We're looking to update the rulebook. We want to turn it from a rules manual
into a "How to" guide for new players, teaching them how to use specific
orders, and also walking through the Resultsheets and other information we
send them. It will also have a lot for experienced players with
explanations and hints of many tactical aspects of the game.
We're intending to have one produced in a ringed binder so that you can
replace pages as we update them on the website for download and printing.
The new rule book would also include a large section on FAQs and our
answers. We've got some other plans for this as well, but we could do with
feedback about what you want to see in it.
What we really need are enthusiastic players with some free time who are
happy to help out providing articles and descriptions. I haven't got an
example of this yet but basically an indepth analysis of the orders. We
beauty of this format is that we can get a basic rulebook and then add in
bits and pieces (and keep a decent index) as we get them. (If you see some
of the modern board game rulebooks from Germany you'll get the idea of the
format - lots of graphics, examples, hints of tactics etc).
The new rule book would also include all the 3 scenarios on offer (1650,2950
and 1000) with a description of the variant games presently available (eg
Gunboat, NKA, LAS, pre-aligned Neutrals, Wotr - wish it had a different
name!, etc)..
It's a big project so will take some time. So who would like to help out
with this? We reserve the right to abuse, alter, destroy anything you have
written- you know the standard editorial rights here . For those that
are worried we expect this to be minimal alterations for clarity and length.
It's a big project so will take some time. So who would like to help
out with this? We reserve the right to abuse, alter, destroy
anything you have written- you know the standard editorial rights
here . For those that are worried we expect this to be minimal
alterations for clarity and length.
I'd be more than happy to contribute. I hope my Bree articles
are good references for my writing.
jason
I sent, in MSWord format, a detailed article titled
ME Order Companion, that has been published in Bree in
a 4 part series. If this wasn't "enthusiastic" enough to
qualify as at the minimum "an example" of "indepth analysis of the
orders" than I think we all need more information here.
What we really need are enthusiastic players with some free time who
are
happy to help out providing articles and descriptions. I haven't got
an
example of this yet but basically an indepth analysis of the orders.
______________________________________________________________________
Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
> What we really need are enthusiastic players with some free time who
> are
> happy to help out providing articles and descriptions. I haven't got
> an
> example of this yet but basically an indepth analysis of the orders.
I sent, in MSWord format, a detailed article titled
ME Order Companion, that has been published in Bree in
a 4 part series. If this wasn't "enthusiastic" enough to
qualify as at the minimum "an example" of "indepth analysis of the
orders" than I think we all need more information here.
Brad
______________________________________________________________________
Post your free ad now! http://personals.yahoo.ca
UK: 340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP UK
US: PO Box 280, Medford, Oregon OR97501-0019 USA
Phone Times: 10am-6.30pm UK Time (BST);5am-1.30 (EST)
UK: 029 2091 3359 (029 2062 5665 can be used if main is engaged)
(Dial 011 44 2920 913359 if US)
UK Fax: 029 2062 5532 24 hours
US Phone and Fax: 541 772 7872 10-5pm PST Weekdays, Fax 24hrs
****************************************************************
> It's a big project so will take some time. So who would like to help
> out with this? We reserve the right to abuse, alter, destroy
> anything you have written- you know the standard editorial rights
> here . For those that are worried we expect this to be minimal
> alterations for clarity and length.
I'd be more than happy to contribute. I hope my Bree articles
are good references for my writing.
jason
UK: 340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP UK
US: PO Box 280, Medford, Oregon OR97501-0019 USA
Phone Times: 10am-6.30pm UK Time (BST);5am-1.30 (EST)
UK: 029 2091 3359 (029 2062 5665 can be used if main is engaged)
(Dial 011 44 2920 913359 if US)
UK Fax: 029 2062 5532 24 hours
US Phone and Fax: 541 772 7872 10-5pm PST Weekdays, Fax 24hrs
****************************************************************
I'd be most happy to assist. But when I sent you
my ME Order Companion document, I believe I "gave"
it to you, as I moved to a new machine without
transferring the file. If you can send it back to
me, attached to a more detailed email outlining
more specific goals, I'd be very happy to throw in
some effort and send something back to you.
Brad
109410
ps - I like Donkey too. But I don't remember what
this "5th" ranking is supposed to be? Individual,
Experience, [shudder] Istari, and the Team one...what's
5?
--- Middle Earth PBM Games <me@MiddleEarthGames.com> wrote: > Each
individual order. We published it because I felt it was good.
···
Does
this mean you would like to assist?
Clint
> --- Middle Earth PBM Games <me@MiddleEarthGames.com> wrote:
>
> > What we really need are enthusiastic players with some free time
who
> > are
> > happy to help out providing articles and descriptions. I haven't
got
> > an
> > example of this yet but basically an indepth analysis of the
orders.
>
>I sent, in MSWord format, a detailed article titled
>ME Order Companion, that has been published in Bree in
>a 4 part series. If this wasn't "enthusiastic" enough to
>qualify as at the minimum "an example" of "indepth analysis of the
>orders" than I think we all need more information here.
