Designers graph gameplay engagement on a curve, making sure that new players have the time to learn and grow comfortable with the mechanics before introducing new ones. Yet for all that games have become more and more social with the spread of internet access, too many still bury new players in social mechanics while they're still trying to learn how to play. Just as games have tutorial levels, they should also ease the player into chat systems, auction houses, and guild participation one step at a time.
