I thought it would interesting to have an optional fan media pack to go along with 2.0. In it we could include lots of stuff newbs could get online anyway, yet are too lazy to. I was thinking: - Empires Manuel (I assume is a part of the 2.0 dl regardless) - PR Release - Screens - Assorted Empires Movies - Custom maps (if any work well that is) - Information on how to map for empires - Custom Skins - The Empires Story (both real and abridged versions in html or pdf version) - Alternate Client Configs and server configs (LAN set-ups etc) Additionally, What I think would be really cool, is if some experienced members could write little explanations about a small part of the game. Like Picka could talk about how to be a snipery scout, and Simon could talk about how much the UML rocks and how to use it, etc etc. I think giving new players just a little intro into Empires strategy could be really engaging. I don't expect clan member to give away their super secret strategies (if they have any), but just a good explanation on various parts of the Empires experience. What do I mean? - What to do as NF/BE on Escort - How to be an Engi on classic maps - How to be a Snipery scout - Good tanking strategies for NF/BE - How to command (could be broken down further) I think this would be really cool to read while you're waiting for empires to download, we could even release it as part of the PR blitz What do we need to do? A lot of this stuff is already out there, it just needs to be aggregated. I don't know how to do that stuff, or create a download (it could just be a zip i imagine) The big thing would be getting those stories and tactics.
thats sort of what im trying to do with the aid of screenies and videos on here, http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/leecal/
Yes, the manual is part of the 2.0's installation but it is extremely outdated. It should be updated.
I don't think custom skins or sounds should be included. I think this could be thought of as an add on pack... not changing empires but adding to it. i love this idea though. i'll help if i can :D
Just in case no one is available to do it, I'll volunteer to update th manual, (although I've been told that other people are doing it already.)
There was a thread where people were working on it, but that was a long time ago. I haven't kept up on the status.
I really think somethign along the lines of my quick start guide, albiet with some corrections and improvements would be better. The best way to learn is ingame and most people aren't up for reading a big long manual. Another thing I really think that comes into play is that some people are just stupid or they think this game is just BF2 on source. There is litterly no other explanation I could come up with. I have some people who it is their first couple games playing who end up being the top players on my team (in 1.071) because they listen to tips i offer, expand on those tips and think. Then there are people who have been playing for a long time and I watch them and what they do blows my mind. Sure sit there sniping the SINGLE ML turret for 10 min. Thats cool. Litterly, they are engineer and even sometimes we have armor and engines. We can't help the stupid people but I really think we emphasize the fact that this is a FPS/RTS hybrid. Get people to think tactically. On the other hand people who say K/D means nothing are just as much wrong. K/D is a very good indicator of what team is going to win. Pretty much we need to get people thinking about Empires diffrently then they would CSS, DOD, BF2. Also comms need to think diffrently then C&C or ages of empires. A medium tank can be borderline useless or game changing depending on who is in it and depending on how the team supports it.
That's why I think it would be really awesome to have that strategy included by real(ish) people in the tactics section. If new players could start thinking strategically right away, and they would even know some stuff. Something like those TF2 intros I suppose, though more about strategy than pure entertainment
I was thinking of starting the manual with a quick guide, and then go into more detail in later sections for the saft people like me who actually enjoy going through manuals. And I was thinking of having a page devoted to each class, written by one of the vets, on tactics and such.
I've been doing the manual the previous versions. I always tried to keep them as short as possible, because when you go and explain EVERY minute option, detail and tactic for every class, weapon and structure, people are going to skip over everything and miss actual important info. I'll PM you the stuff I have.
i like the idea; although there's reasons that some of the various test maps were pulled (cdr_canyon among others) it certainly wouldn't hurt to put them in an add-on. One of the clans made a big desert map with a huge lake/island in the center; its pretty fun.
that, cdr_canyon, gauntlet, badlands (if it's not fixed in time for 2.0), JJ45's emp_desolation, and anything else people have made, those could all be good bonus maps. You'd need to put a big red warning on them, though: WARNING, THESE MAPS ARE NOT OFFICIAL FOR REASON X, Y, OR Z.
