Newbie frustration.

Gryphin · #1 July 12th, 2002, 09:17 PM

Elowan ,
I don't know what they cost, that is why I asked.
For the most part you answered my question. Any My understanding is that MM is a one person -company. How many were involved in the development of MOO II or CIV II? I loved the Tech Tree poster provided in CIV II. I had it mounted over my wall till I found SE.

I do have to admit I like the "charm" of discovering things on my own. It is part of the pleasure. then agin, I also enjoy hiking 6 hours up hill to see what is on the otherside.

Full disclosure: I do use the Tech Tree Viewer to aid in recalling what leads to what. I do ask for help. VIA IRC chat Fyron's advice saved my homeworld. I was in the middle of a game and in chat when the Rage showed up. Hm, The advantage of WP over Sats? Those WP's toated a DD and asorbed the 3 CSMs that hit Home.
I do read the forum every day for ideas and informaion. SJ's solution to players that colonize your systems was priceless.

Without these forums I would be very frustrated by the lack of a better manual. Indeed, I would have been up a creek without a manual and Tech Tree in CIV II.

Conclusion:
Yes, I would have been very pleased if the Online Manual had included the informaiton you want. It would have reduced the learning curve dramaticaly.
My question stands: How much would it have cost for Arron Hall to have included what you are asking for?

BTW: I think it is great if you would do up such a manual or if a team here would do so. I do agree it would allow more time focused on the playing the game and less time on How to Play the game.

Gryphin · #2 July 12th, 2002, 11:02 PM

Over all I guess it comes down to different desires. I am very different.

[ July 12, 2002, 22:05: Message edited by: The High Gryphin ]

Elowan · #3 July 12th, 2002, 11:08 PM

It's time - that old bug-a-boo - that's at work. If MM is a 'one-man-band' (like my webpage business) - then it's understandable. On the other hand - if you work for yourself - time spent depends on who's banging on the door -- rent police, etc.

I like doing manuals - because it helps me learn as I teach (by writing the manual).

BTW - and just as an aside - I'm a retired eye surgeon and I used to teach all over the world. [I'm not bragging here - just stating facts] Now I do websites and other fun stuff just for giggles. Of course - I play games too!

Gryphin · #4 July 13th, 2002, 12:06 AM

Elowan,
"I'm a retired eye surgeon "
Then you may understand my post about my vision.
I have Retinitis Pigmentosa.
It is stable at the moment. we shall see.

The Beastmaster · #5 July 13th, 2002, 01:28 AM

Speaking as someone who is awaiting to recieve this game, and watching the tracking as it slowly comes nearer (gotta love UPS package tracking, it's almost a game in itself)...
Judging by all of the recent Posts and following this thread, I would love to see someone post a tech tree if it's not in the manual.

Also, if anyone has any good websites for this game that are not listed in the links page of MM (some of those links are dead) I'm sure I'll be looking at them in the near future if you'd please list them here.

capnq · #6 July 13th, 2002, 03:58 AM

Quote:

some of the drivel in the modding section could have been editted out

The thing is, no two people agree on which parts of the manual are "drivel" that should have been left out. I don't see anything in the modding chapter that I'd have cut if I'd been editing it. (Except for a spelling error that got past the computer spellchecker.)

Shrapnel went to the trouble of hiring a tech writer to do the Gold manual, which is nearly two and a half times the size of the original, and IMO significantly improved, yet people (including me, I admit) still complain about it.

DocShane · #7 July 13th, 2002, 06:06 AM

I actually read the Gold manual. A tech tree would be nice. It satisfies the needs of those of us who are first-borns. We like organization. We like certainty. I also had the tech tree for Civ II posted to my wall in the study during medical school. Eventually I could recite it as well as the Citric Acid Cycle. It is a mantra, a way of life, structure to the universe. It can be held, modified, planned. Your destiny is secured.

Yet, I can understand the beauty of lack of a published tech tree. It allows disorganization, uncertainty, and waste of resources. As I said, a pathetic nightmare to a first-born. Some thrive in the mire of the unknown. Not me, I have to be in control. I keep my excel spreadsheet handy, tech tree plotted to the Last research point. When I go to bed tonight, all will be well with my soul.