A better tutorial than the Maiden Voyage

  • El Spaniardchi
    Marauder

    I remember back in the day thinking this was one of those games where the online part meant you can play together with your friends, but you wouldn't be slammed in with other random players. Oh how silly i was back then!

    Fortunately for me, i got introduced to the "other players" part gently. My first online encounter in this game was on the third day of playing this game. He was a solo slooper, and saw that i was very new to the game. He showed me the ropes and helped me learn how to take down my first skelly sloop. I will never forget his kindness, and will be enternally greatful for the time he took out of his day to teach a complete stranger.

    Had i been greeted by a bullet instead of a helping hand, i probably would've quit the game out of sheer shock. Not only because i would automatically lose, but because i would've felt almost betrayed by the lack of warning about competitiveness and preperation to deal with PvPers. And this imho, is a big problem and why the game isn't as popular as it could be.

    I do really believe that the game needs to basically tell other players that they will be attacked, stolen from, dunked on, and even insulted at times. And offer some better tips than shooting at a passive passing meg and very nerfed and unrealistic skeleton galleon while sailing into the shroud. It needs to teach more than "hey! You can fire a cannon, and repair your boat!"

    In other words, i think the game's tutorial (Maiden Voyage) needs have a more combat oriented counterpart that has you meet Demarco and Lesidi, who'll be more clear about the online PvP interactions in the game. It should warn players about the sweats, and how to avoid or properly attack them. It should teach them to not put up a emmissary flag while doing a tall tale. It should tell them about how chainshots work and offer some physical practice against a dummy ai ship. It should tell them about boarders, and the great danger of having a enemy on your ship. It should warn them about spawncamping, and the way to tell if it's the sensible sinking kind or the toxic banable kind. It should tell them about the scuttle mechanic, and when and how to use it. E.t.c.

    Lastly, it should teach the player to be courteous at all times, even if you lose, and how loot can always be recovered or replaced, but salt and toxic behavior won't help you get it back. It's something i often see added in "salt montage videos" as i like to call them, and i generally feel like this behavior could be some what minimized if the game told you the loot is not worth the words.

    Anyways, i really want to know what you guys think of this idea, as i think this would be a great way to reincorperate Arena Npc's, while teaching lesser skilled players some basic PvP lessons.

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  • Rare Jumbie
    Commander
    Insider

    @el-spaniardchi

    preach. While I don't think it needs to be as heavy handed as what you're suggesting, there definitely needs to be some in game mechanics that slowly dip newer players into the fray.

    I think that fireworks were a really good addition. They force the cannons upwards and indirectly make a ship appear more friendly. They also need to encourage ships to not broadside each other unless they mean business.

  • El Spaniardchi
    Marauder

    @touchiertooth28 said in A better tutorial than the Maiden Voyage:

    @el-spaniardchi

    preach.

    Pastor El Spaniardchi at your service!

    I also did not think about that indirect feature of the firework feature. Good eye!

  • RedEyeSith
    Vanguard
    Insider

    That all seems pretty heavy handed overall, as noted above.

    That said, I would agree that combat needs to be highlighted more in the Maiden Voyage and have previously suggested as much. The small bit that is featured (swinging a sword at a restrained skeleton and firing at a generally passive Skellion) is not even remotely close to being worthy of a proper tutorial. There should be a small encounter of a few Skellies at once to feature land combat (and maybe encouraging swapping weapons in the fight to get a taste for a gun and sword) as well as just a small bit more pressure during the Skellion sequence (this might require having invisible walls on the tutorial Sloop once you get going to ensure the player doesn't get knocked off Ship in the sequence - some experiences can be saved for in game of course).

    I do also think it would be good to remind players (via the Pirate Lord mentioning it) that "the Sea of Thieves is filled with other pirates just like yourself" (reminder this is an online game), "and those pirates may well be looking for a fight or to plunder your loot for themselves" (reminder that there will be potential for PvP while playing). And, he should stress more that "it isn't about the gold, it's about the glory" out on the Seas (meaning it is about those moments, not seeing a counter go up).

