What comes 1st?

[Double Deuce]

Depending on who you ask you will probably get different answers. Some will say the map, some the text breifing. There is no right answer. Each designer will work the schedule, format that works best for them. :D

I actually prefer to have only a basic idea of what I want to do such as the region the scenario will take place and what forces player 1 "might" start with. For me the real work starts with the map while the rest will be tweaked and begin to take shape and fall into place only after the map is 99% completed.

Others will write out a very detailed text file to be used for the briefing file and then design the map around how they think it should look.

Some just make it up as they go along, changing things as needed.

[Achilles]

Hi,

For me if it concerns a historical scenario, here is how scenario design evolves:

A. Research (Analysis) phase:

1. Basic Research of the Battle (what happened)

2. Detailed Research of the participants (who took part in the engagment)

3. Detailed Research of the events (tactics and detailed timeline of everything that happened during the battle)

4. Detailed Research of the location (maps, topos, diagrams & historical/current photos) and connection of the previous research (events) with the actual locations)


B. Basic Scenario Structure (Synthesis) phase:

1. Scenario (Topo) map designing and then printing out a layout of the map.

2. Type of mission and setting of objectives phase, in which I have to decide what wil be the mission and what would be the objectives (connected with the AI tactical plan and the quantity/quality of both human/AI units on map)

3. AI Tactical plan synthesis based on the map printout, by noting/editing on the map printout paper (with pencil) all the AI reactions/plan during the duration of the battle. This phase will also determine the game duration and the map special conditions).


C. Alpha Scenario Designing:

1. Finishing of the map (details related to scenario/AI plan special requirements)

2. Initial positioning of the AI Units

3. Setting of AI waypoint path

4. Testing of AI behavior on a solo AI scenario (special method of setting AI to human and the all AI formations -excluded HQ - to AI's control)

5. Final adjustments on AI entry/reinforcement/reaction values according to the previous testing

6. Adjustments of AI supporting elements (air/artillery/airdrop turn & hex target allocation

D. Beta Scenario Designing:

1. Alpha Testing of the scenario in real scenario conditions against a human player.

2. Final Adjustments on support turn and hex target allocation

3. Adding/Removing of AI units according to balance issues

3. Final adjustments according to AI tactical plan for all AI units

4. Beta Testing of the scenario

cheers,
Pyros