Callout -- New Guide Program Beginning Soon! Guides Needed

[xroads]

I would like to be involved in this

[dhallmeyer]

I would like to be involved in this

Got you added. Thanks for helping out. Pm me if you have any questions.

[jdw35]

Is there anything being done to help increase the number of new recruits who actually stick around? I find it very rare that someone actually takes the time to finish games and make their moves. The learning curve is too complex for new recruits, especially if they don't speak English. Is there any way to get a tutorial made? something that explicitly states how each aspect of taking a turn works? Perhaps a mandatory game against a robot that teaches them how to play using popups?

I just feel as though the guide program isn't effective in retaining new members...

[dhallmeyer]

I think your observations are good, and we're working on it. Keep in mind that many folks create an account with a preconception of what they want, and once they get here they realize it's not what they want.

[jdw35]

I think your observations are good, and we're working on it. Keep in mind that many folks create an account with a preconception of what they want, and once they get here they realize it's not what they want.

Totally understand that. and in no way am I trying to discredit what you guys are doing here. I think its awesome. Actual steps being taken to make improvement. I can always get behind that, as long as their is effort being shown then I am all for it. Just my 2 cents on what I am seeing happen. Lots of guys who have zero clue of how to play and no consistent way to learn it. Would love to continue this discussion if you are interested. Feel free to shoot me a PM, and if not, just tell me to shut up

[iamkoolerthanu]

I'd like to join if possible

[dhallmeyer]

I'd like to join if possible

Got you added. Send me a pm if you have questions.

I think your observations are good, and we're working on it. Keep in mind that many folks create an account with a preconception of what they want, and once they get here they realize it's not what they want.

Totally understand that. and in no way am I trying to discredit what you guys are doing here. I think its awesome. Actual steps being taken to make improvement. I can always get behind that, as long as their is effort being shown then I am all for it. Just my 2 cents on what I am seeing happen. Lots of guys who have zero clue of how to play and no consistent way to learn it. Would love to continue this discussion if you are interested. Feel free to shoot me a PM, and if not, just tell me to shut up

i'm glad to hear it. Send me a pm with your ideas, if you like.

[xroads]

I cant believe how many join a game, and dont even take one turn.

Not sure if it is that hard for them. I am wondering if it may be a bit complex for them. How about a quick tutorial with flashing arrows that shows where the begin button is, where the drop down is to change drop points, etc.

Do new recruits start with the panel interface on or off? That thing is horrible, and I cant imagine a new recruit trying to use it.

Also why cant we post on their wall right away?

[JoshuaLamb]

I am not receiving guide game requests in inbox I am only able to get into games if I happen to notice them pop up in chat

[JoshuaLamb]

ty the problem seems to have been fixed

[zmuhrich]

I would like to become a guide

[dhallmeyer]

I would like to become a guide

Got you added. Send me a pm if you have any questions.

[PunkRocker]

may i please?

[PunkRocker]

i'm #2 on the board and i enjoy doing it.

[dhallmeyer]

may i please?

Got you added. Send me a pm if you have any questions.

[Sirius Kase]

I've never experienced the guide program from the perspective of a new recruit. In fact, I was already a graduate of the SoC before I found out about it. So, I'm not sure what the new recruits are experiencing. My memory is lousy, best I can recall is I went to join a game, joined games, got bored because I was limited to 4 games, so I read the forums while waiting for my turn to come around. Eventually, I found the society of cooks, and I also decided that I enjoyed it enough to pay to play more than 4 games at a time. But, I didn't get hooked enough to pay to play right off the bat.

These new recruits in the guide games, they aren't off reading the forums while waiting, they are logging off. So, what are they experiencing? extreme boredom? the bots? oh yeah, the bots, I almost forgot about them. I haven't played a bot game in years. But, I spent a lot of time with them before I was good enough to play with real people. I try not to think of them. Me being female, I found the bots to be too sexist to tolerate for very long. I've been online since the 70's so I have a high tolerance for sexist humor, but I don't go out of my way to experience it. I assume guys enjoy it, but I've never asked. So do they?

This wasn't meant to be a complaint about the bots, I usually don't even think about them. The idea of bots as a training tool is a good one, I just find them to be not very funny.

My original question was since I've never played a guide game as a new recruit, what is it like? Is it worth violating TOS to create a new identity just to find out? or simulate it?

[king achilles]

My original question was since I've never played a guide game as a new recruit, what is it like? Is it worth violating TOS to create a new identity just to find out? or simulate it?

I don't think none of us did. Every person is different so it can depend on how that person looks at the game, of what his expectations are, or he may compare the game from his experiences in playing other games, etc. Most of the time, based from my experience, they keep quiet and evaluate the game to themselves, sometimes, some quickly judge the game based on the first turn. Some people enjoy the game and continue to play more. It really varies. The most important aspect here is that they are paired with players who are there ready to help and assist them if they have any questions about the game as opposed to someone who might be rude right at the bat or something like that.

[JoshuaLamb]

I quit receiving game notifications in my inbox after my premium expired anyway I could get those back? coincidentally I am much more likely to play guide games as a freemium

[cmbdiesel]

I'll sign on to guide some new players.
I was fortunate and just happened to join a game with a couple guys in the same clan, and they helped me get familiarized quickly.
Paying it forward seems like the right thing to do.

cmb

[dhallmeyer]

I quit receiving game notifications in my inbox after my premium expired anyway I could get those back? coincidentally I am much more likely to play guide games as a freemium

I've added you back into the SuperGuides. Let me know if nothing changes.

I'll sign on to guide some new players.
I was fortunate and just happened to join a game with a couple guys in the same clan, and they helped me get familiarized quickly.
Paying it forward seems like the right thing to do.

cmb

Got you added. Send me a pm if you have any questions.

[cecmarco]

Just found out about this Great, please add me to the list.

[dhallmeyer]

Just found out about this Great, please add me to the list.

Got you added, send me a pm if you have any questions.

[xroads]

I must say I was very disappointed in this program.

I signed up in November, and promptly got almost every game for some reason. Asked for them to slow down and they couldn't do that. Finally asked to be removed since I was getting overwhelmed with them. 119 games in November alone. Why I got them all I dont know, and no one else could determine why either.

But I did finish at the leaderboard for November, with a score more then twice as high as anyone else. I was assured I would still get my 200 credits and blue star once all the games were finished. Well we are at the middle of January, games have all been finished long ago, and no reward in site.

Not a very good program if you ask me.

[BIG_John]

Remove me from the guide games please!

[PunkRocker]

Have i ever told anyone how much i love it here?!