Something to Think about when Designing Scenarios
Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2001 4:05 am
These are perhaps only my thoughts and you can take them or leave them.
Having done quite a bit of scenario design, I have a few ideas based on public reaction. I have stated these before but let's do it again. Just my personal conclusions.
1. The majority of gamers are quiet. Many never visit a web site. They just play. Occasionally I get a letter from one of these good folks. It is 98 percent good stuff. I appreciate those. They are the ones who keep gaming companies in business.
The noise makers are usually a vocifercous minority <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
2. Many of these folks are not deep into history or are the authority on the subject that many of you are. They are not really greatly concerned whether or not it was No 3 Company or No 2.
3. They are busy folks. They have, like all of us, a hectic lifestyle, work, family, home, proglems. They, therefore, tend toward smaller, shorter, simpler battles.
Keep those three "S" in mind when you design: short, simple, small.
They like something they can play between coming in from work and supper, or a battle they can finish between kissing the kiddies goodnight and crashing themselves.
4. Many gamers are intimidated by LARGE scenarios. Show them 60 turns with 200 or more units and they'll probably pass it by. They look for a battle they can finish in one night.
5. With that in mind you must decide, "Do I want to impress a few with my monster scenario?" or..."Do I want a lot of people to try this battle?" You'll almost (I said almost) be certain to get one or the other, depending on how big your battle is.
6. As to historicity, a long, long standing argument. I've gone up and down with folks over this for years. Even with CMBO we got into a looong discussion on "What is historical?" To be absolutely historical, you'll need to know how many trees were in the area exactly! Also how much ammunition each unit had, the name of each leader you use, and a ton of other facts that you'll never find.
So, best to aim for broadly historical, or semi-historical, or loosely based on history. That way you will not get gray hair or lose your mind trying to be so exact only to have someone post later, "But there were three Tigers in that battle, not four!" Or, "there were 8 men in that squad, not 6!"
What I am trying to say is keep a balance. Make your battle "historical" with attention to detail, but make it FUN! If it ain't fun, people will have a bad taste in their mouth from playing it and will probably avoid any others on the CD with your name on it.
Senseless jabberings of an old veteran wargamer. Do with it as you will. I wish you all great success in your design efforts! I really mean that!
Wild Bill
Having done quite a bit of scenario design, I have a few ideas based on public reaction. I have stated these before but let's do it again. Just my personal conclusions.
1. The majority of gamers are quiet. Many never visit a web site. They just play. Occasionally I get a letter from one of these good folks. It is 98 percent good stuff. I appreciate those. They are the ones who keep gaming companies in business.
The noise makers are usually a vocifercous minority <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
2. Many of these folks are not deep into history or are the authority on the subject that many of you are. They are not really greatly concerned whether or not it was No 3 Company or No 2.
3. They are busy folks. They have, like all of us, a hectic lifestyle, work, family, home, proglems. They, therefore, tend toward smaller, shorter, simpler battles.
Keep those three "S" in mind when you design: short, simple, small.
They like something they can play between coming in from work and supper, or a battle they can finish between kissing the kiddies goodnight and crashing themselves.
4. Many gamers are intimidated by LARGE scenarios. Show them 60 turns with 200 or more units and they'll probably pass it by. They look for a battle they can finish in one night.
5. With that in mind you must decide, "Do I want to impress a few with my monster scenario?" or..."Do I want a lot of people to try this battle?" You'll almost (I said almost) be certain to get one or the other, depending on how big your battle is.
6. As to historicity, a long, long standing argument. I've gone up and down with folks over this for years. Even with CMBO we got into a looong discussion on "What is historical?" To be absolutely historical, you'll need to know how many trees were in the area exactly! Also how much ammunition each unit had, the name of each leader you use, and a ton of other facts that you'll never find.
So, best to aim for broadly historical, or semi-historical, or loosely based on history. That way you will not get gray hair or lose your mind trying to be so exact only to have someone post later, "But there were three Tigers in that battle, not four!" Or, "there were 8 men in that squad, not 6!"
What I am trying to say is keep a balance. Make your battle "historical" with attention to detail, but make it FUN! If it ain't fun, people will have a bad taste in their mouth from playing it and will probably avoid any others on the CD with your name on it.
Senseless jabberings of an old veteran wargamer. Do with it as you will. I wish you all great success in your design efforts! I really mean that!
Wild Bill