ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

I realize there is a basic tutorial when you first start in ToME (which is a good idea, especially for a game with as much depth and quirkiness as this), but perhaps there could be implemented a 'tutorial mode', maybe even related to that 'tip of the day' suggestion someone made last week... With the goal of detecting when a player is taking certain actions for the first time (or triggering at certain zones) and providing helpful, contextual snippets of information. It may be preferable to supply this help in a non-modal window, which could also be the 'tips' window, so as to not overly intrude upon the person's play with a dialog that needs to be dismissed, but could be positioned at (close to) the upper right of the screen.

Some examples of useful 'tutmsgs' or 'tipmsgs' and their associated triggers:

"Congratulations, you have gained a Character Level! Press SHIFT+G to open the Level Up window, where you can improve your character's attributes and talents." - for lvl 2, obviously
<brief description of the separation of class/generic talents, and pointing out that each class has many unique trees, along with a caution about the value and functionality of category points> - upon opening level up window
"After battle, you can press 'r' to rest long enough to get back any health you have lost, and regain other resources such as mana or stamina that were expended during the fight. You can click on any one of your resource bars for more information on each and how to manage them." - After some hp loss, when hostiles are no longer in sight (or when no hostiles are alerted to the player after at least 1 kill).
<quick rundown on status effects> - when hit by freeze, stun, disarm, pin, etc for the first time.

Some of this may seem like overkill, but it's important to keep in mind that ToME is a very accessible game in terms of its play style, despite its individuality. The more that can be done to help acclimatize shiny new players and ease them into the world of ToME (and in some cases into the world of roguelikes), the better - all the while making it easy for confident players to simply click away individual tips and switch them off with a simple menu option if they'd rather wing it

If you like this idea and wish to help, please reply with other key points at which you think players should be 'tipped', including situations where information is given in the standard game log but should probably be made more noticeable.

I'm curious, for those who have started playing more recently, what are the things that you felt you needed tips on when starting out in the game?

Oh, another one is definitely pointing out that you can ask escorts where the portal is, and tell them to sit the ---- down for a bit, and *how* to do that. I think elsewhere that it's mentioned in-game it doesn't tell you to right click, and you don't right-click to communicate with other NPCs like shops, so escort interaction isn't intuitive even after players have got through a few levels and done other things.

Grey wrote:I'm curious, for those who have started playing more recently, what are the things that you felt you needed tips on when starting out in the game?

I didn't understand how to equip new runes/infusions once I had three... I couldn't figure out how to delete them... thank goodness for chat

Also, I couldn't figure out how to buy new rune/infusion slots with category points... chat saved me there as well

When I first started, I thought gold was useful and actually bothered to make loot runs to shops O_o

I didn't know how to control my golem when playing alchemist, I thought there'd be a control golem button on the bottom or something. It took me even longer to realize I could equip him and he could hold stuff.

Gold is useful, but it's hardly scarce, except for a new player. I find myself using shops a great deal when I play certain classes (rogue is a big one), and I pretty much always raid the inscription shops shortly after starting.

What in the hell is a virgin class?

Not sure whether he means the classes that don't need to be unlocked, or if he means having the tips pop up the first time you ever play a particular class.

Final Master wrote:What in the hell is a virgin class?

One that hasn't been 'used' yet

TheRani wrote:Not sure whether he means the classes that don't need to be unlocked, or if he means having the tips pop up the first time you ever play a particular class.

What Rani said

I wouldn't say that this should be limited to the 'beginner' classes either, since many of the unlocked classes/races have very different playing styles and unique features (which is awesome, and usually fun to work out on your own, but can be frustrating if you're stuck due to missing something crucial about the class like a certain aspect of tactics or resource management).

Thanks Reat, great input guys, I'll see about making up a list on the weekend with possible 'tips' text to use if this is implemented (or just used to improve in-game help)

It's still not clear what you mean to me. You mean, a class that you haven't made a character for yet, ever. So, a quick tutorial that will only be accessed once, and displayed, once, ever, for any one player? ... Not sure that's going to work, seeing as, oh, I don't know, how often the classes get changed.

Final Master wrote:It's still not clear what you mean to me. You mean, a class that you haven't made a character for yet, ever.

Yes.

So, a quick tutorial that will only be accessed once, and displayed, once, ever, for any one player?

I think my use of the word Tutorial was a source of confusion.. I meant in the title "Tutorial Mode or Tips Mode", meaning that the player is given extra information (in the form of on-screen help in a tips window/popup) at moments they are likely to need it if they've never played that class/race before. It can be difficult sometimes for devs/programmers to identify the aspects of their game which are not obvious to new players (because of prior knowledge of how everything works), which is why I'm inviting other newbie players (of which I consider myself one) to point out where a few hints would have helped them to more easily pick up the game or a certain class.

The most obvious examples are things like the golem control, but as Reat pointed out, there are aspects of the game such as inscriptions slots which could use some extra clarification when people are starting out.

... Not sure that's going to work, seeing as, oh, I don't know, how often the classes get changed.

This is true - tips would have to be updated along with the rest of the game, but most of the examples given so far are for things that haven't changed much in at least the last ~5 betas.

Keep 'em coming guys! I'll put in some more time on this within the week.

I'd rather see such tips enabled on character creation with a checkbox or something.

Tips for how Paradox works I'd be willing to help out with if someone wants to put the numbers into words for me.