A recent request for a feature, the switching off of the
abort display setting in the computer, is a game changer.
The game is a text game, so a ton of text is being sent,
even with animation turned off. Being able to abort these
blocks of text to get info faster is a fundimental skill that
a newb or retread Needs to know.

The only reason given for this feature is how baffling it is
to have a script abort displays. Is the option of Not running
the baffling script out of the question?

All the pack 1 and 2 scripts that come with the free version of
twx toggle the cn9 settings. All those public scripts will be
tubed. Why teach that to your trainees?

Forgive me if I'm pushing the bounds of open discussion, had
to be said.

Trust me , Cruncher and I have had discussions at great lengths about this topic. I thought after playing in the B.O.T.E. and her seeing that aborting displays could keep her alive here we go again. She is like a pitbull with a rubber chew toy!!
I can't really argue if it was a toggle, but I really don't see the value since I can already toggle it on/off by how I write my scripts. So if you don't want to abort write scripts accordingly. I think there are better items that JP could be working on but that is just my personal feelings which mean "NOTHING".

I absolutely agree that we could not have succeeded in the mission last night had we not aborted displayes.

Aborting displays belongs in the games that players choose to script in.

I've had 25 different players visit my server since it went up last July. I see how they play, and trust me... they are playing manually! Just getting used to the game and commands is plenty enough for someone who's not played in a long while.

These players are not aborting displays, so they wouldn't even notice if I took that away. And it would help to ensure they could play the game at their own "speed".

Growing the player base is what we need, is it not?

I've long had the idea of graduated difficulty games. While I do agree that playing a game without aborting is more challenging to some, I think the way this game is played today is too easy. Learning the scripting is the hardest part.

Some of you have played this game so long that the game is no longer the challenge. I've seen how easily Xan can bot a player to warp to SD and buy a Colt. Me, I still have to see the menus to buy a ship, I don't have the SD menus memorized or saved on macros.

Besides, it's only a toggle. I may have the only server using it.

Or, for some real challenge, try a tournament without displays aborted.

And yes, I am a Pit Bull with a rubber chew T0y!

Maybe I shouldn't post my thoughts since I am playing the game less and less, but some things have to make me wonder.....

How do you teach someone the availability of something if it is removed? Display aborts are used in macros and scripts with most examples that new players come across having the abort built in.

With some games having the ability to abort displays and others not, it will only serve to confuse the returning player even more. We will get into the discussion of how to abort a display, and the new/returning player saying that it doesn't work.

Yes, the game needs to grow, but then so do the players.

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

I would like the opposite. A player option that would completely turn these displays off. No aborting necessary.

These players don't play with displays aborted at all right now. They think they are hot stuff if they use Swath, and Swath only aborts display on turbo mode. You put these raw newbies in a room with script kiddies, and they're toast.

Each of the games on my server has individualized description pages. I can add flashing message on intro page to allert players to read the game descriptions. I can create more descriptive game names.

If they are happy staying in the safer (for them) games, let them be. If they get bored and want to try TWX and Mombot, step up to the next level.

Let them move up in skill levels as it suites them, not because they are forced to play a certain style because everyone else does. I want to put an end to "adapt or die" once and for all.

Players like this are most likely only playing private games now, with like minded players. Public servers need to offer more options to ease players back in. Every poll taken says heavy script play has turned the majority of the players away. Once you entice them back their natural curiousity will have them checking out TWX and Mombot. We've got to get them in the door first though.

This page that Comet found got me all fired up over this again. http://hackaday.com/2009/08/28/tradewars-2002-lives/

And how does your reply address the question in my message that you quoted? The message I posted was about aborting displays, the confusion it may cause, and how one would learn - not some rant about "adapt or die".

Some might also consider learning the game as a method of adapting. Learn something and change the way one does things. Learn about aborting displays and put it to use in a macro so you might beat the 1 second ptorp duration for an invasion. Learn about haggling for the best price and what ports to use - adapting based on learning.

Put anyone without knowledge into a game where the other person is vastly more experienced and there will only be one outcome.

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

That describes anyone wondering into a game today who hasn't played since the dial-up bbs days.

How do you expect players to #1 relearn the game, then #2 graduate from manual, to Swath, to TWX & Mombot?

They already know there's advanced script play, and they cannot get a toe-hold long enough to get interested in trying to learn.

