Grapeshot Bob
Posts: 642
Joined: 12/16/2007 From: Canada Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Jimmer quote:
ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis What would you like to see in a tutorial game? Scripting. Every move, every die roll, every piece of action for a set period of time should be completely scripted. It does NOT have to use the game engine for this. Plenty of games use a different engine to run the tutorial than they use for the main game. You might have to or choose to use pieces of it (the map, for example). The player learning how to play should be given one nation (for the first pass at a tutorial, don't even make it an option to do others). I suggest Spain, as Spain is the easiest one to completely avoid war with for as long as desired. In addition to scripting the moves, force the human player to do the mouse clicks/keystrokes needed to perform each step. If he gets it wrong, bring up a balloon explaining the next step. If he gets it right, continue. Finally, the moves should not be geared towards teaching any kind of strategy. That should be done separately (probably by humans, not a computer). Instead, focus on using every single feature of the interface in, say, six months of game time. War on minors, adding or removing leaders, checking the log, adding factors, moving units, transporting, etc. Yes. This should not be a "set up guide", it should be a limited form of the game, specifically set up to explain simple concepts and introduce the player to the UI. Every single mouse click and choice on the interface should be explained. A window should open and explain what the player will be learning, then ask the player to do certain mouse clicks and choices. The game should not proceed until the player makes the appropriate decisions. The player should never be allowed to deviate from the script. Any UI buttons not directly involved in teaching a specific concept should be disabled. If you need an example of what I'm talking about, download the demo of AGEOD's American Civil War - The Blue and the Grey. http://www.ageod.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=147 Select Download the free AACW demo, NOW! That game is also very complex but the tutorials (which are included in the demo) are very helpful. GSB
< Message edited by Grapeshot Bob -- 6/4/2008 9:04:23 PM >
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