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It's the attitudes, for example calling them "AE babies", "braindead children" etc., that I feel works against what you hope for. Some already have a negative feeling toward anyone who has participated in AE, right or wrong.
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I really do try not to be mean, condescending to the newer players who have yet to venture out of the architet and experience "the game the way it was meant to be." As for refering to them as "AE babies", this thread is really meant (IMHO) for veteran players to comment on the wave of newer players that have been brought to the game by the architect, and you vets know what I mean when I refer to an AE baby. It's not meant as an insult (well, a very small one at most), but a description of the playstyle that the architect (for good or bad depending on your point of view) has brought to the game.
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And I totally understand. 
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Think of it this way:
They're making you look awesome!
Hell, I've been at this for about a year, and I look like a grizzled veteran compared to these kids...
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Well, that is true. They do make me look like a god in comparison. But unless I'm playing one of my Tanks or Brutes or Scrappers, they also make me dead quite often. I now check Vet badges when I'm forming a team. If you don't have at least 3 months of time under your belt but you are playing a level 50 character your off my team.
If I'm playing my lowbes I'm all up for helping out a newbe at similar levels. But for my highbes you must know how to play the game. I can't take time to teach you when I'm fighting AVs.
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Try to look at this as an opportunity to teach and bring these players into the fold. Explain the game (zones, enhancements, powers, tactics, mobs, missions) and show them how much fun it can be. Make new friends.
Show them why they should stay. AE powerleveling isn't a reason to renew. The rest of the game and the people who play it is.
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Again, agreed but I also have to toss in there some much needed exceptions...
I'm a triSG (2 blue side, 1 red side) leader and my time is spent developing bases and sg mates, planning activities that we invite all to attend.. working with our coalition partners much to the same extent and being as active as I can in the overall community (now, much more than before). Not to mention the website management, a full time job and RL responsibilities like kids (tho mine are nearly grown), a relationship and you know... life...
I know these are excusses at best (holds breath while others gasp at the concept)... but my game time.. the time when I actually get to play is limited and VERY important to me... my time is MONEY since I am paying for the game.
I am more than happy to assist friends and SG mates in development, I have added countless of new players to my global list and assist them throught the day... but when is enough just not enough any more?
We have in our SG ranks previous leaders and members of other SGs that were started all because of AE... toons that started FAST LEVELING SG or Quick Farm SG are now members of our SGs because we brought them in and work with them and other every day...
Some want to learn and be a part of the long term picture that is Co'X'.. others just refuse to know there is something else out there... Yes, in this big universe of ours... somewhere, out there... is life!
well, as brought up in another thread, sometimes going by vet badges isn't a good idea because it may be a vet's second account they just got. kinda have to go off play style for that one.
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@Forbin_Project:
I petitioned him yeah, but I was in AP a few days later on a different toon recruiting for my SG and still saw him around.
Oh well.
/em shrug
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At least he's on their radar now. It's very possible that it was his first offence, and whatever GM reviewed the petition gave him a warning or even a temp ban and flagged his account for repeat offences. Guys like that either learn to shut up or self destruct and get banned. I'm thinking he'll self destruct.
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There's been bad players since before AE
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Agreed whole heartily...but don't you think there have been many more since the launch of AE?
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Yes there have. Now what does that mean?
Same amount of new players as before but higher percentage getting stupid in AE or more players than before with the same stupid percentages as before?
total kick to the gut
This is like having Ra's Al Ghul show up at your birthday party.
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It's the attitudes, for example calling them "AE babies", "braindead children" etc., that I feel works against what you hope for. Some already have a negative feeling toward anyone who has participated in AE, right or wrong.
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I really do try not to be mean, condescending to the newer players who have yet to venture out of the architet and experience "the game the way it was meant to be." As for refering to them as "AE babies", this thread is really meant (IMHO) for veteran players to comment on the wave of newer players that have been brought to the game by the architect, and you vets know what I mean when I refer to an AE baby. It's not meant as an insult (well, a very small one at most), but a description of the playstyle that the architect (for good or bad depending on your point of view) has brought to the game.
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And I totally understand.
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Also many times the way people vent here is not how they act in the game. Most players don't use the forums, so this is where those that do relax and blow off steam.
Look up the Rude Tells thread sometime. 
Yep, it has. An AE baby friend of mine didn't know where to BUY SOs, and had his attacks six slotted for endurance reduction.
