LWAMI4 Mod Poll #13: Readme Preference for Upcoming Release

LuftWolf · 06-17-06, 07:11 AM

I have two ways I can go with the readme: 1) I can list every single change as best I can and try to explain why that is relevant to the player 2) I can write the readme as a guide to gameplay with LWAMI4 and of course highlight the most important changes for the player, while leaving some of the "under the hood" improvements unmentioned.

#1 for me has the downside of being rather tedious. It would read like a traditional mod/patch readme.

#2 leaves me some good room to give the players practical advice, and would be much easier to read. It would read more like a manual shipped with a game.

I think my choice is fairly clear, but I want to put it up to you guys, since we have a mix of people who might want one or the other.

Thanks!

Cheers,
David

goldorak · 06-17-06, 07:33 AM

I think with all the dramatic changes you're doing it would be great to have an on hands manual for the mod. That of course not only touches on the differences with respect to default 1.03 but also includes gameplay advices (tactics , etc,...) as to how to use the new features.

kage · 06-17-06, 07:39 AM

Half the point, in my opinion, is that "how to use" a particular feature should be figured out by the player.

goldorak · 06-17-06, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kage

Half the point, in my opinion, is that "how to use" a particular feature should be figured out by the player.

I'm not so sure.
If the "how to use" becomes so frustating that a player just gives up whats the point ?
Always remember that although this mod is a "realistic" mod for die-hard players it should not exclude normal/ casual players.
In the end knowing howto use a feature doesn't mean you will become proficient with it.

Amizaur · 06-17-06, 08:29 AM

Actually, both :p . It's a great task to make, but then updates to both versions should be relatively simple. And such complicated mod really would benefit from having both types of doc - detailed list of changes and a guide.
I would make them if only english was my native language...

Maybe I'll take updating the USNI reference entries, but currently I'm not sure yet what numbers and values will be finally used for various sensors and weapons...

on the other hand, updating is much easier than doing from scratch

Kazuaki Shimazaki II · 06-17-06, 10:48 AM

Give us the manual, but don't delay the release for it. The day when the database and doctrines are to your satisfaction, just throw it out and let us play with it without any help.

Then, every day, send up whatever piece of manual you have done onto this BBS. You might want to give priority to answering the questions that would undoubtedly be asked on this board - it might just give you a clue as to what players think is important in a manual - what they need to know.

There is little point in writing the detailed changes immediately. With the new renovation in doctrines, the database will become much harder to change for the casual self-modder. For example, before we can change the range or speed of a torpedo just by putting in new numbers on the DB Editor, but now we have to poke around in the doctrine to make sure all the new cleverness you've put in does not get ruined. And if no one is going to easily change the database, a listing of the changes (so we can find them in the DB) becomes less necessary.

View Poll Results: What type of readme do you want for LWAMI4?
A comprehensive list of changes that reads like a traditional mod/patch readme	6	37.50%
A practical guide to gameplay with the mod that reads like a thorough manual	10	62.50%
Voters: 16. You may not vote on this poll

06-17-06, 07:39 AM	#3
kage Helmsman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 104 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Half the point, in my opinion, is that "how to use" a particular feature should be figured out by the player. __________________ http://www.xfire.com/clans/dwobjective/ for those who like playing objectives-based missions. (As opposed to deathmatches)

06-17-06, 07:11 AM	#1
LuftWolf Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2005 Location: Free New York Posts: 3,167 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	LWAMI4 Mod Poll #13: Readme Preference for Upcoming Release I have two ways I can go with the readme: 1) I can list every single change as best I can and try to explain why that is relevant to the player 2) I can write the readme as a guide to gameplay with LWAMI4 and of course highlight the most important changes for the player, while leaving some of the "under the hood" improvements unmentioned. #1 for me has the downside of being rather tedious. It would read like a traditional mod/patch readme. #2 leaves me some good room to give the players practical advice, and would be much easier to read. It would read more like a manual shipped with a game. I think my choice is fairly clear, but I want to put it up to you guys, since we have a mix of people who might want one or the other. Thanks! Cheers, David __________________ LW

06-17-06, 07:33 AM	#2
goldorak Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,320 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I think with all the dramatic changes you're doing it would be great to have an on hands manual for the mod. That of course not only touches on the differences with respect to default 1.03 but also includes gameplay advices (tactics , etc,...) as to how to use the new features.

06-17-06, 08:29 AM	#5
Amizaur Sonar Guy Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poland Posts: 398 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Actually, both :p . It's a great task to make, but then updates to both versions should be relatively simple. And such complicated mod really would benefit from having both types of doc - detailed list of changes and a guide. I would make them if only english was my native language... Maybe I'll take updating the USNI reference entries, but currently I'm not sure yet what numbers and values will be finally used for various sensors and weapons... on the other hand, updating is much easier than doing from scratch

06-17-06, 10:48 AM	#6
Kazuaki Shimazaki II Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,140 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Give us the manual, but don't delay the release for it. The day when the database and doctrines are to your satisfaction, just throw it out and let us play with it without any help. Then, every day, send up whatever piece of manual you have done onto this BBS. You might want to give priority to answering the questions that would undoubtedly be asked on this board - it might just give you a clue as to what players think is important in a manual - what they need to know. There is little point in writing the detailed changes immediately. With the new renovation in doctrines, the database will become much harder to change for the casual self-modder. For example, before we can change the range or speed of a torpedo just by putting in new numbers on the DB Editor, but now we have to poke around in the doctrine to make sure all the new cleverness you've put in does not get ruined. And if no one is going to easily change the database, a listing of the changes (so we can find them in the DB) becomes less necessary.