Immigration overload?

[podgie_bear]

What on earth is happening on Withywindle at the moment? I just started a new character and I usually only see 2-3 new players in the intro at the same time as me. Today there are 63 players in the intro!!! We are having to queue up for the chance to take a swipe at any wolf who dares to respawn in the Archet area! Thank God 99% of them are Race of Man, so I can escape to the Shire with my poor little Hobbit, for a relaxing 2nd breakfast and maybe elevenses too to calm my nerves, before I try to go slug hunting and hope for a lot less competition for the few creatures available to kill!

[Eadris_UK]

Strangely I though the same when I revisited Thorins hall for Volume 1 on an alt yesterday, it was completely packed out.. Perhaps its an influx of new players from LOtRO going on Steam?

[Landrovas]

I suspect its a combination of two:

- an influx of new players from Steam on all servers.
- maybe, just maybe, Turbine listened to my prayers and made WW a recomended server for a while (hoping for a large period to manage to regain our numbers and balance)

So to all Withywindlers, let us give a warm welcome to our new members. I can say i already started and i plan on rolling a new alt just to help em out in the begining of theirs journey.

[kmcferrin]

It seems like it was just last week that someone was posting in the main forums about how low the population on Withywindle was and asking Turbine to make it the recommended server for new players. It sounds like they may have done that.

Since LotRO went on Steam I've seen a lot more new players in general.

[Landrovas]

It seems like it was just last week that someone was posting in the main forums about how low the population on Withywindle was and asking Turbine to make it the recommended server for new players. It sounds like they may have done that.

Since LotRO went on Steam I've seen a lot more new players in general.

Hehe that was me :P. seems santa claus IS listening !

[svu]

y i was omw to sarnur for some quests yesterday and a saw a lot of new dwarfs on the map.
thought every1 was making a new alt or something but seems i'm not the only one that noticed something changed =].

may i advice to help the new players in stead of mocking them when they don't know something(srry have seen some of that stuff in globallff already).

pretty cool change imo =3. wonder why,.

[zrinko]

Or maybe Zagreb is making 6666 more alts to see can he do something nice with some of em.


On other hand, only 14$ for steam lotro that gives u 3 quest packs + 1000 tps reward is twice as good then any other offer out there, so yeah, probably bunch of steam users made new chars, unfortunely they will need months to lvl up and 90% wont be vip by time they lvl85.

[podgie_bear]

In the meantime it is pandemonium in the starter areas with players fighting to be the first to kill anything that moves! Was on with some friends this morning and we gave up as it was so frustrating as to be almost unplayable. Archet was crawling with them all and when we tried to move to Thorin's it was almost as bad. In the end we just gave it up as a dead loss and logged out.

I just hope that the novelty wears off for them sooner rather than later and the server population drops back to a playable numbers again. In the mean time we are looking for somewhere else to play, at least temporarily, which is a pain when all we have developed is here. But it is not enjoyable when you can't quest because you are sitting in a queue for everything to respawn!

[Eadris_UK]

If your having competition trouble with them, form groups.. that way you all get the quests done and you can teach them some very early grouping stuff got to remember some of these people may be completely new to MMO's, which reminds me.. is LOTRO the first MMO to go on steam?

[podgie_bear]

Some of us came to Withywindle to get away from the bloody crowds and don't want to have to queue up and race against other players to complete things/kill things/get resources. Some of my mates have already started telling the newbies to P Off and are getting irate! And these are players who have poured a lot of money into Lotro. They want to play in peace and have a relaxed gaming experience, I don't blame them for getting upset. I haven't lost my temper yet, but only because I logged out before I exploded.

[Landrovas]

Some of us came to Withywindle to get away from the bloody crowds and don't want to have to queue up and race against other players to complete things/kill things/get resources. Some of my mates have already started telling the newbies to P Off and are getting irate! And these are players who have poured a lot of money into Lotro. They want to play in peace and have a relaxed gaming experience, I don't blame them for getting upset. I haven't lost my temper yet, but only because I logged out before I exploded.

Thats no way to treat new players mate.....you were once a new player and i bet someone helped you. Just form groups and be sociable. It is a MMO after all. And btw the amount of money poured into the game doesnt relate with what you can demand. I have paid 5$, that entitles me to almost nothing i guess....poor me.

I hope you turn to merries feelings. And maybe try and play a higher level char? dunno what you could do so importantly in starter areas that you should scare em off. Be more gentle. I have interacted with many of them and they are civil polite people (even the kids) and many of them are Lord of the rings fans so you could even talk lore with them while waiting for a spawn.