And what if they DON'T want to learn script play, but play the game as it was before TWGS and TWX?

What if they are happy little twarriors who just want to play a friendly game of TW on a public server with like minded players?

I've fought for a great many toggles that makes this game more player friendly, this is the one toggle I've not gotten yet, and it's simply a toggle. If I'm the only server using it who cares?

A player can already turn this on and off, so making a toggle for sysops should not be a big deal, game code wise, I wouldn't think.

If your only concern is for players to rise up in skill level faster to get to your level so you have more competition, then that's being a bit selfish, don't you think? My concern is getting them in, and keeping them safe until they decide they are ready to move up in skill level. But, if the little fish are happy playing in the little pond, let them be. Let them enjoy the game the way they like to play it.

A sysop toggle to stop aborting displays will help ensure the script kiddies won't be messing in the guppy ponds.

Are you wanting a flame war about scripts? Maybe we need to get Mob to put in a thread solely for your anti-script rants.

I hate replying point by point on a post where someone is really just wanting to derail a subject, but since you seem to insist...

               / Promethius / Enigma / Wolfen /

"A man who has no skills can be taught, a man who has no honor has nothing."

Do you even see how insulting this is to a returning player?
"We need to hide some things from players who aren't ready for them yet."
The setting needs to be there. You are toggling the game
into a different game. CN9 needs to be a part of the game.

This is a silly request. Those manual players will never abort
something important, and if they do chose to use an entry
level script, it will work. Do you really need to powder puff
the whole game? What kind of players are you courting?

Stop lowering the level of play.

Prom and crosby, I was thinking the exact samething!!! Cruncher, what makes you think you are the spokesmen for "newer players" You have nothing to offer these new pleyers either, you honestly need to worry about learning the game yourself before making game changing decision!!!!!
Sorry but its the truth!!

I'm not hiding anything they aren't using. They don't even know abort on display exists. They don't know the hidden "feature" that < will return you to a previous sector. Among so many other things that have been added to TWGS that were never a part of the dial-up bbs games they remember.

How many of you have servers? How many of you can observe how a new returning player plays? Other than how slow they are to kill your grid figs before you toast them?

This is why sysops can edit their intro screens and game description files. Put it out there, let them know that is first game is truly retro, pre TWGS as close as we can emulate - including toggling off abort on display.

Next game will be a bit more challenging, with tutorials in the game description file to show them some of the "hidden features" such as < return to previous sector and abort on display. Show them how turbo mode does abort in Swath.

Once they want more challenge, then I point them to Ice-9 for the builders game, or UTW to get a taste of unlimited turn games.

I know a player who plays Swamp to avoid all of the TWX script play, he's a happy little clam playing the old HVS MBBS game. And, that's OK! He'll never move up, he's explored other servers and chooses to play a game setting he enjoys.

Script writing fascinates me. I'm starting to form the opinion that if you want to play heavily scripted games, then everyone on the team must have some script writing skills.

I’m looking to court entry level players, get them in and playing and move them up and out should they choose. If they decide they prefer to play games that are less challenging, then so be it, they will have the opportunity. Something they don’t have now.

So you are the self appointed trainer of new and returning
players? They get to see what you let them see and learn
to play at the pace you set? Don't you see how
condescending this is?



Once again, you have an opinion, so everyone must play
according to your new-found epiphany. That's just so
gracious of you to deign to help those poor wretches.

Stop trying to change the game. Training wheels should
come off ASAP, and shouldn't change the feel of riding...

When Players log in to this game today, they see the game, as it's played, in the manner we play it today.
Those of us who have been around know the game has changed, but reality is this is the game TODAY.
Just because you like the games that are on the Playstation 1, doesn't mean that the Playstation 3 will even support those games. If you want to play them, dig up a playstation 1 and plug it in, but there are many who are very successful at the PS3 games who have never laid eyes on the PS1

I think I made my point

Clearly she speaks for all noobs. Since her return we've had such a mass influx of players. Personally I think it's all the pompos posturing and egos that are driving players away. Or maybe that's just my solution, to play other games with a more diverse player base, where I can kill/mute/move on from egomaniacs who speak only to somehow prove thier superiority.

Remember she's the same person who was completely against scripting unless it fits her needs like colonizing or moving product..THEN it's ok...

Rite