The rookie friendly tag is the reason why this game loses it's playerbase, IMO. Pair the high learning curve and getting repeatedly stomped by vets, it doesn't give a great first impression. Rookies need to have dedicated servers available for ONLY ROOKIES for at least the first 20-40 hours, once you're out of the hour range, you can no longer join the server. Appoint groups of community vet members that are allowed in to help.
Look at just a few examples and mind you, this don't cover the surface. There are tons of similar topics:
Look at just a few examples and mind you, this don't cover the surface. There are tons of similar topics:
It's misleading, it's as simple as that. New players often get the impression that it's a server for rookies only, but they are pleasantly surprised when it's a stacked team of experienced players continuously rolling one team. I often see new players asking or complaining about it in the chat.
Even if they do understand the true meaning of the tag, 100% of the time it isn't even rookie friendly, despite being labeled so! I can't count how many times I've seen some new player get chewed out over the mic because he did something wrong or tried commanding on a "rookie friendly" server. I've never see any admins step in and do anything about it. You occasionally get a nice person to step up and say something, but it's rare.
There needs to be certain servers that can only be accessed by players with low hours. If they want to get fancy they can give access to certain community members that can be mentors/guides and help the noobs learn. Noob players often get stomped and berated in normal pubs, it's probably why this game can't hold a decent playerbase.
http://www.reddit.com/r/ns2/comments/1gihb9/get_rid_of_the_rookie_friendly_tag/
For the past 12 games, I've been completely dominated by teams of non-rookies on rookie servers. I've really loved the concept of this game but when you are new and you go up against a team of people with 900+ hours played game after game it's seriously making me want to quit.
Is there any way to get a game with rookies and ROOKIES FUCKING ONLY?
http://www.reddit.com/r/ns2/comments/1jy9az/can_we_please_for_the_love_of_god_be_friendly_to/
Rookie servers should have rookies only. FFS we have teams of people just playing to destroy the rookies. I am 3-15 right now. I AM NOT HAVING ANY FUN. Bad execution if this game is just fulla people who only play this game I will not be purchasing it. What a waste of a weekend game jesus bring Ace of Spades back at least it wasnt full of trolls just pciking on people learning. Rookie servers my ♥♥♥.
http://steamcommunity.com/app/4920/discussions/0/810919691059068089/#c810919691071765933
No but seriously I've been trying to play fun games and get the hang of it again but I keep getting skulks and marines going like 80:2. Then they try to argue that they aren't rookie farming. You joined a bright green server that says "Rookie Friendly." Don't play dumb.
http://www.reddit.com/r/ns2/comments/12fmyo/anyone_tired_of_the_rookie_farming_yet/
It's so hard, I go into a game and spend every round getting solo'd by a skulk when i have a shotgun, or solo'd by a marine when im a skulk. I literally cant do anything other than round round the map and run extractors/or destroy them. Is there a way to play with other people that are completely new? it really sucks playing against so many good players on a rookie server.
http://www.reddit.com/r/ns2/comments/1dl06a/this_game_not_noob_friendly/
When I first started playing this game.....I thought it was great. Now I'm to the point I have to force myself to play it. I play on ROOKIE servers only because I'm a rookie at this game. Unfortunately it seems alot of impatient, loud mouthed jackasses tend to play on rookie servers too
http://steamcommunity.com/app/4920/discussions/0/846943514202699820/
Joined two different "Newbie Friendly" servers, knowing I wouldn't be able to keep up on a real server due to lack of general knowledge. Immediately got ♥♥♥♥♥ed out via mic on BOTH SERVERS for not running directly to a room that I didn't even know the name of because I haven't played since like the week after launch.
http://steamcommunity.com/app/4920/discussions/0/810921273862691948/
Oh and the rookie servers are traps. Half newbies, half vets to prey on them...
http://steamcommunity.com/app/4920/discussions/search/?q=rookie&p=3