NS2 University - Learning the Game

casan0vaxcasan0vax Cloverfield, USA Join Date: 2012-11-04 Member: 166663Members, WC 2013 - Shadow
edited July 2013 in NS2 General Discussion
Hey all, soz here.

For those of you that know me/are Steam friends with me, you may have noticed that I’ve been pretty inactive for like, a long time.

Well, the reason for the inactivity is that I’ve been playing around with some ideas in my head to make some relatively analytical help videos geared towards newer players, and compiling them all under the umbrella of something called NS2 University.

It’s taken me a while to make my first one because I’m a full-time Master’s student at the moment, and writing the script, recording footage, scrubbing through it, picking out footage, recording the voice-overs, editing, etc. etc. takes a lot of time.

I’ve noticed some really quality videos pop up (like Bitey, Elodea, and ISE), but I don’t think that saturating NS2’s instructional video market is necessarily a bad thing!

Anyways, after numerous weeks, I’ve finally finished my inaugural video: Marines 101. I hope that you guys like it because I’m pretty hopeful about making this a series, starting with Ground-play, and eventually encompassing Comm-play, Meta-game (perhaps), and a steady stream of analytical videos to supplement and highlight the fundamentals explored in the instructional videos by employing the techniques being taught.

I only ask that, you please keep your criticism civil/constructive—normally I wouldn’t care, but I’ve invested innumerable hours of my free time into this and would really appreciate if you wouldn’t be incendiary your criticisms.


Big thanks to everyone who appears in the video even though you had no idea I was recording :D
See you guys in-game! All the best.

**UPDATES: Added an index in the description with times since a lot of folks have asked for it! I'm hoping to start Aliens 101 soon, but schoolwork's a bit on the heavy side at the moment, so don't hold your breath, as you may die well before it's released :x


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Comments

  • Blarney_StoneBlarney_Stone Join Date: 2013-03-08 Member: 183808Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Woah this is awesome. So in depth
  • NthaoNthao Join Date: 2013-07-22 Member: 186278Members
    This might be just me, but I guess I'll input some of my thoughts so far. I like the amount of information and the way it's given (I.E beginning of match to end) however, since this is all pre-recorded and post commentary, I'd like to see a bit more of a faster pace with the explanations. Another thing would be maybe adding in some bgm nothing loud or distracting, since most tutorials or informational videos do have that and it's just something that makes me more "absorbed" in the video. Aside from that I think it's really nice and if any one ever asks for a tutorial vid on NS2 marines, I'll be pointing them your way.
  • casan0vaxcasan0vax Cloverfield, USA Join Date: 2012-11-04 Member: 166663Members, WC 2013 - Shadow
    Woah this is awesome. So in depth
    Thanks Blarney!
    Nthao wrote: »
    I'd like to see a bit more of a faster pace with the explanations. Another thing would be maybe adding in some bgm nothing loud or distracting, since most tutorials or informational videos do have that and it's just something that makes me more "absorbed" in the video.
    Do you mean Live Commentary? Or just Voice Overs on top of uncut gameplay? And funny enough, I originally had music, but I removed it right before I exported because it didn't 'feel' right to me! Maybe for the next one :)

  • NthaoNthao Join Date: 2013-07-22 Member: 186278Members
    casan0vax wrote: »
    Woah this is awesome. So in depth
    Thanks Blarney!
    Nthao wrote: »
    I'd like to see a bit more of a faster pace with the explanations. Another thing would be maybe adding in some bgm nothing loud or distracting, since most tutorials or informational videos do have that and it's just something that makes me more "absorbed" in the video.
    Do you mean Live Commentary? Or just Voice Overs on top of uncut gameplay? And funny enough, I originally had music, but I removed it right before I exported because it didn't 'feel' right to me! Maybe for the next one :)

    Aw, I'd like to see the uncut version of the video haha. As for the commentary, It seems like you made a video and then added commentary over it rather then live, so I'm kind of expecting you to be reading off a script or something. Almost like Voice acting.Almost.
  • BentRingBentRing Join Date: 2003-03-04 Member: 14318Members
    This is how the official (heh) gameplay videos should be done.
  • casan0vaxcasan0vax Cloverfield, USA Join Date: 2012-11-04 Member: 166663Members, WC 2013 - Shadow
    Nthao wrote: »
    It seems like you made a video and then added commentary over it rather then live, so I'm kind of expecting you to be reading off a script or something. Almost like Voice acting.Almost.