>
>Brad
>
UK: 340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP UK
US: PO Box 280, Medford, Oregon OR97501-0019 USA
Phone Times: 10am-6.30pm UK Time (BST);5am-1.30 (EST)
UK: 029 2091 3359 (029 2062 5665 can be used if main is engaged)
(Dial 011 44 2920 913359 if US)
UK Fax: 029 2062 5532 24 hours
US Phone and Fax: 541 772 7872 10-5pm PST Weekdays, Fax 24hrs
****************************************************************
We're looking to update the rulebook. We want to turn it from a rules manual
into a "How to" guide for new players,
Oh dear. The game needs a rules manual as well you know. It's not just about luring more customers.
We're intending to have one produced in a ringed binder so that you can
replace pages as we update them on the website for download and printing.
An interesting option. And it will be priced "as cheap as chips" no doubt.
What we really need are enthusiastic players with some free time who are
happy to help out providing articles and descriptions.
The problem with a gloss on the rules, is that it is likely to introduce value judgements on those rules. The rules as they stand are not perfect, but they aren't bad, as they do remain objective, and tell you what the rule does, without verging on to the territory of telling you when to use that order, or its strengths and weaknesses.
A commentaries on the rules (like commentaries on the Bible) should be kept separate. Brad's commentary, had it not been ruined by being split up into little bits, would have been a passably fair example. But I could have argued with parts of it till the cows came home. So PLEASE have a care not to produce something that looks like an officially sanctioned "how to play". Guidance on what is, and what is not good play should come from players alone, and should not receive any endorsement of appearance of endorsement from you. It's the very debate, about the rules, which lends this game, and our community, much of its richness.
We're looking to update the rulebook. We want to turn it from a rules
manual into a guide for new players, teaching them how to use specific
orders, and also walking through the Resultsheets and other information we
It will also have a lot for experienced players with
explanations and hints of many tactical aspects of the game.
Oh dear! What an awful idea.
I assume you are talking about a new "rulebook" as well as the one we've
got at the moment?
A "How to" guide is a waste of time IMO. That's what a players team-mates
are for.
I think the current rulebooks are excellent. They don't need changing.
Can't you just leave them as they are? If you want to publish some
information on your website or something, go right ahead? Just because you
have lots of free time at the moment Clint, please don't go tinkering with
everything!
Kev
P.S - I for one, don't agree with player ratings either. I don't strongly
disagree like Darrell, but if I had to make a choice, I'd say it was a bad
thing. The poll on the Bobbins Website has been changed btw for anyone who
wants to vote on this issue? Not very scientific I know, but it'll still
be interesting to see the results.
I think the current rulebooks are excellent. They don't need
changing. Can't you just leave them as they are? If you want to
publish some information on your website or something, go right
ahead? Just because you have lots of free time at the moment Clint,
please don't go tinkering with everything!
I have to admit, this totally blows my mind. I was lucky to be introduced to the game by another player, but looking at the rulebook itself, there's no way I could have figured out how to play anything like correct just by it.
I agree that we need to keep the commentary to a minimum, but the way the rulebook presents the game and the way the game is played are so opposite that the way the book is now, it confuses more than it teaches.
I'd be most happy to assist. But when I sent you
my ME Order Companion document, I believe I "gave"
it to you, as I moved to a new machine without
transferring the file. If you can send it back to
me, attached to a more detailed email outlining
more specific goals, I'd be very happy to throw in
some effort and send something back to you.
*** When I get some spare time - and stop answering emails on the PRS, I'll get back to you on this.
ps - I like Donkey too.
But I don't remember what
this "5th" ranking is supposed to be? Individual,
Experience, [shudder] Istari, and the Team one...what's
5?
One of the things players ask as soon as they play - is "Well how do I play this?"
I've written a guide for Legends (another PBM) and that was favourably received.
How to run an economy, how to recruit, how to etc.
Bofa is very much a how to with our opinions on them - with player feedback implemented. (We upgraded a lot of the economy on player feedback and added the odd spell or two for example).
Normally we point the player in the direction of an experienced player and they advise them how to do X. We'd like to have that in the rules instead as a guide on how to play. Eg what level should I try to assassinate on? A question I still get about once a week... Other commonly asked questions such - well how do these navies work then? Etc.
We're reasonably good at "luring" in customers. But they find the game too difficult for them to play and often drop out. If we can avoid that with a simple guide on what to do and what not to do then that would be a great help.
Going into more depth on some of the orders would also be helpful I think. We get lots of such emails as well. For players who already know it then it's not a problem. For those that don't then it is.
As for price - we have no idea. We have no idea what it will cost to produce so don't know. Rulebooks cost £5.00 at present so around that I guess. There'll be a pdf version for free or very cheap though.
···
We're looking to update the rulebook. We want to turn it from a rules manual
>into a "How to" guide for new players,
Oh dear. The game needs a rules manual as well you know. It's not just
about luring more customers.
>We're intending to have one produced in a ringed binder so that you can
>replace pages as we update them on the website for download and printing.
An interesting option. And it will be priced "as cheap as chips" no doubt.
>What we really need are enthusiastic players with some free time who are
>happy to help out providing articles and descriptions.
