seemingly AFK players - Guild Wars Forums

dabagboy · May 06, 2005, 02:31 PM // 14:31

Admitted newbie...

I love the game but have one significant frustration.

Why do there seem to be so many AFK players in cities?

It is a huge pain see hundreds of potential party mates, then send invitations to see them unanswered for 3-4-10 minutes? This is a bigger pain when you have 3 ppl ready to go and just need 1-2 more and can only invite one or two at a time?

Most ppl are just "standing around" in town. I'm learning to look for ppl that are at least moving a bit before inviting them , but it would seem that these AFKers are taking up server resources/bandwidth etc.,

Can our should they be logged off?

Or could the invitations at least automatically expire after 60 seconds?

Talus · May 06, 2005, 02:41 PM // 14:41

They could simply be anti-social and/or soloing in order to maximize their play time and XP.

Just watch the chat and you'll see who the most interesting and active players are

Lasher Dragon · May 06, 2005, 02:49 PM // 14:49

They may be trading furiously LOL. I know there are times when I am wheeling & dealing and I ignore other messages. It annoys some of my friends, but they are always broke and I have nearly 7k gold, so they don't complain too loudly (especially when the thing I am trying to buy is for them).

Manderlock · May 06, 2005, 02:57 PM // 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lasher Dragon

They may be trading furiously LOL. I know there are times when I am wheeling & dealing and I ignore other messages. It annoys some of my friends, but they are always broke and I have nearly 7k gold, so they don't complain too loudly (especially when the thing I am trying to buy is for them).

Haha, I was up to 11k, but the armor after ascention kindda cut into that.

Jackell · May 06, 2005, 03:03 PM // 15:03

Man

In places like Beacons Perch and Ventari's refuge, it seems I can't even walk to storage without gettin bombared by join requests. And no, I don't get a chance to answer for a while, because I'm salvaging gear and selling stuff, and haven't even noticed that someone wants me in their group even though I never announced that I wanted to be in one. :P

I go afk in towns a lot, too. If I have to... releive a few essential functions, I'll wait till the end of the mission I'm in then use the restroom. I did that once and came back to a join request and pms of "WTF hit join. Why won't you join? I only need 1 more. Think your too good for me n00b?"

I think I lost my original point in this.

Lasher Dragon · May 06, 2005, 03:06 PM // 15:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manderlock

Haha, I was up to 11k, but the armor after ascention kindda cut into that.

I've been saving for good armor and a sigil. I know, I still have a long way to go. I'm 16th R/W, and finally last night I found 61 AL armor in the Maguuma area. I almost bought it straight from the armorer, but then I noticed there are collectors all over trading for individual pieces. So, I have been grinding the hell out of those spiders and plant-creatures. They sure don't seem to drop stuff like they used to LOL.

Auntie I · May 06, 2005, 03:10 PM // 15:10

I usually do a /sit before I go AFK. I think it gets the point across that I'm not just standing around waiting for a group.

Cerixus · May 06, 2005, 03:17 PM // 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auntie I

I usually do a /sit before I go AFK. I think it gets the point across that I'm not just standing around waiting for a group.

Why not just type /afk?

Kyana Fay · May 06, 2005, 03:58 PM // 15:58

Hi everyone.

I started playing GW recently and I come from FFXI (in fact, I still play it, I'm going to play both together). In FFXI its considered rude by most of the population to send random invites to people when they're not looking for a group. And, even if they are looking for a group, its usually polite to talk to them privately first and explain what you're intentions are, how many and what jobs the group members you already have together are, etc.

I haven't had the experience of getting bombarded with group invites in GW yet, as I'm just a lowly level 7 Elementalist and just got to the post-searing area not long ago. But, I can imagine I wouldn't take too kindly to being invited out of the blue unless I asked for a party to go and do something on the general chat channel.

Just this girl's opinion, of course.

Auntie I · May 06, 2005, 04:04 PM // 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerixus

Why not just type /afk?

Didn't know it worked in Guild Wars. Thanks for the heads up!

dabagboy · May 06, 2005, 04:22 PM // 16:22

Kyana Fay,

I suppose I understand, based on yours and other responses I'm very likely in the wrong here. I'm too new to MMORPGs to know some of the more subtle points, poor nettiquiete I guess. Personally I don't find clicking "Decline" that difficult, I guess I thougth that was why it was there.

Mea Culpa.

