Beginner Mode.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

I was just tinkering with grabbing the best screenshots of a game I was having, and an idea popped into my head for those who are fresh off the FPS scene who wish to give SOW a try.

As I was pausing the game, I wondered if a mod, or have it coded into the game to allow players to pause the game, and still issue orders, and when you un-pause the game those orders would then be executed.

I suppose this could be mismanaged or used as a cheat, so I thought if this option is enabled, scores would either be disabled or reduced significantly.

This is about giving those who are new to this type of style of play a chance to get comfortable, and help those who get confused by having to micro manage from time to time. I know when I first started playing I got so confused, and frustrated that I walked away or played very small battles (sometimes even then I got overwhelmed). I do know I had that feeling of brain drain that made me not want to play SOW. Now it's child's play for me, and I can handle my own on the battlefield no matter what style I play, but that took well over a year to feel real comfortable with the game, and finally come into my own.

I also see this as a benefit for those who wish to take on the added difficulty having a HITS game.

I know there will be those hardcore realism fanatics that would cry out "the sky is falling", "the sky is falling", but this is not about realism for me, it's about enjoying SOW, and having a full game without walking away feeling frustrated, and burned out.

Just a thought.

[Garnier]

You can pause, figure out exactly what you want to do, and unpause for a brief moment to do it, then pause again.

Not saying this would be bad to have, just it wouldn't change things that much.

[Michael Slaunwhite]

You can pause, figure out exactly what you want to do, and unpause for a brief moment to do it, then pause again.

Not saying this would be bad to have, just it wouldn't change things that much.

Hi Garnier, and thanks for the reply.

Good point. I was thinking more along the lines where a new player can pause the game, and look over all of his troops (depending on the command he/she has chosen), and take their time looking, and mulling over their best approach before sending out orders, and unpausing the game. This way a person can command armies if they decide to ever do that without feeling overly pressured.

I was also thinking over the penalty issue concerning using a pause/order option. I guess the way I posted about earlier (turning off the scoring) is one way, but I started to think that maybe have it set so at the end of the battle the amount of time spent in pause mode would be deducted from the gross score so that anyone can choose to use it if things get to hectic.

[Scoring/Deductions] (just throwing out numbers)

5 Minutes Total= -300
10 Minutes Total= -800
15 Minutes Total= -1200
20 Minutes Total= -1600
30 Minutes Total= -2000

This way a person would have to decide if using the pause/order button would be worth it or not.

I don't know, just thinking out loud.

Thanks again Garnier.