Author Topic: This game is not user friendly (Read 4253 times)

FBBone · « **Reply #60 on:** January 12, 2006, 05:33:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Morpheus
Morph's 10 step Tutorial to play teh game!!1oneo!1!

For RR Ezy noob mode:

Step:
1) Click hanger

2) Scroll to teh La7' zOMfg

3) Take teh max 100& fuels

4) Click teh little box with letters for N-S-E-W runway sapwns.

5) Making sure you have stall limiter/auto take off on firewall the biotch not to forget to hit P for weP!

6) You are flying now.

7) Find a red icon. THATs a bad guy! zomFG

8) Fly to teh red icon making sure you are in super warp speed mode and OPEN FIRE!

9) If you miss your shot extend for 25 miles for your saftey.

10) REVERS#E! come back to t-eh red icons and repeat steps 8&9 & 10 if needed untilz you got mad kilz.

Man, you never cease to crack me up! That sounds like the way I play, you been spying on me and are now revealing all of my strategeries.

Widewing · « **Reply #61 on:** January 12, 2006, 05:58:32 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dead Man Flying
Compare that to a game like World of Warcraft where you just show up, hop in, and within an hour you can have the mechanics of the game fully understood as they literally walk you through an introductory area. I'm not referring to training in the sense of how to become a better pilot, but rather an interface that is accessible to new users without losing the functionality that those of us with experience enjoy.

Just to use an example, take the stick mapping and stick configuration setup. I've had to talk perfectly reasonable, intelligent people through how to use these functions because, while powerful, they were not intuitive and did not feature easily accessible tooltips. Or for another example, why not floating help descriptions when mousing over options in the clipboard menu? How many people are going to figure out that you have to go to the O'Club to do Squad stuff? How many people will know intuitively that you have to invite someone to a squad in order to form a squad the first time?

-- Todd/Leviathn

There's one thing I believe would help the situation a great deal.

A built-in tutorial that walks the new player through the basic steps of getting set up and airborne. Perhaps even making it required to advance through the entire tutorial to unlock the online game. The purpose would be to have noobs show up with at least the minimal skills needed to function. This would also free up trainers to teach noobs what they need to survive and possibly prosper in the MA. As it is now, much trainer time is expended getting new guys off the ground. Rarely does a week go by with me being asked several questions like, "how do I start the engine?", or "Why won't my plane go faster?". Very few noobs actually bother to read the help files.

Many boxed games have a tutorial that must be completed before the game is unlocked. I suspect that this was instituted to reduce the huge number of phone calls and e-mails to their tech people by players who didn't read the help files or manuals, but simply tried to play. Having to complete the tutorial may be annoying for some, but at least they will able to play the game on some minimal level when they finish the program. At this point, the trainers can actually begin teaching them about air combat.

As you point out, this is not an easy game to master. Most of us took years to get to where we are now (and that doesn't mean we still don't stink either, it's just that we now recognize it). However, anything that can jump-start the learning process is a good thing.

My regards,

Widewing

MOSQ · « **Reply #62 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:26:01 PM »

I think HTC should outsource a learning guide to:

The Video Professor !

Using our proven "What-You-See-Is-What-You-Do." teaching method, you'll be amazed by how quickly you learn with our CD-ROMs! Get the computer skills you need today with Video Professor.
Fast, simple teaching method!
No classes to attend, no manuals to read! Interactive lessons!
Learn at your own pace!
Lessons play like a video on your PC!
Work in the program you're learning, alongside the Professor!

icemaw · « **Reply #63 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:54:39 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by hitech
Little trolling going on here.

This isn't a new guy. Infact his first account was back in 2003.

Must be a BK!:aok

Panzzer · « **Reply #64 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:57:27 PM »

I think the trainers do not get enough credit for their job - they do an amazing job with the resources they have (4-5 guys?). And to bring up the stick setup, here's a thread about TC's efforts to have setups ready for the newbies. Like I said in the e-mail I sent to TC, I appreciate the effort, it should make the beginning a bit easier if you've got a stick setup to use.

I never had any troubles starting my AH-career (but I've been flying flight sims almost all my life - not online, AH was the first online sim for me in Dec'02), but I started my AH-career with my brother (wasq) who had been flying since 2001. He briefed me on the UI (clipboard et all). And it didn't take long to find the Finns, the Finnish guys have been most helpful - thanks guys (I updated the country&radio ch. the Finns are in to Virtualpilots.fi: AH guide, - in Finnish - actually, the AH2 update there is written by me and Kanttori

). So what I tried to say.. Find a squad to fly with in the MA, you'll learn a lot with good guys. Try the TA, MA and read some sources (Schatzi had the links listed earlier in this thread), and you're ready to start learning...

WMLute · « **Reply #65 on:** January 12, 2006, 08:52:02 PM »

many of you are totally wrong.

go HERE and look around some. There IS a step by step walk thru' on what to do.

Look at the Your first flight link. It tells you exactly what to do. Tells you to pick a p51, and explains everything.

I would venture a guess that this is a case of someone not wanting to put the time in to learn. EVERYTHING is explained in the AHHelp link on the main HTC.com page. It even provides illustrations.

My advice would be to read, read, read, read.

Widewing · « **Reply #66 on:** January 12, 2006, 09:17:08 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by WMLute

I would venture a guess that this is a case of someone not wanting to put the time in to learn.

It's also a matter of people wanting to "play right now!" I have noticed that teenagers generally do not read the help files. I'll ask them if they read through the tutorial on the website, and 9 out of 10 will say "no".

That's why I like the concept of having the tutorial in the software, where it cannot be avoided. Of course, that will take a major effort to code... Not a likely thing with TOD/Combat Tour being the primary focus right now.

