same time provide a fun and knowledgeable experience."
1. Do you think your player's experience/prize helped them? What do you think they got out of it?
"I think, particularly for Xanaam, who we nominated on the "respect" side of the competition, it really helped to bind her more closely to many of members of our faction. This is because she was interested in chaining to gain respect for the competition, and we were organizing chains to give her bonus hits, which is necessarily a team-work sort of a thing. It really helps a new player to get tight with faction members when they have an early interest in faction teamwork activities."
2. Do you think it's worthwhile to continue running competitions/giveaways for new players - if so, why?
"Yes. Competitions for new players help get new players interested. Ones like this that involve older players sponsoring newer players are ingenious, in that they drive more experienced players to help new players. It helps the new players grow and learn about the game, and stay active, but it is also a great change of pace for the more experienced players, giving them an interesting new way to compete in the game."
Now, we will take a look at the two giveaway events and read the submission of a player who participated in a giveaway and a competition and compare the experiences of both. Below are two sets of questions which participants were required to answer.
1. What are you wishing for and why?
2. How would it help you as a player?
2. What are you specifically going to do to work towards achieving that goal?
3. What accomplishments have you made so far that make you think you can reach your goal?
4. What is one request (besides cash) that would make your resolution easier to achieve and why?
"New Player Events gave me a sound focus during my early days on Torn during a time where I could really use something to focus on. The solid prizes were considerable motivation for a new player just getting started, and ensured that my total focus was on establishing some baseline capital for myself."
"...the main benefit I've taken from them is the considerable activity I've been able to maintain since then. Not to mention the events are a lot of fun, and got me checking the forums all the time, which is a habit I maintain to this day."
"At the time, when my gameplay was more trade oriented, it helped me establish some sound techniques that benefited me immensely. I think it's great that new players have a chance to compete in these events, unquestionably. Whenever you're just getting started out in Torn, the competition is overwhelming. It's easy to be intimidated by the size and scope of others within the game, no doubt."
"A new player competition evens out the playing field...Not to mention, there's nobody in the city that appreciates large prizes more than a newbie. All in all, the new player competitions are fantastic. While I really enjoyed the giveaway event, I'd have to say the competition helped me the most with motivating my activity. At the time, a palace was a tremendous prize."
"Not only did the competition motivate me that way, I also picked up a bunch of informative tidbits that helped me earn money in the long run. My analogy: In the former, I received a bunch of fish, whereas in the latter, I learned to fish, if you will. Or at least several new fishing techniques."
At this point, we can see how our qualitative samples are pointing towards new player events having a positive and lasting impact on those who participated in them. But I know what you're all asking. A few people's opinions can't be accepted as statistically significant representations of an overall population. What do the numbers say, dammit? Well, fellow citizens, I'll tell you. Why? Because I love me some statistics. First, let's get our data sets on.
I did a search of all players who would have been active and eligible to participate at the time of the events (about ages 70-450) and noted activity levels. I then conducted a survey of the participants in each of the five events and created a spreadsheet of their most recent activity levels.
Two methods were used to analyze the data to determine what impact, if any, participation in events and type of events has on player retention.
(1) Nerd Explanation: Chi-square method - determining if increased rates of activity after participation in events is statistically significant enough to show that events have a legitimate impact on player retention.
*From chi-square statistic (1 degree of freedom) comparing the % active to the overall % active of 10.4% based on 59,663 subjects.*The P-value represents the probability of the hypothesis being true (ex: the link between event participation and player retention). A p-value <0.05 indicates a strong probability that the hypothesis is true. A p-value >0.05 indicates a weak probability.
Nerd Conclusion: Every chi-square is statistically significant with p<0.001. The <14 day rate is statistically significantly larger in all of the observed populations than in the expected frequencies.
(2) Nerd Explanation: Mantel-Haenszel Method - estimating the association between an exposure (participation in a New Player Event) and an outcome (player retention).
Nerd Conclusion: Compared to players who did not attend Competition Events, players who attended a Competition Event are 24 (0.96/0.04) times more likely to remain active.
Nerd Conclusion: Compared to players who did not attend Giveaway Events, players who attended a Giveaway Event are 16 (0.94/0.06) times more likely to remain active.