I shall go forth and sin no more

If anyone is still reading this --
I still think it is a pain to find "seeking" party members. Even in chat you see the nick go by in chat and I can't seem to click on and find them in a city w/ 200 ppl most of whom are not rendered merely the R/Wa9 thing. And you can only "Whisper" to one at a time, can't easily invite from the chat window....etc...or am I missing something here too?

Lasher Dragon · May 06, 2005, 04:27 PM // 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabagboy

Kyana Fay,

I suppose I understand, based on yours and other responses I'm very likely in the wrong here. I'm too new to MMORPGs to know some of the more subtle points, poor nettiquiete I guess. Personally I don't find clicking "Decline" that difficult, I guess I thougth that was why it was there.

Mea Culpa.

I shall go forth and sin no more

If anyone is still reading this --
I still think it is a pain to find "seeking" party members. Even in chat you see the nick go by in chat and I can't seem to click on and find them in a city w/ 200 ppl most of whom are not rendered merely the R/Wa9 thing. And you can only "Whisper" to one at a time, can't easily invite from the chat window....etc...or am I missing something here too?

Yes, uncheck the boxes for things you don't want to see - like the Trade channel and the Emote channel - that will help.

Jhaerel · May 06, 2005, 04:38 PM // 16:38

First of all, don't invite people unless they express interest in joining your party! That will take care of your invite expiry question...

Second, an /uninvite command would be kind of nice (Is there somewhere we can make suggestions about useful changes?)

Third, a seperate chat window that just shows your private messages would be MUCH appreciated... SWG handled this nicely by allowing you to create as many chat windows as you want, and configure each one to show whichever messages you wanted... For example, you could make a chat window called "Messages", and configure it to show Private, Group, and Guild messages, and put it in a seperate place on the screen from the other windows, conveniently eliminating the combat/spatial/auction spam.

Just some ideas, I think a separate private message "Option" would be great to only show private messages.

Jhaerel

JjK · May 06, 2005, 04:46 PM // 16:46

Get a good guild, and forget about other people.
Like Knights Templar

Jackell · May 06, 2005, 04:48 PM // 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyana Fay

Hi everyone.

I started playing GW recently and I come from FFXI (in fact, I still play it, I'm going to play both together). In FFXI its considered rude by most of the population to send random invites to people when they're not looking for a group. And, even if they are looking for a group, its usually polite to talk to them privately first and explain what you're intentions are, how many and what jobs the group members you already have together are, etc.

I haven't had the experience of getting bombarded with group invites in GW yet, as I'm just a lowly level 7 Elementalist and just got to the post-searing area not long ago. But, I can imagine I wouldn't take too kindly to being invited out of the blue unless I asked for a party to go and do something on the general chat channel.

Just this girl's opinion, of course.

Oh just you wait. One day, your gonna be in the desert. Talking to your guild about what your planning on doing next, or getting ready to drop things off at the storage, when, out of nowhere, BAM! Your invited to 15,000 groups.

No, it's not to hard to hit decline. When it's one invitation. But when I have to start scrolling through party invites, it's time to start getting pissed. But better yet, don't click on the first random person you see standing around and tell them to get in your party.

I've lost a few parties that I wanted to be in, because I had to scroll through random invites from people that just saw R/E over my head.

Finally, you mentioned if you missed something to find and invite someone quicker? You know that box, that their name appears in with the plus sign in it? Type their name in there. You'll auto invite.

Lasher Dragon · May 06, 2005, 04:52 PM // 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackell

Oh just you wait. One day, your gonna be in the desert. Talking to your guild about what your planning on doing next, or getting ready to drop things off at the storage, when, out of nowhere, BAM! Your invited to 15,000 groups.

No, it's not to hard to hit decline. When it's one invitation. But when I have to start scrolling through party invites, it's time to start getting pissed. But better yet, don't click on the first random person you see standing around and tell them to get in your party.

I've lost a few parties that I wanted to be in, because I had to scroll through random invites from people that just saw R/E over my head.

Finally, you mentioned if you missed something to find and invite someone quicker? You know that box, that their name appears in with the plus sign in it? Type their name in there. You'll auto invite.

If you know who it was that you wanted to join, click on their character, then click on the add to party button. If they have already invited you, you will auto-join their group. No more scrolling through invites.