    Finally I think that, once you're in the game, there should be better indication that Scuttling is sometimes the right answer, though I feel this would be more appropriate for on the Ferry than in the Maiden Voyage (but it needs to be much more clear than the note tucked to the side of the door you respawn from that many are sure to overlook). I suspect that Rare is planning to do something about this bit though, based on some of what was said in the latest podcast.

    Part of the game is discovering things for yourself, and that should still be embraced, but I think there is room to make some improvement overall with the experience (that could also allow it to serve as something of a practice area).

  • El Spaniardchi
    Marauder

    @redeyesith said in A better tutorial than the Maiden Voyage:

    That all seems pretty heavy handed overall, as noted above.

    It definetly is, but PvP combat is overall pretty heavy handed. Of course they don't need to word it so roughly as i have. The could do it more in the spirit of the Arena characters i mentioned above. For example, Demarco could talk about salt and toxic-ness like this,

    "Combat is Glorious, but some Pirates may become too invested in the outcome. always remember to keep your cool and your pistol loaded!"

    That said, I would agree that combat needs to be highlighted more in the Maiden Voyage and have previously suggested as much. The small bit that is featured (swinging a sword at a restrained skeleton and firing at a generally passive Skellion) is not even remotely close to being worthy of a proper tutorial. There should be a small encounter of a few Skellies at once to feature land combat (and maybe encouraging swapping weapons in the fight to get a taste for a gun and sword) as well as just a small bit more pressure during the Skellion sequence (this might require having invisible walls on the tutorial Sloop once you get going to ensure the player doesn't get knocked off Ship in the sequence - some experiences can be saved for in game of course).

    Agreed! While it isn't as in depth as i would like it to be, it's much better than what the maiden voyage provides currently. To encourage swaping to a gun, i would set up some skeletons on inaccessble rocks or pillars that can only be killed via shooting

    I do also think it would be good to remind players (via the Pirate Lord mentioning it) that "the Sea of Thieves is filled with other pirates just like yourself" (reminder this is an online game), "and that those pirates may we'll be looking for a fight or to plunder your loot for themselves" (reminder that there will be potential for PvP while playing). And, he should stress more that "it isn't about the gold, it's about the glory" out on the Seas (meaning it is about those moments, not seeing a counter go up).

    Agreed! He really needs to say his famous moto more often. Referencing that other players are active and may be aggressive is a needed line in his dialouge

    Finally I think that, once you're in the game, there should be better indication that Scuttling is sometimes the right answer, though I feel this would be more appropriate for on the Ferry than in the Maiden Voyage (but it needs to be much more clear than the note tucked to the side of the door you respawn from that many are sure to overlook). I suspect that Rare is planning to do something about this bit though, based on some of what was said in the latest podcast.

    I personally would make the boarder around the scuttle sign glow and flaah with a green light, that way players are more likely to approach it. I have no doubt Rare will figure it out.

    Part of the game is discovering things for yourself, and that should still be embraced, but I think there is room to make some improvement overall with the experience (that could also allow it to serve as something of a practice area).

    Absolutely agree! Thanks for taking the time to read my post mate!

  • Minhoca SoT
    Legend
    Insider
    Founder

    I've always been all for a decent and clear tutorial, and separating Legends from players who have just started. Of course, today it is possible to become a legend in just one day, but the players who achieve this feat are possibly experienced.

    Unfortunately, a lot of people enter the game thinking it's going to be an AC: Black Flag or even some offline game and end up having a scare when being attacked by another player.

    Other than that, Rare should sell the game the right way, having "Thieves" in the name isn't enough.

  • Rare Jumbie
    Commander
    Insider

    @redeyesith

    Part of the game is discovering things for yourself.

    One of the simplest and most accurate statements ever read on this forum.