So there you have it in plain numbers. Players who participated in events (thus receiving a form of support) were more likely to be successful than players who did not, and players who participated in competitions (requiring more investment and interaction with other players) were more likely be successful than players who participated in giveaways. Therefore, we can infer that time and energy invested in supporting new players directly influences their retention and success rate.
Having examined the evidence of player testimonies and data analysis, the conclusion can be drawn that new players who receive a form of support are more likely to not only remain active but also achieve successful autonomy. But why should you care?
Because creating successfully independent new players decreases the prevalence of the type of new player that helped generate the hateful image of the n00b in the first place - the begging, whining, rage-quitting, entitled n00b so universally hated that society cringes at its mere mention.
We have a choice: either have a little patience and teach the n00bs to fish, maybe provide them with some bait and tackle to start out with, or be prepared to endure the crushing tide of n00bs begging you for bass. We can either let parasites infest our waters, or help create eagles that soar under the power of their own wings...to catch fish.
Heck, you might even find that one day's n00b can be the next day's best friend and spouse (isn't that how all love stories start, Nug [2070729]) But hey, I'm not the first player to preach the n00b-friendly gospel. If you don't believe me and my precious data, maybe you'd prefer to hear it from some others. I collected some more opinions and testimonies for your reading pleasure, this time from a few leaders of n00b-friendly factions.
1. How have you attempted to support new players? Do you feel like you have made a difference?
"I'm a big fan of the age-old adage, "give a man a fish, and it will feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and it will feed him for a lifetime". My support for newer players is all about creating an environment where they can get a hand-up, rather than a hand-out, at any time without feeling foolish or embarrassed."
"Teaching them (knowledge) how to attain certain goals and why those goals are important in progressing as a character, as well as providing the tools (items, money) to make use of those teachings in the hope that the cycle will repeat when they have become self-sufficient themselves. I feel as if the present culture within our Faction is evidence enough for me to believe I've made a difference in perpetuating that cycle of helping each other improve, rather than just handing out 'freebies' to set an even playing field."
2. What should the end purpose be in supporting new players?
"For the game? Torn could quite easily become a wasteland within a year, without passionate new blood coming through. We'd end up like a retirement village - full of grumpy old bastards, set in their ways. Trolls, scammers, and closed little cliques of players would run rampant.For the Faction? To create another generation of players that can enjoy the game in all its aspects, and replace the older generation as many of the inevitably move on due to waning interest, or real life conflicts. Along the way, hopefully loyalty and friendships can lead to inter-factional alliances wherever the players may 'graduate' out to."
"For me personally? To see a harmony such as what we're nearing within our faction - where the 'original' helpers can take much more of a backseat role, and let the newer players take charge in teaching the newest players how to get the most out of the Torn experience. Where delegation can be easily and reliably done, and no single poor soul has to bear the weight of keeping all the wheels turning freely."
1. How have you attempted to support new players? Do you feel like you have made a difference?
"My faction members and I have attempted to support new players by writing thought out new-player style guides and by being there to answer their questions when they need. Being able to explain something to a new player that isn't a native english speaker is important as well. I feel like I have made a difference for many noobs but definitely not all. Those I haven't gotten through to are the types that expect handouts and apparently, aren't able to read so obviously they don't want to learn."
2. What do you think are the most effective methods of supporting new players?
"Well, I think having a knowledgeable team backing is a good start. I fully believe in the saying, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." So I think the effective method in my opinion would be to give new players the tools they need to succeed first and be there to answer questions and offer assistance when they need. And instead of just giving them items they need, teach them how to make money to buy these items themselves."
3. What led you to want to support new players? Why do you think doing so is important?
"My faction leader recruited a ton of them! And they were lost so I just wanted to help. It's also important because there are a lot of people that play torn, both good and toxic players, many of them play barely knowing anything about the game and some play knowing everything but unwilling to help others to understand. Nearly all of the players that I have mentored have turned around and done the same for others and that...that's awesome. Many people may not agree but I think having a balance of actual good players and toxic ones is important."
1. How have you attempted to support new players? Do you feel like you have made a difference?
"As a brand new faction, we haven't had a lot of time to establish fully what we want to do to support new players, but I'm always happy to pop into faction chat or discord and see our members helping each other. Tol and I try to be available to help new players with questions as much as possible, but we aren't always around. The amazing thing is how other faction members help each other out while we aren't around."
