A proposal to SSG/Matrix how to address the scenario shortage on the cheap

[MarkShot]

You know what was interesting to me is the high degree of similarity between the scenario construction of CCAW and CAW.

In terms of UI CCAW and CAW are worlds apart and only show commonality at the conceptual level. But in terms of scenario definition and construction, they appeared to me to be almost 1:1 for in terms of specification. (Easy to compare with running CAW in windowed mode and CCAW in a DOSBOX window on a dual monitor setup.)

One would think that a mechanical (programmatic) scenario converter of CCAW scenarios to CAW scenarios would be quite possible. Usually what makes this impossible with most games is the addition of many new features in the sequel, but that really isn't the case here.

Of course, if it would take 1,000 hours to program such a converter and it would take 1,000 hours to do the conversions by hand, then it would be senseless exercise.

So, that leaves the option of having it done by customers/fans or the ever overworked team of testers.

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I would like to propose a third option to SSG which I had used very effectively when managing Internet startups during the late 1990s and one that we Panther Games (RDOA/HTTR/COTA/BFTB) {I am a beta tester} have had some success with.

College/University interns to either work on a programmatic converter or do it by hand. However, if done by hand, then to introduce some degree of tools and formalism such that it can be categorized as a computer systems or quality assurance project. Generally, most colleges/universities have industry intern programs which are required towards gaining credits towards a degree in computer science. The intern is required to do real work within the industry, produce specific results, keep a log book, and receive a report of his/her activities from the business. Often the interns are not paid (or paid very little). However, they need this towards their graduation and it is useful to have real experience on their resume (CV) and reference for their first job search.

Especially, doing the conversion of scenarios manually on a dual monitor set up is the perfect work for an intern. No, extended training is required. Each scenario pretty much stands by itself. There is no need for continuity or maintenance of the completed work (like there is for sofware). If the intern is only available for four weeks and gets done 10 scenarios, then a new intern can pick up the work without any need for a transition period and get another 10 scenarios done, etc...

[hadberz]

For what it's worth these scenarios from CCAW will load in CAW editor. I've only mess around with the planes and ships, then decided to wait and see if SSG was gonna create/convert them. Now that the editor is gonna be fixed, this shouldn't be too hard to convert.

JAVA.CAW
OLYMPIC.CAW
CONVOY.CAW
CORAL.CAW
CORAL2.CAW
HAWAII.CAW
IRONCLAD.CAW
PEARL.CAW
PEDESTAL.CAW
PHILIP.CAW
RAINBOW.CAW
TRINCO.CAW
LEYTE.CAW

[TheHellPatrol]

@Markshot:
My respect for you and your intellect grows with every post, bravo my good man![:)]

[MarkShot]

Glad my proposal to exploit some 19-20 year old students and the educational system earns so much merit in your book!

In terms of Internet startups, we did go on to hire quite a few of our interns after their graduation. It was a pretty good deal for them. Although the pay wasn't the best, they got to work with cutting edge technology in a very fast and loose environment. Such experience (which in a more corporate setting would have stuck them with mundane menial maintenance programming) later proved to be quite lucrative to them when the particular Internet startup went belly up.

There were many things that struck me being quite different working in Internet startups after having been a senior manager for Citicorp (at the time there were about 80,000 employees). One of the most striking things was to manage teams of staff that actually had some passion about what they were doing - they truly believed in the company and the mission. I was practically old enough to be a parent to many of them. At Citicorp, quite a number of the staff were old enough to be my parents. However, the staff was completely indoctrinated with a deep and healthy distrust and skepticism of all management.

Yep, college interns when you need something done for peanuts, you cannot find any better.