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[Feedback&Suggestion] NPE: Tool Tips

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Samuel Zelik D.A.R.K L.E.G.I.O.N D.E.F.I.A.N.C.E 200	Posted - 2014.05.26 03:48:00 - [1] - Quote Dear CCP Ankou, As you stated in your Project Legion Menus discussion, you are in charge of the User Experience (and presumably are involved with the New Player Experience as well). One of the main things I felt was lacking in Dust 514, and something that should be implemented into Legion, are proper Tool Tips. I will explain specifically what I mean later, but I feel that Tool Tips are essential for easing new players into the game, are necessary for reinforcing game mechanics, and should be treated equally as important as interactive, constructed tutorials. NPE at a glance Looking back at when I first joined the Open Beta, I chose my race, Gallente, for two reasons: 1) I felt the Gallente ideals best fit my own and 2) plasma technology. The second was only because I did a moderate amount of background research about the EVE Universe prior to entering the game. Continuing my experience, I joined my first battle and soon after my first corporation; although I was able to quickly grasp the concepts of battle because of my history with Star Wars Battlefront or SWB (important: I will be referencing this game later), I was left lost when the time came for fitting creation and the marketplace. Time after time I was hit with morsels of insight and walls of text that, practically, amounted to very little or I didn't care to read. Only after meeting an EVE Online player and joining the corporation I am currently in was I able to make progress with understanding the deeper layers this game has to offer. Because the corporation was small at the time, I received valuable personal attention and quickly became more familiar with the game; however, without that constant reinforcement, I do not think I would be in the same place today. This player mentoring is what Tool Tips should do and strive to accomplish: provide consistent, useful reinforcement regarding relevant aspects of the game. Currently Tool Tips exist buried deep within the System Operations menu. I have been playing with them on for months; I toggled them recently and still cannot tell what they do nor if they make a difference. I believe the lack of proper Tool Tips have harmed new players the most and have been the biggest failure regarding the Dust NPE. So: What are Tool Tips and how should they be implemented? I would like to provide answers for this question so to prove why proper Tool Tips are essential to create a successful NPE. What are Tool Tips? Tool Tips typically come in two forms: either audio or visual prompts. An example of an audio prompt is the GÇ£Capture null cannonsGÇ¥ heard at the beginning of every game by a robotic-like, female voice. Visual prompts can come in the form of an icon or text, such as squad orders or the text that pops up when a new order applies. The so called GÇ£Tool TipsGÇ¥ (not even sure you can classify them as that) in Dust are decent at best. In Dust, whenever I stand next to a vehicle or supply depot, I am only prompted how to use them. Instead, Tool Tips should provide information on WHY or HOW something is useful. In Star Wars Battelfront, when I am using my blaster rifle, I am told which buttons to use for primary or secondary fire, or how to switch weapons. After I capture a command post, I am made aware that I can switch my character at the post by pressing a certain button. When I am out on the battlefield, I am prompted with tips on how to move, aim, or maneuver (rolling, crouching, etc.). Because EVE is inherently complicated, Tool Tips will allow Legion to keep this complexity while also providing a safety net to ease new players into the game. In Legion, I'd like to see both audio and visual prompts be revamped and behave similarly to those in SWB. This leads to the second part of the question: how should Tool Tips be implemented? I was going to use that Installation... Flashlights: Good because yes.
Samuel Zelik D.A.R.K L.E.G.I.O.N D.E.F.I.A.N.C.E 200	Posted - 2014.05.26 03:48:00 - [2] - Quote How to use Tool Tips? Each of the examples from SWB represent a different way to implement a tip. The first is an example of an active tip; notice how the tip would appear to what I was doing (in that case, using a blaster rifle). The second is an example of a reactive tip; the tip appears in response to my action of capturing a post. The third is a passive tip; the tips appears to keep me moving in the right direction so I know what to do, especially when not doing anything. Here are some examples of how active, reactive, and passive Tool Tips should work in Legion: Active GÇô I am equipped with a Gallente Plasma Rifle. Upon spawning, I am reminded that the Plasma Rifle is designed for close range combat with a simple text prompt: GÇ£Full-Auto, Short Range, Plasma WeaponGÇ¥. As I switch to my Scrambler Pistol, the prompt: GÇ£Semi-Auto, Mid-to-Long Range, Laser WeaponGÇ¥ flashes on my screen. As I turn and look at a deployed Nanohive, text alerts me that this particular Nanohive can restore my ammo and armor. Active tips would also be excellent in the marketplace. If I select a weapon or equipment, etc., I do not want to read a lengthy lore description; I want a short practical description to highlight the main points of the item. Reactive GÇô Upon hacking a null cannon terminal, an audio prompt GÇ£remindsGÇ¥ me the hack must be completed before the null cannon is fully under our teams' control. After I hack a supply depot, I am reminded that I can swap my gear at said depot. If I am scanned, a text prompt stating that enemies can now detect me through the environment appears (one more clear than now). Reactive tips would be great after the player performs an action, such as when he/she crouches; the tip alerts him/her this increases his/her accuracy. Passive GÇô After wandering for some time, a visual arrow directs me towards the nearest null cannon and an audio prompt tells me to capture the null cannon terminal. Because I am Gallente, every now and then, the tip wold tell me something interesting about the Gallente race that isn't completely obvious, such as GÇ£Gallente suits are the only suits with inherent self repairGÇ¥. If I choose to play a Skirmish, the Skirmish loading screen should give me tips or hints about Skirmish, not Ambush or Domination. As you can see from these examples, there are many places Tool Tips could be useful and could really benefit new players through reminding and reinforcing. Tool Tips are essential for keeping new players informed, are necessary for highlighting game mechanics, and with significant importance. Tool Tips should emulate very similarly how new players learn from veterans to get used to the game; through continual interaction and constructive reinforcement. If successful, the use of proper Tool Tips should allow Legion to keep the complexity the community loves so much and allow for new players to integrate into the game. I really hope to see an improved User Experience in Legion and am excited for what is to come. Thank you for your time and effort. Sincerely, Samuel Zelik P.S. I will update this with pictures when I get the chance. If you have the time, please look into the way tips are implemented into SWB (I & II). I was going to use that Installation... Flashlights: Good because yes.
Samuel Zelik D.A.R.K L.E.G.I.O.N D.E.F.I.A.N.C.E 200	Posted - 2014.05.26 03:51:00 - [3] - Quote [Reserved] I was going to use that Installation... Flashlights: Good because yes.
Samuel Zelik D.A.R.K L.E.G.I.O.N D.E.F.I.A.N.C.E 206	Posted - 2014.05.28 04:20:00 - [4] - Quote Godin Thekiller wrote: Make sure I can turn that off, because I got it memorized in my head Right; keeping a toggle switch is important, too! CCP Ankou wrote: Very good examples. We will definitively try to add things like that in Legion. Thank you! Really appreciate the response and your consideration! <3 SponkSponkSponk wrote: Samuel Zelik wrote: This player mentoring is what Tool Tips should do and strive to accomplish: provide consistent, useful reinforcement regarding relevant aspects of the game. Currently Tool Tips exist buried deep within the System Operations menu. I have been playing with them on for months; I toggled them recently and still cannot tell what they do nor if they make a difference. That's because they're for keyboard users to know what to press to do stuff, since they don't have Playstation keys. That makes sense; thank you for clarifying that for me. Lovin' daddy Rattati! CCP Ankou s+êTà+ bro!

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