    Haha, it's actually the exact opposite! While I do write a script, I follow it by making a list of 'footage' that I need to illustrate what I'm saying--which is why it took me a while to do this because I want to 'practice what I preach' so to say, and sometimes it takes a longggg time to get what I need (you have no idea how long it took me to get footage of Lerk spores for the Flamethrower!).
  • NailoNailo Join Date: 2013-05-06 Member: 185138Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Supporter
    Very well detailed. I'm most assuredly impressed. What software did you use for the video editing?

    Also, if you don't mind the help, I would be willing to give you a hand with whatever needs doing. The NS2 community could really benefit from these types of videos. Keep in mind however that your knowledge probably far surpasses mine as far as the game goes. I've watched the competitive scene but never entered it ^_^
  • NthaoNthao Join Date: 2013-07-22 Member: 186278Members
    casan0vax wrote: »
    Nthao wrote: »
    It seems like you made a video and then added commentary over it rather then live, so I'm kind of expecting you to be reading off a script or something. Almost like Voice acting.Almost.

    Haha, it's actually the exact opposite! While I do write a script, I follow it by making a list of 'footage' that I need to illustrate what I'm saying--which is why it took me a while to do this because I want to 'practice what I preach' so to say, and sometimes it takes a longggg time to get what I need (you have no idea how long it took me to get footage of Lerk spores for the Flamethrower!).

    Oh boy. Now that is like walking backwards along a breadcrumb trail while the birds are eating it. You see what you want, but it keeps avoiding you. I gotcha now, thanks for the information and I'm looking forward to your next videos!
  • casan0vaxcasan0vax Cloverfield, USA Join Date: 2012-11-04 Member: 166663Members, WC 2013 - Shadow
    Nailo wrote: »
    Very well detailed. I'm most assuredly impressed. What software did you use for the video editing?

    Also, if you don't mind the help, I would be willing to give you a hand with whatever needs doing.

    I use XSplit to record (hence the subpar quality, but the file size is ridiculously small compared to any other recording program), Adobe Premiere to edit, and Adobe Soundbooth to record the voiceovers.

    And thanks for the offers :) But at the moment, I'm just trying to get these 101 videos out. But somewhere down the line, I'd really like to have members of the community send me footage using the techniques employed in the 101 videos so that I can do the whole analysis bit with them--but that won't be for a while :)
  • shriikeshriike Join Date: 2013-03-27 Member: 184461Members
    Very impressive. 10/10 would share with nubs.
  • SquishpokePOOPFACESquishpokePOOPFACE -21,248 posts (ignore below) Join Date: 2012-10-31 Member: 165262Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    Don't forget to add the video guides up on the Steam Hub, like Super Effective and Tycho Celechuu (spelling?)
  • soccerguy243soccerguy243 Join Date: 2012-12-22 Member: 175920Members, WC 2013 - Supporter
    edited July 2013
    the problem with these videos is the next build will change stuff. Now we have lots of tutorials that are no longer accurate.
    I think UWE should be looking for these videos (i personally have watched ItsSuperEffective's tutorials) and making a library of link on their website.

    The demand for these types of videos is high. However, new players are not very likely to go searching or seeking these. Just gotta advertise them and compile them so its easy for rookies to view.
  • StormApanStormApan Join Date: 2007-06-17 Member: 61280Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
  • NeokenNeoken Bruges, Belgium Join Date: 2004-03-20 Member: 27447Members, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Silver, Subnautica Playtester
    edited July 2013
    Really good stuff. Well done.
  • joshhhjoshhh Milwaukee, WI Join Date: 2011-06-21 Member: 105717Members, NS2 Playtester, NS2 Map Tester, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow, Subnautica Playtester
    Very nice.

