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View Full Version : How much information do you want?



Big King Sanctaphrax
01-22-2004, 19:06
Ok, here's the scenario...You've just got RTW home, installed it, and you've booted it up. At this point, the game may offer one of two things.

1. Just like medieval, the info provided with the game is somewhat vague. This leads to undisclosed features being found, threads and threads of speculation, and the game being very mysterious indeed.

2. Absolutely EVERYTHING is documented in the comprehensive manual and by the advisor. Everything about game is known.

Which would you prefer?

Sir Robin
01-22-2004, 19:43
Normally I would like everything disclosed thru the user manual or ingame help features.

However the sad fact is that most user manuals are not indepth or downright inacurate. Just the nature of the beast I guess and a selling point for the inevitable "strategy guides" that come out later.

Ingame help features, tool tips, etc... are probably the most probable direction RTW will go. This avoids mechanic or balancing changes that often take place after the manual has already been sent to printing.

Does raise a question though. Does anyone know how soon, before a release date, manuals are sent to the printers?

Big King Sanctaphrax
01-22-2004, 19:53
Quote[/b] (Sir Robin @ Jan. 22 2004,18:43)]Normally I would like everything disclosed thru the user manual or ingame help features.

However the sad fact is that most user manuals are not indepth or downright inacurate. Just the nature of the beast I guess and a selling point for the inevitable "strategy guides" that come out later.

Ingame help features, tool tips, etc... are probably the most probable direction RTW will go. This avoids mechanic or balancing changes that often take place after the manual has already been sent to printing.

Does raise a question though. Does anyone know how soon, before a release date, manuals are sent to the printers?
In Britain we get crappy manuals because our retailers insist on DVD jewel cases to save shelf space. This means the manuals have to fit in said cases. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif Cardboard boxes have so much more class...

The_678
01-22-2004, 21:23
I would rather the first option. It makes for more fun in the discovery and the great discussions. I agree with Sir Robin with the in-game help idea. That would be best because even by the time the first patrch comes out the game will change and probably make the manual pretty obselete. I would like ot pretty detailed though.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif Also, I know it's probably not going to happen, but a modding guide would be an awesome addition to the manual, don't you think?

LadyAnn
01-22-2004, 21:25
They could have made an online or on-CD manual. But:
- That takes up their time. More info in manual means more time spend writing it, means more time between code-frozen to actual game-on-shelves (you don't want inaccurate info as they are changed).
- Can't sell the strategy guides.

Then this is where the Community comes in.
- Experienced players of MTW will start experimenting with the game;
- People start writing guides and manuals.

Anyways, don't expect much more info in the printed manual. Reading the info could be lethal:

- For a long time, I didn't know what "stats" was in Shogun (I played it for several months before getting MTW) and relied on the descriptions: "Heavy Cavalry is the best cavalry out there, blah blah blah" Turns out the Yari Cav will eat HC for lunch when properly upgraded, and those pesky muskets...

Annie