(SA) Use HINTS and LOADING SCREENS (yes, loading screens) in place of a tutorial (HAS PICTURES!!)

[Mos1ey 6301]

Yeah, I don't understand why you wouldn't just open up the menu and check the controls. :S

Most people seem to watch videos and tutorials before they start playing these days anyway.

[colekern 1364]

It doesn't matter whether or not it's a toggle-option in the menu.

The simple fact is, proper n00bs won't be able to understand the diagram. There's a LOT to take in. They'd end up (guess what, that's right) going to the control options to check which buttons perform which actions.

The load screen would give them a basic idea of the controls if they look at it; the hint system would take care of the rest.

But I see what you're saying. Sort of. It would be really complicated, but many things in DayZ are already complicated. It doesn't mean we shouldn't implement.

It wouldn't affect your experience. It would just make a newbie's experience less frustrating.

[colekern 1364]

Yeah, I don't understand why you wouldn't just open up the menu and check the controls. :S

Most people seem to watch videos and tutorials before they start playing these days anyway.

This would just help.

Also, if you don't like the idea, just tell me. I promise not to cry.

Edited March 19, 2013 by colekern

[Steak and Potatoes 13480]

I give you an A on your project cole

Edited March 19, 2013 by Steak and Potatoes

[colekern 1364]

I give you an A on your project cole

Edit: it said cloe.

Edited March 20, 2013 by colekern

[mr_chabowski@live.co.uk 2416]

EDIT:

Scratch that.

I'd like to remain a fictional character.

:|

Edited March 19, 2013 by Chabowski

[colekern 1364]

Poll added.

[thehero 119]

If it took you 3 weeks to work out how to put the beans in your bag I really don't think that the controls are the problem.

And why would you think that? I originally got arma 2 for dayz and knew nothing about the controls and didn't realize you had to click on the bag just to get the option to open it. I assumed when you got a bigger bag the inventory would expand.

[mr_chabowski@live.co.uk 2416]

I think, if anything, I'd prefer to have a "control tutorial / video settings test" kept entirely separate from the main game.

Similar to the Armory section in ArmA, but without any weapons/items/vehicles.

Simply a pure client-side demonstration of DayZ.

Just a section of map to run around alone in, offline.

No zeds, no gear, just a guy in his skimps vaulting fences and rolling around, learning the buttons.

A few times (while trying to scrape a few extra FPS) I loaded up ArmA 2 OA just to tweak settings and check results without getting killed.

I think a "demo area" could fill this role, and would be more useful to fresh n00bs than any diagrams.

EDIT:

We really don't want to give sneak-peeks of gameplay features to new players. It would spoil the experience.

Edited March 19, 2013 by Chabowski

[gloopsgf 35]

You aren't going to memorize the controls from the diagram from first look, due to how many there are. The best hint you could add is, "go to controls option to see what does what."

Obviously worded a but better

[colekern 1364]

EDIT:

Scratch that.

I'd like to remain a fictional character.

:|

Ooh... I have that saved on my email. Now I can blackmail you.

just kidding

Edited March 20, 2013 by colekern

[colekern 1364]

I think, if anything, I'd prefer to have a "control tutorial / video settings test" kept entirely separate from the main game.

Similar to the Armory section in ArmA, but without any weapons/items/vehicles.

Simply a pure client-side demonstration of DayZ.

Just a section of map to run around alone in, offline.

No zeds, no gear, just a guy in his skimps vaulting fences and rolling around, learning the buttons.

A few times (while trying to scrape a few extra FPS) I loaded up ArmA 2 OA just to tweak settings and check results without getting killed.

I think a "demo area" could fill this role, and would be more useful to fresh n00bs than any diagrams.

EDIT:

We really don't want to give sneak-peeks of gameplay features to new players. It would spoil the experience.

That's not a bad idea at all.

[Auslovich 48]

Small tips at the bottom of the loading screen is fine.

Tutorials and ingame hints would make the anti-game just a regular game.

[Hetstaine 10852]

Beans for spending a few hours to show off your idea :) :beans:

For PC games, I always recommend custom mapping of controls where possible. To get yourself comfortable.

I am the same, i custom map all of my games so nothing in an intro tutorial intro is going to help me in any way as a noob, trial and error in game is where it's at , easy, hard or brutal. It is not a terrible idea but it is a bit hand holdey for my liking.

Tips..i despise tips in games, even when you have the option to turn them off..you know that they just want to pop up and go.." Now player.. engage brain and press W key..this makes you walk forward.." faaaaark off :)

A small area where you can possibly practice some moves and muck around with vid/audio settings would be a better idea :)

[dulix11 731]

I agree with mZLY, if you don't know that WASD moves and Right click aims etc, then you'll have a hard time. Anyway there is already 'hints', I guess, when you go to do something, like search a container, it says 'gear' on the side, so you can just click.

[Charb 298]

Any hints on a loading screen will only become something we just laugh at. "Press "M" to view your MAP !!!". I despise them, especially when I have no way to turn them off.

I think its probably safe to say we don't need to explain how to move or use your primary attack. However, I think we need to consider that not everyone that plays on a PC, is an expert or veteran gamer like most of us. Isn't it obvious how many console gamers are joining us on DayZ? I've seen quite a few threads asking about controls, what servers to join, or even what PC to buy/can it run this?

I wouldn't be against a "load once" pop-up at the main menu saying "Before playing we recommending customizing controls" and taking you to the keybind page.

I know dean hates tutorials and I also think it will remove a little bit of the mystery and confusion some of us enjoyed. There are some things which wouldn't hurt to have some info for. Heaven forbid we tell someone V is the default key for Vault. What experience would it rob them of? I've never even seen "VAULT" in another game myself, I'd expect it to be Spacebar for jump.

YES I KNOW... most of us are capable of hitting ESC, searching online for a wiki, or finding the answer elsewhere (The Readme text file !). We also need to remember not everyone plays with custom-modded keyboard foot-pedals or a custom built free-track IR headset. The last thing DayZ needs are 3 pages of kids complaining on steam how DayZ controls suck (Yea, they shouldn't be playing in the first place... but w/e).

[r4z0r49 4761]

I think the devs need to post a basic tutorial/keybind sheet on the main page for noobs.

I made this a long time ago for people to print and refer to while playing.

I do like this. :-) can you pm me a copy :-)

[GodOfGrain 191]

From other games I know that it can be very useful.

Most of the times you learn nothing ("take cover to avoid enemy fire")

but every once in a while you have this ah-cool-that's-possible moment.

So in my pov that's a good way to teach new players the basics.

Although I'd like to have the option to disable these hints and have a pretty loading-screen.

[intensity 157]

the intensity

Well hey there.

@ OP: I think that maybe putting tips in the loading screen would possibly be useful. Not exactly hints, and not really a tutorial. Could also tell you stuff about the game, you didn't know!