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Expanding appeal to new players on the front page
1
#1
22 Frags +

this was originally a reply in another thread about advertising, but I think it's more appropriate here:

Putting myself in a new player's shoes, If I came to this site I'm not sure what would draw me in to it. The front page is basically a news feed for what's happening in the competitive leagues. All of the articles are about predictions for those leagues. Good for competitive players, but not so interesting for players outside of the competitive scene even if they have some interest in learning how to play at that level.

What has drawn me into to other game's competitive community sites was really their guides, walkthroughs and 'expert' tips. As a new player outside of the comp scene your first interest is usually in how to take your game to the next level. There's a wealth of knowledge from the players on this site but from a visit to the front page you wouldn't know where to get it. There's a guide link but that is not currently active.

I think if the goal is to drive new players into comp, a standing "intro to competitive tf2" feature and some prominent advanced tips or training tutorials would be a really nice permanent addition to the front page. I know the content exists but it could do a lot of good to bring focus to it.

Off the top of my head, Looking at the typical or even above average pubber they most likely put themselves at an immediate disadvantage by not optimizing the following, and they probably don't even know it because a lot of it is tribal knowledge:

fov 75-> 90
fps configs/dx level (guidelines for good fps)
viewmodel visibility
info about vsync/raw input
suboptimal setup of their binds/sensitivity/huds (ultimately preference, but some general guidelines can help people out)
cl_interp/interp_ratio settings
gear/hardware recommendations/guidelines

Bonus- fewer monthly posts on half of these topics!

That's a snippet, but I think features and walkthroughs like that would really do a lot to bring in new players that take an interest in comp play.

this was originally a reply in another thread about advertising, but I think it's more appropriate here:

Putting myself in a new player's shoes, If I came to this site I'm not sure what would draw me in to it. The front page is basically a news feed for what's happening in the competitive leagues. All of the articles are about predictions for those leagues. Good for competitive players, but not so interesting for players outside of the competitive scene even if they have some interest in learning how to play at that level.

What has drawn me into to other game's competitive community sites was really their guides, walkthroughs and 'expert' tips. As a new player outside of the comp scene your first interest is usually in how to take your game to the next level. There's a wealth of knowledge from the players on this site but from a visit to the front page you wouldn't know where to get it. There's a guide link but that is not currently active.

I think if the goal is to drive new players into comp, a standing "intro to competitive tf2" feature and some prominent advanced tips or training tutorials would be a really nice permanent addition to the front page. I know the content exists but it could do a lot of good to bring focus to it.

Off the top of my head, Looking at the typical or even above average pubber they most likely put themselves at an immediate disadvantage by not optimizing the following, and they probably don't even know it because a lot of it is tribal knowledge:

fov 75-> 90
fps configs/dx level (guidelines for good fps)
viewmodel visibility
info about vsync/raw input
suboptimal setup of their binds/sensitivity/huds (ultimately preference, but some general guidelines can help people out)
cl_interp/interp_ratio settings
gear/hardware recommendations/guidelines

Bonus- fewer monthly posts on half of these topics!

That's a snippet, but I think features and walkthroughs like that would really do a lot to bring in new players that take an interest in comp play.
2
#2
3 Frags +

Also for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.

Also for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.
3
#3
3 Frags +

Pheesh I nominate you to write up the stuff.

Pheesh I nominate you to write up the stuff.
4
#4
5 Frags +

This is actually what I was originally brought on for; I'm about to kick it into high gear for writing literally all this stuff. enigma's actively figuring out how to integrate it into the site (though there's no ETA on that, yet, neither is there one for me).

After a draft, I'll most likely be taking suggestions, corrections and also writing submissions for stuff I don't know in depth, most likely from the community (maybe a couple of key people first, but definitely expanding as time goes on).

This is actually what I was originally brought on for; I'm about to kick it into high gear for writing literally all this stuff. enigma's actively figuring out how to integrate it into the site (though there's no ETA on that, yet, neither is there one for me).

After a draft, I'll most likely be taking suggestions, corrections and also writing submissions for stuff I don't know in depth, most likely from the community (maybe a couple of key people first, but definitely expanding as time goes on).
5
#5
8 Frags +
thrasherAlso for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.

[quote=thrasher]Also for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.[/quote]

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.
6
#6
2 Frags +
redbanthrasherAlso for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.

Of the top of my head, Kissme and cookie are two prime examples of people who made "hello world" posts and were met with all smiles.

[quote=redban][quote=thrasher]Also for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.[/quote]

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.[/quote]
Of the top of my head, Kissme and cookie are two prime examples of people who made "hello world" posts and were met with all smiles.
7
#7
2 Frags +
SpyromancerredbanthrasherAlso for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.
Of the top of my head, Kissme and cookie are two prime examples of people who made "hello world" posts and were met with all smiles.

