Poll on Map goodies

[CPangracs]

Just checking to see if there would be a market for some ideas I had.

[kbluck]

Personally, I view simple print reproductions of existing game content as a "value-added" that should come in the box, like the manual. Generally not something to pay extra for in a separate transaction, although particularly nice documentation might justify a slight increase in the overall price of the game.

Now, a proper "how-to" book that would include extensive commentary on the missions and general gameplay along with printed maps, mission planning forms, and whatnot, that would be a different story. Print would be preferable, but even such an e-book or pdf might be worth paying for.

--- Kevin

[CPangracs]

Personally, I view simple print reproductions of existing game content as a "value-added" that should come in the box, like the manual. Generally not something to pay extra for in a separate transaction, although particularly nice documentation might justify a slight increase in the overall price of the game.

Now, a proper "how-to" book that would include extensive commentary on the missions and general gameplay along with printed maps, mission planning forms, and whatnot, that would be a different story. Print would be preferable, but even such an e-book or pdf might be worth paying for.

--- Kevin
Unfortunately, there is only so much you can put into a manual before it becomes a) Too big and daunting for most gamers, or b) Too expensive from a publishing standpoint.

I would love to include some "value-added" items, but I'm also limited by the amount of space on a disk. The main reason I asked about the laminated maps is that some people might prefer them to do planning on to increase the "realism" of the game for them, and the fact that maps, laminated or not, do not fit into Shrapnel's business model.

I'm fairly confident the manual is well-made and explanatory, and has helped people enjoy the game. I know that, beyond making the maps, writing the manual was the toughest part of the game.

I will keep your ideas in mind for my next venture, and it will most likely be a .pdf compendium with maps and other planning tools.

Thanks for your thoughts, Kevin. They are much appreciated.

Curt

[kbluck]

I'm fairly confident the manual is well-made and explanatory, and has helped people enjoy the game. I know that, beyond making the maps, writing the manual was the toughest part of the game.


Just to clarify, I was talking about a "hint book" product sold separately that offers increasing levels of help all the way to a mission "walkthrough" for people who just can't find a solution without some extra help. I work next door to a publishing house (Prima) that has made their entire business out of producing such titles for other people's games. I didn't mean to imply the manual was either incomplete or uninformative.

As for the laminated maps, the idea certainly becomes more interesting if other mission-planning tools and templates come with them. Maybe some data cheat sheets; ranges, speeds, ROFs, that sort of thing. And instructions on how to use the tools to plan "doctrinally". Downright educational as well as useful. That would be worth buying.

Be sure to add the simulated coffee stains for atmosphere.

--- Kevin

[Pat Proctor]

I have to admit that I am the bad guy (though if I didn't, Shrapnel would have to do it).

When working in such a niche market, you really have to balance the size of the manual the cost of the game and the cost of publishing. In fact, Shrapnel is one of the only publishers still doing 150 page manuals. Most publishers (including Matrix and EVERY major wargame publisher) has gone to the electronic manual and a 30 page "Getting Started" manual IF YOU ARE LUCKY.

I know Curt would have LOVED to put more content in the manual, but digital maps ARE NOT CHEAP. I decide to put the money there. We used real digital elevation data AND real, Soviet topographic maps.

[Scully]

Hey Curt,

I marked that I wouldn't pay, but that's because I don't know how much and what exactly is involved. If it wasn't too expensive, I might pick up the laminated maps.

Nice idea.

Kevin, I liked your ideas too. Though I understand the cost issues related to that sort of thing.

Take care,
Brian

[Hub]

Not the right answer to the right question, but I'm always willing to pay more for a game that has a decent manual with it. I almost invariably print up the electronic stuff on paper and put it in a binder...

[CPangracs]

Not the right answer to the right question, but I'm always willing to pay more for a game that has a decent manual with it. I almost invariably print up the electronic stuff on paper and put it in a binder...
I do that as well, Hub. I was just musing about the maps because they are fairly detailed and they look very different from normal 1:50k topo maps.

[CPangracs]

I have to admit that I am the bad guy (though if I didn't, Shrapnel would have to do it).

When working in such a niche market, you really have to balance the size of the manual the cost of the game and the cost of publishing. In fact, Shrapnel is one of the only publishers still doing 150 page manuals. Most publishers (including Matrix and EVERY major wargame publisher) has gone to the electronic manual and a 30 page "Getting Started" manual IF YOU ARE LUCKY.

I know Curt would have LOVED to put more content in the manual, but digital maps ARE NOT CHEAP. I decide to put the money there. We used real digital elevation data AND real, Soviet topographic maps.
I was only musing about this and trying to feel out amongst the current owners of RT and future owners of other ProSIM games. I wasn't implying that Shrapnel or anyone else was actually interested in this strategy, just testing waters for myself, because I know how invaluable printing and laminating all of the maps was in creating the scenarios for RT. I was kind of hoping for more input by actual owners of the game.:nervous:

Maybe we'll get more over the next few days. I'm pretty confident that I could provide some cool stuff in the next release!;):D