Mentor Program

Nordic_Pirate

Some games have mentor programs. These are systems that match brand new players with people who have A) applied for the position, and have proven that they know the in's and out's of the game. I think ESO should have this program.

Why?

Because it helps new players have someone that teaches them how to play, and helps keep new people from leaving the game due to overwhelming confusion. Which in turn, ensures the player base stays strong.

What are the incentives to volunteer?

It depends on the game, but some people get titles, gold, special equipment, mounts, houses etc. Something that makes it worth it explaining to new folks how to play the game a thousand times over.

I think this would be a great idea to add to the game. It not only ensures that our new players start off on the right foot, but it rewards elder players for their time and dedication to the game. I for one would be willing to volunteer for such a program. And yes, I get that people say you should be doing that already, which you should, but if we had an active mentor program that'd be awesome. Maybe a special "Mentor" title for those who do it that way people know they can contact that individual for advice. There are a lot of trolls on the internet, and that cannot be helped. People give poor advice or treat people like crap for not knowing how to play the game immediately. I think that something like this could go a long way for our community.

Agobi

Hard to say this politely...but with the target players that games are made for these days....mentoring isn't really needed anymore

Nordic_Pirate

Probably true.

Beardimus

Best thing, join a mellow guild. Most love helping. I sure do on Xbox EU

Magdalina

That would be great. Tbh it'd even work with 0 reward(=no chance of being abused). Just let some people queue up as mentors and others as newbies(=needing a mentor), that way those of us interested in helping can do so without it falling on deaf ears and those interested in learning can do so without being kicked for being inexperienced/low level.

However it appears ZOS doesn't give a damn for promoting actually learning the game, only for buying stuff in Crown Store. Then when complaining of people unable to complete the content due to having no idea how to play the game gets too loud they just nerf it repeatedly until these people can safely ignore mechanics/build/rotation and rp their way through the instance>.<

Houshiki

As intriguing and helpful a system this might be, it might simply be exploited if the rewards are actually worth it. Meaning someone queues in as a mentor, quickly runs in and burns everything, picks up the rewards, then leaves without saying a word. This may or may not be as bad as kicking low levels simply for being low levels, but it does defeat the point of having the system in the first place.

Turelus

This has come up a number of times before and my views haven't changed since then, I don't think mentor programs are a good idea for ESO as they only encourage people to be helpful to get something out of it.

You'll find people who will "mentor" but not actually have any interest in doing it correctly just farming for their free stuff.

Now of you're willing to have a mentor program that matches you with people to help and solely does that without any other benefits I could see it being fine.

I've always helped new players either here on the forums or in game without expectation of reward, for me the reward was seeing a player happier and knowledge to go forwards enjoying the game because I was able to take 10mins out of my day to help them.
This also leads to new friendships and guild members in some cases, as the players don't feel you helped them because you have to but because you are just a good person.

That's my cynical look on the mentor system any way.

Voxicity

AJSnakeGaming

In theory this is a brilliant idea.... no idea how it would work, but great idea

Betsararie

It's all I do man.

People get mad at me for helping too many people

It can't be helped.

idk

Most MMORPGs have this build into the social design of the game. Guilds serve this purpose from the start to as far as the player wants to bring their game.

It is kinda difficult to determine who would be a good mentor for a beginning player. Further, there are some in the game that would use a mentor program to prey on new players just as there are some that prey on the existing player base and guilds. We see threads pop up from time to time that remind us there are some who are petty thugs.

Being most, if not all, that are interested in a mentor program would also find a guild to be similar advantage. It is a matter of finding the right guild. A good social style guild.

I think Zos used to have a guild highlight. Maybe they still do. Zos could highlight some great guilds to start the game off with. Zos would get to know more guilds and a new system would not need to be developed.

alainjbrennanb16_ESO

we have that at alith, our raid leaders work that way

Feanor

Trolls go both ways. I would not want to waste my time mentoring them. Everyone who has ever done a PUG knows that these people who would need a mentor urgently are the most stubborn ones when it comes to "I want to play how I want".

Rowjoh

This isn't a complex game. The learning curve is easy.

The game is intrinsically about straightforward exploration, discovery and learning as you go.

Take that away by hand-holding and what's the point and where's the fun and satisfaction?!

Nordic_Pirate

Turelus wrote: »

This has come up a number of times before and my views haven't changed since then, I don't think mentor programs are a good idea for ESO as they only encourage people to be helpful to get something out of it.

You'll find people who will "mentor" but not actually have any interest in doing it correctly just farming for their free stuff.

Now of you're willing to have a mentor program that matches you with people to help and solely does that without any other benefits I could see it being fine.

I've always helped new players either here on the forums or in game without expectation of reward, for me the reward was seeing a player happier and knowledge to go forwards enjoying the game because I was able to take 10mins out of my day to help them.
This also leads to new friendships and guild members in some cases, as the players don't feel you helped them because you have to but because you are just a good person.

That's my cynical look on the mentor system any way.

I see your point, and my thinking is not just a reward system, but perhaps a rating based reward system. Instead of anyone can queue up for these rewards, it'd be something more like uber (or the star system that got your community ambassador title). Meaning, the person you mentored could rate you. If you were legitimately helpful, then there'd be a little reward. It could be as simple as a non-combat pet. If you were $#!+ then there'd be nothing. And you don't just get a reward for helping people, it'd have to almost be a following, or an achievement type deal where x players rated you a 5* kinda thing. That way, it'd reduce the troll's ability just to "grind newbies" but also incentivise people to be kinder to newer players.

I'm not suggesting this because I care about the rewards. But we were all new once, and while

Rowjoh wrote: »

The game is intrinsically about straightforward exploration, discovery and learning as you go.

we also all know that MMO's aren't just about that. There's the gear grind, RNG, Telvar v gold, trophies, dyes, crafting, mechanics, the guild store auction system, add-ons, animation canceling.