"How they're willing to help each other by renting properties, giving advice or support, by offering jobs, etc. I would think it's these bonds with fellow factionmates that cause Torn to retain new players. You'll see that post on the forums every so often asking why people play Torn and the most common answer I've seen is "friends". This tells me that these bonds are one of the most important things you can give a new player. Basically giving them a faction that they can call "home"."
2. What led you to want to support new players? Why do you think doing so is important?
"I was given a lot of help when I started, so I think that's what's really made me want to help new players. To pay it forward. That seems to be the main reason that a lot of people I've talked to help out new players... that and because the game needs new players to keep thriving."
"And we all need to keep the game thriving so we can all get our next "fix".For real, new players are enthusiastic about the game and their enthusiasm wears off on the players around them. I think helping them brings a new life to the game and makes the grumpy old players want to play again. They really are what Torn needs to survive and should be nurtured and treated as such."
Maybe get out there and show a n00b some love today. Don't just do it for that one player, but for the future survival of us all.
Additional thanks to kellyO [2116426] Kata [1990396] Xanet [2007324] Hillbilly [2025298] Alexstrasza [1825532] AjtheWabbit [1981569] Hcom3 [2003693] The_Boss [1497907] Kam [1329153] Evanisher [2061357] Point [2060860] tyrech [2091318] KillerDan [1980271] Quilogy [2083745] Kayla [2031661] RealmKeeper [781015] MissMadness [1577530] Schuler [2096646] Josephine [1923258] Proxima [1879587] Wadertx [2025939] Bones [917218] Tyman989 [2014691] CaptainBiceps [360957] and everyone else who helped out with the events and contributed to this article! (as well as my one true n00b love, Nug [2070729])
Pictured: Cultural conditioning
N00bs are disdained because of their attitude and play-style, classically characterized as having a sense of entitlement and a tendency towards begging, whining and rage-quitting. If they can't achieve success from the moment they start, the game is deemed unfair. Truly a despicable specimen.
But not all newcomers are like this, and as a community, we have the power and responsibility to help shape new players. We can minimize the presence of classic n00b antics for our collective gain. Now, I know this may be a long shot, but I think I might have a fair chance of convincing you that it is in your best interest to fight against your natural instinct and try to see the objective benefits in supporting rather than shunning new players.
I thought long and hard about how best to present this idea and back it up with evidence. At first, I considered relaying my own firsthand knowledge based on personal experiences, but the scientist in me would never allow such poor research methodology. Thus, this article will contain both qualitative supports taken from player surveys alongside data examined through two methods of statistical analysis. In the end, if you are still not convinced of my point, then I doubt any scientific method could persuade you otherwise.
This topic interests me because one of my more expensive hobbies in the past year has been running competitions and events for new players in the Fun and Games forum. While it all started as a one-off philanthropic exercise, the surprisingly positive results have spurred me on to continue creating and running events.
The point is to encourage new players to become part of our community. I feel like all the money and time I've invested in this cause is paying dividends by helping create strong players that contribute positively to Torn City. If there's anything worth investing almost $4 billion in at this point, it's the future of the game I love.
I know not everyone agrees with me, but this article will hopefully prove to you that investing in new players is demonstrably advantageous to our collective enjoyment of the game. In my search for evidence, I will look at how giving support to new players influences their later success in the game. For the purpose of this article, success will be defined as:
(1) player retention (i.e. players remaining active in the game)
(2) player independence (i.e. achieving financial and functional autonomy).
Events Overview
The five aforementioned events include three competitions and two giveaways:
(1) n00b Appreciation Week and Boot Camp Competition
(2) New Player Early Christmas Wishlist Giveaway
(3) Young Trader's Competition
(4) New Player's New Year's Resolutions Giveaway
(5) New Player Faction Nomination Competition
The total value of prizes awarded came to about $3,850,000,000
Pictured: The actual process of dropping networth rankPrizes typically included training supplies (Xanax, Erotic DVDs, etc), weapons/armor, start-up funds and stock for bazaars, properties, travel enhancers and mentorships. So how have these events impacted the new players who took part in them? Well, to answer that question let's ask the n00bs themselves.