People think a Scrapper that can survive a +2 Boss encounter alone is teh shitzors, when it really just means it's a well slotted Scrapper. (I've had countless people praise me for outliving unenhanced AE tanks on my Scrapper)
Lately I've seen alot more of ppl who barely know how to play the game (on Freedom).
But also most of those ppl had no veteran badge, and it pretty much explains everything.
Maybe the AE has brought a whole new group of players to the game ? Would be definitely great for the game actually.
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Lately I've seen alot more of ppl who barely know how to play the game (on Freedom).
But also most of those ppl had no veteran badge, and it pretty much explains everything.
Maybe the AE has brought a whole new group of players to the game ? Would be definitely great for the game actually.
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And if even a small percentage of those players stay and get good at the game, we win.
total kick to the gut
This is like having Ra's Al Ghul show up at your birthday party.
For those willing to learn, teach.
For those who are unwilling, /ignore.
If you don't wish to be bothered, don't PUG. There have been awful teams from day one.
Only difference now is the population boost brought more players in. Some lousy, some good. I've run into newbies in AE who break the stereotype and wanted to know and do more than AE could provide.
Not every noob who gets sucked into AE stays there. Of late, with my new scrapper, I've been able to form teams for regular missions because of the noobies who are seeking for the real game and want more.
53 Bots/FF/Mace Mastermind | 53 NRG/FF/Electricity Defender | 50 Time/Dual Pistols/Soul Defender | 50 Demons/FF/Mace Mastermind | 51 Necro/Dark/Soul Mastermind | 50 Thugs/Time/Mace Mastermind | 50 Ice/Ice/Arctic Tanker | 50 Plant/Rad/Earth Controller | 50 Illusion/Trick Arrow Controller | 50 Gravity/Force Field Controller
Yes, I like Force Fields.
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Think of it this way:
They're making you look awesome!
Hell, I've been at this for about a year, and I look like a grizzled veteran compared to these kids...
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Well, that is true. They do make me look like a god in comparison.
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I was playing some AE, and got invited to what I think was a "boss farm" - all bosses on that 4-6 block long, 1 block wide city map. Wide open spaces, no tactics, everyone autoSK to 50, enemies at 53, just zerg zerg zerg. Was playing a lvl 48 inv/mace tank who I've had for years, just never got to the grind to take him to 50.
There was another tank onboard, and I was a touch flattered when he asked how I'd developed my guy, what build, etc. as "You seem pretty incvincible." Just at that moment someone aggroed a second group into the fight and we wiped, so I had perfect timing to respond "well, not THAT invincible."
Now I am not a big build maven, or an optimal character designer, hardly ever used MIDS since shortly after I got into the game, so I am terrible at giving advice about builds, so I referred him to the forums and paragonwiki. And did, to be sure, suggest trying missions in regular play where you practice against opponents with different tactics, strengths, weaknesses, etc. (quoting my aikido sensei on why you should work with lots of different partners in the dojo, actually).
It was a very friendly exchange.
My scrapper doesn't need an AoE. She IS an AoE.
I'd say there a lot of "less experienced" level 50's than there used to be. AE is to blame for this, but farming has been around since day one, MA: The Farming Edition just gave the farmers a little helping hand, and the newcomers an excuse to never leave Atlas/Cap
Shhh. My common sense is tingling. ~ Deadpool
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For those willing to learn, teach.
For those who are unwilling, /ignore.
If you don't wish to be bothered, don't PUG. There have been awful teams from day one.
Only difference now is the population boost brought more players in. Some lousy, some good. I've run into newbies in AE who break the stereotype and wanted to know and do more than AE could provide.
Not every noob who gets sucked into AE stays there. Of late, with my new scrapper, I've been able to form teams for regular missions because of the noobies who are seeking for the real game and want more.
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Good point. To this I must add, try to recruit for mission teams from players in AE. I pulled a fast one on an AE team last night without even trying. After several attempts to find a farm to play and a lot of standing around waiting (instead of just running a normal, intended for our level AE mission) I told the team I was leaving to head to Port Oakes to do some arc missions instead. Four other players followed suit and asked to join me. When I got to Port Oakes I recruited a few more members and we were off and running. Together we went from levels 5-6 to 11-12 in about an hour and a half before we all had to crash out.
This morning I logged back onto that character to check my market sales and saw the leader of that AE team from last night, still at level 6. Guess the farming wasn't as productive as the regular missions we ran.
One of the issues I keep coming across in these threads is the New Players who are funneled into AE when they log into Atlas Park. I have identified two main funneling mechanisms.