This is not a straight forward, just go explore like Skyrim. And while the TES fans are a little disappointed about that, I think we all understand the difference. It needs to appeal to two crowds.

I'm perfectly comfortable with mentoring new players, and while my star level is low, that does not mean that I haven't been a member of this community for a long time. I played beta. I've helped many players in game, and have set people on the right path. but you know what I'm sick of? When someone new asks a question in zone and they're met by "lmao newb" kind of stuff. What message does that send for our community?

If there were a mentoring program, you'd be matched with someone who gives a damn about the community and this game in general. You're not scared to ask questions, or look stupid. Maybe there shouldn't be a reward, idc. But I'm tired of seeing new players ask for help and are met with nothing but laughs. That's the kind of crap that people are tired of dealing with in WoW. I'm a vet and every once in a while I won't know a soultion to my problem so I ask zone, and there's always someone who has something to say about how "new" I am to the game. Which I am not.

Bottom line is, we need to reduce the toxicity within our community. Trolls will always be trolls, sure. But how many new players need to come into contact with them just because they want to Resto/bow a stamina DK?

Just saying.

EDIT: for WoW comment.

LadyNalcarya

This is a nice idea, I'd probably try it it ZOS would introduce it.

GeorgeBlack

Ah l2... you only need modern upgrades..

bloodthirstyvampire

There is a mentor program and its called forums, youtube and google

Nordic_Pirate

GeorgeBlack wrote: »

Ah l2... you only need modern upgrades..

I am unfamiliar with this. What is I2?

EDIT: (like this, unafraid to ask a question, but also I have been here for a long time so it wouldn't affect me if I look stupid.)

Nordic_Pirate

bloodthirstyvampire wrote: »

There is a mentor program and its called forums, youtube and google

That is not a mentor program. People in your daily life probably ask "what time does this store open?" or "What movies are playing at the theater?" or "How much does this cost?"

Google can answer all of those questions but people don't just want google. And in MMO's, there's a social aspect and sense of belonging to people who are similar to you.

bloodthirstyvampire

Problem is elitist sensei might be a horrible teacher

UrbanAvalon

I think it's a great idea for dungeons. When running through any normal dungeon it's hard to tell if a level 27 is really a player at level 27 for the first time or someone leveling their 6th toon. Having an icon next to someone's name indicating that they've never reached CP rank before would be really helpful in identifying new players who might need the help.

Then you could form PUGs of 3 new players with 1 mentor, as someone who has volunteered to show them the ropes of some dungeons (The system might need to be expanded to include a players first Vet dungeon run, as those really need more explination than normal mode). I think there would be enough people who would volunteer to do it without a reward necessary.

Metal Gear Solid 4 Online had an instructor/tutor servers for teaching new players, where the instructor could be rated at the end of the 'lesson', might be a good way to filter out troll mentors.

Nordic_Pirate

bloodthirstyvampire wrote: »

Problem is elitist sensei might be a horrible teacher

True, which is why in my earlier comment I suggested a rating system. Where the student can rate the teacher. If you were crap, then you get a low rating. If you were legitimately good, you get a high rating. The incentive, or reward, would only be for those who got x 5* ratings so to speak. So even if you were a troll, you'd be forced to be kind in order to receive whatever non-combat pet, or incentive there was.

Nordic_Pirate

UrbanAvalon wrote: »

I think it's a great idea for dungeons. When running through any normal dungeon it's hard to tell if a level 27 is really a player at level 27 for the first time or someone leveling their 6th toon. Having an icon next to someone's name indicating that they've never reached CP rank before would be really helpful in identifying new players who might need the help.

Then you could form PUGs of 3 new players with 1 mentor, as someone who has volunteered to show them the ropes of some dungeons (The system might need to be expanded to include a players first Vet dungeon run, as those really need more explination than normal mode). I think there would be enough people who would volunteer to do it without a reward necessary.

Metal Gear Solid 4 Online had an instructor/tutor servers for teaching new players, where the instructor could be rated at the end of the 'lesson', might be a good way to filter out troll mentors.

This guy gets it

Nordic_Pirate

Would like to hear from more folks on this.

thedude33

A mentoring system sounds like a great idea. I would be the first one to sign up for help. I need to find myself a DPS sensei. I watch a ton of videos and read all the forums. I am missing something in translation.

Nordic_Pirate

thedude33 wrote: »

A mentoring system sounds like a great idea. I would be the first one to sign up for help. I need to find myself a DPS sensei. I watch a ton of videos and read all the forums. I am missing something in translation.

What race/class?

Thogard

I always just consult with the geniuses in zone chat, that always works out well. Always.

geonsocal

i love "mentoring" new players in pvp...sadly, some days I receive a good bit of mentoring myself...

zyk

ZOS should look at the Dota 2 new user experience. Mentoring and advanced tutorials are desperately needed because this game seems to have a very high percentage of players who are new to MMOs and online gaming in general.

DeadlyPhoenix

I would love to see a system like this, but tbh I would prefer there be no reward for Mentors. It should be a volunteer without benefits.

The reason being that there are too many out there that would try to exploit a system like this simply to reap the benefits of it. Paying no attention to the newbies they're supposed to be helping.

If there are rewards for Mentors it needs to either be passive based, meaning bonus xp while grouped with the newb, inspiration boost per newb assisted with their question, etc... Make it ticket based, a newb opens a ticket, mentor answers it, newb gets helped and closes the ticket leaving either a positive or negative survey as to how helpful said mentor was.

This way you can see who is truly helping and those that just want the rewards.

All in all, we could always use a system like this if done properly for those that truly need it in mind... the newbs.