You can always have a non-interactive tutorial until the said map gets made. It would have to be quick and snappy though, and <i>vocally acknowledge</i> that the player probably doesnt want to sit through this as well as assure them it wont take long. Simply showing them the extreme basics, like how to build, evolve, become commander, drop a building, etc.. the learning curve should be much more bearable.
DC_DarklingJoin Date: 2003-07-10Member: 18068Members, Constellation, Squad Five Blue, Squad Five Silver
to be honest, BEFORE we go official, I think NS should have a official manual and/or training map explaining alot. If we can make it that NS will not play before this is done, its even better. Most logical would be a cvar I think. like sv_newplayer 1.
We either hide it in a manual, or in a training map at the end. If ppl have done it they see.
ok, probably a crap idea.. but I think we need a manual atleast.
Training map would be nice but as Zunni said it wont be done intime.
Haze has a good point, the basics must be tought.
Most importantly (well to me) is to show new players the differences between CO and Classic. I have seen people who have played the game for weeks and still dont know what Classic is.
Perhaps a video that is played after the installation which shows these basic skills and relay some general knowlege on the public, there are plenty of talented video makers in the community.
how about package the community manual as a pdf file with the installation and have it open up after you install, therefore people who really want to learn how to play can just go ahead and read about the game instead of searching online for help.
its a small suggestion that many people will just click past, but it will help those who really want to try this game out.
I would be more than happy to help out in any way I can. If someone wants to make a training video I can get a server and help film it. If a list of servers for new players is what you want I can probably do that too. The only thing I can't do is write. So if someone wants help doing something like this just ask.
In truth there should be a website like nslearn where people can go and gather all the information they need. A place where they can request a guide to help them learn the game. They best way to learn NS is to have a friend teach you as you play.
When NS goes to my games we will see an influx of new players. Most will try it once or twice and thats it. It should be our goal to get as many of them as possible to stay.
Well, as long as vet's maintain a positive attitude and help the new guys, I can't see a harsh transition coming. The first month will be rough, but after that, they will probably understand the game. Just remember to be nice to them, and hopefully they will be nice back. If you go and start flaming "those darn noobies", then they retaliate in the same way.
I really don't think you guys will ape **** over the newbies, I know that most of you will try to help them once we go official. What I am concerned about is the fact that NS is a complex game. Getting into it will be hard for those players with no patience.
Remember back long ago when you installed NS, a little program would pop up with a picture of Hera Readyroom, and it would be like "This is the Alien Team Entrance" blah blah blah? I don't know, but we need to find some way to atleast intergrate a small instructional guide to tell them the very, very, basics. They would undoubtedly have to get most of their knowledge from the manual.
The Manual then, is the key I feel. We need to stress to the players that NS is not your usual "OMG 1 K1LLED J00" kind of game, and gently prod them to go read the manual, and study it. Then the manual needs to be all cool and stuff. Maybe a flash....probably not, but it needs to catch the interest of those players. I have seen WAY too much of this "I don't read manuals" **** that newbies spew out...
A mentor? That would work out really well, it's probably the best way to learn, maybe some players will connect with the newbies and teach em how to play on a permanent basis instead of just answering questions. That would be hard, though, and not many players would do that sorta thing...
I feel, it falls on two things: The Manual, and NSLearn-ish communities
<!--QuoteBegin-CrazySteve+Jul 9 2005, 09:13 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (CrazySteve @ Jul 9 2005, 09:13 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> i'm worried that people won't bother learning the complexities of ns and just stick to co permantly <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Which is why we're talking about this right now.
Meat Popsicle's unofficial training map is great. But it only teaches half of the game to the new players, which is the marine side. Mostly everyone out there will be familiar with the "noid with gun" concept, but unless they've played Alien vs. Predator before, most people won't be familiar with being an alien, and that's fine. I think we need to focus more on teaching new players on the basics of playing an alien, they're basic tactics in their respective classes, their upgrades and many other things because of the more steeper learning curve than playing marines. Now here's my idea.
Start off by a training simulation, similar to Meat Popsicle's concept, but with both Marines and Aliens. Later, throw in a combat map to start off in what the experience would feel like whenever an experience in classic mode gets intense. Finally, moving on into the classic mode and use the based strategy in planning to take each other down, the real game. Make it somehow like a step-by-step learning series, both interactive, informative, and most importantly, fun.
So start off with knowing the basics and crucial points, followed by intense combat, and then the strategy involved in classic that has all the associated elements in combat.
Comments
If we can make it that NS will not play before this is done, its even better.
Most logical would be a cvar I think. like sv_newplayer 1.
We either hide it in a manual, or in a training map at the end. If ppl have done it they see.
ok, probably a crap idea.. but I think we need a manual atleast.
Haze has a good point, the basics must be tought.
Most importantly (well to me) is to show new players the differences between CO and Classic. I have seen people who have played the game for weeks and still dont know what Classic is.
Perhaps a video that is played after the installation which shows these basic skills and relay some general knowlege on the public, there are plenty of talented video makers in the community.
(lerks shoot spikes?!)
its a small suggestion that many people will just click past, but it will help those who really want to try this game out.
In truth there should be a website like nslearn where people can go and gather all the information they need. A place where they can request a guide to help them learn the game. They best way to learn NS is to have a friend teach you as you play.
When NS goes to my games we will see an influx of new players. Most will try it once or twice and thats it. It should be our goal to get as many of them as possible to stay.
most people won't bother to put forth much effort to find information.
Remember back long ago when you installed NS, a little program would pop up with a picture of Hera Readyroom, and it would be like "This is the Alien Team Entrance" blah blah blah? I don't know, but we need to find some way to atleast intergrate a small instructional guide to tell them the very, very, basics. They would undoubtedly have to get most of their knowledge from the manual.
The Manual then, is the key I feel. We need to stress to the players that NS is not your usual "OMG 1 K1LLED J00" kind of game, and gently prod them to go read the manual, and study it. Then the manual needs to be all cool and stuff. Maybe a flash....probably not, but it needs to catch the interest of those players. I have seen WAY too much of this "I don't read manuals" **** that newbies spew out...
A mentor? That would work out really well, it's probably the best way to learn, maybe some players will connect with the newbies and teach em how to play on a permanent basis instead of just answering questions. That would be hard, though, and not many players would do that sorta thing...
I feel, it falls on two things: The Manual, and NSLearn-ish communities
Which is why we're talking about this right now.
Meat Popsicle's unofficial training map is great. But it only teaches half of the game to the new players, which is the marine side. Mostly everyone out there will be familiar with the "noid with gun" concept, but unless they've played Alien vs. Predator before, most people won't be familiar with being an alien, and that's fine. I think we need to focus more on teaching new players on the basics of playing an alien, they're basic tactics in their respective classes, their upgrades and many other things because of the more steeper learning curve than playing marines. Now here's my idea.
Start off by a training simulation, similar to Meat Popsicle's concept, but with both Marines and Aliens. Later, throw in a combat map to start off in what the experience would feel like whenever an experience in classic mode gets intense. Finally, moving on into the classic mode and use the based strategy in planning to take each other down, the real game. Make it somehow like a step-by-step learning series, both interactive, informative, and most importantly, fun.
So start off with knowing the basics and crucial points, followed by intense combat, and then the strategy involved in classic that has all the associated elements in combat.