Competitions
1. How did your experience and/or reward help you at the time? What did you get out of it?
"I thought the contest was great! It helped me feel like part of a community when I didn't know anyone. And, the games/contests were fun. I did win some stuff, too so that was cool and everything was done fairly!"
2. Has it impacted your current gameplay or helped you stay active in the game - if so, how?
"I like the game, so that's really why I've kept playing. But, it did help me learn things about the game that I didn't know and maybe wouldn't have known so early on."
Participant testimony- Point [2060860]
1. How did your experience and/or reward help you at the time? What did you get out of it?
"The biggest benefit for me was the prize. Money in the bank. It was helpful to watch the market so closely for two weeks - I learned a lot about the way different items fluctuate on the market. And it was great to meet the big time traders I chatted with during the competition (a few top traders messaged me to find out what was going on)."
2. Do you think it's worthwhile to continue running competitions/giveaways for new players - if so, why?
"I think the New Trader Competition was awesome, and I'd love to see more competitions like it. Building up money and stats is a grind - and competitions for noobs help the most motivated players to get a leg up and earn some nice rewards."
1. How did your experience and/or reward help you at the time? What did you get out of it?
"The reward did help a lot, as a new player any extra source of income is well treasured, but I think the most important aspect was definitely the experience. Due to this competition I tried to read as much as I could about training and learned a lot about the different training methods and it helped me improve in this particular field. Additionally, and more importantly, it was really fun."
2. Has it impacted your current gameplay or helped you stay active in the game - if so, how?
"During this competition I was able to form and solidify bonds with fellow faction mates participating, older players who reached out to help me and give advice and even other competitors. Bonds that still remain and are one of the reasons why I login every day. "
3. Do you think it's worthwhile to continue running competitions/giveaways for new players - if so, Why?
"I believe so, yes. From my experience, most of Torn community is pretty nice and helpful, but it might be a little intimidating as a new player to reach out and seek help. In my opinion, doing this kind of activities helps to shorten the gap while at the same time provide a fun and knowledgeable experience."
1. Do you think your player's experience/prize helped them? What do you think they got out of it?
"I think, particularly for Xanaam, who we nominated on the "respect" side of the competition, it really helped to bind her more closely to many of members of our faction. This is because she was interested in chaining to gain respect for the competition, and we were organizing chains to give her bonus hits, which is necessarily a team-work sort of a thing. It really helps a new player to get tight with faction members when they have an early interest in faction teamwork activities."
2. Do you think it's worthwhile to continue running competitions/giveaways for new players - if so, why?
"Yes. Competitions for new players help get new players interested. Ones like this that involve older players sponsoring newer players are ingenious, in that they drive more experienced players to help new players. It helps the new players grow and learn about the game, and stay active, but it is also a great change of pace for the more experienced players, giving them an interesting new way to compete in the game."
Pictured: It's always nice when the old help out the young.
Giveaways
Now, we will take a look at the two giveaway events and read the submission of a player who participated in a giveaway and a competition and compare the experiences of both. Below are two sets of questions which participants were required to answer.
1. What are you wishing for and why?
2. How would it help you as a player?
1. What's your Torn New Years Resolution? (goals: stats, trading, companies, factions, etc.)
2. What are you specifically going to do to work towards achieving that goal?
3. What accomplishments have you made so far that make you think you can reach your goal?
4. What is one request (besides cash) that would make your resolution easier to achieve and why?
Participant testimony- Quilogy [2083745]
"New Player Events gave me a sound focus during my early days on Torn during a time where I could really use something to focus on. The solid prizes were considerable motivation for a new player just getting started, and ensured that my total focus was on establishing some baseline capital for myself."
"...the main benefit I've taken from them is the considerable activity I've been able to maintain since then. Not to mention the events are a lot of fun, and got me checking the forums all the time, which is a habit I maintain to this day."
"At the time, when my gameplay was more trade oriented, it helped me establish some sound techniques that benefited me immensely. I think it's great that new players have a chance to compete in these events, unquestionably. Whenever you're just getting started out in Torn, the competition is overwhelming. It's easy to be intimidated by the size and scope of others within the game, no doubt."
"A new player competition evens out the playing field...Not to mention, there's nobody in the city that appreciates large prizes more than a newbie. All in all, the new player competitions are fantastic. While I really enjoyed the giveaway event, I'd have to say the competition helped me the most with motivating my activity. At the time, a palace was a tremendous prize."
