Special sub-forum in gameplay section for LFF? Is it possible Sapience?

I wondered whether this would assist players looking for groups.

The problems
1. In many many threads people say they can't find groups for group content but want to.
2. On some servers GLFF/globallff are used more for in jokes and trolling than for LFF which understandably means some/many people don't use it.
3 Also GLFF/global is a user generated channel you have to actually join, so I suspect amny players don't even know it exists.
4. LFF is fine if the quest/instance is in the area where most players are, but is not much use for those looking for assistance in low pop regions
5. No one much uses (or is aware of?) the LFF tag in social
6. The instance finder is not much use for these players and doesn't work for fellowship quests.
7. Many of us would like to help these people with their first groups but there are no formal tools to do so.

Potential solution
1. Create a subforum in the gameplay section for LFF. Not a server specific sub forum one. This means those of us with characters across several servers can see all the LFFs that we could respond to.
2. Set up a set format-where players post
a) what they need b) at what level c) on what server and d) whether they want/don't want over level help.

Responses can be in the forum thread but details like times and player names can be done in PMs if players want to preserve their privacy on the forum.

3) Sticky it so new players and those new to forums see it.
4) Promote it through facebook/twitter

Rationale
It would bring back some postive community interaction.
It would give many of us a reason to do older content that we may have missed.
It could take the sting out of 'i can't find a group so make everything soloable' argument.
Most importantly, it would cost nothing.

It's not a cross world instance/group finder but it would help those genuinely looking for groups-especially on smaller servers.
What do you think?

Good post and I agree with your thoughts behind it. But I'm not sure a forum is the place for /LFF

The one tool that is most useful for looking for groups is a General Chat channel that EVERY player is opted in to automatically at a very low level. At the very least have a max-level chat that everyone is opted in to when they hit cap. It should be an official channel and it should have an easy join/leave mechanism built into the game options. It should be simple to add to any Chat tab you have open. Also have an Auction channel that can be used for selling drops, shards, crafted stuff, something to encourage people to keep that stuff out of General.

All we have in LOTRO is /GLFF or /globallff and these channels are invaluable until we are provided official versions. I encourage everyone to join or at least know the mechanic for joining so you can when you are /lff. So many people lurk in /GLFF without ever speaking, just waiting for a pug to start up so they can send a tell. Whenever I see a call for help in /lff in a region I send a tell and direct people towards /GLFF and I detail the hoops you must jump through in order to join and see chat displayed (if I have time I will help too, I'd love to mentor down and help when someone asks).

Don't leave the channel if you find someone tiresome. Add them to ignore. I have every single one of Yamy's alts on my ignore list since 2010 and she doesn't mind I'm sure.

The one thing so many MMO games have in common for finding people to do group content with is an official chat channel that broadcasts to the whole server. It is long overdue for LOTRO.

I think it's a great idea. For me personally my game time is drastically reduced lately and it would be very handy to have a thread I can check for anyone LFF at the times I will be online, set up a time to meet and help others without being logged into the game.

/signed.

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Originally Posted by HoldumDown

Good post and I agree with your thoughts behind it. But I'm not sure a forum is the place for /LFF
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The one thing so many MMO games have in common for finding people to do group content with is an official chat channel that broadcasts to the whole server. It is long overdue for LOTRO.

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I agree and hopefully a monitored turbine channel will appear soonish-as it is confirmed to be on the to do list, iirc.
My idea was more about getting help for people on smaller servers or who have playtimes that are offpeak. Many players have alts across servers so this could serve that wider group, being non server specific.

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JaxV

I think it's a great idea. For me personally my game time is drastically reduced lately and it would be very handy to have a thread I can check for anyone LFF at the times I will be online, set up a time to meet and help others without being logged into the game.

/signed.

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Thanks. I hope the thread stays high enough for Sapience or forums mods to see.
cheers
Calta

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Originally Posted by Calta

Potential solution
1. Create a subforum in the gameplay section for LFF. Not a server specific sub forum one. This means those of us with characters across several servers can see all the LFFs that we could respond to.

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I like the idea (a lot), but I really don't think it should be cross-server. I only have characters on one server, so for me, the vast majority of requests would be irrelevant. I do have six characters, spread across different levels/classes, so I'd really like to participate, not just asking for help but also responding to requests.

As for those who have characters on multiple servers, aren't there still quite a few servers you don't have characters on? I reckon you'd still be skipping at least half of the posts... I haven't used it myself, but I think these forums have RSS enabled. What about having server-specific subforums, and then subscribing to all the ones you have characters for? That would work for both single-server and multi-server players.

For me, the ideal implementation would be something very much like the current LFF tool, where you can specify the quest name, a level range and stuff like that, only I'd want to be able to have multiple open requests per character, and they shouldn't be tied to logging in. (So the request should stay active even when I'm logged out, and people should be able to browse (maybe even add) the requests using a regular browser, without opening the game.) That way, it becomes easy to filter so you see only the requests you could actually help with. (Of course, the browser would need to know about all of your characters, not just the one you last logged in with...)

