If you play Wurm, the chances are you’ve already completed the tutorial.
If you haven’t, they currently use NPC tutorial ‘guides’ that give text-based instructions to players. They then send them away to complete their mini goals on the premise that they return to recieve more once they are finished. This repeats until all of the missions are completed.
The problem is that this method of tutorial relies too heavily on theory (text) rather than the practical usage of that theory (doing things). On top of that, to advance in the tutorial you need to return to the guides time and time again which can be very repetitive.
That’s why we’re in the process of creating the new tutorial using the new mission code.
Led by Enki (GM), the new tutorial is being constructed on the Golden Valley server in a purpose-built tutorial complex. This will be split into stages, each relating to different gameplay elements, ranging from interaction and navigation to the more advanced aspects of crafting and combat.
So, why change it?
The purpose of the re-design is fairly simple – to create a new tutorial which is more structured, dynamic and which offers new players a more effective introduction to the game. So, rather than needing to repeatedly return to guides (that is, if they are found in the first place), new players will spawn directly within the tutorial complex and begin right away, guided by a scripted mission with triggers that can be as simple as standing on a tile, or examining an object.
As you can imagine, this new functionality grants us a considerably large degree of freedom to create a far more useful and effective introduction for new players. This is important, because an ineffective tutorial can lead to problems later on. For instance, very often players can fall into holes yet have no experience using the ‘Climb’ button, and as a result need to spend time either figuring that out or asking other players.
When will it be finished?
At this time we are still in the early stages of construction, so it would be unwise to give out a solid ETA. That said, progress is (at the moment) good. To better illustrate the current state of the tutorial area, I have included one or two screenshots.
The tutorial area as a whole, including all nine stages as of 1st August 2010, though please be aware that only stage one (bottom left) is near to completion.
Tutorial stage one (Navigation), under construction as of 1st August 2010. Note the similarities with an assault course, including slopes, terrain types and climbing.
