|
|
|
|
Author |
Topic: MP101 request (Read 187 times) |
|
StarStuff
Forum God
Last On: 12/29/09
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 2079
|
I'd like to start running a MP101 class, or something similar, for newbs at GMT-friendly times.
HOWEVER, I think it would be a good idea if I attended one myself first! Although I'm happy enough with the way I do things and the game I'm in, if I'm going to be teaching others to play the "NWC way", it'd be best if I know what that way is. There's bound to be tonnes of good stuff that's never even occurred to me that some of you veterans could pass on.
Is there anyone out there that's either planning on or is prepared to run an MP101 session in the next month or so, that's willing to have me on board as a learner? I don't even know if these classes have started yet, or if they were just proposed a while back and the idea died a death.
I feel that it's important to have these kind of sessions available, so if there isn't going to be anything official I'll just start running an open "Introductory Game" for newbs once a month or so and teach them the bits I do know. If I have to do it that way, I won't say it's an official training course or sanctioned by NWC or anything, I'll just bill it as a no-pressure opportunity to play multiplayer for the first time and pick up a few hints & tips.
--StarStuff
|
|
 I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
J'Dai Voisin
Forum God
Last On: 12/13/07
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 4596
|
As far as I know, that idea flied and died quickly. Perhaps NWU is not interested in having that type of training under its auspices and that is their prerogative. *shrugs* Simply put, the need is there and a few of us have approached the idea of offering it.
We can take this to another thread and see about some training and instructors. I'll give you hand, as I've done quite a few of these sessions for my Bioware guild mates and held one here for my apprentices recently.
I am happy to help.
- J'Dai
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Elbast
Forum God
Last On: 12/15/08
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 764
|
Really, its a logistical nightmare, the number of new players that come to, or pass through NWC.
The problem, too, is that there is no NWC "one true way" to play multiplayer NWN. There are many different types of games here, and many different approaches. Designing a scripted lecture to cover them all would be nightmarish.
Additionally, I personally firmly believe that the best and only way to learn or to see if a certain approach works for you is to jump in and get your feet wet, and introductory games that aren't actually games are of limited value, IMO. I would recommend finding a selection of one-shot mods that can be finished in a session, and use the experience of playing through the mod to instruct, rather than trying to teach by telling, teach by doing.
Any attempt to run introductory games is to be applauded, and welcomed. Be aware of the potential size of the task, though 
Good luck with it.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
J'Dai Voisin
Forum God
Last On: 12/13/07
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 4596
|
Excellent points, Elbast.
I should take a step back and qualify my offer by stating that I don't "teach" any gameplay styles or strategies. However, it's been my experience that many mechanical issues - which apply in broad terms - can be covered in such a session and leave a new player feeling much more confident about joining a new game.
I'm not sure if it's a gift or a curse  but I remember my first MP games (non-LAN) very vividly. I swear I could *hear* the game stop while someone showed me how to use 'barter' to pass around items. I guess I want to minimize that awkward feeling by providing just a few starting tips. Knowing how to walk vs. run, to use your PC's voice and to feel comfortable asking questions BEFORE getting into a game are really the idea.
In fact, I usually spend about 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the number of other players. The lecture is very informal, with lots of Q&A and "try that" opportunities, and lasts for about an hour. Then we run around for remaining time just to reinforce the material. I agree, listening to recorded material is no fun and I know I would not have learned this stuff from a book. Essentially it's a short session that just about anyone could conduct. When the topic was first raised, that was the "selling feature", that it would not be very time- or labor-intensive.
I don't DM - I hardly play with DMs - but I'd like to think that I can help guide more confident players towards the games the DMs are creating. I'm not asking anyone to take on any new project, just offering my experience and desire to help.
- J'Dai
|
| « Last Edit: on: Jun 18, 2004, 3:26PM » |
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
StarStuff
Forum God
Last On: 12/29/09
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 2079
|
Yeah I know, offering an open game once a month to four players or thereabouts is a drop in the ocean. And possibly it's not a good idea anyway - application would be more likely to get genuinely interested participants, but has the disadvantages that have been discussed in detail elsewhere recently, so I dunno  . As for the "jumping in" approach, it sounds like you've forgotten what it's like to be a newbie, Elbast! Even after being around for a few months, the thought of playing in a game with you or the other notables is extremely scary to me!
