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bcgames -> RE: Game Manual - War in the West (5/7/2012 4:41:52 AM)
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The roll-up so far:
* Layer the manual – have a “getting started section” and the capability to drill down.
* Provide tutorials on the key areas (e.g. Sea, Air, Supply, etc.).
* Consolidate the most important information on charts and tables that are set up for easy printing.
* PDF format is great.
* Rule numbering and click-able table of contents and rules references is good.
* Have the index click-able.
* Make each section a stand alone with click-able references to other rules.
* Have a concise rule statement in bold print, followed by; 1. exceptions 2. explanations 3. lots of examples (all with graphics/pics).
* Put all the examples in one separate section with forward & backward references. This might allow adding more examples by author or reader.
Is it possible to having a version of just the concise rules statement and everything else hidden with each (click-able or cursor pass-over) to expand the other parts?
* PDF format allows more use of abbreviations because they auto expand with mouse-overs.
* Focus on those things the player can actually affect.
* Describe the things we can control first. Explain the underlying game mechanics in later chapters or annexes.
Real world examples (like the new 'blue' text in the manual). Those are an excellent resource.
* Provide the manaul in several languages.
* Avoid repetitions; there's nothing worse than when you are doing a document word search and find the same exact statement repeated over and over again.
* Every window or pop-up should be described.
* Detail the implications of setting certain values, not just what they mean.
* Find proof-readers across different nationalities to check for ambiguous statements.
* The manual should focus on the specifics of why things are done. Include clear designer's notes and/or player's notes/hints about fundamentals of air settings, etc.
What else?
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