Kyana Fay · May 06, 2005, 04:53 PM // 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabagboy

Kyana Fay,

I suppose I understand, based on yours and other responses I'm very likely in the wrong here. I'm too new to MMORPGs to know some of the more subtle points, poor nettiquiete I guess. Personally I don't find clicking "Decline" that difficult, I guess I thougth that was why it was there.

If anyone is still reading this --
I still think it is a pain to find "seeking" party members. Even in chat you see the nick go by in chat and I can't seem to click on and find them in a city w/ 200 ppl most of whom are not rendered merely the R/Wa9 thing. And you can only "Whisper" to one at a time, can't easily invite from the chat window....etc...or am I missing something here too?

Oh, I wouldn't leave you hanging, I'd definately hit "Decline" if I wasn't in the mood or just didn't want to group at the moment.

Coming from FFXI, I do find the grouping system to be kind of "low-tech" in GW. In FFXI you have flags that you put up if you're looking for a group, and search comments of different colors for different things you want to group for (exp, quest/mission, pvp, etc.). On top of that, you can actually write in those comments specifically what you want or what you're looking for (a certain quest name, mission number, etc.). So, its very strange to me to have say or shouts on the general channel the only means of finding out that people want invited for something and what they want a group for.

I'm a rather shy person, so chatting and asking for help so openly is something I need to get used to.

Oh, and did I mention, I'm still looking for a good, helpful, mature guild? hehe

Lasher Dragon · May 06, 2005, 05:06 PM // 17:06

I consider myself a nice guy, but I leave people hanging all the time. If people are just going to randomly invite me into their party without me even asking to join one oh well. Most of the time I am back in Ascalon or some other early area trying to sell off some good loot for cheap. I usually come back with a load of goodies, try to sell them cheap for an hour or so, and whatever I have left I either give away, salvage, or sell to the merchant.

Jackell · May 06, 2005, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyana Fay

Oh, and did I mention, I'm still looking for a good, helpful, mature guild? hehe

I guesss I should do the mandatory guild promo then.

www.lacertapriscus.cjb.net

Or Lacerta Priscus on the Guild aud post. Last we saw we were on page 3 but we bump ourselves up to the top every Saturday.

Sidra Meum · May 06, 2005, 05:10 PM // 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabagboy

Admitted newbie...

I love the game but have one significant frustration.

Why do there seem to be so many AFK players in cities?

It is a huge pain see hundreds of potential party mates, then send invitations to see them unanswered for 3-4-10 minutes? This is a bigger pain when you have 3 ppl ready to go and just need 1-2 more and can only invite one or two at a time?

Most ppl are just "standing around" in town. I'm learning to look for ppl that are at least moving a bit before inviting them , but it would seem that these AFKers are taking up server resources/bandwidth etc.,

Can our should they be logged off?

Or could the invitations at least automatically expire after 60 seconds?

I cant say I am very social in game... I'll get tons of invites, if I am not in a group and do not wish to - I decline and say thanks anyway. Sometimes I am already in a party (PreSearing) and I will still get an invite. I just ignore it. If I want to party when someone offers.. then usually I join in.

I cant spend twenty minutes at a town after a large mission (PostSearing) selling, salvaging, sticking sutff in storage.. I have so many windows open that I just dont see invited sometimes or I am just too busy. It happens.

But! I will admit.. I am also the person that will be playing and go... "Eap! This took longer then I thought I need to do the dishes" and run off for ten minutes to shove them into the washer.

May 06, 2005, 02:31 PM // 14:31	#1
dabagboy Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lansing, Michigan	seemingly AFK players Admitted newbie... I love the game but have one significant frustration. Why do there seem to be so many AFK players in cities? It is a huge pain see hundreds of potential party mates, then send invitations to see them unanswered for 3-4-10 minutes? This is a bigger pain when you have 3 ppl ready to go and just need 1-2 more and can only invite one or two at a time? Most ppl are just "standing around" in town. I'm learning to look for ppl that are at least moving a bit before inviting them , but it would seem that these AFKers are taking up server resources/bandwidth etc., Can our should they be logged off? Or could the invitations at least automatically expire after 60 seconds? Last edited by dabagboy; May 06, 2005 at 03:23 PM // 15:23..

