[MUD-Dev2] [DESIGN] Newbie Player Retention

[Dana V. Baldwin]

Nicholas Koranda wrote:
> Based on my own experiences and what I have read others say, I have a
> theory that a player is much more likely to stick with an online game if
> that player has one of the following:
>
> 1) A fellow friend who shows them the ropes of the game and/or gives
> them stuff to start out
> 2) Meets someone in the game shortly after starting who does the what a
> friend does in #1
>
> Does anyone know of statistics or studies on player retention for those
> that have a friend in game already or meet someone that helps them
> shortly after starting versus going it alone?  I would be real
> interested to see that information.
>
> If that theory is correct, I would be wondering why game designers are
> not putting systems in place to achieve this, such as rewards for
> veteran players who help newbies, or guilds with similar purposes.  It
> could do a great deal of good towards retaining players.
  
There are several good articles here:
http://www.nickyee.com/daedalus/arch_issue.php