Tbh this reminds me of the time when i was a newb and starter areas were nice and active (WW was recomended server to then , jolly times).

Cheers

[Snakerider]

- an influx of new players from Steam on all servers.

Not that much on Gilrain, running low level alts there for a fast TP grind (for RoR offcourse), and hardly see anyone in the starter area's. with the char i started today and played for a good lot of hours i only saw 2 others.

Would be great if they made WW recommended, will try to give them a warm welcome when i am on at WW (which is not that much for the upcoming time i am afraid, mainly evenings).

[podgie_bear]

Thats no way to treat new players mate.....you were once a new player and i bet someone helped you. Just form groups and be sociable. It is a MMO after all. And btw the amount of money poured into the game doesnt relate with what you can demand. I have paid 5$, that entitles me to almost nothing i guess....poor me.

I hope you turn to merries feelings. And maybe try and play a higher level char? dunno what you could do so importantly in starter areas that you should scare em off. Be more gentle. I have interacted with many of them and they are civil polite people (even the kids) and many of them are Lord of the rings fans so you could even talk lore with them while waiting for a spawn.

Tbh this reminds me of the time when i was a newb and starter areas were nice and active (WW was recomended server to then , jolly times).

Cheers

We were a group and some of our members are children and at least 2 are disabled players. No-one was happy with competing with a bunch of animals who wouldn't listen, had no consideration and were overwhelming everything en-mass. And when I was a newbie I at least didn't have the "I saw it first its mine and I will take things away from you" attitude. I didn't try to spar with everyone I saw and call them names if they refused. And I am pretty sure that I wasn't one of 63 all in the starter area at the same time jumping in front of other players to attack mobs that were just respawning. Two of the children in our group were in tears that their afternoon was ruined, one of the disabled players says he won't play at all while the server is like this and it is his only gaming outlet and the way he gets to socially interact with other people. And they can't just move on to another region as they haven't got characters high enough to yet.

So all in all it is a total pain in the butt for some people and they are cursing Steam, Turbine, new players and everyone else that is ruining their gaming experience. So although some of you think it is jolly, spare a thought for those players who are not enjoying it and probably won't be able to until the novelty wears off and the crowd thins out. It's a disaster for some of them. But then I suppose you don't care as long as you are happy they can all leave or even die as far as you are concerned!

[Landrovas]

We were a group and some of our members are children and at least 2 are disabled players. No-one was happy with competing with a bunch of animals who wouldn't listen, had no consideration and were overwhelming everything en-mass. And when I was a newbie I at least didn't have the "I saw it first its mine and I will take things away from you" attitude. I didn't try to spar with everyone I saw and call them names if they refused. And I am pretty sure that I wasn't one of 63 all in the starter area at the same time jumping in front of other players to attack mobs that were just respawning. Two of the children in our group were in tears that their afternoon was ruined, one of the disabled players says he won't play at all while the server is like this and it is his only gaming outlet and the way he gets to socially interact with other people. And they can't just move on to another region as they haven't got characters high enough to yet.

So all in all it is a total pain in the butt for some people and they are cursing Steam, Turbine, new players and everyone else that is ruining their gaming experience. So although some of you think it is jolly, spare a thought for those players who are not enjoying it and probably won't be able to until the novelty wears off and the crowd thins out. It's a disaster for some of them. But then I suppose you don't care as long as you are happy they can all leave or even die as far as you are concerned!

I am sorry about that really, its an effect that nobody could have really forseen. From your previous posts, that were not very detailed ( i assume you were pretty angry ) I, and i apolagise for that, assumed you just rolled an alt and were just bothered by the influx. But the situation is pretty unique....

Since i cannot change the influx nor the quality of some new players you encountered i can only offer some advice, at best of my capabilities. Im sure you tried to confort the kids as best you could, but do try and not let them see your get frustrated at this. Explain them that those are kids just like them, just not as mannered or maybe they dont speak english or have any supervision. Dont let this turn into a bad experience for them, id needent happen. Spin a story about why its suddenly so crowded in Archet/Michel/Thorin/Celondim. And try to find activities for them that do not require competing for stuff. But im sure that after the initial frustration went off you thought of these things yourself.

What good news i can tell you is that the un-mannered people you described will not play for long (LOTRO will just lack the appeal since its not their type). Plus many of those who remain will be the ones that are introduced into some kin comunity. And usually those are nice helpful people.

