One thing desprately needed...

[JudgeDredd]

...by wargames...

This is only being posted here because of the imminent release, but is directed at all wargames.

I think they need to make the briefings more "enjoyable", which may not be the right word.

I've played all the Combat Mission games, RDOA, TOAWIII (now), the original TOAWs and loads more...and I have to say, the briefings make my eyes bleed.

Now, should you take a leaf out of Flashpoint Germanys example, you would go a long way to build anticipationg for the user of the upcoming engagement. They have a textual briefing, for sure, but it also has a graphical representation of the battlefield with "arrows" for expected movement and "circles" for expected enemy positions and objectives.

Briefings for wargames are the bane of my life...so come on, Dave...give us FMV briefings for BotB...

[coralsaw]

That would be great, indeed.

[Arjuna]

OK so let me guess where talking about briefings, staff officers etc so FMV must stand for "find my vehicle" - right? [;)]

[Plodder]

Either that or Fill My Vessel [:D] and I agree, a graphic or two would be nice for briefings, even just a situation map

[JudgeDredd]

I know...maybe FMV is a bit on the "other" side...but some graphical representation of the battlefield with some tags would be ace! I do miss FMV though. There have been a few games in the past that have given audio/FMV for briefings (not many...but some) and it really helps you understand what you are doing...and helps with the immersion. But I'd be willing to drop FMV for some graphical briefing bits and bobs. Of course, if they were printable, all the better.

I don't know if anyone is familiar with the Flashpoint Germany game (for sale here) but (apart from other great aspects of the game) it had fantastic briefings...they were interesting to read and look at. The graphical elements just helped you understand what you had to do.

I'm not saying COTA - HTTR - RDOA - CM Series - TOAW don't have great briefings. They do...the content if great and detailed enough....but it can be a chore to read.

In fact, Dave, if you need someone to look into doing the briefings for your next installment, I'd be happy to put some work forward for ya...it would be an honor [&o]

[Arjuna]

Hey recruit that man. Email me next week Billy. I'm going for a short holiday down the coast starting tomorrow.

[James Sterrett]

Briefings should be delivered as a milspec Powerpoint presentation.  Each slide will have at least 5 pointless animations, 7 brutal violations of Tufte's guidelines for visual display of information, 11 bullet points, and 700 unexplainable acronyms.  The briefer should speak in a bellowed monotone; no qualified briefer will ever know what any of the acronyms mean.
 
[:'(]  [;)]
 
 

[tinjaw]

James,
 
You stole the words right out of my mouth. [:'(]

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd
I think they need to make the briefings more "enjoyable", which may not be the right word.

Briefings for wargames are the bane of my life...so come on, Dave...give us FMV briefings for BotB...

Boy do I agree! I won't mention any specific game that the briefings were bad, but they are not far from here. [:D] Some of them I have to write things down, lots of things. Good point.

LarryP.

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd
I think they need to make the briefings more "enjoyable", which may not be the right word.

I've played all the Combat Mission games, RDOA, TOAWIII (now), the original TOAWs and loads more...and I have to say, the briefings make my eyes bleed.

Now, should you take a leaf out of Flashpoint Germanys example, you would go a long way to build anticipationg for the user of the upcoming engagement. They have a textual briefing, for sure, but it also has a graphical representation of the battlefield with "arrows" for expected movement and "circles" for expected enemy positions and objectives.

Briefings for wargames are the bane of my life...so come on, Dave...give us FMV briefings for BotB...

An excellent point. The Prosim ATF games (especially Falklands '82) are a good model too, combining both maps and detailed military style "orders".

[Crimguy]

I have FPG, and not only does it have good briefings, it also has one of the best interfaces out there. Really a pleasure to wind up and play. PBEM is the best out there too.

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

I know...maybe FMV is a bit on the "other" side...but some graphical representation of the battlefield with some tags would be ace! I do miss FMV though. There have been a few games in the past that have given audio/FMV for briefings (not many...but some) and it really helps you understand what you are doing...and helps with the immersion. But I'd be willing to drop FMV for some graphical briefing bits and bobs. Of course, if they were printable, all the better.

I don't know if anyone is familiar with the Flashpoint Germany game (for sale here) but (apart from other great aspects of the game) it had fantastic briefings...they were interesting to read and look at. The graphical elements just helped you understand what you had to do.

I'm not saying COTA - HTTR - RDOA - CM Series - TOAW don't have great briefings. They do...the content if great and detailed enough....but it can be a chore to read.

In fact, Dave, if you need someone to look into doing the briefings for your next installment, I'd be happy to put some work forward for ya...it would be an honor [&o]

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: Crimguy

I have FPG, and not only does it have good briefings, it also has one of the best interfaces out there. Really a pleasure to wind up and play. PBEM is the best out there too.

FPG, you mean FlashPoint Germany? I'm a bit slow...

LarryP

[Paul Vebber]

Here are cover sheets for the briefing materials - you must ensure that unauthorized disclosure does not occur!

http://www.fas.org/sgp/othergov/coversheets.pdf

[CapnDarwin]

LarryP,

Yes FPG is Flashpoint Germany. Glad to hear folks like the interface and the briefs. We are looking to get away from the HTML heavy format to make the scenarios easier to construct in the next game, but we will need to rethink some of the graphics items in light of these comments.

Thanks.

[JudgeDredd]

Hi Capn Darwin.
 
I know you are one of the key figures involved in FPG...if you are going to rethink the briefings, I would suggest keeping the graphical element. I think it adds greatly to the feel of the game and the immersion.
 
Realistic looking maps with objectives and expected forces etc are a great idea...and they were done well in FPG.

[Rooster]

ORIGINAL: James Sterrett

Briefings should be delivered as a milspec Powerpoint presentation.  Each slide will have at least 5 pointless animations, 7 brutal violations of Tufte's guidelines for visual display of information, 11 bullet points, and 700 unexplainable acronyms.  The briefer should speak in a bellowed monotone; no qualified briefer will ever know what any of the acronyms mean.

Haha! Classic. Add that the briefer must also read each slide verbatim. [:D]

[CapnDarwin]

Paul,

Those are awesome. They will find there way onto items at work on Monday.

Thanks.

[Hentzau]

oops, wrong thread. lol