Firstly, as a noob, I like the game. It has options, it has a background story line to set adventure. The graphics are... different... and there is something for everyone from those who want to battle to those who are more interested in story telling, albeit limited resources.
The thing that disappoints me as a noob is the time and patience. YES - I KNOW THATS WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN - but it requires too much time and patience. For example, for 2 weeks now I have been stuck in Marind Bell, [i]grinding[/i] experience and training the creatures but without much point. The Heads/Mask event thing put me off big time because people were able to attack me when I was offline and whenever I came online I was worse than dead and could not continue the game.
Noobs should not have to grind to level - no-one should. One should not have to endure bugs and system errors in the hopes of the game - it should just not happen. When one pushes a button, they expect it to work, not knock you into next week without a finger.
Mur, Sir, I believe that I as a noob need more incentive, more initiative to carry on and get my teeth into whatever it is that your loyal fans make them loyal and [i]want[/i] to stay. Anoob shouldn't have to wait for 3 years just to find out what reward loyalty gets them, if anything.
Secondly, the battle concept is too much like Pokemon's "gotta collect them all" approach. In the beginning of the game the whole point is that the player makes their own story - but at the moment all I have seen is the same dull figures and characters that every noob endures here. I am not saying that a tutorial is never needed, no - you got a decent tutorial all the way up to Marind Bell. After Marind Bell everything gets different, but it also gets really really dull. There's nothing to do except battle. The other people who finally managed to get into Loreroot(?) actually have quests to do, something to keep them occupied. I guess this is linking back to the 'grinding' issue, so I'll stop there with that, but basically the battle concept needs something more... a duel needs more than just fighting for honour. I am not sure what could be augmented except maybe a betting scheme for observers and maybe the chance of winning/losing something between players. Yes, I know that can be done privately via giving codes for creatures, etc, but the point is that nobody does win anything but honour and experience per battle. There needs to be something more. Something to give the idea that its Christmas every 3rd day or something. XD
Thirdly, the link between Forum and Game is very loose - too lose for my comfort. What happens in the forum needs to happen in the game, and the same visa-versa. For instance, I was told I could not RP in the forum, that it was SPAM. Where else am I supposed to do it where the rest of the community can join in? I was told to do it in-game with blue writing, but it gets lost, irretrievable. I was told by someone else that I will have something accessible in 30 days in game. I have to wait 30 days!? No thanks. Oh, hey, what about using an external forum? No thanks - the player base and community who know what is already going on is already here, right here. Yes, I want to record and write RP on this forum. For my creativity to be called SPAM I find quite offensive, not only because it hurts my own pride about my own writing (which one could consider to be called art and culture) but also because that is what these kind of games should be about - creativity. No human wants to be a mindless automaton. Let people RP on the forums - you never know, if [color=red]Mur[/color] reads the RP he may come up with something to augment the game to make it more fun.
Next, the wish shop. I like the idea of "if you want it, we'll provide it. For a fee." That's the thing, I am quite poor, as is probably quite a lot of other people. So I am reduced to using the "click a link" for while until I have enough for something might want or might not actually want. "Click a link" is all fair and good for that extra push and for helping spread the word of mouth for your game; however, why not let noobs do some game building and in return give them an entire item? I see many people labelled as "supporter" or something in game. If noobs could become staff for one week or something, that could earn them a really nice creature, spell, artwork or even their own area in the game to do what they want with... the last one may be pushing it a little but I hope it inspires you.
The last thing is interaction. Some people have the talent of "meeting" people on their own. Some don't. I like the idea someone else said of employing a buddy-buddy system; specifying a mentor per noob. But, how does one know if that mentor & noob are enjoying each other's company and pulling each other's weight? The solution to that can be easy in a few ways... but the point is, can veterans really be arsed with dealing with a noob snapping at their ankles every time the log in? All too often I see veterans kicking noobs in the head just because they can. I agree, its funny sometimes to the veteran's mates but to the noob who wants to get on with the game, play and have a good time... its not so funny, really, is it?
Well... I'll rest my fingers for now and see what you lot say, and see if you chose to [i]listen[/i] to me at all. Remember, listening and hearing are two different things.