"tutorials"
Kasharic
Hull, England Join Date: 2013-03-27 Member: 184473Members, Forum Admins, NS2 Playtester, NS2 Map Tester, NS2 Community Developer
Hull, England Join Date: 2013-03-27 Member: 184473Members, Forum Admins, NS2 Playtester, NS2 Map Tester, NS2 Community Developer
Okay, so we all know a lot of posts about tutorials have happened in the past, but i'm hoping this one is a bit different.
Rather than suggesting making videos etc of how to play in a more advanced way, I'd like to suggest using the loading screens to more effect... after all, we all have to sit through them anyway, we may as well make more use of them.
So, my idea is simple, have a screenshot of the lifeform, and then some quick to read basic guidelines of how to play the lifeform. (below are some very basic mock-ups to show what i'm talking about)
But better than these of course.
Something short and to the point, quick to read and gives a basic overview of the lifeform... people don't need to search for the information, its just there everytime you load a new map or server etc...
it also saves cramming a crap ton of information into the evolve menu while in game (like some have suggested)
And it could go further than just lifeforms... you can explain basic game mechanics in the same way... so if someone is sticking around for their first few rounds ever, they will understand basic concepts much faster, or be reminded of the game mechanics if they have been away for a long period of time. (again, below is a mock-up to show what i'm babbling about)
The advantage of this method (other than the fact that its an obvious way to teach people game mechanics etc) is that its just a picture, and it takes very little time to edit a picture, so if changes happen, the pictures can be altered way faster than a tutorial video can.
What are your thoughts/opinions on the idea?
Rather than suggesting making videos etc of how to play in a more advanced way, I'd like to suggest using the loading screens to more effect... after all, we all have to sit through them anyway, we may as well make more use of them.
So, my idea is simple, have a screenshot of the lifeform, and then some quick to read basic guidelines of how to play the lifeform. (below are some very basic mock-ups to show what i'm talking about)
Skulk:
Gorge:
Fade:
Gorge:
Fade:
But better than these of course.
Something short and to the point, quick to read and gives a basic overview of the lifeform... people don't need to search for the information, its just there everytime you load a new map or server etc...
it also saves cramming a crap ton of information into the evolve menu while in game (like some have suggested)
And it could go further than just lifeforms... you can explain basic game mechanics in the same way... so if someone is sticking around for their first few rounds ever, they will understand basic concepts much faster, or be reminded of the game mechanics if they have been away for a long period of time. (again, below is a mock-up to show what i'm babbling about)
The advantage of this method (other than the fact that its an obvious way to teach people game mechanics etc) is that its just a picture, and it takes very little time to edit a picture, so if changes happen, the pictures can be altered way faster than a tutorial video can.
What are your thoughts/opinions on the idea?
Comments
It's simple, efficient, and every other game does this. Like bigger hitboxes, only this makes actual sense
and I kinda like the map specific loading screens... I would probably miss them^^
But jeah it's a good idea and should be ez to implement aka DO IT NOW.
The idea is so simple I'm genuinely surprised no one has mentioned it before... it is so quick to do and can provide valuable information for a plethora of different things... its the idea that keeps on giving
Seriously though, this is a good suggestion. In Overwatch for instance, you can press F1 to get a quick overview of all the abilities you hero has at any time. It's super helpful when just starting out. Something like that, but for every lifeform, marine play and commanders would be nice to have.
Great idea @remi @BeigeAlert
yeah, but... images make it look pretty
I was thinking @Rantology could draw more of these little comic guides to be integrated in the loading screen as a slide show:
There would be a small text as headline that explains what or what not do and a comic:
With sneaking as example, a skulk could be the upstairs neighbor of a marine, and the marine is raging, because the skulk is running to the fridge wearing clogs (the wooden shoes).
The idea is that if they're humorous they are more likely to be read. The best case would be that people WANT to read them all at once.
I've always loved some of @rantology 's artwork. That comic you linked was something I posted to every member of my old team, just before I pulled Rant into a training session where she went through the "basics" of fading with the whole team and made our "uber-fade" player realize just how much he still had to learn XD... ahh good times!
Less chat, more splat.
Translation: Less text, more ideas conveyed through images. I like it!
As long as you developers see this idea, like it and make use of it, I'm a very happy person. No matter how it is implemented (encyclopedia via the main menu, interactive loading screens, Rantology style comic genius etc) what matters is that it IS implemented, I believe this could help rookies even more than tutorials etc... especially if the mechanic idea (RTs) is utilized properly.
4 parts of the loading screen. One part with the upcoming map with strategic hints and tips. The other 3 parts are loading screens like Kash suggested with various tips to specific things like lifeforms. Could be random. When you hold your mouse over one, it becomes fullscreen.
Advantage: Player has more control over what tips to read and which not. Easier to find again already read tips. Looks cooler. You always have the option to read things about the upcoming map and how to play on it.