May 06, 2005, 02:41 PM // 14:41	#2
Talus Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Hamilton, ON Profession: E/Me	They could simply be anti-social and/or soloing in order to maximize their play time and XP. Just watch the chat and you'll see who the most interesting and active players are

May 06, 2005, 02:49 PM // 14:49	#3
Lasher Dragon Draconic Rage Incarnate Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Iowa Guild: Alphahive Profession: R/A	They may be trading furiously LOL. I know there are times when I am wheeling & dealing and I ignore other messages. It annoys some of my friends, but they are always broke and I have nearly 7k gold, so they don't complain too loudly (especially when the thing I am trying to buy is for them).

May 06, 2005, 03:03 PM // 15:03	#5
Jackell Krytan Explorer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Buffalo NY Guild: None at the moment Profession: R/E	Man In places like Beacons Perch and Ventari's refuge, it seems I can't even walk to storage without gettin bombared by join requests. And no, I don't get a chance to answer for a while, because I'm salvaging gear and selling stuff, and haven't even noticed that someone wants me in their group even though I never announced that I wanted to be in one. :P I go afk in towns a lot, too. If I have to... releive a few essential functions, I'll wait till the end of the mission I'm in then use the restroom. I did that once and came back to a join request and pms of "WTF hit join. Why won't you join? I only need 1 more. Think your too good for me n00b?" I think I lost my original point in this.

May 06, 2005, 03:10 PM // 15:10	#7
Auntie I Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Apr 2005 Guild: Veritas Invictus Profession: E/Me	I usually do a /sit before I go AFK. I think it gets the point across that I'm not just standing around waiting for a group.

May 06, 2005, 03:58 PM // 15:58	#9
Kyana Fay Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Profession: R/Me	Hi everyone. I started playing GW recently and I come from FFXI (in fact, I still play it, I'm going to play both together). In FFXI its considered rude by most of the population to send random invites to people when they're not looking for a group. And, even if they are looking for a group, its usually polite to talk to them privately first and explain what you're intentions are, how many and what jobs the group members you already have together are, etc. I haven't had the experience of getting bombarded with group invites in GW yet, as I'm just a lowly level 7 Elementalist and just got to the post-searing area not long ago. But, I can imagine I wouldn't take too kindly to being invited out of the blue unless I asked for a party to go and do something on the general chat channel. Just this girl's opinion, of course.

May 06, 2005, 04:22 PM // 16:22	#11
dabagboy Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Location: Lansing, Michigan	Kyana Fay, I suppose I understand, based on yours and other responses I'm very likely in the wrong here. I'm too new to MMORPGs to know some of the more subtle points, poor nettiquiete I guess. Personally I don't find clicking "Decline" that difficult, I guess I thougth that was why it was there. Mea Culpa. I shall go forth and sin no more If anyone is still reading this -- I still think it is a pain to find "seeking" party members. Even in chat you see the nick go by in chat and I can't seem to click on and find them in a city w/ 200 ppl most of whom are not rendered merely the R/Wa9 thing. And you can only "Whisper" to one at a time, can't easily invite from the chat window....etc...or am I missing something here too?

May 06, 2005, 04:38 PM // 16:38	#13
Jhaerel Pre-Searing Cadet Join Date: May 2005 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada	First of all, don't invite people unless they express interest in joining your party! That will take care of your invite expiry question... Second, an /uninvite command would be kind of nice (Is there somewhere we can make suggestions about useful changes?) Third, a seperate chat window that just shows your private messages would be MUCH appreciated... SWG handled this nicely by allowing you to create as many chat windows as you want, and configure each one to show whichever messages you wanted... For example, you could make a chat window called "Messages", and configure it to show Private, Group, and Guild messages, and put it in a seperate place on the screen from the other windows, conveniently eliminating the combat/spatial/auction spam. Just some ideas, I think a separate private message "Option" would be great to only show private messages. Jhaerel

May 06, 2005, 04:46 PM // 16:46	#14
JjK Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Mar 2005 Guild: Knights Templar Profession: W/E	Get a good guild, and forget about other people. Like Knights Templar

May 06, 2005, 05:06 PM // 17:06	#18
Lasher Dragon Draconic Rage Incarnate Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Iowa Guild: Alphahive Profession: R/A	I consider myself a nice guy, but I leave people hanging all the time. If people are just going to randomly invite me into their party without me even asking to join one oh well. Most of the time I am back in Ascalon or some other early area trying to sell off some good loot for cheap. I usually come back with a load of goodies, try to sell them cheap for an hour or so, and whatever I have left I either give away, salvage, or sell to the merchant.