"Not only did the competition motivate me that way, I also picked up a bunch of informative tidbits that helped me earn money in the long run. My analogy: In the former, I received a bunch of fish, whereas in the latter, I learned to fish, if you will. Or at least several new fishing techniques."
Event Statistics
At this point, we can see how our qualitative samples are pointing towards new player events having a positive and lasting impact on those who participated in them. But I know what you're all asking. A few people's opinions can't be accepted as statistically significant representations of an overall population. What do the numbers say, dammit? Well, fellow citizens, I'll tell you. Why? Because I love me some statistics. First, let's get our data sets on.
Pictured: Anyone still reading by this point
I did a search of all players who would have been active and eligible to participate at the time of the events (about ages 70-450) and noted activity levels. I then conducted a survey of the participants in each of the five events and created a spreadsheet of their most recent activity levels.
Pictured: Our lovely raw data, but what does it mean?
Statistical Analysis of Data
Two methods were used to analyze the data to determine what impact, if any, participation in events and type of events has on player retention.
(1) Nerd Explanation: Chi-square method - determining if increased rates of activity after participation in events is statistically significant enough to show that events have a legitimate impact on player retention.
Translation - Do events help new players remain active?
Nerd Conclusion: Every chi-square is statistically significant with p<0.001. The <14 day rate is statistically significantly larger in all of the observed populations than in the expected frequencies.
Translation - Events for new players legitimately impact levels of activity.
(2) Nerd Explanation: Mantel-Haenszel Method - estimating the association between an exposure (participation in a New Player Event) and an outcome (player retention).
Translation - Are event participation and player activity linked?
Nerd Conclusion: Compared to players who did not attend Competition Events, players who attended a Competition Event are 24 (0.96/0.04) times more likely to remain active.
Translation - Competitions help players remain active.
Nerd Conclusion: Compared to players who did not attend Giveaway Events, players who attended a Giveaway Event are 16 (0.94/0.06) times more likely to remain active.
Translation - Giveaways boost activity, but not as much as competitions.
Conclusions
So there you have it in plain numbers. Players who participated in events (thus receiving a form of support) were more likely to be successful than players who did not, and players who participated in competitions (requiring more investment and interaction with other players) were more likely be successful than players who participated in giveaways. Therefore, we can infer that time and energy invested in supporting new players directly influences their retention and success rate.
Having examined the evidence of player testimonies and data analysis, the conclusion can be drawn that new players who receive a form of support are more likely to not only remain active but also achieve successful autonomy. But why should you care?
Because creating successfully independent new players decreases the prevalence of the type of new player that helped generate the hateful image of the n00b in the first place - the begging, whining, rage-quitting, entitled n00b so universally hated that society cringes at its mere mention.
Pictured: The undesirable outcome
We have a choice: either have a little patience and teach the n00bs to fish, maybe provide them with some bait and tackle to start out with, or be prepared to endure the crushing tide of n00bs begging you for bass. We can either let parasites infest our waters, or help create eagles that soar under the power of their own wings...to catch fish.
Pictured: Taking the fishing metaphor too far
Heck, you might even find that one day's n00b can be the next day's best friend and spouse (isn't that how all love stories start, Nug [2070729]) But hey, I'm not the first player to preach the n00b-friendly gospel. If you don't believe me and my precious data, maybe you'd prefer to hear it from some others. I collected some more opinions and testimonies for your reading pleasure, this time from a few leaders of n00b-friendly factions.
n00b-friendly Factions
1. How have you attempted to support new players? Do you feel like you have made a difference?
"I'm a big fan of the age-old adage, "give a man a fish, and it will feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and it will feed him for a lifetime". My support for newer players is all about creating an environment where they can get a hand-up, rather than a hand-out, at any time without feeling foolish or embarrassed."
"Teaching them (knowledge) how to attain certain goals and why those goals are important in progressing as a character, as well as providing the tools (items, money) to make use of those teachings in the hope that the cycle will repeat when they have become self-sufficient themselves. I feel as if the present culture within our Faction is evidence enough for me to believe I've made a difference in perpetuating that cycle of helping each other improve, rather than just handing out 'freebies' to set an even playing field."
