yeah a tutorial would work pretty good, but not a completely obvious one.

 

do we really want people on the server who are to unintelligent to work out how to play on it

 

Agreed w/ Rez. If players have enough patience to go through a quiz/tutorial maze, their (1) most likely not a greifer and (2) have enough patience and knowledge that they won't be completely and utterly annoying (sorry if that sounds rude, but its true).

 

edit: The maze idea sounds interesting as well. o.o Not sure it would cut back on griefers if it was more informational than maze-like, as griefers will waste a good five minutes before griefing. xD

I think it also feels unfriendly for newer users because when you spawn, you're in this place with large statues, and when you walk outside ANY of the gates or spawn portals, there is stuff EVERYWHERE. :/ They don't know if they can build or not, if they have no building rights, where to go for resources... It's all kinda daunting. And a lot of the towns have prices on lots, so they can't really just go through a town portal right away and start living there.

I kinda suggest moving the spawn portals (to the side a bit, or to near corners, or something) to "open up" more new area. Could move them into the center more, too... I know it would mess up current players, but most who used to use those are resident now with /home. If not that, maybe players could get a starting amount of money; 1k maybe; so they could buy plots in towns and not feel broke and lost... Would be able to buy a few materials when stores are open in the start, too.

 

An optional spawn could work... Maybe just a portal on the main or lower floor, easily spot-able, for newer players - leads to that maze idea or a less crowded area. Problem with that is older players would go there, too, so you'd need some sort of time-on-server age restriction to go through a portal like that... But then they get force out after awhile. o.o

Could be another /spawn thing, /spawn1 and /spawn2... Or a warp.. I dunno.