IDEAS FOR RYZOM

Maybe a different approach, then: allow people to see how many similar-leveled people there is in any given zone, BEFORE they pick their destination. Not exact numbers, perhaps more like an activity chart, sorted by timezones. If they see Pyr is dead during European peak hours, while Zora or Fairhaven is "where it's at", they'll be more likely to head to Zora or Fairhaven, resulting in more people to play with.

But yes, I tend to agree about guilds. Entering a guild is apparently a solution to this problem - if you are lucky enough to avoid "zombie-guilds" full of alts and AFKers.

Guilds help, but most if not all guilds will help players without expecting them to join.
Just ask in region and/or universe and more often than not someone will offer to help you (maybe you need to wait a bit if they're busy) or telling you when there's a trek starting or coming your way (some guilds have regular treks, say once a week).

Ryzom is in a way unique (or nearly) in this in that most mmos don't allow players of different factions and/or races to mingle at all, except within the confines of specially designated killing zones for pvp battles, and of those that do offer such melting/merging many have ways to make travel easy (flying mounts, mage portals, etc.).
When the world is designed around those, they can work well. Atys however isn't so designed.

For the record... portals are not needed.

I just got to do my first trek earlier this week. What level am I / was I? 26-ish or less in everything.

How difficult was it? Let's see... my firend shouted out something along the lines of "Hey my friend and I are low level n00b characters and he would like to take his first trek. Any takers?"

It took all of about I dunno... 10 seconds for the first "Sure hold on a sec we'll put it together." and all of about 10 min for I'd say about two teams worth of people to join in on a chat channel, group up, go over the rules (who was leading, who to follow, what to do if you die, what n00bs should do, etc.) and head out.

My only regret was that during I'd say the last half hour / hour I'm guessing? I got a service call that came in and I had to leave >:(

It was friggin' kick ass! If you have not done a trek yet, and you have not seen even just the parts of Atys that a trek can show you... then you cannot possibly imagine what you are missing and you would not even dream of wanting freebie portals everywhere to skip it all.

Plus here is the deal breaker. All throughout the trek you make stops where you can buy a pact if you want... I picked up two at each spot just in case, so if the need arises that I absolutely MUST get somewhere instantly to help someone or whatever. Now I can. But I can tell you this - I won't be just popping around the world unless I have to. It's just absolutely un-friggin-believeable and I can't wait to do it again sometime.

Anyway I could go on for longer than the trek took about how much I enjoyed it and appreciated everyone who took us or went along with us.

Take care all, and to anyone who started that trek or particpated in it earlier this week... THANK YOU! That was f'nAwesome :D
- Zift

Treks are always a great fun and I almost never refuse to participate when there is a call for one. I might not be the best trek guide on Atys, but I always love to act as a bodyguard / healer. If Newcommers no longer need to be trekked between capital cities, I'll lose one of my favourite activities, which is making sure everyone gets to their destination alive. ^^

Hey Zift ! I was there on the trek and I remember you. Yes, it was awesome. If anyone ever needs a trek from Pyr to Dyron, just ask me. I can even show you some nice digging spots around the city.

I wholeheartedly agree with treks being an important and distinguishing feature of Ryzom. Sadly, getting a trek together can a slight annoyance due to vastly different timezones: often, potential trekkees and potential trekkers don't even meet each other online. Someone's peak hours can be someone else's 4 AM.