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[fldash]

We are very interested in improving the modification to make it easier for new players to use and enjoy Europe In Ruins.  That said, I'd like to get a brief idea of what most players see as the main hurdles for newer players getting started in Europe In Ruins.

For those experienced players, it's important that you are helpful and patient with new players as they get the hang of the system.  Being rude and impatient will drive them away and you'll be the one to suffer.

Thanks.

[Sir. The-W]

I think its "weak" in all areas, thats why this is an alpha, but here is what I think.
1. The installer should install the mod, and put a shortcut to the EiR launcher on the desktop and in start menu. The EiR Launcher should include a general "Launch game" button under the game number, this way if you choose to not launch game after you download there is still an easier way to get in then another shortcut.
2. Battle creation is easy, no problems there really. It was said before that a couple of attack/defend presets should be there so people have something to start on. The java app should allow you to "un-purchase" upgrades and troops, so if you realize that, say you forgot the engineers, you can still get them in, also it makes it easier to tweak your company instead of starting over.
3. Planning shouldn't be hard, that's more towards the players role, same with planning.
4. Yeah, lack of players is a biggie. Its still in alpha, but it couldn't hurt to advertise   I saw it posted on the news section of total CoH, I don't know where else. Also, the more automated things are in the beginning, the more likely people are going to stay.
5. AI would be sick!

Thats what I think

[Skunker]

Most of the problem lies in the fact that the UI for company creation is very unintuitive. Also sometimes it's hard to find players - but in order to have players the UI must first be easy enough to use.

[acker]

As always, randomized companies will help new players get the nuances of the game down before they create custom companies.

[fldash]

Thanks for the feedback so far.  v1.7 will include the following enhancements:

* Auto-installer that installs the mod and EIR_Launcher for you, including creating shortcuts for EIR_Launcher and for regular mod start.

* Default battle files and a default battle id of 999 that will allow you to play games without ever creating companies.

* Default company 'builds' based upon your selected doctrine abilities when creating your account.

[ChickenClaw]

Yeah, I joined up today and I'm rather lost in company creation.  Some noobish sticky's in your forums could help, for I have questions o' plenty.

[Unkn0wn]

Did you read the ultimate guide?

If so and you still have questions, don't hesitate to post them all .

If not, go do so .

[Thanasis]

For as long as there is no campaign map, it's still another CoH mod and personally I couldn't care less.
I know it's still alpha, so no worries from me, but please make sure it gets what we dreamed of, when we first talked about it 

From then on, you need more players, but I really don't know how to get them here to play just another mod.

All my best wishes for success!

[Apex]

I think the install could be improved, but is good, and the company/battle setup is very easy intuitive to use.

I think the biggest problem is just to find players to play with.
 
I added all the people that gave their ids in the x-fire thread (3 pages long) and its still quite hard to find someone for a game.
The irc channel is almost empty at all times, and i dont have a microphone (and i dont think i am the only one) so i cant use teamspeak. We need one definate meeting place that is easy to access by everyone, where u can be on something like standby to wait for someone, cause with the irc channel you just check quickly then quit again. Is it possible to have predesigned friends lists with crossfire?
 
The ability to have both an axis and an allied company would help a lot too, because right now there seem to be more axis around than allies.

[Unkn0wn]

I think currently teamspeak is by far the best option for anyone.

Even if you don't have a microphone, teamspeak has a chat function so you'll at least get a game and be able to listen to others.

[TorJado]

I'm with unknown. Teamspeak is a great way to get the games going, but unfortunatly, we've had a record of 14 or so people in there. As of now, theres always a 15-45 minute wait to get into a game.

[Dragon93]

Yeh i agree, the time it sometimes takes to get games going is kind of stupid. I especially think that we need to try and get more players from Europe, because unless its a weekend there is barely anyone on, specially at times that are good for european players, which also makes it hard to get games going.
One thing that is definatly needed is a way to make making games easier, and an AI would be useful, especially for testing out new companies before trying them out against humans. Plus and AI would be useful when we have (which happens a lot) loads of Allies and barely an axis, or vice versa.

[Lai]

I agree, the europeans are too few. Maybe find a way to attract french and germans? Perhaps the english on the forums is too hard for them, while they still can make themselves understood in-game. Translating the most vital information like unk's guide could help. If anyone is frequenting a non-english CoH-site, they could spread the word there.

[acker]

One of the main problems with this mod is that it can take over an hour to organize a game.

Create something site-based (in War Control Panel) that allows people to register for pre-planned, scheduled games days in advance. For instance...

1: Someone wishes to run a 4vs4, N13 on March 7, 2007, 18:00.
2: Said person creates game request on WCP.
3: People join up if they are available on that specific date. People who have urgent, unexpected conflicts can leave the game up to a day before the game starts.
4: On March 7, 2007, 18:00, people meet up in TS and play game.

[fldash]

Excellent idea acker and that's basically how we plan to facilitate planning in the real war.  It wouldn't hurt to program that now.

[Draygon]

I like Ackers suggestion, it will help get games together.  I would however, suggest that it is placed somewhere on the home page of the site in the form of a Calender.  Players can then come to the website, look at the calender and click on the date.  If there is something planned for that date the info will be shown with contact info (email, xfire, etc...) if there is not anything planned for that day then they can add in something (if they are a registered accounter holder AND have a company)  I wouldnt want someone coming here that has no company set up and just starts spamming it with false dates.

FL I will send you a PM with a site that has an example of what I am speaking of above.

[Thanasis]

One of the main problems with this mod is that it can take over an hour to organize a game.

Create something site-based (in War Control Panel) that allows people to register for pre-planned, scheduled games days in advance. For instance...

1: Someone wishes to run a 4vs4, N13 on March 7, 2007, 18:00.
2: Said person creates game request on WCP.
3: People join up if they are available on that specific date. People who have urgent, unexpected conflicts can leave the game up to a day before the game starts.
4: On March 7, 2007, 18:00, people meet up in TS and play game.

Sorry, but this can never work.
I don't know what's your experience from organized matches, but it actually is one of the hardest things to happen.
Unless you plan EiR to be a 10 people's war, where...OK, it may work this way.
Otherwise, if you aim for the masses, just forget this idea.
EVERYTHING should be AUTOMATED and games must be played whenever people are in EiR lobby, ready to play. Planning games just doesn't work.

And let me repeat: as long as there is no campaign map, don't expect much people here.
Ask yourself: why would they come?

Salute!

[Draygon]

Why would they come?


To test the units out and make sure that everything is balanced out before the persistent map and campaign is put into place.  Without testers that will never happen...that and its just damn fun too!

[Snake]

Ok well started stranslating the Ultimate Guide in french. It'll be done by tommorow.

[Unkn0wn]

Good job!