    *Votes to put this in the game with the upcoming patch*
  • SpoogeSpooge Thunderbolt missile in your cheerios Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 67Members
    Good stuff. Only criticism would be that the first few minutes of "this is what I'm going to do in the future" and "don't worry about this for now" only muddle the message. If you want you can add those comments in text to whatever site you post it on (here obviously) but otherwise the video should stand on its own. Consider someone watching this video 6mo or 1yr from now. Is any of that relevant?
    The disclaimer about future patch changes is a good idea.
  • patpat Join Date: 2013-06-15 Member: 185569Members
    edited July 2013
    Encuraing the use of mods that gives you a unfair advantage is a big nono - Even if some servers alows it. - GISP
  • joshhhjoshhh Milwaukee, WI Join Date: 2011-06-21 Member: 105717Members, NS2 Playtester, NS2 Map Tester, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow, Subnautica Playtester
    edited July 2013
    pat wrote: »
    Best advice i'd give marines is to use a neon green skulk skin. The bad visuals in ns2 are so awful for players that the game is vastly more enjoyable with it. It will also teach them how to track better and learn where skulks like to hide.

    Can't tell if serious...
    And if for some reason you are, please stop.
  • RoobubbaRoobubba Who you gonna call? Join Date: 2003-01-06 Member: 11930Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    pat wrote: »
    the problems with a marine introduction is that about 90% of playing marines is having top level aim, which needs to be practiced a lot (along with good hardware and settings).

    Best advice i'd give marines is to use a neon green skulk skin. The bad visuals in ns2 are so awful for players that the game is vastly more enjoyable with it. It will also teach them how to track better and learn where skulks like to hide.

    In no way should anyone ever condone the use of such cheats.
  • patpat Join Date: 2013-06-15 Member: 185569Members
    edited July 2013
    *snip* Stop telling people cheating is okey, its never okey to use neon skins! As it gives a unfair advantage, and defeats the purpose of the game itself and its lore. - GISP
  • patpat Join Date: 2013-06-15 Member: 185569Members
    edited July 2013
  • RoobubbaRoobubba Who you gonna call? Join Date: 2003-01-06 Member: 11930Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    pat wrote: »
    Roobubba wrote: »
    pat wrote: »
    the problems with a marine introduction is that about 90% of playing marines is having top level aim, which needs to be practiced a lot (along with good hardware and settings).

    Best advice i'd give marines is to use a neon green skulk skin. The bad visuals in ns2 are so awful for players that the game is vastly more enjoyable with it. It will also teach them how to track better and learn where skulks like to hide.

    In no way should anyone ever condone the use of such cheats.
    they aren't cheats. servers can disable the option if they choose to do so.

    Yes, they are cheats. No more can be, or should be said on the matter.
  • joshhhjoshhh Milwaukee, WI Join Date: 2011-06-21 Member: 105717Members, NS2 Playtester, NS2 Map Tester, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow, Subnautica Playtester
    Just please stop talking. Your just making yourself look foolish in more than one way.
  • patpat Join Date: 2013-06-15 Member: 185569Members
    edited July 2013
  • joshhhjoshhh Milwaukee, WI Join Date: 2011-06-21 Member: 105717Members, NS2 Playtester, NS2 Map Tester, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow, Subnautica Playtester
    I'm not going to pollute Soz's thread even further. If you really feel the need to debate me on this, send me a PM.
  • patpat Join Date: 2013-06-15 Member: 185569Members
    edited July 2013
  • MaxAmusMaxAmus UK Join Date: 2003-12-26 Member: 24779Members, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited July 2013
    Really nice love these good job.
    Really pat? Anything that gives u a unfair edge over anyone, changing skins and models so u can see them glow or anything is cheating.
    Also if a rookie starts using things like this, they never stop
  • patpat Join Date: 2013-06-15 Member: 185569Members
    edited July 2013
  • SpoogeSpooge Thunderbolt missile in your cheerios Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 67Members
    People are buying specific types of monitors so they can see skulks better than other players?

    Wow. That's actually kind of sad.
  • RoobubbaRoobubba Who you gonna call? Join Date: 2003-01-06 Member: 11930Members, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
    @casan0vax Awesome vids! You've obviously put a lot of hard work into producing them, and actually covered a lot of ground in that half hour. I must admit, I don't currently use the map to get my bearings quickly when being beaconed: that's a really good tip! :)
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