1: AE broadcasts to join teams running missions (farm and non-farm, mostly farm) in the AE Building. They want to team and start leveling...fast.
2: At level 5, a contact popup from Architect Entertainment Director which funnels players into the AE Building for tour and again, players stay and join teams and start leveling...fast.
Most of these New Players may not be aware of the rest of the game that exists beyond Atlas Park and the AE Building. A few may find out and venture out into the rest of the game, but seem to do so when they are at the higher levels, when all they have experienced is the Gameplay style of AE.
The problem is, the Gameplay style of AE is vastly different than the rest of game. This is where AE Babies run into difficulties. Not knowing how to travel from one zone to another zone. Not knowing how to reset a mission. Not realizing that running missions on level 5 difficulty when most of your team is 5 levels below yours is not a good thing and will most likely end up with teamwipes.
So, once again, I am going to tout one solution the AE issue that I have come up with. This most likely wont totally solve the issue of New Players being funneled into AE, but it may help funnel some of the more curious New Players back out at fairly regular intervals.
So at level 5, the Architect Entertainment Director contact pops up and asks the new player to come to AE Building. I suggest that the Detective contact in Kings Row pops up at the same time asking the player to come and get a radio. The curious player, hopefully, will travel to Kings Row to check out the new contact they just received. Perhaps they will run a few radio missions and the bank mission and get their temporary power and see a little bit of what the rest of the game is about and then the Detective gives them a new contact to meet. If the player didnt go get their radio, perhaps a Detective contact can pop up every 5 levels to ask the player to come get their radio.
At level 10, the College Dean contact should pop up asking the player to come to University in Steel to learn about enhancements and crafting. One of the other issues I keep seeing noted in various threads is New Players not knowing about enhancements or slotting. Hopefully, this would funnel New Players to learn about that Game Feature and again, get them out of AE in Atlas Park.
As an introduction to Task Forces, perhaps Positron can popup at Level 10 with the Task Force. I know a lot of players dont like Positron because it is so long, but it is the lowest level Task Force available.
At Level 20, Serge from Icon can be a contact popup asking for help, then the player can get an extra costume slot. Also, City Representative can pop up with the Cape Mission. At Level 30, City Representative can pop up with the Aura Mission.
While this may not be a perfect solution, it may get New Players out of AE in Atlas Park into the rest of the game to see what else there is to do, and hopefully, at low enough levels to learn about the rest of the game at the levels when they should be asking the questions that they are asking at the higher levels.
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For example, we ran a Posi TF yesterday. About 30 min into the TF, 3rd mission, one of the members said "how long will this take?" I replied, we're on #4 of 16, so maybe 90min or so depending on the group. He replies, thats too long, i'm outta here....BAM drops group...30 seconds later, the healer says yeah this is really boring, not like the real game....
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Unfortunately, Posi is a horrible, horrible, grotesquely dull grindfest that takes forever. I'd be more concerned if people were taking that attitude towards, say, the Ernesto Hess TF, with its cool robot factory and giant robot fight and whatnot. I don't know if people actually run Posi to have fun, and I wonder how many would ever do it if it didn't have a badge and merits associated with it.
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For example, we ran a Posi TF yesterday. About 30 min into the TF, 3rd mission, one of the members said "how long will this take?" I replied, we're on #4 of 16, so maybe 90min or so depending on the group. He replies, thats too long, i'm outta here....BAM drops group...30 seconds later, the healer says yeah this is really boring, not like the real game....
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Unfortunately, Posi is a horrible, horrible, grotesquely dull grindfest that takes forever. I'd be more concerned if people were taking that attitude towards, say, the Ernesto Hess TF, with its cool robot factory and giant robot fight and whatnot. I don't know if people actually run Posi to have fun, and I wonder how many would ever do it if it didn't have a badge and merits associated with it.
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But I do like to run Posi for fun...
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For example, we ran a Posi TF yesterday. About 30 min into the TF, 3rd mission, one of the members said "how long will this take?" I replied, we're on #4 of 16, so maybe 90min or so depending on the group. He replies, thats too long, i'm outta here....BAM drops group...30 seconds later, the healer says yeah this is really boring, not like the real game....
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Unfortunately, Posi is a horrible, horrible, grotesquely dull grindfest that takes forever. I'd be more concerned if people were taking that attitude towards, say, the Ernesto Hess TF, with its cool robot factory and giant robot fight and whatnot. I don't know if people actually run Posi to have fun, and I wonder how many would ever do it if it didn't have a badge and merits associated with it.
