Documentation! Do you use it? (Full Version)

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[Poll]

Documentation! Do you use it?


I like the physical copy so I have a book for light bathroom reading
  16% (7)
I read all of the manuals to learn a game system
  51% (22)
I will look at Tutorial or Quick Start Guides
  13% (6)
I only skim manuals when the mood strikes
  2% (1)
If I can't figure it out on screen I hit a manual
  13% (6)
I don't have time for reading books so the UI better tell me
  2% (1)
There are manuals?!?
  0% (0)


Total Votes : 43
(last vote on : 11/23/2021 4:07:54 PM)
(Poll will run till: -- )


Message

CapnDarwin -> Documentation! Do you use it? (11/21/2019 7:23:21 PM)

How do you prefer to learn a game? Are manuals worthwhile and for what purpose/use? IF you are new to a system of era of conflict, would you read how-to type information?

What other considerations for documentation should we be looking at for the new Cold War game series?

Comments and thoughts welcome.



zakblood -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/21/2019 7:37:20 PM)

so far only ever read manuals if i get stuck and really need to, imo the game should teach all and if you have been playing long enough, be understandable from the off without one, some in game tutorials and some hints on everything that needs one should be more than enough so a manual is only needed for reference or to stop the table from rocking when you place your tea on it.

quote:

I don't have time for reading books
i love a good book and read about one every week or so, but manuals aren't books imo

[;)]



76mm -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/21/2019 9:43:34 PM)

Personally I don't like games that aren't complicated enough to make a manual pretty much mandatory. I like pdf manuals and keep them all on my iPad for reading, I try to avoid paper manuals these days but also hate html wiki-style "manuals".



CapnDarwin -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/22/2019 11:43:17 AM)

What puts you off on the Wikis?



Lowlaner2012 -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/22/2019 11:45:59 AM)

I tend to play the game and check the manual if I get stuck...



76mm -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/22/2019 1:56:34 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CapnDarwin
What puts you off on the Wikis?

All the links, etc--going back and forth between sections via the links drives me crazy, and also often they are web-based you can't read them in places without internet access (flights, etc.). I've read some wiki-style manuals converted into pdfs but they still suffered from poor formatting with the links, etc. Also, most of the wiki-style manuals that I've encountered are woefully incomplete.



JoeMK -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/22/2019 4:52:28 PM)

I liked to print out all your PDFs regarding Red Storm. I like to feel the paper, I like to read the paper version, delighting to be off the digital world. And a good written manual transports all the developers' important intentions in addition to the description of mechanics and rules. While reading in that analog manner, bunches of pictures are screening, maneuvers and tactical possibilities, and so reading also gives great pleasure. A great pleasure before experiencing the great excitement of failing or triumphant battle plans.



pzgndr -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/23/2019 12:52:15 PM)

These wargames are all games, each one with its own game mechanics. For better or worse. Players expect to understand the rules, the game mechanics. Certainly there should be in-game assistance, but at the end of the day most players want to be able to go back and read the manual to better understand what the game is "doing under the hood."



z1812 -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/23/2019 9:10:45 PM)

Tutorials are very helpful. I always play through them on any game. I could point to CMANO as a good example of Tutorials being well arranged.

Each is a like a small scenario. Every step of the tutorial, a Pop-Up advises you about the what and how of each aspect of the process.

So my vote goes to Tutorials supported by the manual............rather than a Manual supported by tutorials.



WABAC -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/28/2019 4:44:03 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pzgndr

These wargames are all games, each one with its own game mechanics. For better or worse. Players expect to understand the rules, the game mechanics. Certainly there should be in-game assistance, but at the end of the day most players want to be able to go back and read the manual to better understand what the game is "doing under the hood."


This is the way I see it after years of wargaming on computers. And the best part of the best manuals are often in designer notes, and what's under the hood.

I did refer to the manual for this game on a few occasions because there were some new wrinkles.

I've spent much more time in the scenario building manuals.



OldSarge -> RE: Documentation! Do you use it? (11/28/2019 6:06:20 PM)

I go through the manuals when I first purchase a game and then use them later as reference on the finer points of the game mechanics.

That being said, updating manuals almost always seems to be a low priority task and inevitably they become out of date.



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