I always liked the idea of the beginner GUI that you could then upgrade to an advanced GUI. What if all of the difficult settings are automated while the player is still getting used to the simple controls, then after the player has mastered them a profficient GUI comes up... Then once they have mastered those controls, there is the Advanced GUI.

Basically, just grey out all of the options that the player is NOT allowed to make until they have mastered each of the control panels.

This way, you can have them starting on simpler levels with training missions or whatever in which they come to terms with their surroundings. One thing that must be different about training missions, though, is objectives. It must be something beneficial for the player in completing them, because training missions can be boring as hell!

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quote: Original post by Ketchaval

Maybe they should start off with more training levels? be simpler? - problem is what if the people who enjoy the "training levels" are still put off by the complexity of the full levels.

It used to be said (maybe still) that the mark of a good game was one you could pick up and play w/o the manual. I believe this is true even for the most complicated games.

But as far as the full levels go, they like it or they don''t. You can''t really help that. Welcome to the idea of "niche."





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