Pre-launch Open Question

Heyho Folks,

So, thought I might as well start the discussion proffered in the AMA #4:
For the Pre-Launch, should they use either just the Trial Missions, Trial Missions + 3 First Missions, or something else entirely?

I've added a poll for an easy overview, but I'd encourage folks to engage in the discussion as well; why they prefer one over the other, what other options they could consider, and so on.

Some information worth considering before voting/replying:

Goal:
One of the aims for the pre-launch - beyond testing - is to introduce new players to TBW and ARGs in general.

Pros & Cons:
Trial Missions:
+ Introduction to basic mechanics of ARGs/TBW.
+ Less of a gap between Pre-Launch and Launch in terms of novel content.
- Risk of disillusioning new players in regards to expected difficulty.
- Less "meat" for old players to indulge in.

Trial Missions + Basic Mission Pack:
+ More all-around introduction (mechanics as well as expected - initial - difficulty)
+ More meat to keep old players entertained between Pre-Launch and Launch.
- Risk of leaving new players on their own if old players do not help after they've (potentially) completed the missions.
- Larger gap between Pre-Launch and Launch in terms for novel content.

 

The concern was balancing

• Content to give new players a sense of the game
• Not providing too much, as to make pre-launch players wait 4 weeks for new content.

with the trial missions not providing a sense of the challenge. Is this accurate?

Quick questions: Are the trial missions included in the first 6? How many trial missions are there?

 

Ah, my mistake - I've altered the poll to reflect that it's either Trial Missions only, or Trial Missions + First 3 Missions. Was under the impression it was either the Trial Missions, or the First Missions (without the Introduction missions)

 

My first thought, from the perspective of someone who knows nothing about the missions themselves, would be to offer the 3 training missions, and then the 4th (first 'full mission') to whet the palate for Season 1 release. The pre-testers will still be looking forward to launch to continue the story, and non-veterans will get to expand outside of the training.

I think it's difficult for us to answer as community members because we have limited understanding of missions, except that the training missions will probably be similar in difficulty to the beta missions.

 

I would go with Trial Missions only for Pre-Launch, but selling it as some kind of preparation training in order to create anticipation.
In other words, stamp a disclaimer in big red letters saying: "This is the entry level. Make sure to practice this basic things so you will be ready when hell breaks loose. You will need it."

 

I voted for just 3 the training missions, since I got a sense from the AMA is that there is a concern that new players first need to learn some game mechanics before being introduced to the more challenging (and fun) aspects. Of course I would welcome any new official or unofficial missions also released during pre-launch, but if there is a need for the pre-launch to specifically address on-boarding new people, I'd rather the focus be on that. The success of the game is more important to me than getting my next mission fix a little sooner rather than later.

If by new players you mean really new – like never even played the beta at all and just coming in fresh from Steam – and you still also wanted to give them a taste of a more challenging mission without revealing other new content, couldn't you just keep one or more of the existing community or sandbox missions around during the pre-launch?

 

I like this idea too. Maybe I should have read it before I voted If this happens I'd even suggest holding of on releasing that 4th mission until a week or so before the actual launch or after a certain number of players have completed the training missions. I think that would create a sense that events are still developing and keep people more interested.

 

I agree with this 100%, great idea.
Especially for people I know who aren't deep into the ARG kinda scene yet, but still enjoy this kind of content and would definitely hop on when the full thing comes out, it's the best idea. I really wish I could change my original answer to it, though.

 

It is difficult to answer when you do not know the storyline. A glimpse of the story would be great to keep the pre-launchers interested for the things to come. That has more chances to convince about the concept of the game than just showing the mechanics. I love and hate good cliffhangers

 

I agree with Nikel's suggestion - as well as Rohva and Mercury's points.
It would make sense that a Pre-Launch had both an introductory aspect, as well as something that could feasibly entice new Agents to try the game just for the story - especially considering the fact that, for some, the mechanics alone might not be a selling point - and give them the enthusiasm to play the game on Launch, just to "find out what happens". More or less like you would find in any decent Demo of a game.

In other words:
- Setting it up so there's something for both those who are looking for a game with certain mechanics, as well as those looking for a game with a certain narrative.


So to that end, having it be a story-rich (if possible) first mission - so new players get a reasonable idea of both "This is how you'll find the game works", as well as "This is the kind of story you're getting yourself into" - might be a good idea. If possible, the first mission could, perhaps, even act as a retrospective, to help new agents catch up on the story they might need/want.

Or to make an analogue to the summary in the above paragraph:
- Ensuring players aren't overwhelmed by neither the mechanics nor the story when the game launches.


As for the potential gap for veteran players: I'd wager that, if you open up for Community Missions during the Pre-Launch, there'll be something to do - even if the missions aren't part of the canon.
Of course that might require new Community Missions, as I gather most of us here now have completed most of the ones already available.

Either way, us older players taking a back-burner during the Pre-Launch might not be a bad thing either way, as it would likely mean we have considerable more time to devote to helping newcommers, and thus (hopefully) avoid losing any new players, because they might've gotten a misconception that there's a bunch of old farts who'll always finish missions faster than them (which, of course, isn't true - but it might be an impression they could get with limited number of novel missions)