The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth - Maybe

[Mad Russian]

Let's talk briefings.

One of the most immersive factor of a scenario are the briefings. The scenario designer should give as much time creating the briefings for a scenario as he does in creating the scenario.

So, what goes into a briefing? Load up the briefing with what you like to see in them.

For me personally, I want to see the general and specific information each commander would get for the side specific briefings and the overall operational situation for the scenario description. How much information you give is totally dependent on the person writing them.

One of the main issues to determine is whether you tell the truth or you mislead the gamer with the briefings.

There is a single reason for choosing which direction to go, surprise. If you want an out of the box 'Aw Shit' moment when something comes out of left field those are greatly supported by you not telling the truth. For instance stating that a Motorized Rifle Division is operating in the area, inferring you are facing infantry, only to find out you are facing a Guards Tank Division. That surprise works exactly one time; the first time it's played.

Which just coincidentally happens to be the same number of times a major surprise works to begin with. So, if you are creating a situation with a major twist in it the briefing can be a part of the tool to intensify that surprise.

For the most part, I tell the truth in the briefings. What I expect to see, while telling the truth, that there are things we actually don't know. We don't know exactly who or what we are facing. We aren't 100% sure of where they may appear. We don't know exactly when our reinforcements may show up. Those are all truthful without being exact down to every detail.

Hope this helps.

Good Hunting.

MR

[ErissN6]

The problem is usually in games the scenarios are not randomized: all opponent units are set. So there is few replayability,
and a lie only works the 1st time.. Once discovered, personnaly I stop the game and restart one while knowing the truth..

[CapnDarwin]

Eriss6, while it is true that a surprise like a chemical contamination markers may be a set item (in Red Storm [;)]), the games AI is not set and it responds/acts based on its mission objectives and knowledge of the enemy's forces. That does have replay value. [8D]

[ErissN6]

Yes, that's good if scenarios (and game) are built to be played several times, so it is almost useless to search for clues elsewhere (wiki, cheats, etc) to be able to play the better.

[Stimpak]

Sometimes I feel that I incorporate too much story into my briefings. But I do like to be experimental with them.
My next briefings may contain some interesting design choices...

[Galahad78]

I do like extense and detailed briefings, in all my games (strategy, flight simulators, etc.). In that regards, I found my first Flashpoint campaign really enjoyable "So, those idiots in Intel say that they are going to be about 60 Soviet MBT and I end up killing double that!" [:D][:D]