Newbie Queue - Health/Status in 2020

[Cabd]

Came up on discord and in some other threads.

Just kinda want to talk about newbies and how they're working out since the last check up on them.

I also have a few things I think ought to be standard in them now:

1- required backup mods on file and ready with permissions from the getgo
2- Moderators have a strict schedule for vote counts
3- Advertise other non-newbie setups that are open with groups who enjoyed playing together to sign up for those together.

I should clarify to me, "new player retention" outweighs every other goal of what a newbie game should be.

[Cabd]

Required backup mods on file and ready with permissions from the getgo

This is not that I think newbie mods are particularly flakey, they're usually even more reliable than most, but "oh shit XYZ emergency popped up and now we have to wait for a green to fix permissions" can be avoided from the get-go to make it seamless for newbies, they already KNOW who their backup mod is at game's start. You can have newbie mods pair-bond. So cabd-ffery would backup each other, for example.

Moderators have a strict schedule for vote counts

By this, I mean there should be an expectation of a maximum time duration between vote counts. Once every 24 hours would be my pick. I could see arguments for once every 36, as that's our prod timer iirc.

Advertise other non-newbie setups that are open with groups who enjoyed playing together to sign up for those together.

This one is purely to try and boost retention and engagement to other parts of the site. I think it pretty much speaks for itself.

[Cabd]

I more meant.

"congrats on playing, here are the currently open-for-signups games in various other queues"

Actually my newbie I backup modded just ended let me use it as an example.

[Cabd]

Thank you all for playing.

Players, you're encouraged to keep playing newbies as long as you like, of course, but I humbly sugguest trying out different games and styles, if you're brave enough.


If you liked the "solve the setup" interactions with a semii-open setup, check out the Open queue!

Open Game One

Lovers and Losers (Modified)

(4/9)

Moderator:

yessiree

MiniVirgo (Minimegabyte + JacksonVirgo)
Not_Mafia
Lost
GODCAT (MURDERCAT + Gamma Emerald)

Open Game Two

Assassins in the Palace

(1/7)

Moderator:

Fredrick A Campbell

ManWithNoName

Prefer to keep things a little mroe secret, and try out a larger pond?

Try the mini normal queue!

Now taking signups:

innocentvillager's 13-player mini. Please /in for mini to join.
Note: pre-designed setup by implosion, reviewed by Something_Smart

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Prefer to add themes, flavors, and wackier roles? Check out the theme queue instead:

Now taking sign-ups...

Game 1

Bears with Guns

(00/13)

Moderator:

Nero Cain
Game Description

Players

Pre ins will go here

[Cabd]

I mean I don't think it's that hard as a game mod doing postgsme wrap up to quote the most recent green post in each queue that isn't large theme?

[Cabd]

NSG - I wonder if we could add a retention stat. And how we'd define retention in the first place.

[Cabd]

i don't think it's hard, but (from memory) some mods don't release private threads or even make "the game is over, x won" posts, so

I also strongly believe there should be a semi-private newbie mods lounge where this sort of stuff is discussed/helped with/required reading?

I would love to standardize those aspects, while keeping flavor choices unique

[Cabd]

After review of newbie feedback from a large sample of games and internal discussion with the team, I have made the decision to remove the Inexperienced-Challenged (IC) role from the Newbie queue. An additional SE role will take it's place, meaning that Newbie games will now have a minimum of 3 SE roles. Typically, the first post of an IC is an informative post explaining terms used on site and helpful tips (see here). This will be standardized and included by the moderator of the game in addition to the Newbie Setup post.

We do have a core group of ICs that dedicate their time to play in Newbie games for the benefit of the site. I appreciate their dedication, and hope they continue to play as SEs. At the end of the day, the best way for newbies to learn to play the game is to play, and our SEs already create a good environment for newbies to learn.

This change will take effect with Newbie 1917.

[Cabd]

This is me volunteering to maintain a post of that sort ready to go that is visible only to people in the newbie moderator's hidden group btw.

[Cabd]

Posted it in the old-new-again group so I can maintain it up to date, but public feedback on all my points is still welcome here~