My regards,

Widewing

MajWoody · « **Reply #67 on:** January 12, 2006, 09:21:56 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by MOSQ
I think HTC should outsource a learning guide to:

The Video Professor !

Using our proven "What-You-See-Is-What-You-Do." teaching method, you'll be amazed by how quickly you learn with our CD-ROMs! Get the computer skills you need today with Video Professor.
Fast, simple teaching method!
No classes to attend, no manuals to read! Interactive lessons!
Learn at your own pace!
Lessons play like a video on your PC!
Work in the program you're learning, alongside the Professor!

LOL Mosq

TequilaChaser · « **Reply #68 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:01:41 PM »

As Skuzzy pointed out, if you want a walk thru with a Trainer email the trainers at
trainers at hitechcreations.com

now recalling on that old dead horse of AirWarrior( AW )

the newbie arena did not come along until Air Warrior Mellinium came out , and it was set on a totally different server than the main arenas of FR and RR...........

it was a concept that was used by both veterans and new players alike, but if you broke your set score you was not able to fly there anymore, you had to move on, and kelly ( cluero ) saw to it you moved over to the main arenas.......

AW did not always have that newbie arena, just to set the record straight, and it might have helped a few there at the end, but for the most part, it was back to the Trainers that did most of the foot work on getting people up and going....

with all that said, Yes I have decided to make something to help the new flyers and old a like regarding game controllers and different ways to set them up as well as downloading and using pre-made/programmed stick settings ( these are for the ones who do not want to take the time to learn how to actually do it)

I know we always here that old saying "2 weeks" but I can promise you all that things are changing and there is some neato stuff coming around the mountain, and hopefuly everyone will enjoy what comes..........is something for everyone to use if they desire............enough now, I leave you all waiting in suspense

and if anyone needs help the trainers are here for you, as we always have been...........just drop us an email

Dead Man Flying · « **Reply #69 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:26:08 PM »

I've seen a lot of "e-mail this" and "go to this webpage" that. Seriously, put yourself in the shoes of a person trying out this game for the first time. It's not somebody who's a flight sim nut, not somebody who has been playing games since Zork or Adventure, and not somebody who knows anything about this game other than seeing it advertised on the Military Channel.

How are you going to know to go to Netaces? How are you going to know to e-mail training@hitechcreations.com? How are you going to know how to start your engine or create a squad? These are such basic things, and it's easy to say that people should read the Help files or online tutorials, but people who do so are exceptions to the rule and not the rule itself. If you make learning part of the process of playing, then you can make new players who might feel uninformed instead feel confident about the mechanics of the game itself. Then they may become frustrated at their air combat competence, but at least it's not frustration at knowing how to set up the stick or create a squad or change convergence (convergence? what's that?!?).

-- Todd/Leviathn

NoBaddy · « **Reply #70 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:46:17 PM »

It is really very simple. All the information is available. It is simply a matter of RTFM!!![/u]

....but seriously....

I do know that there is a NEW training manual being written. I believe the delay at the moment is mostly finding the time to proof read and approve it.

Kweassa · « **Reply #71 on:** January 12, 2006, 11:13:59 PM »

Quote

It is really very simple. All the information is available. It is simply a matter of RTFM!!!

The problem is, where the heck can you find the fediddlein' Manual?

Why does a newbie have to come in, and bug other players on country channel to find something like this out? Who made the FM anyway? The users, right? Normally, aren't the game makers responsible for the FM? Why does a newbie have to go net surfing on some voluntary material to find out the basics of the game? I mean, it'd make sense if the newbie wants more complicated info such as learning the basics of fighter combat.

But the basic interface, how to look at clipboards, etc etc.. shouldn't this material be covered in a tutorial? A newbie probably doesn't even know that a help file is included in the game download (or is it?).

Like Levi says, try to think in the newbie's shoes. If possible, try some other on-line games and see how much of on-line/in-game tutorials they try to provide. All of that is parts and parcels of the quality of the game. Quality isn't just about the game itself, at least, in the recent games that is.

A really passionate WW2 flight sim enthusiast, like ourselves, would probably do anything to find out what he needs. However, not all gamers start out as an enthusiast. Many start out as a curious light user. And for these guys, AH can be sometimes so baffling that it can be enough to actually discourage them from signing up. They can't seem to find the info.. all the gamers are annoyed of ppl asking for help so they ignore... the newbie looks around, and all he gets is "go to the X website".. yeah, so they come to FlyAcesHigh.com.. the title logo.. and then what? Do they have to go forums? Do they have to go to downloads? Is there a big fat FAQ or MANUAL sign at the home page that is immediately noticeable?

Soon, the guy gets frustrated, and starts to thin it may not be worthwhile. And that's one customer lost for HTC.

NoBaddy · « **Reply #72 on:** January 13, 2006, 12:17:27 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Kweassa
The problem is, where the heck can you find the fediddlein' Manual?

SRI Kweassa....

Guess I'm just too old school to be PC about this. I do know that AW tried all kinds of stuff (meeting them at the door & scheduled training every night of the week) and the only thing that REALLY had any impact was The Academy. I also know that an AH version of The Academy was in the works a few months ago. My guess is the CT alpha has put it on hold.

Glasses · « **Reply #73 on:** January 13, 2006, 12:46:53 AM »

Screw RR arena Give us a MiG and Sabre for the gangbanged country with 600 perks for each. Then no one can say biased FM

gatt · « **Reply #74 on:** January 13, 2006, 01:05:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dradz
-- is there a certain arena that is similar to an AW RR arena?

Yes, take a Spitfire MkXVI, set combat trim on, set auto take off, set stall-limiter on and voila' you have a RR arena. Not joking, there are so many players doing it and playing the "bite your tail" style that our MA seems really a RR/training arena.