It's time to help new players joining Spring!!!

[triton]

I am making a helpthenubs team :) I suck at development, but I learnt how to make video and I wanna make some tutorials.

We need video tutorial for ALL
-How to install spring on OSX, Linux, and Windows.
-How to use Spring downloader.
-How to download mods and maps
-How to choose a game (hm maybe it could be usefull ^^)
-How to learn basics in common mods : BA XTA CA SA etc.. (Spring 1944 and Kernel panic maybe :)

Maybe that when we will do that the devs would understand how hard it's to do all that when you're not a pro with computer.
And I am pretty sure it could help for Spring comunity.

I can make tutorial for installation and first steps on windows, and Ill make a tutorial in Ba for comet 1vs1 vehicules.
If you want to be in the tutorial maker team join #tutorial channel on lobby. I will make tutorial next week but I'd like to have guys with me to share motivation, and ideas. Everybody would be welcom here.

[CarRepairer]

-How to use Spring downloader.
-How to download mods and maps

Second step is unnecessary. If you use SpringDownloader, you don't need to download mods and maps. It does those for you.

[bobthedinosaur]

Then make an idiot proof installer with spring and spring downloader packaged together. if it isnt a one button install people will be sure to F it up.

[SirArtturi]

Everyone can run an installer. Bigger problem is when the installed program springlobby,tasc, sd, ba, ca, whatever seems not to work but crap weird errors on noobie users face. Or the noobie users faces problems of getting game going or gui mess. Then he has no idea whats happening and gets affraid. But that is a problem in all software in common.

[Gota]

off topic

[koshi]

people talk too much, do too little

[Tim-the-maniac]

I recently introduced a friend to spring so I know a few things which are noob unfriendly.

Most of all is springlobby. It was crashing a lot for him and unable to download mod/maps well.
He managed to find SD himself and thats been working fine since. I dunno is SD included in the installer too? Cause if not I think it should be.

No problems with learning the game mechanics even tho he is new to RTS games, he started playing small ba games and the ppl were suprisingly friendly and taught him most things

Also he doesnt use widgets yet. I dont think there is a simple guide for what they are and how to use them? New players should be told how to use things like metalmaker and idlebuilders widgets as they are v usefull.

[Tim-the-maniac]

kinda off topic:
Another friend I introduced only played a few games before leaving because of the bad path-following of units around wrecks and other units. Units getting stuck inside wrecks after getting pushed in is a problem. Unit movement around features in general can be improved a lot tbh.

[JohannesH]

kinda off topic:
Another friend I introduced only played a few games before leaving because of the bad path-following of units around wrecks and other units. Units getting stuck inside wrecks after getting pushed in is a problem. Unit movement around features in general can be improved a lot tbh.

Dunno... People probably complain about pathfindig in about every rts to some extent. At least we have a really good tool to go around that with custom formations. If that's a reason to not play I don't know how interested he was to play in the first place.

But making tutorial videos for games would be really good, would make learning basics so much easier, for other stuff I don't know if making tutorials helps much - if ppl have trouble installing it's better to just make it easier than to make a tutorial on howto install.

[PtaQ]

Joh is right, the instalation process should be easier, also the spring guide shown after the instalation is not very informative and quite outdated.

[zwzsg]

Joh is right, the instalation process should be easier

Try that installer instead: http://jobjol.nl/1683

[Sucky_Lord]

You have to think: Do we want people who need a one-button install process in the community? I say make it shithard to set everything up, so we only get the pros

[forest_devil]

before i start bumbling about making videos or what not thought i would check some things.

is there a spring youtube account? if not should someone (cough community lead cough) make one? this should make co-ordinating this easier

should the videos refrain from using any TA infringing works? or should we have a complete separate space for tutorials involving TA infringements

how should such words as "free" be used and general branding?


as a side note perhaps some form of poll could be added to the installer asking the user if they found the installer simple and if they had any suggestions.

[Sucky_Lord]

But ill help in making some tutorial vids for gameplay. Ill focus on 4v4-6v6 games, anyone help me with this in particular?

[zwzsg]

is there a spring youtube account? if not should someone (cough community lead cough) make one? this should make co-ordinating this easier

There was a youtube SpringRTS group, led by FLOZi: http://www.youtube.com/group/SpringRTS

[FLOZi]

Yeah, then they changed it so I could no longer add videos to the group myself, only the uploader.

[enetheru]

I am making a helpthenubs team :) I suck at development, but I learnt how to make video and I wanna make some tutorials.

I think video tutorials are an excellent idea to help new people get into the game.
Even if some areas need to be improved, there is no guarantee that they will be improved soon enough that a video tutorial will not be useful.
Good luck, I will look forward to seeing them, and providing constructive feedback.

[Forboding Angel]

If a vid is needed to guide someone through the install process, then the install/startup process is DOIN IT RONG!

Fix the problem, don't bandage a gaping wound with a cottonball.

[enetheru]

If a vid is needed to guide someone through the install process, then the install/startup process is DOIN IT RONG!

Fix the problem, don't bandage a gaping wound with a cottonball.

triton said he has no development skills or I'm sure that he would help fix a problem.

In the mean time what's to happen?

Even with a really super install process that everyone can use easily, having some vids on youtube about it cant hurt, and can only help exposure.

I don't see the downside of someone making video tutorials. please enlighten me.

[MidKnight]

Stop discussing, start creating.