Tutorial

[tgb]

Can some kind person write up a real tutorial, walking a noob through the starter scenario please? The question marks are fine for explaining why units are in their current formation and so forth, but are useless in explaining how to actually play the game. (I know, RTFM, but I was hoping to go through the starter scenario first).

For example, after opening the OOB window, it took me five minutes to figure out how to close it again. I finally got it by accident as I was getting ready to report it as a bug.

[spelk]

@tgb, Erik does a decent job of giving a lot of information about the tutorial scenario and the mechanics and UI in this long video stream

https://youtu.be/vmaxMMrWb9A

Worth a watch, if you have the time to put into it, especially for us manual reading dodgers!

It helped me get up to a certain level of competency without having to delve too much into the manual.

Also the Historical Gamer did a shorter session too

https://youtu.be/EzEUkfmp6pI

[tgb]

I watched part of both of those - in fact that's what got me off the fence. But I was looking for something a little more hands on.

[FroBodine]

Erik's video is very good, and I really appreciate that, but it frustrates me to no end when developers do not provide a comprehensive tutorial for their own game.

Even something like what Battlefront does with their Combat Mission games - their tutorials are written in documentation, actually a complete separate tutorial manual, and step you through what to do in a complete scenario, complete with screenshots.

If an interactive tutorial can't be made, fine, but at least write up a tutorial walkthrough document. The Combat Mission tutorials are very well done, and Matrix's own Flashpoint Campaigns also has an excellent manual style tutorial.

This game is good, but I am very disappointed in the lack of a comprehensive tutorial of any kind. The manual for this game is top notch, so they definitely have the writers who can do something like this.

[tgb]

A written guide to the scenario along the lines of the one someone did for WitE would be great. Some of us really do need our hands held sometimes, even if it comes down to "Move this unit HERE, Dummy. Here's why."

[Erik Rutins]

The game is not all that complex to learn and adding an interactive tutorial is a big task in this case. We felt the starter scenario tips would be enough to get a player started and the manual would take them the rest of the way. With that said, feedback noted and we'll make sure we incorporate one into any future BAB release.

Regards,

- Erik

[Clinchrifles]

One of the very few shortcomings with this game is some vagueness in the manual. Its fair to say that if thats my only complaint then bab is a well made game.

[tgb]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

The game is not all that complex to learn and adding an interactive tutorial is a big task in this case. We felt the starter scenario tips would be enough to get a player started and the manual would take them the rest of the way. With that said, feedback noted and we'll make sure we incorporate one into any future BAB release.

Regards,

- Erik

I've no doubt that once I read the manual I'll learn the game. But I wanted to plaayy first. [Sticks thumb in mouth and sulks]

[FroBodine]

It doesn't even have to be interactive. A well written manual style tutorial like Flashpoint Campaigns and the Combat Mission series would be excellent, and immensely helpful.

[Gil R.]

tgb,
How to include the OOB screen on the left is something that can easily be added to the current tutorial using a yellow question mark. Do you remember what else threw you?

In terms of written instructions, you basically want a step-by-step guide to getting through the first turn?

[tgb]

ORIGINAL: Gil R.

tgb,
How to include the OOB screen on the left is something that can easily be added to the current tutorial using a yellow question mark. Do you remember what else threw you?

In terms of written instructions, you basically want a step-by-step guide to getting through the first turn?

Yeah, that would be great.

I never made it past the OOB window. When I couldn't close it I thought it was some sort of bug (I tried hitting esc, clicking outside the window, rt-clicking, everything but clicking on the x, which looks decorative). I quit and restarted several times, but unless I quit the game completely the scenario would start with the window already open. I was starting to think about reinstalling when I accidentally clicked on the right spot and I realized what I was doing wrong.

After that I poked around a bit, realized I had no idea what I was doing, tried a couple of the question marks in the hope there would be more information about the UI, and gave up. I looked in the installation folder for a tutorial or quick-start guide, and when that came up empty I realized I was going to have to read the manual, which I still haven't been able to get to.

It sounds like there's a good game here, but I'm sure you don't want a new user's first impression to be one of frustration.

[ericbabe]

Thanks for the feedback. I had rather thought that 'X' was a sort of universal symbol for "close this window." We had about 50 beta testers come through and none of them had had this difficulty, so I wouldn't have assumed it would be a common problem. I'll make sure that our next manual explains these sorts of operations.

[tgb]

Actually for me since a right-facing arrow opens the window, I was expecting a left-facing one to close it.

[bazjak]

I agree
I to would like to see a decent tutorial
I like ma others can't always get into a manual
BBattlefront is excellent

[zakblood]

I had rather thought that 'X' was a sort of universal symbol for "close this window.

it's been there since year dot, so yes it is, all versions of windows use it and always have

[tgb]

ORIGINAL: zakblood

I had rather thought that 'X' was a sort of universal symbol for "close this window.

it's been there since year dot, so yes it is, all versions of windows use it and always have

And it's always in the right hand corner - not the middle of a margin.

[tgb]

oops

[Gil R.]

With the OOB screen issue solved (and, for anyone who hasn't noticed this listed among the hotkeys, H will toggle on and off the Echelon Window with the commanders), it's not clear to me what this step-by-step tutorial would do that the starter scenario doesn't. We need to see that there are enough specific matters that can be addressed in one but not the other before we divert time from working on new scenarios and other aspects of the game.

[zakblood]

this any good to those who want a tutorial?

tm.asp?m=3842918

or more depth and steps needed?

[FroBodine]

Please take a look at the Flashpoint Campaigns tutorial manual. I'm sure Erik can get you a copy if you don't have access. There is absolutely nothing in the game that needs changing or adding, it is a complete instructional guidebook written in a step by step format, probably in Word, with screenshots as needed. This is the level of tutorial that is impressive, useful, and very, very helpful. And, there's the added bonus of zero work coding wise.

I'm sure this game can be figured out, as can any game given enough time and effort, but a comprehensive pre-made tutorial is always welcome in complex wargames.