Idea - - -

[blackfirefox]

I was thinking "scary" that maybe some of you veteran's of the X Series might host a team speak event where people can listen in on the game and the fundementals of how to play, we can listen as you walk us thru the first couple of scenarios, how you access the commands, trading, ship buying, weapons, etc, etc, etc, since the learning curve is so high for this game a little help from the veteran's seems like a good idea to me. I know I would join a conversation if one was open.

What do you think?

[fergot]

Sounds like a good idea but how do you get other people to actually see what is happening in game, on the screen I mean?

[blackfirefox]

Sounds like a good idea but how do you get other people to actually see what is happening in game, on the screen I mean?

I would suggest everyone start a new game, following the instructions given by the team speak leader, they could say, do you see this, do you see that, etc. So everyone can follow along.

Just an idea.

[pjknibbs]

Trouble is, there are so many random elements on the game that everyone's games would soon get out of sync with the "master" copy. Also, the vets might not have time to do this! I can imagine that a "tutorial" video might be doable, because it doesn't require everyone to be in the right place at the right time and would also remove the random element.

[johnnywas]

a tutorial video would be good

[RegisterMe]

I think it's a pretty good idea, especially if it could be "taped" or a transcript could be made available.

I poured through all of the guides available in the stickies at the top of the forum when I first started X3, and certainly asked lots of questions here in this forum.

But there's a lot of information out there, and sometimes people don't agree (for good reason). A hosted discussion, with questions asked / veted (sp?) in advance, could be interesting.

Allowance would have to be made for those who don't speak English (seeing as we're in the English forum) as a first language but it could be good fun and also allow some recognition for some of the people who put so much effort into the community and the game.

[rabiddeity]

Yeah, a set of video tutorials would be really handy. Heck, I've been playing for several months and even I still get confused by which commands require which software, and where that software has to be installed (target ship, current ship, etc).

Here are the vids I'd like to see:

I. The Interface
-the different menus-- hitting ESC for one menu, the little chevron in the bottom right for another, Enter for a third (extremely confusing, especially for a newb)
-how to read messages
-how to check your stats
-how to quit

II. Basic Flight
-this is your gravidar, this is your speed indicator, etc
-how to point your ship where you want to go (make sure to switch to the proper mouse mode)
-throttle settings, how to stop, what the TAB key does
-strafing
-how to target things (necessary in order to dock)
-autopillok
-stations and docking (mention autosaves)
-jumpgates and sectors
-sector and universe maps (comma and period)
-SETA
-jumpdrives and energy cells

III. Ships and Ship Types
-upgrades (cargo, rudder, engine)
-equipping shields and weapons
-explanations of classes: M5, M4, M3, M6, M2, M1, TS, TL
-how to determine a ship's type in space using the "ship info" screen
-strengths and weaknesses of each type of ship
-what each of the ships can survive against (don't take on an M2 in an M4, for example)
-why you should avoid enemy M1, M2, and M6 at first

IV. Combat
-shields
-weapon energy and weapon groups
-weapon types (IRE, PAC, HEPT, etc; alpha, beta, gamma)
-turrets
-avoiding fire using the strafe keys (yes, this is also covered in basic flight, but review it)
-how to shoot
-proper use of the 'k' key and combat software
-autotargeting of hostiles using shift-T (you might have to press it a couple times until you get a red reticle)
-explanation of missiles: tracking, how far they fly, speed, splash damage, common missiles, etc
-capturing ships
-hull damage and top speed
-costs of combat (hull damage is expensive!)

V. Controlling Ships Using the Command Menu (be sure to mention that you can control other ships AND your own ship)
-explanation of the 'R' key
-why certain command options won't show up (a ship lacks the software... which ship?)
-an overview of what kinds of commands there are in each section

VI. Trading
-how stations produce and consume wares
-how prices are determined (and the difference between trading stations and other stations)
-why you can't always buy stuff (reputation and/or cargo size M, L, XL)
-contraband
-how to manually trade using your own ship
-how to remotely manually trade using a ship you control
-sector traders and UTs
-a thorough explanation of ALL TRADING SOFTWARE (including everything as of 2.0.0.2, plus Bonus Pack stuff: CAG, CLS, trading system extension, Trade Command Mk123, best buy/sell, anything I missed); what stations sell these softwares and what ship to install each one on

VII. Stations and Complexes
-picking a good spot
-hiring a TL
-deploying your first station
-mention that mines have to be built on the right (scanned) rocks
-setting prices
-the complex hub and complexes
-supplying your base and selling your product with your own ships
-defense

Then maybe once all that is covered, maybe have a basic tutorial from a story mode game start... but I think the above tutorials would cover everything that's necessary to function in X3. Did I miss anything?

[ivak]

I found, that playing the demo can be enlightening, even if you own the real thing. It's more like the tutorial, the game misses so badly, with series of messages, teaching you how to play.