idk ppl need to play the storyline, if beginner or not. After they've finished it it's their choice to do whatever they want you can't forbid ppl to play this game if they just want to play the storyline.
Obviously you don't talk to npc since you know the game but I'm pretty sure u talk to NPCs in games you don't know cuz' free stuff, which u don't get without talking to random npcs sometimes.
you should check pallet town and channel chat sometimes. it's immense how many new player pokemmo has.