Since we are making an effort to recruit more players, I thought I would just post a little message suggesting that everyone make an effort to make this place newbie friendly. What does that mean?
- Don't multikill newbies.
I don't think there's anything wrong with killing someone you have 8 ranks on when you're pinned. It's part of the game, and you've earned it by ranking up, playing a low-exp race, and so forth. But for the love of the nameless, there's really no reason to do this more than once. You've made your point, the person has been introduced to the pinnacle level. Don't just kill him over and over and over. If he talks trash to you, threaten him first. If you have to kill him again, tell him to keep quiet. But bullying someone into submission, while it may stimulate certain pleasure centers in your brain, will drive off most new players. And we don't want that, right?
- Role-play.
Strike up a conversation during ranking, or even during walking around if you see someone. Tip your hat. Say hello. Ask about someone's past. Invoke your own. These things, when done with skill, seem incredibly cool to new players, and can help give them that fantasy role-play experience which, when combined with the danger of PK, can get them really immersed in their character and hooked.
- Offer help.
Give people tips, especially when they ask for help, but even if they don't and you see something that can really help them out. I know that I received some critical advice from various helpful players, that in the process made for a very enjoyable role-playing experience, and in effect changed me from a more or less clueless newbie, to someone who could equip myself, seek out PK, develop creative role-play that had a long-term impact on the MUD, and PK successfully. Return the favor! It will only make the MUD a better place.
- Don't be an ***.
I'm not sure how else to put this, but there are a hundred ways it's possible to screw someone over royally that aren't against the rules, but that if you think about it for a moment are really kind of being a jerk. Unless you're dealing with another skilled player, who you feel really deserves it, just let the person go. Even if it fits in your role-play, if you know you're dealing with a newbie, give the person a break. We have almost hunted the newbies to extinction. Let them grow a little before harvesting out every last spoonful of their souls.
- Make other suggestions, or keep in mind this thread in other contexts.
Remember the point of FL is to have fun. This requires some maturity and effort on the part of the p-base. The IMMs run the game, but they're not parents or bosses. They fulfill one role (sometimes several), but the players have a job to do to make the game enjoyable for everyone as well.