Evening laugh (WoW)

[thistlechaser]

From a Blizz interview:

"New players are still having trouble with the first 30 minutes and five levels of the game, more hand holding is coming."

*dies* Seriously? Really? So basically they're having trouble finding the auto-attack button? How much more hand holding could be done?

Comments

[bastets-place.livejournal.com]

There are some things that I had a HECK of a time figuring out. I still have challenges, like the time my current favorite character (a level sixty something currently working on cooking) had a terrible time killing some level fifty some-odd spiders with her fishing pole.

Yeah, the sword would have worked a lot better, I agree.

Trying to figure out which attacks to put where on my number line is a real issue, all joking aside. I had them almost figured out, but then the boyfriend elected to get into battlegrounds.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

After I posted this, I did more thinking and had intended to take it down, but apparently I forgot. Before WoW, I played FFXI, which is hands down the hardest MMO around; next to FFXI, WoW is a serious joke. So, to someone with my background, making the game easier is just mind-boggling. However, that's not a fair reaction really, because for some folks it's their first MMO.

And hee! I still do the fishing pole thing now and then. "Why's the mob not dyin-- Oh."

Yeah, where you put your abilities is hard for everyone. Just do what makes sense for you and wait to get used to it.

[voidmagus.livejournal.com]

LOL no kidding, every MMO I've tried (besides EVE) has felt super easy next to FFXI. Remember writing macros? Or even better - writing XML to handle gearswapping based on which element or type of attack/spell you're doing?

GAH! I have to stop thinking about it. It makes me want to go back to FFXI, even though I'm having fun with the AH-PVP in EVE (which even has its own trainable skillsets in game).

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I know! As hard as FFXI was (so painfully hard!), whenever I think about it, I always want to go back.

It drives me crazy! Even seeing a screenshot will do it.

[achika-soladia.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure the interview question they replied to on that, but I can think of at least thing that could be explained to the newest of new players.

Walking. If you're not used to playing video games on a computer, you might find yourself confused. I think everyone had that time in FFXI, especially since the game's default was NOT the WASD format that every other game uses.

They could probably use some tutorials regarding stuff like how to use the quest guide, using the map, and stuff like that.

Also, not every class uses auto-attack as their primary. =P My priest never pulls out her weapon unless it's be accident.

[achika-soladia.livejournal.com]

Just found snippets from the interview on MMO-Champion, their summary was:

New players are still having trouble with the first 30 minutes and five levels of the game, more hand holding is coming for very basic concepts like moving, questing, fighting, and looting.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I realized I was making this post as a former FFXI person. But for someone new to MMOs? Yeah, maybe needed!

[veloxe.livejournal.com]

"HOW DOES MOVE!?! WHY IS THAT MOB I JUST KILLED SPARKLING?! WHY DOES THE CURSOR CHANGE TO A BAG LOOKING THING WHEN I MOUSE OVER THE CORPSE?! THIS GAME SUCKS I'M GOING BACK TO CoD!"

Honestly, if you can't figure out looting, moving, questing, and attacking then perhaps you should go play something else. Like those old Putt-Putt games I played when I was 5. Personally I recommend Putt-Putt Saves the Zoo and Putt-Putt Goes to the Moon, those were the best 2 in my opinion.

I understand Blizz has managed to make WoW so popular by basically using the "can never set the bar too low" motto (in terms of accessing content) so they can scoop up as many customers as possible but seriously... There should be more to playing a game then maintaining a body temperature somewhere in the 90's...

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

I understand Blizz has managed to make WoW so popular by basically using the "can never set the bar too low" motto

I think that's it. They're losing so many end game folks, they need to replace them with something.

...those Putt-Putt games sound cute! :P

[veloxe.livejournal.com]

Seriously Putt-Putt, Freddi FIsh, and Pajama Sam made my childhood. Best games ever. Seriously look at it! (http://youtu.be/qCg0NihBSS0) Perfect.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Aww! I can't watch a 10 minute video at work, but the beginning was so cute! Eee!

[wow-hazmat.livejournal.com]

Um, yeah, because someone who's completely new to video games MUST be an idiot that will NEVER learn to play video games and therefore must be mocked and excluded? :/

Sorry, I guess I don't see a reason for amusement here.

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

..? I never called anyone an idiot. I did not mock them (new players, I am Blizz). There is no attempt in my post to exclude anyone.

The game comes with instructions on how to play (RTFM?), there are countless sites out there on how to play this game and others. Level 1-5 are not hard as-is. You move your character (multiple ways to do so), you click on things a few times.

I can see them making things even easier to make money, but is it necessary? Should it be? No. Before I started playing FFXI, I read the game manual from cover to cover (a book). Instructions are included with games for a reason, if people choose not to read them... well, then I guess Blizz will just keep making things easier for them.

If someone chooses to be an "idiot" (your word, not mine), that's their choice. The information is out there, people make the decision not to educate themselves.