I understand that you care for the kids (i assume you look after them or something) and you took all the drama of crowded starter areas personally. I know i would have in your situation. But let them see an example of taking a not-perfect situation and spinning it into something enjoyable. Im sure you can think of something that will actually make them happy and optimistic that in such bizarre conditions they can still adapt. And if they require their routine to be kept (im thinking some of them might,from my experience with disabled persons i know breaking teh routine might be hurtfull) try and find a nice activity to fill in the gaps. But dont let them be hurt but this, its a beautiful game for children and it shouldnt be antagonised.

I am glad you posted on the forum and i hope that i have been helpfull (at least at my third post). And maybe others will be more so. But also try and understand our joy when we saw the assault of new players since it offers a glimpse of hope for a more balanced server. The angle you presented was hard for me at least to imagine.

And do not hesitate to contact me ingame if you ever need any help

[Eadris_UK]

We were a group and some of our members are children and at least 2 are disabled players. No-one was happy with competing with a bunch of animals who wouldn't listen, had no consideration and were overwhelming everything en-mass. And when I was a newbie I at least didn't have the "I saw it first its mine and I will take things away from you" attitude. I didn't try to spar with everyone I saw and call them names if they refused. And I am pretty sure that I wasn't one of 63 all in the starter area at the same time jumping in front of other players to attack mobs that were just respawning. Two of the children in our group were in tears that their afternoon was ruined, one of the disabled players says he won't play at all while the server is like this and it is his only gaming outlet and the way he gets to socially interact with other people. And they can't just move on to another region as they haven't got characters high enough to yet.

So all in all it is a total pain in the butt for some people and they are cursing Steam, Turbine, new players and everyone else that is ruining their gaming experience. So although some of you think it is jolly, spare a thought for those players who are not enjoying it and probably won't be able to until the novelty wears off and the crowd thins out. It's a disaster for some of them. But then I suppose you don't care as long as you are happy they can all leave or even die as far as you are concerned!

I appreciate that everyone likes something different, I like to see places bustling with players, even if i'm not interacting with them, you like peace and quiet to play with a select group in, that's great as well.. but i didn't meat ANY of the players you have described here and I've been stood in Archet/Combe/Bree for a good 2 hours today chatting and helping new players and I can say that all of them have seemed to be solid people.. admittedly i wasn't actually questing there and trying to kill stuff and I can see that being a pain, but this is an MMO after all, there are going to be a LOT of new people while its fresh and shiny on steam, give it 3/4 days and it will all calm down.

And that last line is just completely unnecessary and rude... no more I can say on that....

[Landrovas]

And that last line is just completely unnecessary and rude... no more I can say on that....

I assume its from frustration and the fact the situation was taken personally. May have been unnecessary and rude but we cannot know the context in which it was written. Had it been a nab trying to level alts against the tide i would have raged and offered a rude treatment myself. But in the context even if not completely excusable at least its not outrageous. My oppinion at least.

[Aslaa]

Yesterday there were still posts predicting the imminent death of WW. Last week (and actually today I saw one going) we were going through the mass migration to Laurelin. All the time we hear there are not enough people to fill groups for lower level content.

I don't care how but today this has been addressed. If you love this server and want it to stay alive, be nice to these new people, help them out and be patient with the noise level in the first few days - remember that only a small fraction will stay with us after about lvl 20 and we need to make as many as possible stay on after that.

My personal beg? Please be extra careful on global. Of course global is dominated by oldest players on server but it comes accross as very elitist and to be honest hostile to new players. Like, when someone says something dumb, we could send them a helpful tell with what they are doing wrong rather than opening up on the sarcasm?

I just think....we cannot blame Turbine any more for WW failure - they have more than delivered their side. It is down to us to make some of all these new faces stay and become new friends.

Can't we survive a few stolen ore piles with a smile, in the longer term interests of our server?

[couderes]

I must confess to having had a miserable afternoon on lotro. Like a bloomin' ant heap in the starter areas. I h ave recently, at some expense moved players to Withy from other servers, because I found the atmosphere on this server friendly, helpful and not overcrowded. Not too quiet, not too overpopulated.

Some noble attitudes expressed above. I agree that one of the pleasures of any game like this is being able to help new players and assist players who have perhaps got a little out of their depth. I will go a long way out of my way to help. We have all been thankful for this in our earlier days. But there are limits.

