9 replies to this topic

[Doctor Overlord]

I have seen this posted yet.



GW2 needs tutorials like this.   There are some elements of the game that are just not intuitive esp. for players from other MMOs.

This is a helpful first step.  It's particularly good how they emphasize the need to use dodge (Don't laugh, there's NOTHING in the game that explains the dodge mechanic save in the Heart of the Mists PvP lobby.  I've had friends play the game without ever knowing characters could dodge until I explained it to them).  

It's also useful how dynamic events as the main way to see content is emphasized.   They really should have mentioned big DEs can show up on the mini-map.

Unfortunately, this kind of thing still needs to be in the game not on websites outside of it.   In-game information is worth more than all the Youtube vids, gamesite interviews, wiki articles, Twitter tweets, Facebook posts and every other form of out-of-game communication.

Not everyone who plays GW2 may use Twitter.  Not everyone who plays GW2 may check the wikis or forums.  

Everyone who plays GW2 logs onto the game.   Information like what is in this tutorial needs to be presented there first and foremost.

Edited by Doctor Overlord, 08 November 2012 - 04:42 PM.

[jirayasan]

ArenaNet should add it in-game or before character creation.

[Milennin]

This video has been accessible from the launcher since game's release.

Edited by Milennin, 08 November 2012 - 05:16 PM.

[jirayasan]

Milennin, on 08 November 2012 - 05:16 PM, said:

This video has been accessible from the launcher since game's release.

Well, they should make it easier to see that it's there. I didn't notice the video until now O_o

or maybe it's because i don't need manual, that's why i didn't see it.

[MisterB]

This is baffling. In addition to instructing players how to play, ANet apparently needs to instruct some players how to read.




Also:

http://www.guildwars...__hl__+tutorial

[Doctor Overlord]

MisterB, on 08 November 2012 - 07:23 PM, said:

This is baffling. In addition to instructing players how to play, ANet apparently needs to instruct some players how to read.

Unless you chose 'Autoplay' in which case you don't see that splash page, you just jump right into the game after the first time you log on.  As for not noticing that link, we are trained by countless hours on the Internet to ignore website ads and frankly that's exactly what that online manual link looks like.  

Clearly people are not seeing this video or else why would ArenaNet feel the need to be sending out emails and put it up on Youtube? The link on the splash page is not doing the job.  

To be frank, the video really doesn't do the job either.   It's one thing to talk about dodging.  It's another thing to show it to a player in game and give them a chance to practice it at their own pace, not in the middle of combat.  

I still think issues could be avoided if ArenaNet put tutorials in the game.  Not on websites, not in wikis, not on Youtube. Information about the game should be in the game.   I'm deeply enjoying GW2 but it's frustrating seeing so many other people giving up on it simply because it doesn't adequately explain itself.

Maybe it doesn't matter.   GW1 was guilty of this to a much greater degree and it managed to do well, but the MMO market is also much very different today.   I think that many of those free-weekend trials are going to go to waste because people will send invites to their friends but not also give them with the important information that the game doesn't provide.   Those friends will try the game and give up on it because they are not being given the information all of us take for granted.

Edited by Doctor Overlord, 08 November 2012 - 09:11 PM.

[MisterB]

Alternately, people could find the information for themselves. Since this is an online game, I lack sympathy for those who can't or won't do the most elementary searching. Including all the tutorials in game is redundant and wastes resources that are sorely needed to address more pressing issues with the game. People who click auto-play have no excuse for missing information that they have chosen to ignore. Likewise, ignoring information that is literally right in front of your face and then blaming ANet for not trying to show it to you is just absurd.

Combat is the best time to learn how to dodge, since it directly relates to the player's success there.

[ilr]

Unless there's an in-game reward attached to it (like your first stupid Rare hat in story mode) ... most idiots are going to ignore it and remain completely ignorant to the things that would help them do all the tougher content --- or do the regular content quick enough for it not to feel like grind.   You see this CONSTANTLY with just about all of the Crafting newbs attempt (then clogging the market components b/c they can't figure out that discovery levels them faster).

[Doctor Overlord]

MisterB, on 08 November 2012 - 10:04 PM, said:

Alternately, people could find the information for themselves. Since this is an online game, I lack sympathy for those who can't or won't do the most elementary searching. Including all the tutorials in game is redundant and wastes resources that are sorely needed to address more pressing issues with the game. People who click auto-play have no excuse for missing information that they have chosen to ignore. Likewise, ignoring information that is literally right in front of your face and then blaming ANet for not trying to show it to you is just absurd.

And that kind of attitude will just drive away more potential players from GW2.   I want to see those people enjoy this game as much as I do, not toss the game aside because they don't meet up some elitist standard requiring them to put in the same research that all of us here have done.  

Tutorials provide knowledge and sharing knowledge is never redundant or a waste of resources. Telling your players to 'look it up yourselves' ignores a fundamental responsibility of a game designer which is to explain how to play your game.

If a designer doesn't provide knowledge using common conventions then they shouldn't be surprised when players pass judgement on their game based on an incomplete experience.

Tutorials are a common convention in video games.   For years, we have seen them in single player games, we have seen them in MMOs.   GW2 took many hints from successful single player games, it baffles me why the developers continue to ignore this one.  

Whatever you think of tutorials, clearly ArenaNet must feel that providing a link on the splash page was not successful or else they would not be sending out emails with the video link. They seem to think that more effort on their part is needed and in that, they are 100% right.

Edited by Doctor Overlord, 09 November 2012 - 06:33 AM.

[Naut]

Pretty old: http://www.guildwars...al#entry1836390