My inital thoughts were along the lines of the intro to the NWN OC, where the characters give you interactive tutorials to try various features out. I could play a character that would go round a short ready-made module with the others and talk them through my understanding of various multiplayer conventions as they cropped up rather than have it pre-scripted. I could even do two "games" a month - make the first one like this and do it open and non-reviewable, then make the follow-up one a proper one-shot reviewable application game. Possibly.
Carlo One, your Survival Course looks excellent! It's too long for what I had in mind here (couple of hours max), but I could always play it just for fun!
J'Dai, thanks for the offer of help, I'd like to take you up on that please. Would you like to carry on talking via PM or on another forum? (Hope we can arrange a mutually-agreeable time to get together - I'm GMT-based... )
--StarStuff
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Elbast
Forum God
Last On: 12/15/08
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 764
|
on Jun 19, 2004, 11:14 AM, StarStuff wrote:| As for the "jumping in" approach, it sounds like you've forgotten what it's like to be a newbie, Elbast! Even after being around for a few months, the thought of playing in a game with you or the other notables is extremely scary to me! |
|
Firstly - yeah, I probably have forgotten
I dunno what the state of the IRC channel is these days, but back when I joined NWC it was full of friendly folk and a good place to meet/find games... that's how I got over any sense of newb-ness.
As for "jumping in" and "notables" I think its a pity that a presense on the site would deter anyone. I can understand it to a degree, mind, but really those known more around here have simply been here longer - it doesn't mean anything more than that, IMO. That said - just jumping into games and trying it out needn't involve "notables" though obviously someone who's played a bit before helps cohesion.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
Dane Bramage
Forum God
Last On: 03/02/10
View Profile
Message Player
United States
Posts: 2637
|
J'Dai/Starstuff,
I would be interested in helping with this project. I would even be willing to construct the module as I think it won't require any scripting (something I know very little about).
I mentioned "Mentor Games" on the mentoring thread quite some time ago, but no one seemd interested in doing these. Since we all know how difficult it is to get "known" and in a circle of friends on this site, a "Mentor Game" seems to be a great solution.
The format of application game perhaps twice a month is probably a good way to handle it. Other than the three of us, the game should only be open to "New Members" with no reviews. I think allowing people to review the game is important because part of the point in this would be to get some points on the profile page of the new member. This is open to debate, of course. To have them come back a second time for an "official one-shot" for review is probably a bit much on the logistic side of it.
Anyway, just thought I would offer my assistance.
Dane.
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
StarStuff
Forum God
Last On: 12/29/09
View Profile
Message Player
United Kingdom
Posts: 2079
|
on Jun 19, 2004, 6:21 PM, Dane Bramage wrote:| I would even be willing to construct the module as I think it won't require any scripting (something I know very little about). |
|
Nice one Dane! Bear in mind that I have no DMing experience yet. I think there will need to be some NPC's to interact with, to show how one can "flesh out" the conversations. Are these conversations scripting? Or is scripting the behind-the-scenes rules that determine how NPC's interact with other NPC's and with PC's? (Or both...?)
J'Dai, I don't know which module you use for your apprentices. Could it use a bit of improvement, or is it fine as it is?
| The format of application game perhaps twice a month is probably a good way to handle it. Other than the three of us, the game should only be open to "New Members" with no reviews. I think allowing people to review the game is important because part of the point in this would be to get some points on the profile page of the new member. This is open to debate, of course. To have them come back a second time for an "official one-shot" for review is probably a bit much on the logistic side of it. |
|
I agree with all of that. I can still see the advantages of an open game, but doing it the way you suggested has many more.
Note that I am going to be running this at a GMT-friendly time. My initial thoughts are 9.30-11pm Wednesday GMT, simply because that fits in with RL during the week. An earlier start time or a different day would mean it'd have to be on a Saturday or Sunday evening, and I don't know how many takers I'd have over a weekend. What time of day is 9.30pm GMT for you? If it's awkward, I guess we won't be running it together!
--StarStuff
Edit: If any of you NWU moderators would rather this thread wasn't on your forum, please do move it to a more appropriate place. (In the words of Orville: I wish that I could... but I can't!)
|
| « Last Edit: on: Jun 19, 2004, 7:49PM » |
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
seanzipperer
Newbie Poster
Last On: 07/13/04
View Profile
Message Player
Unknown
Posts: 1
|
If you need a script writer, send me the module with a text document on what you want scripted in the module seeing as you said u did not have much experience in scripting. Let me know either reply on the forum or email seanzipperer@yahoo.com
|
|
I.P. Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
|
I've run it a number of times with both newer and more veteran players, the design is relatively simple but it's fun to play for both types.