Even if it isn't said to them, it probably still discourages new members who know they are bad (because they are new...). A lot of them probably just read the forum before they even make an account/post.

[quote=Spyromancer][quote=redban][quote=thrasher]Also for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.[/quote]

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.[/quote]
Of the top of my head, Kissme and cookie are two prime examples of people who made "hello world" posts and were met with all smiles.[/quote]

Even if it isn't said to them, it probably still discourages new members who know they are bad (because they are new...). A lot of them probably just read the forum before they even make an account/post.
8
#8
1 Frags +
SpyromancerredbanthrasherAlso for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.
Of the top of my head, Kissme and cookie are two prime examples of people who made "hello world" posts and were met with all smiles.

Kissme!

[quote=Spyromancer][quote=redban][quote=thrasher]Also for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.[/quote]

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.[/quote]
Of the top of my head, Kissme and cookie are two prime examples of people who made "hello world" posts and were met with all smiles.[/quote]

Kissme!
9
#9
1 Frags +
KissmeSpyromancerredbanthrasherAlso for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.
Of the top of my head, Kissme and cookie are two prime examples of people who made "hello world" posts and were met with all smiles.

Kissme!

:-*

[quote=Kissme][quote=Spyromancer][quote=redban][quote=thrasher]Also for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.[/quote]

I feel like the "fucking noob, fuck off" stuff is between existing community members. Seems like new players are greeted with warm welcomes and friendliness. Not even being sarcastic either.[/quote]
Of the top of my head, Kissme and cookie are two prime examples of people who made "hello world" posts and were met with all smiles.[/quote]

Kissme![/quote]

:-*
10
#10
3 Frags +
thrasherAlso for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.

tf2 is still by far the friendliest and most helpful community of any comp game by far

im not saying we shouldnt strive to be even moreso, but the idea that the community has grown more sour/unwelcoming now NOW than it used to is laughable at best

newbie mixes are huge
theres more low level pugs/mentoring opportunities than there ever have been before
the only place i can thing of thats been even relatively anti-noob is tf2.pug.na which is rightfully how it should be, experience players shouldnt have to deal with soldiers that cant rollout and scouts that are constantly dead in the only "higher level" public pickup channel

[quote=thrasher]Also for expanding appeal to newer players... Maybe the majority of the community could stop acting like a bunch of ignorant cunts all the time.

When TF2 first came out just about everyone in the community was pretty nice and usually really helpful. Now it's more like "fucking noob. Fuck off." And that's not very appealing.[/quote]


tf2 is still by far the friendliest and most helpful community of any comp game by far

im not saying we shouldnt strive to be even moreso, but the idea that the community has grown more sour/unwelcoming now NOW than it used to is laughable at best

newbie mixes are huge
theres more low level pugs/mentoring opportunities than there ever have been before
the only place i can thing of thats been even relatively anti-noob is tf2.pug.na which is rightfully how it should be, experience players shouldnt have to deal with soldiers that cant rollout and scouts that are constantly dead in the only "higher level" public pickup channel
11
#11
0 Frags +

if you think tf2 community is unfriendly i can only assume you have never played cs dota lol wow or basically any other online game

the only game community that might be better mannered than tf2 I can think of is sc

if you think tf2 community is unfriendly i can only assume you have never played cs dota lol wow or basically any other online game

the only game community that might be better mannered than tf2 I can think of is sc
12
#12
1 Frags +
manaThis is actually what I was originally brought on for; I'm about to kick it into high gear for writing literally all this stuff. enigma's actively figuring out how to integrate it into the site (though there's no ETA on that, yet, neither is there one for me).

After a draft, I'll most likely be taking suggestions, corrections and also writing submissions for stuff I don't know in depth, most likely from the community (maybe a couple of key people first, but definitely expanding as time goes on).

i think maybe a tab at the top that pops out a bit and looks cool would be a good way to integrate, also you can talk to me if you need any help writing, i'm sure i could at least contribute some stuff

[quote=mana]This is actually what I was originally brought on for; I'm about to kick it into high gear for writing literally all this stuff. enigma's actively figuring out how to integrate it into the site (though there's no ETA on that, yet, neither is there one for me).

After a draft, I'll most likely be taking suggestions, corrections and also writing submissions for stuff I don't know in depth, most likely from the community (maybe a couple of key people first, but definitely expanding as time goes on).[/quote]

i think maybe a tab at the top that pops out a bit and looks cool would be a good way to integrate, also you can talk to me if you need any help writing, i'm sure i could at least contribute some stuff
13
#13
0 Frags +

this kinda reminds me of the 'introductions' section, why was that taken away? isn't it totally possible to have a separate thing in the sidebar dedicated to people introducing themselves?

this kinda reminds me of the 'introductions' section, why was that taken away? isn't it totally possible to have a separate thing in the sidebar dedicated to people introducing themselves?
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