Evochron Expansion Training Mode...

[Vice]

Another key improvement in the expansion is the addition of many new training sections to help introduce players to the game. The training mode has been a pretty dynamic system that has changed a lot over the years based on feedback. It's been a tricky balance between providing 'enough' information without providing 'too much'. When the training mode has been very elaborate and covered a lot of areas of gameplay, criticism would often come in that it was too long, too complicated, too detailed, and just plain too much. When the training mode has been more basic, criticism would often come in that it was too short, didn't cover enough, and wasn't detailed enough. Granted, training can be very subjective and many players prefer to just have 'the basics' so they can learn things on their own as part of the playing the game while others want everything presented to them even if it means including spoilers. So I'm working to try and find a balance that will bring in more information to the training mode, but not make it too drawn out, complicated, too revealing, or provide too much information that might risk taking away some of the learning and discovery process that many player enjoy about the game.

Here is what is currently being worked on to be included in the training mode already (some with detailed information, some just basic mentioning/descriptions):

- Updates to accommodate the new readout descriptors (ie PWR rather than just P) and new indicators (ie heat signature display).

- Significantly expanded navigation section that includes right click options (sector zooming, icon selection, etc), sector-to-sector travel, jump gate information, new map selection modes, etc.

- Mining asteroids (including an interactive example).

- Inventory sub-consoles including the new flight and event log, crew management, news console, and system information.

So with all of this said and considered, I'll pose the question: What else, if anything, would you like to see included in the game's training mode for new players?

[Austin]

I honestly liked EM's training mode. The only thing I thought it was missing, that might have prevented me from jettisoning my first Mantis... a more indepth explanation of the inventory controls. My poor Mantis...

[Janus]

Here's an idea. Don't know how much extra work it would be, but how about an option for basic flight training and another option for advanced flight training. Those who would want to take the advaced course would sitll need the basic training, but the Advanced flight training would take up where the basic course left off. Maybe make it where in the advanced you had to do a few basic manuvers learned in Basic training in a set time and if you didn't it would tell you, to take the basic training and then come back for the advanced.

This way, the people who want detailed training have it and those who just want the basics don't have to sit through a long, boring (to them) training course.

Janus

[Marvin]

Sometimes a book works better than a movie. Or, in other words.. a tutorial (screenshots and text) you can read at your own pace ... as opposed to a video whipping past at hyper-jump speed. That said, additional tutorials might include:

• Ship orientation when docking or jumping through gates.
• How to reconfigure your ship.
• What good are wings?
• Mining on a planet ... and how to take off without crashing.
• Planetary environments ... some are hostile.
• Why some star systems are more hostile than others.
• How to survive transiting (or docking at) a hostile star system.
• Not all star systems show up on the Quadrant map.
• How to start and complete the quest.

That's not a complete list ... but I don't want the light bulbs to go out before I get done.


Edit: Not that there should be no video. The video is a must ... I just think it should be accompanied by something less prone to Yoda moments.

• Nearly forgot ... an in-depth discussion on how to use the terrain walker.

[Edited on 6-1-2012 by Marvin]

[DaveK]

Sometimes a book works better than a movie. Or, in other words.. a tutorial (screenshots and text) you can read at your own pace ... as opposed to a video whipping past at hyper-jump speed. That said, additional tutorials might include:

• Ship orientation when docking or jumping through gates.
• How to reconfigure your ship.
• What good are wings?
• Mining on a planet ... and how to take off without crashing.
• Planetary environments ... some are hostile.
• Why some star systems are more hostile than others.
• How to survive transiting (or docking at) a hostile star system.
• Not all star systems show up on the Quadrant map.
• How to start and complete the quest.

That's not a complete list ... but I don't want the light bulbs to go out before I get done.


Edit: Not that there should be no video. The video is a must ... I just think it should be accompanied by something less prone to Yoda moments.

• Nearly forgot ... an in-depth discussion on how to use the terrain walker.

[Edited on 6-1-2012 by Marvin]

Sort of like a Hints&Tips Guide that could be dipped into as required?

[Marvin]

Yes. Right now, three links are hidden under the "Mercenary" banner in the main game menu ... when you cursor over the banner, it lifts up to reveal the links. It would be nice if one of those links led to a Guide. (It might be even nicer if the links weren't hidden ... I played for almost six months before accidently popping the banner out of the way. Son of a gun ... looky there.)

[DaveK]

(It might be even nicer if the links weren't hidden ... I played for almost six months before accidently popping the banner out of the way. Son of a gun ... looky there.)

I'm relieved that I'm not the only one who found them by randomly waving the mouse pointer around! :P

[Busch]

Sorta agree w/ both Dave and Marv. Am persuaded that the tutorials, per se, should be brief but instructive. Covering the basics to a depth, then possibly a direction/link, as both suggest above, for further knowledge/info. Would rather not have the Boss try to re-invent the wheel here, when so much of this info is available and already advertised on multiple sites/sources, including this 4um. Would rather not encourage laziness either, as there is a surfiet of that extant. For the new chums, stressing the basics would be probably more acceptable in keeping the "software overhead" down to something manageable for Vice.

[HazMatt]

Maybe a "Target Practice" feature where you could shoot at drones or some kind of moving target. It can get progressively difficult too. Each time you shoot one, another more wily one could appear. Then two targets, then three.

I felt like maybe I didn't have enough practice before I engaged real enemies for contract.

[Marvin]

Maybe a "Target Practice" feature where you could shoot at drones or some kind of moving target.

DL the Arvoch Alliance demo and try the training sessions. One of them uses drones ... see if it comes close to what you'd like to see in EMX.

[Commander Wilmot]

I agree with what's been listed thus far, except maybe the quest, I would rather find out how to complete it myself or look up a player walk-through than have the game hand the answers to me on a golden platter in training.

As for the advanced training, I liked the course and combat maneuvering training missions in Arvoch Conflict's demo, I think they made a better combat pilot in Evochron Legends, then I ever would have been otherwise. (I haven't played any of the games after EL, as my computer can't run any of them without issues, hopefully the computer I plan to get in the next few months will be able.) Is the training Arvoch Alliance similar to that? If so, perhaps something following those two's training styles that should be included as advanced flight training?

[Nigel_Strange]

Is there a tutorial on planetary descents? There is an excellent video of one.

I also agree that entering gates with the proper heading and pitch should be considered (the idea that all gates are oriented in the same direction might not be obvious to new players, even though it makes perfect sense (players get accustomed to things not making perfect sense in games)).

One thing I wonder about: if you are going to be waiting for clearance to land in a specific gate in a station, does that mean you will no longer be right-clicking the station on the nav map and zipping straight in there? On the one hand, there is some lost convenience. On the other, I kind of like the challenge. It will be especially dangerous in hostile sectors, where you might be treated to the red carpet, in a manner of speaking.

[Vice]

if you are going to be waiting for clearance to land in a specific gate in a station, does that mean you will no longer be right-clicking the station on the nav map and zipping straight in there?

You will still be able to right click to plot a jump point to the hangar, but it will also now require orienting your ship to a heading that lines up with one of the 5 entrances.