So I'm looking at doing some improvements to Nexus to be completed before we hit C2 beta. It could be a big or small job, depending on what we decide.

I've iterated several times on the pre-load galaxies and missions, and feel that things are pretty good up until you get to Nexus, but at that point, I think there are problems. The major problems that I see with Nexus are:

1) There are too many chains of galaxies/missions that you can do that are all similar level, but if you do one or two of them, you end up too high level to really do any of the rest.

2) There's not quite enough direction in Nexus. It's heavily mission based, but you don't necessarily know what to do and in what order. I think maybe more hand holding and structure would be better.

3) The Nexus galaxy itself is a little bit big and spread out. Seems like it might be confusing for new players who haven't yet learned how to use their radar and target keys.

4) I feel like the branches off of deep space are confusing. Deep space should probably just connect from nexus to w0, and those other branches should be off of something else.

5) Mission rewards for the most part need to be changed to be level-appropriate.

6) Either need to remove the galaxy where you're supposed to build, or else let f2p build there again.

What do you guys think? Do you think these are problems? Do you see any other problems with Nexus? Do you have suggestions on changes?

I think the structure of Nexus is fine. It gives new players the impression that SS is big and complicated, which it is.

Maybe the best thing to do is to incorporate a new tutorial system for all missions in the Nexus. Not only will this save you time in reorganising Nexus, but it will achieve the sort of results you want.

A new voice/text tutorial with lots of specific on-screen UI targeting (of drones or AI that need to be killed, or stations to fly to or debris to pick up), would come in handy. Even a dialogue box with "back" and "next" would come in handy.

You could even expand the tutorial system to normal mission hints.

This.

Keep it like it is, just make it better in the fact that it's more clear to the players about what they are doing, what missions they chose and what they have to do and "why" they are doing it.

Giving the new players a choice as to what they want to do is great, Star Sonata, like most MMORPGs, is based greatly on choice. What you choose to do, can effect everything in the future.

Make a pop up that appears whenever you go a certain distance from any object, that says "Lost? Try pressing "Tab" to find an object to fly to.

New players need to be forced to go through a very short tutorial for using the target and autopilot keys, equipping new weapons, and switching weapons on the fly. Also, tossing junk overboard and transferring items between ships. Most new players simply don't take the time to read the tutorial on those things, and they account for a lot of our questions in help chat.

I agree that mini bana needs nerfed. Rattie Moe not so much though. They can usually come back and kill him easily long before level 20, and for some reason you see newbies banding together to go kill him sometimes, but you never see it for mini bana.

Make RC 1 obtainable by mission in the Nexus, in addition to the usual method at Lavanite/GM. The mission can still require a blue whisper if you like. If you're uncomfortable with the idea of players having RC before they get warp 1, I'd say it's just RC 1 and not a big deal. The mission text can also tell the player that they'll need warp 1 in order to get more RC. It could also open a series of missions that teach the player how to create a slave, maybe giving them a combat controlbot and a tech 0 stasis generator. In general, I think missions are the way to go since they can offer XP and other incentives, while most players are too impatient to sit through a tutorial. I feel this should be added since the slave system in SS is frankly confusing and it's by far the most common topic in Help Chat. Furthermore, making slaves wrong can lead to costly losses, demoralizing a new player.

A similar input as above for drone deployment would be useful as well.

Most commonly asked questions:

"Where do I get RC?"
"How can I use drones?"
"How do you use missiles?"

Hmm... maybe something for missiles could be implemented as well. Cba to list an idea.

All good suggestions, thanks. One thing I definitely want to add is a map galaxy reveal as part of accepting missions, so maybe once you get to the first nexus station, there could be an introduction to nexus that reveals the whole nexus map to you.