  • ScurvyWoof
    Captain

    First hour of playing I got jumped by a brig and managed to use the knowledge I gained from my friends before hand to stay just ahead of them. That was when I decided it would be smart to head towards the big skeleton ship in the sky whilst megalodon music is playing…
    They sank before I did 🤣🤣

    But, yes. SoT really needs a new tutorial that isn’t the Maiden Voyage. That really didn’t prepare me for what would happen.

  • GrumpyW01f
    Legend
    Insider

    @el-spaniardchi
    I think a good way to do this would be to put the player on an instanced server that always starts them out on Plunder Outpost. They do the regular things to get a voyage, and they are given an npc like DeMarco or Lesedhi. While they sail back with the chest from that first Gold Hoarder voyage, they are attacked by an npc pirate crew. It's easy to sink.

    I don't know how feasible this is, but it would be helpful if you were given the ropes through an voyage and combat scenario that feels exactly like the real thing, just with an npc walking you through it. Of course, something would have to be made so that the player couldn't leave a defined area. But some way to guide a new player through the initial steps of playing the game would go a long way. Of course, you're supposed to get this tutorial from other players, but a lot of times new players don't search for these options and then go solo and spend 2 hours trying to figure out how to do a voyage.

  • Liberance
    Master

    If we're being realistic about this, I bet the majority of players simply jump straight into the game without even touching Maiden Voyage. I've seen that happen time and again with my own friends.

    I think Maiden Voyage does a good job as an in-universe tutorial. People complain about it regularly, but you're gonna learn what combat is like as soon as you get attacked. And in fairness, there is a skeleton galleon that starts shooting at you as you sail through the red mist. The warning and first taste is there.

    If anything, it could be more informative about the ins and outs of each company, trading, voyages and such. I remember that feeling confusing the first time I played, and the only in-game guide there is for that are the Glitterbeard Journals really. Perhaps the Mysterious Stranger could add some more to that once in the tavern. But combat? I think that's covered.

  • ElThac0
    Marauder
    Insider

    @grumpyw01f

    Lesedhi would blunderbomb you off the wheel and turn the ship around if you went too far from the voyage. It's like a preview for open crew.

  • Red0Demon0
    Commander
    Insider

    @targasbr said in A better tutorial than the Maiden Voyage:

    I've always been all for a decent and clear tutorial, and separating Legends from players who have just started. Of course, today it is possible to become a legend in just one day, but the players who achieve this feat are possibly experienced.

    Unfortunately, a lot of people enter the game thinking it's going to be an AC: Black Flag or even some offline game and end up having a scare when being attacked by another player.

    Other than that, Rare should sell the game the right way, having "Thieves" in the name isn't enough.

    They have sold it the right way. People just choose to ignore it for what it is, turning a blind eye to things that don't coincide with their expectations. No amount of "Tutorial" will ever prepare players for pvp. They can throw in a few AI fights but nothing will ever prepare anyone for player vs player interaction. The human component is just too volatile especially in a game like this where the focus is literally based on those types of interactions.

    The tutorial does a fair job at preparing you for what it has to offer, with megs, kraken, and a cursed ship that one is meant to fight although it is way too brief (Pirate life 1st tale does the ship vs ship combat better tbh but takes way too long, regardless, maiden voyage should take that as inspiration)

    @liberance, the mysterious stranger does explain the trading companies, the problem is that it's explained through boring expository. As a new player who is all tingly and jittery to jump into the game, they either skip it or don't put too much attention to it. So agreed on that needing some sort of rework.

  • Nitroxien
    Captain
    Insider

    Would love for their to be a training tool to be implemented to teach player these mechanics and let the practice.

  • Galactic Geek
    Seafarer
    Founder

    While I do believe that more could be added to the Maiden Voyage to improve it, I think it largely does a fine job in and of itself. Most of what I wanted to say has already been said by others. I honestly don't think Rare could make it any clearer that it's a shared world experience with potential for rival Thieves - it's in the pre-release content, the title, the advertising, the exposition, the tutorial, etc. At least, not without spoiling some of the mystery in the process. Other games put you in the shallow end of the pool, but this Sea? Well, I'll end with this...

    Welcome to the deep end.

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