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Re: Manual Addendum?

I read the entire original printed manual before starting my first non-demo game, but I'm weird that way. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif (I actually dislike manuals that say, "Don't read this yet! Play the tutorial first!")

I've also read the entire Gold printed manual, which is a huge improvement over the original.

I do have two criticisms of Gold:

1) I don't think some of the changes to the Tutorial were a good idea, particularly the "missing" facilities on the homeworld.

2) I think the tone of the Gold Manual is overly "chatty" in spots.

Re: Manual Addendum?

“Who is going to bell the cat?”
A more complete manual?
My questions:
What would you include?
How long will it take?
How much will it cost?
How much should be added to the cost of the game to cover the expense?
How much would you be willing to pay?
For example: “detailed info and pics on all tech improvements, facilities, units etc”
How long would it take to write the information that would adequately cover this subject?
Take a look at this Forum. Let’s assume that 10 percent, (to pull a wild number out of thin air), of this forum is non-redundant information that should be in the manual.
How much time would it take to put it into suitable Help or HTML format? Again, how much would you be willing to pay for that?
When I first found the Forums I created an Access database to keep track of all the cool ideas. I had tables for Strategies, Ship Design, How To, etc, etc…..
After the 3rd day I realized there was no way it could be done by one person. It would take a team of people dedicated to the game to do it up properly. When they were done, people would still find areas that were left out.
In my opinion, these forums are the Manual. There is no other practical way to do it.

On a personal note: I play the game because I enjoy challenges. This includes seeing something mentioned in a thread and figuring out how to do it. I saw a reference to Retrofitting Ships. Cool idea, I wonder I do that?

Re: Manual Addendum?

You know, it occurs to me that the problem isn't the manual, it's the manual's index. It was pretty obviously compiled by a computer program rather than a human editor.

An improved index might be a small enough project to be tackled by a few volunteers.

Re: Manual Addendum?

Manual??

What Manual???

Thees ain't no Manual!!!

I don't need no steeenkin Manual!!!!!

Re: Manual Addendum?

Quote:

Originally posted by Gryphin:
[QB]“Who is going to bell the cat?”
A more complete manual?
My questions:
What would you include?
How long will it take?
How much will it cost?
How much should be added to the cost of the game to cover the expense?
How much would you be willing to pay?
QB]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Manual Addendum will include:

1. The entire Shrapnel HTML Manual, WITH an extensive keyword Index, corrections and additions.

2. Added newbie and advanced "how to" information and tips (i.e. Retroffiting, Repairing, Building Ringworlds/Sphereworlds, Moving Population, Using Ministers, Rescuing a Stranded Ship, Changing a Planet's Atmosphere, etc...) with complete reference to the required technologies and costs involved to perform those actions.

3. Malfador Machination's FAQ (searchable.)

4. Added strategies and tactics.

5. Full tech tree.

And the whole thing will be all in one place on your hard disk (a single file,) FULLY INDEXED and SEARCHABLE!

The Manual Addendum will cost nothing. I'm making it because I want it, and I'll make it available to SE4 players.

I don't know how long it's going to take me to finish it, but I'd say I'm about half way through at the moment. I can upload a "preview" so you guys can tell me what you think about it so far and whether I'm on the right track?

Re: Manual Addendum?

Quote:

Originally posted by capnq:
You know, it occurs to me that the problem isn't the manual, it's the manual's index. It was pretty obviously compiled by a computer program rather than a human editor.

An improved index might be a small enough project to be tackled by a few volunteers.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You know, you are right! I've started working on the Manual Addendum and imported the entire HTML Manual -- pictures included -- into the project (it will be in MS HTML Help format -- aka Win98 Help.) First thing I did was adding keywords to the Index (with many subkeywords, and all synonyms and words combinations that come to mind.) With only that done, the original HTML Manual is already MUCH more usable and I can actually FIND the information I'm looking for! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

I'm also adding some newbie information in separate topics(all the things I was wondering about when I played my first games but couldn't find in the manual) and will be adding more advanced info by gathering stuff on the web and in this forum.

The help file will also support full searches of all topics (with advanced search options) AND will have a "Favorites" tab to save shortcuts to your favorite topics.

Anyway, it's really a lot of work though, but I've set my mind to finish it up.

Re: Manual Addendum?

Carol / Ratqueen,
I wish I could help. I'm great at coming up with ideas. I'm terrible at carryng through.
"Who is going to bell the cat" translates / means "That is a great idea, who is going to do it?" You have answered it. I admire that.