Obviously, it would take some effort to create that, so I think your forums suggestion would be a nice alternative.

I do think it's worth considering how to avoid players needing to wade through requests which are irrelevant to them. People will simply stop checking if there's too much 'noise'.

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Originally Posted by Annariel

I like the idea (a lot), but I really don't think it should be cross-server. I only have characters on one server, so for me, the vast majority of requests would be irrelevant. I do have six characters, spread across different levels/classes, so I'd really like to participate, not just asking for help but also responding to requests.

As for those who have characters on multiple servers, aren't there still quite a few servers you don't have characters on? I reckon you'd still be skipping at least half of the posts... I haven't used it myself, but I think these forums have RSS enabled. What about having server-specific subforums, and then subscribing to all the ones you have characters for? That would work for both single-server and multi-server players.

For me, the ideal implementation would be something very much like the current LFF tool, where you can specify the quest name, a level range and stuff like that, only I'd want to be able to have multiple open requests per character, and they shouldn't be tied to logging in. (So the request should stay active even when I'm logged out, and people should be able to browse (maybe even add) the requests using a regular browser, without opening the game.) That way, it becomes easy to filter so you see only the requests you could actually help with. (Of course, the browser would need to know about all of your characters, not just the one you last logged in with...)

Obviously, it would take some effort to create that, so I think your forums suggestion would be a nice alternative.

I do think it's worth considering how to avoid players needing to wade through requests which are irrelevant to them. People will simply stop checking if there's too much 'noise'.

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Thank you for thinking about the suggestion so carefully. I like your idea but given the current constraints this seemed a cost free short term alternative.

I understand your point about not having characters everywhere and the noise factor, but the issue seems to be that some people can't find groups on their server at all. So this is like a 'wanted' advertisement where players could get in touch with willing helpers and then set up their own arrangements, privately. Rather than a live /rss type group finder for people looking groups at that moment. (although that would be splendid.)

Most folks would still use LFF or global on the bigger servers I imagine. So I am not sure that there would be too much 'noise'. It is meant to be an adjunct to LFF/global rather than a replacement for them. So we could look for fellows who may be playing regularly on another server, but have alts elsewhere, who are willing to help. If it is server specific it doesn't really solve the problem of smaller and quieter servers.

This idea was to have a 'one stop shop' for people who play at odd times or on smaller servers or who have been 'burned' by ninja invites random pugs to 'advertise' in and to get to know each other prior to grouping.

eg I have a couple of characters on Silverlode and Landroval but I never check the Silverlode/Landroval server forums because I rarely play there and they are mostly about kinships or PVP (or RP in the case of Landy) but I'd be happy to 'dust them off' if someone needed help with something i could help with.

But if it got too busy, we could create server specific threads within the subforum, or move it's format to the server forums.

That would be nice, to be that busy :)

My concern is how to include players on the french and german language servers because my french is very bad and my german is non existant. But i guess 'where there's a will, there's a way...

edit: oh and it wasn't meant to be for me to be the sole 'helper'. Many players have said across many threads they are willing to help other players-and do. This is just a way of making that a bit more structured and accessable and accountable.

Is this possible?

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Potential solution
1. Create a subforum in the gameplay section for LFF. Not a server specific sub forum one. This means those of us with characters across several servers can see all the LFFs that we could respond to.
2. Set up a set format-where players post
a) what they need b) at what level c) on what server and d) whether they want/don't want over level help.
Responses can be in the forum thread but details like times and player names can be done in PMs if players want to preserve their privacy on the forum.
3) Sticky it so new players and those new to forums see it.
4) Promote it through facebook/twitter

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Originally Posted by yvandriel

Is this possible?

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Yes it is possible.

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Originally Posted by Annariel

I like the idea (a lot), but I really don't think it should be cross-server. I only have characters on one server, so for me, the vast majority of requests would be irrelevant. I do have six characters, spread across different levels/classes, so I'd really like to participate, not just asking for help but also responding to requests.

As for those who have characters on multiple servers, aren't there still quite a few servers you don't have characters on? I reckon you'd still be skipping at least half of the posts... I haven't used it myself, but I think these forums have RSS enabled. What about having server-specific subforums, and then subscribing to all the ones you have characters for? That would work for both single-server and multi-server players.

For me, the ideal implementation would be something very much like the current LFF tool, where you can specify the quest name, a level range and stuff like that, only I'd want to be able to have multiple open requests per character, and they shouldn't be tied to logging in. (So the request should stay active even when I'm logged out, and people should be able to browse (maybe even add) the requests using a regular browser, without opening the game.) That way, it becomes easy to filter so you see only the requests you could actually help with. (Of course, the browser would need to know about all of your characters, not just the one you last logged in with...)

Obviously, it would take some effort to create that, so I think your forums suggestion would be a nice alternative.

I do think it's worth considering how to avoid players needing to wade through requests which are irrelevant to them. People will simply stop checking if there's too much 'noise'.

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These are all very valid points and most of them could be addressed with a simple solution we actually use in the Players Council suggestion forums. Each thread starts with a [SYTEMNAME] block. So if someone had a suggestion for housing hooks changes the thread title would be [HOUSING] - Changes to the Hook system.

