Shannon V. OKeets -> RE: Manual Download (10/1/2012 11:25:47 PM)
Here is a link to the final edition rules with the examples included. The one on ADG's website for some reason does not include the graphics. It was done by a fan, and I would give credit if I knew his / her name.
This RAW forms the basis of the game.
Two other documents:
Rules as Coded (RAC) Some 98% of RAC is directly from RAW. It provides clarifications to the rules and the transition form a paper game to the computer one.
Players Manual (PM) Details sequence of play and all the forms used in MWIF, along with many other goodies.
are part of MWIF. The timing of their release is up to Matrix.
Much better. Thanks. I'll give them some time and see if it 'clicks'. I'm just hoping that a game of this scale can be self taught. Seems the best way is for an experienced player to teach someone face to face, which takes time, patience and commitment. Easier done amongst familiar friends IMO.
Communicating the rules to new players has been a concern of mine since I started working on MWIF.
I am not sure exactly what elements of my solution to this problem, if any, will be free prior to buying the game - that is up to Matrix/Slitherine to decide.
Here are the pieces I've added to MWIF for new players. Each player can pick and choose from these various sources of information, depending upon their personal preference:
1. Ten Picture and Text Tutorials, 125+ pages. Each page shows a screenshot and has text describing the screenshot. The goal for these tutorials is to familiarize the player with the basic game elements (e.g., map and units). They also cover starting a new game, the sequence of play, stacking, zones of control, and supply.
2. Ten Interactive Tutorials (almost entirely done by Rob W.). Each of these starts by loading in a saved game and instructing the player on what to examine in the given game, with accompanying commentary. Basically the player moves the mouse, clicks on keys, etc., thereby exploring the player interface. Besides examining many of the 150+ forms, these tutorials let the player move units and conduct combat for land, naval, and air units. Also covered are setting up units at the start of a game, production, and politics (e.g., declarations of war, aligning minor countries).
3. Twelve Training Videos, which essentially cover the same material as the 20 tutorials described above. The difference is that the player simply sits back and watches a video of me narrating the tutorials. They don't include all the items in the tutorials, but probably about 3/4s. In total, these run for 6+ hours.
4. Rules as Coded (RAC). This is my minimal rewrite of RAW, not so much to improve upon the clarity of the text, but instead to insert recent rule clarifications and corrections from Harry Rowland and MWIF's deviations from RAW.
5. Players Manual. This is my magnum opus on MWIF. It runs to 350+ pages with 250+ screenshots. It details the sequence of play for each of the 150+ phases/subphases/sub-subphases/digressions. It includes screenshots of all the 150+ forms, with background information from RAC (i.e., why the form exists), descriptions of the form components, and how to use the form. For example, the form for setting up units describes how to select 4 fighters from a group of 8 that are available in the setup tray and how to transfer them to the map. Likewise, the Production form describes how to select which unit types to 'buy' using your build points.