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But I do like to run Posi for fun...
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Positron is a necessary evil to say the very least... It's needed to obtain the Task Force Commander Accolade...
Off subject here, but the TF is a poor introduction to the many good TF's to follow and that have been added... It is at the very least a 'grind fest' because of lack of powers, lack of travel powers (for many) and other factors...
With that said... we're running Posi Saturday, 7/25 @ 3:00 eastern... (Sry, shameless plug)
TF badges are required in our SG to seek promotions.. It's our way to try to get players out of the MA/AE and into the playing of concept. We schedule at least 1 each day on the weekends and often during the week... just for the fun of it and again, to get people out in the open and doing the content that is in many ways needed for toon development and for the added bumps to the SG badges too... It encourages group/team play, introduces toons to baddies they may never have experienced, that many will face again at some point down the road to LIBERTY!
Even if this one particular TF is not the most fun, it still beats the Hollows pre-enhanced and before jet packs!...
QR
AE doesn't make bad players, power leveling complete noobs to 50 makes bad players. The exception being people who roll ATs they're not accustomed to.
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*plays devil's advocate*
What are these players doing that you can't explain to them how to improve?
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*plays devil's advocate advocate*
None, and the best way to help them improve is by telling them they should reroll, go through the tutorial and read what's written, then play up to level 20 before touching AE again.
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There's been bad players since before AE
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Yeah, but back then even a bad player with a level 50 toon generally at least knew how to use the trains/ferries, knew how to get to the shadow shard (or for that matter Kings Row), know what enhancements are, etc.
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For example, we ran a Posi TF yesterday. About 30 min into the TF, 3rd mission, one of the members said "how long will this take?" I replied, we're on #4 of 16, so maybe 90min or so depending on the group. He replies, thats too long, i'm outta here....BAM drops group...30 seconds later, the healer says yeah this is really boring, not like the real game....BAM drops group. Later in the day, after the TF, I load onto one of my low level toons in AP and do you know what I saw? Not just 1 but both of them screaming in Broadcast for high level AE missions! Did I say anything to them? no, was I thinking anything....YES.
[/ QUOTE ] That happened WAY before AE ever came around. If you want to prevent it, it's a smart thing to advertise your intentions and how long you expect the TF to take. Make sure everybody acknowledges before you "Accept Task". You can't assume that everybody knows what a TF is, or how long they take.. especially at the Positron level range.
Can't blame AE for everything.
(No, I don't use AE or farm in any way, and I agree with the theme of this thread. I just don't think this was a good example.)
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Wait... people left Posi TF's and went to play in the AE (even calling it the "real game") before the AE was in the game?
I sometimes forget that the Shadow Shard portal is inside Portal Corp and not outside >.>
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<QR>
Yes, AE has made bad players. Unfortunately.
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This. Nothing else to see here, move along.
NEXT QUESTION.
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I sometimes forget that the Shadow Shard portal is inside Portal Corp and not outside >.>
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But at least you knew the entrance to it was on the northeast end of PI...
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*plays devil's advocate*
What are these players doing that you can't explain to them how to improve?
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Not much.
That is to say"I could explain to these players how to improve on practically everything they are doing."
However, as you know many players in this game in general don't stop for long.
If you are trying to type out an explanation of something, someone has attacked before you have finished typing it.
Then you get the obligatory "I know what I'm doing. I've played MMORPG X before." or "You're bossy." or they simply ignore.
Part of the problem with a power-leveled noob is that they think they know how to play and/or think they have the right to ask other players about how to play the game after they just blew through all the content that would have taught them everything they needed to know.
Getting on a higher level team with someone that doesn't know how to play their character is pretty annoying if you have taken the time to work your way up and seen how the game teaches you how to use your powers and about the various aspects of the game.
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It's the attitudes, for example calling them "AE babies", "braindead children" etc., that I feel works against what you hope for. Some already have a negative feeling toward anyone who has participated in AE, right or wrong.
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I really do try not to be mean, condescending to the newer players who have yet to venture out of the architet and experience "the game the way it was meant to be." As for refering to them as "AE babies", this thread is really meant (IMHO) for veteran players to comment on the wave of newer players that have been brought to the game by the architect, and you vets know what I mean when I refer to an AE baby. It's not meant as an insult (well, a very small one at most), but a description of the playstyle that the architect (for good or bad depending on your point of view) has brought to the game.
Goodbye, City of Heroes...I'll miss you.
On Justice as @Amperrie (well, for a little while longer...)