The same concept could work in an LFF forum (if there's enough support for the idea to add the forum). Basically you would format your posts like so.
[SERVERNAME][CONTENT] -time/date

You'd end up with...
[GLADDEN][LIBRARY] - I need a group for Saturday Feb 2, 5PM Eastern

Then just make the body of your message the details you want to add. The thread titles would prevent people from having to wade through a sea of irrelevant posts because the title would tell them whether or not they should bother with it, starting with their server and if the group is being formed on one they play on.

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Originally Posted by Calta

I agree and hopefully a monitored turbine channel will appear soonish-as it is confirmed to be on the to do list, iirc.

Thanks. I hope the thread stays high enough for Sapience or forums mods to see.
cheers
Calta

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Still working on the default GLFF in game. As more and more people stop using the player created version, and it splinters, and as almost no new players know it even exists the value of it becomes less while the value of a auto-joined global channel increases. This is on the top of my personal to-do list (hey mail attachments only took me 5 years, and there's now a version of Hobbnanigans in testing - I'm workin' on it!).

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Originally Posted by Calta

5. No one much uses (or is aware of?) the LFF tag in social

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Originally Posted by Annariel

For me, the ideal implementation would be something very much like the current LFF tool, where you can specify the quest name, a level range and stuff like that

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You know... when I read the above, my first reaction was, "what LFF tool?" Then I remembered what it was and realized why I didn't remember it.

Sadly, the Instance Finder is quickly falling in that category as well. I can almost never find a group using it, so I've largely stopped trying. Part of that is due to the times that I play, but people having minor success during busy times on well-populated servers doesn't help those of us who play during non-peak hours on smaller servers.

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Originally Posted by Deusdictum

You know... when I read the above, my first reaction was, "what LFF tool?" Then I remembered what it was and realized why I didn't remember it.

Sadly, the Instance Finder is quickly falling in that category as well. I can almost never find a group using it, so I've largely stopped trying. Part of that is due to the times that I play, but people having minor success during busy times on well-populated servers doesn't help those of us who play during non-peak hours on smaller servers.

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I briefly dabbled in Neverwinter for a few weeks. The game had some fresh ideas that I think would work well in LOTRO. Specifically regarding instances they had:

1) Global instances; anyone from any server would be picked for the instance finder, giving a much larger group of people to play with.
2) Hourly instance bonuses. Every hour a different type of instance had a (significant) bonus attached to it. When it was PvP hour, I never had a problem finding a PvP group. When it was Dungeon hour, I never had a problem finding a dungeon group. And so on.


I understand that there are technical hurdles when dealing with global instances. The possibility of name collisions, the entire conversation subsystem, dealing with lag from much more physically disparate client locations, and so forth. But this absolutely needs to happen if LOTRO wants to maintain any semblance of interest in the endgame. It's just sad to sit in GLFF for hours and watch the same guy try to assemble a 12-man Deeping Wall raid with no success; getting up to 6-7 people and finding no other takers.

As for instance bonuses. I would love to see an "Ost Dunhoth Hour", a "Skirmish Hour", a "Helms Deep Hour", etc. That would be a great boost to the game in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Sapience

Yes it is possible.



These are all very valid points and most of them could be addressed with a simple solution we actually use in the Players Council suggestion forums. Each thread starts with a [SYTEMNAME] block. So if someone had a suggestion for housing hooks changes the thread title would be [HOUSING] - Changes to the Hook system.

The same concept could work in an LFF forum (if there's enough support for the idea to add the forum). Basically you would format your posts like so.
[SERVERNAME][CONTENT] -time/date

You'd end up with...
[GLADDEN][LIBRARY] - I need a group for Saturday Feb 2, 5PM Eastern

Then just make the body of your message the details you want to add. The thread titles would prevent people from having to wade through a sea of irrelevant posts because the title would tell them whether or not they should bother with it, starting with their server and if the group is being formed on one they play on.

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This is pretty much exactly what I had in mind. :) Hope we can start it to see if it gets support, Soon ™

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Originally Posted by Sapience

Still working on the default GLFF in game. As more and more people stop using the player created version, and it splinters, and as almost no new players know it even exists the value of it becomes less while the value of a auto-joined global channel increases. This is on the top of my personal to-do list (hey mail attachments only took me 5 years, and there's now a version of Hobbnanigans in testing - I'm workin' on it!).

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Thanks for the response Sapience.- I know your 'to do' list could wallpaper the entire office . Hence my suggestion of forum based fellowship finder as a short term measure, but this would help a lot more, longer term, I think. *fingers crossed*

Calta

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Originally Posted by Mithrandir3

2) Hourly instance bonuses. Every hour a different type of instance had a (significant) bonus attached to it. When it was PvP hour, I never had a problem finding a PvP group. When it was Dungeon hour, I never had a problem finding a dungeon group. And so on.

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Interesting Idea. I'm not sure if I'd want it by hour, ....maybe by day, instead.