I have to agree with most of Podgie-bears comments, though I have not personally suffered from aggressive challenges. One of the reasons I left WoW (seems a life-time ago) was that I got tired of being challenged by level 35 idiots as I emerged from the womb at level zero, the continual interruption of the game by these challenges, and the whole atmosphere of over aggressive and insulting behaviour. Lotro has been free of this, but from Podgie_bear's comments it appears that this mad antheap has brought it's WoW manners and standards with it. That is a disaster as far as I am concerned. I am sure the hard core of Lotro players are more mature.

I was unable to make any progress with lower levels chars. New players were rushing around like berserkers, not requiring any assistance, just a 'get out of our way' attitude. I got tired of standing being trampled on. Sirannon was no better, and I ended up in the North Downs trying to make some progress in a fellowship.

I can only hope that with a little time the atmosphere will calm down. With a little luck the crush will disperse, but I am concerned with the level of conduct in this superb game, and have not much hope that the general atmosphere will improve and that some of the worst morons will get fed up and go back to WoW.

[podgie_bear]

And that last line is just completely unnecessary and rude... no more I can say on that....

I apologise, it was written in anger and frustration at some of the comments and messages I have received informing me and my disabled friend that this is an MMO and if kids and cripples aren't up to it they shouldn't be here and should leave and find something they can cope with playing.

[GingerAj]

New players like to see what they can do, they like to see what damage higher level players can do ..so they use themselves as a target and spar to see this.

I understand some peoples frustrations, but alot of people were saying Withy was dying the other day, now Turbine has tried to help us ...its went the other way.

We should be grateful, invite the nice ones to your kins, leave the nasty ones or educate them...remember what it was like for you as a newbie in a complicated place.

[Moneydie]

Thread title straight out the daily mail

To the ones that came here from other servers and are feeling that they're due more than the new players, maybe toddle off back from whence you came. If you cant be pleasant to new players then rolling on a new server maybe isnt your best choice.

Welcome the newbs as they will help maintain the longevity of the game and spurn the noobs who will give the majority a bad name, just dont become nooblike yourself.

There's the option to block spars isnt there? Not had any real issue with spar request spamming outwith moria so that'll be a long while yet.

As far as population for levelling goes the shire seemed a lot quieter than other areas today so if competition seems fierce maybe point people there. Zone is more spread out than the others and once you add in the post and pie running the actual demand for stuff to kill isnt as high, maybe help them into the chicken play quests. Thorins hall zone doesnt favour high population of levelling toons a glance at the map will tell you that.

[Landrovas]

@Podgie and Couderes: WW will still be a cozy, laid back server even if it has bursts of population. Dont forget that as they level (the ones that take their ritalin and dont get overly bored and switch to Xbox) the new players will be introduced into the same comunities as we were. So even if things are hectic while WW is recomended we should all make an effort to help the new players and even more important to tell them this aint WoW and bad behaviour is very much frowned upon.

As for the impertinent people that judged what can or cannot be done by a kid or crippled they will probably never fit in WW (or even lotro) and they will abandon the game around lvl 40. Or if they manage to get to end game they will be in many many ignore lists.

@Moneydie: very good sugestion, The shire is always less crowded and has many many quests not based on spawns. And also minstrel hobbits and burglar hobbits are not very popular with newbies. They make Elf Hunters, Dworf champ and Man something.

[Lenniell]

Just a thought, I have been on WW since I started Playing over a year ago and I have found the majority of people kind and helpful. As a matter of fact, I have met a few good online friends here. I dont deny that there is an element of selfish players who should know better but if people think newbies are taking up the start areas, then why not go help them every now and again if anytime you are only online for something to do. That way they will level up faster so they can proceed to the game proper, they will have the advantage of experienced advice and they will enjoy the game more developing into players that would do the same later on down the road with other newbies, solidifying WW as one of the best servers to populate. Just my two cents. Happy wanderings people of WW.

[Lenniell]

Oh I almost forgot. Sparring...... there is a place for sparring in the proper context but myself (as well as most I expect) have in the past been challenged many times by people several lvls above my own ( one instance when I was lvl 19, I was challenged by a lvl 57 warden ). Why do this if not just to be an annoyance? If these people think they have something to prove sparring with total strangers several lvls below their own, why dont they go to the moors and see how long they survive? But then again thats probably not the point. Rant over lol.

[podgie_bear]

Have you had many that if you refuse to spar with them, they will keep jumping in front of your character and trying to provoke you? They are a real pain!