The problem with a gloss on the rules, is that it is likely to introduce
value judgements on those rules. The rules as they stand are not perfect,
but they aren't bad, as they do remain objective, and tell you what the
rule does, without verging on to the territory of telling you when to use
that order, or its strengths and weaknesses.
A commentaries on the rules (like commentaries on the Bible) should be kept
separate. Brad's commentary, had it not been ruined by being split up into
little bits, would have been a passably fair example. But I could have
argued with parts of it till the cows came home. So PLEASE have a care not
to produce something that looks like an officially sanctioned "how to
play". Guidance on what is, and what is not good play should come from
players alone, and should not receive any endorsement of appearance of
endorsement from you. It's the very debate, about the rules, which lends
this game, and our community, much of its richness.
UK: 340 North Road, Cardiff CF14 3BP UK
US: PO Box 280, Medford, Oregon OR97501-0019 USA
Phone Times: 10am-6.30pm UK Time (BST);5am-1.30 (EST)
UK: 029 2091 3359 (029 2062 5665 can be used if main is engaged)
(Dial 011 44 2920 913359 if US)
UK Fax: 029 2062 5532 24 hours
US Phone and Fax: 541 772 7872 10-5pm PST Weekdays, Fax 24hrs
****************************************************************
This sounds like an awesome idea. But I'd hate to see it as a _substitute_ for
the current rulebook. An official "player's guide" or something (perhaps adding
a revenue stream to your always-on-the-verge business? would be fine. Again,
however, I'd have to say you need to adhere to the "what ain't broke don't fix"
rule here.
$2.00
b
Middle Earth PBM Games wrote:
···
We're looking to update the rulebook. We want to turn it from a rules manual
into a "How to" guide for new players, teaching them how to use specific
orders, and also walking through the Resultsheets and other information we
send them. It will also have a lot for experienced players with
explanations and hints of many tactical aspects of the game.
We're intending to have one produced in a ringed binder so that you can
replace pages as we update them on the website for download and printing.
The new rule book would also include a large section on FAQs and our
answers. We've got some other plans for this as well, but we could do with
feedback about what you want to see in it.
What we really need are enthusiastic players with some free time who are
happy to help out providing articles and descriptions. I haven't got an
example of this yet but basically an indepth analysis of the orders. We
beauty of this format is that we can get a basic rulebook and then add in
bits and pieces (and keep a decent index) as we get them. (If you see some
of the modern board game rulebooks from Germany you'll get the idea of the
format - lots of graphics, examples, hints of tactics etc).
The new rule book would also include all the 3 scenarios on offer (1650,2950
and 1000) with a description of the variant games presently available (eg
Gunboat, NKA, LAS, pre-aligned Neutrals, Wotr - wish it had a different
name!, etc)..
It's a big project so will take some time. So who would like to help out
with this? We reserve the right to abuse, alter, destroy anything you have
written- you know the standard editorial rights here . For those that
are worried we expect this to be minimal alterations for clarity and length.
What I think we'll do is create something and then get the feedback on that as I haven't really got enough information from this set of postings. If players want to contribute they can.
This sounds like an awesome idea. But I'd hate to see it as a _substitute_ for
the current rulebook. An official "player's guide" or something (perhaps adding
a revenue stream to your always-on-the-verge business?
Heh we've arrived... this is as good as it gets in PBM....
would be fine. Again,
however, I'd have to say you need to adhere to the "what ain't broke don't fix"
rule here.
We'd use lots of the rule descriptions from the old books - and clarify things where they weren't clear.
Wow, two replies from me in the same day. I personally would not like to
see the rule book rewritten. But if by rewritten you mean clarification on
some orders, fine. What would be nice is articles of strategy, for all
three scenarios. One person mentioned all the different slants each game
takes. It would be interesting to see what strategy a person used and what
the outcome was. I know in the last three games of Fourth Age I had
different team mates try something for the first time. In one game it cost
us the game. In another we got the 'jump ' on the opposition and won. I am
for clarification and strategy add-ons but not necessarily a "how to".
Thanks for that. I think we are looking at clarifying aspects of the rules and helping out new players. Strategy guides for essentials are also something we would like. For example in the rulebook there is a minor section on Economy. BUT it's a massive part of the game. Agents and Commanders are possibly not explained in enough detail (complex to use correctly whereas Mages [excepting curse squads] and Emis are simpler - not I don't say simple to use).
When you know something it's always easy to understand something and no extra explanation is required. When you DON'T then all the help we can give to players is, I think, pretty important.
W e're pretty sure we want to go ahead with this project in one form or another, it's work but I think it worth it.
Wow, two replies from me in the same day. I personally would not like to
see the rule book rewritten. But if by rewritten you mean clarification on
some orders, fine. What would be nice is articles of strategy, for all
three scenarios. One person mentioned all the different slants each game
takes. It would be interesting to see what strategy a person used and what
the outcome was. I know in the last three games of Fourth Age I had
different team mates try something for the first time. In one game it cost
us the game. In another we got the 'jump ' on the opposition and won. I am
for clarification and strategy add-ons but not necessarily a "how to".
For those that