2. What should the end purpose be in supporting new players?
"For the game? Torn could quite easily become a wasteland within a year, without passionate new blood coming through. We'd end up like a retirement village - full of grumpy old bastards, set in their ways. Trolls, scammers, and closed little cliques of players would run rampant.For the Faction? To create another generation of players that can enjoy the game in all its aspects, and replace the older generation as many of the inevitably move on due to waning interest, or real life conflicts. Along the way, hopefully loyalty and friendships can lead to inter-factional alliances wherever the players may 'graduate' out to."
"For me personally? To see a harmony such as what we're nearing within our faction - where the 'original' helpers can take much more of a backseat role, and let the newer players take charge in teaching the newest players how to get the most out of the Torn experience. Where delegation can be easily and reliably done, and no single poor soul has to bear the weight of keeping all the wheels turning freely."
n00b-friendly Faction Testimony - MissMadness [1577530] of Violent If Necessary
1. How have you attempted to support new players? Do you feel like you have made a difference?
"My faction members and I have attempted to support new players by writing thought out new-player style guides and by being there to answer their questions when they need. Being able to explain something to a new player that isn't a native english speaker is important as well. I feel like I have made a difference for many noobs but definitely not all. Those I haven't gotten through to are the types that expect handouts and apparently, aren't able to read so obviously they don't want to learn."
2. What do you think are the most effective methods of supporting new players?
"Well, I think having a knowledgeable team backing is a good start. I fully believe in the saying, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." So I think the effective method in my opinion would be to give new players the tools they need to succeed first and be there to answer questions and offer assistance when they need. And instead of just giving them items they need, teach them how to make money to buy these items themselves."
3. What led you to want to support new players? Why do you think doing so is important?
"My faction leader recruited a ton of them! And they were lost so I just wanted to help. It's also important because there are a lot of people that play torn, both good and toxic players, many of them play barely knowing anything about the game and some play knowing everything but unwilling to help others to understand. Nearly all of the players that I have mentored have turned around and done the same for others and that...that's awesome. Many people may not agree but I think having a balance of actual good players and toxic ones is important."
n00b-friendly Faction Testimony - Kata [1990396] of Rise Above
1. How have you attempted to support new players? Do you feel like you have made a difference?
"As a brand new faction, we haven't had a lot of time to establish fully what we want to do to support new players, but I'm always happy to pop into faction chat or discord and see our members helping each other. Tol and I try to be available to help new players with questions as much as possible, but we aren't always around. The amazing thing is how other faction members help each other out while we aren't around."
"How they're willing to help each other by renting properties, giving advice or support, by offering jobs, etc. I would think it's these bonds with fellow factionmates that cause Torn to retain new players. You'll see that post on the forums every so often asking why people play Torn and the most common answer I've seen is "friends". This tells me that these bonds are one of the most important things you can give a new player. Basically giving them a faction that they can call "home"."
2. What led you to want to support new players? Why do you think doing so is important?
"I was given a lot of help when I started, so I think that's what's really made me want to help new players. To pay it forward. That seems to be the main reason that a lot of people I've talked to help out new players... that and because the game needs new players to keep thriving."
"And we all need to keep the game thriving so we can all get our next "fix".For real, new players are enthusiastic about the game and their enthusiasm wears off on the players around them. I think helping them brings a new life to the game and makes the grumpy old players want to play again. They really are what Torn needs to survive and should be nurtured and treated as such."
So how about it, Torn citizens?
Maybe get out there and show a n00b some love today. Don't just do it for that one player, but for the future survival of us all.
Additional thanks to kellyO [2116426] Kata [1990396] Xanet [2007324] Hillbilly [2025298] Alexstrasza [1825532] AjtheWabbit [1981569] Hcom3 [2003693] The_Boss [1497907] Kam [1329153] Evanisher [2061357] Point [2060860] tyrech [2091318] KillerDan [1980271] Quilogy [2083745] Kayla [2031661] RealmKeeper [781015] MissMadness [1577530] Schuler [2096646] Josephine [1923258] Proxima [1879587] Wadertx [2025939] Bones [917218] Tyman989 [2014691] CaptainBiceps [360957] and everyone else who helped out with the events and contributed to this article! (as well as my one true n00b love, Nug [2070729])
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