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![[image loading]](http://s23.postimg.org/xynacknuz/feeding_pyramid.jpg)
Like any sport, getting new players is the lifeblood of SC2. But RTS is the most complex type of game with the largest learning curve. Getting new players over the initial hump has been a problem Blizzard has tried to solve for years.
The current Blizzard strategy for getting new players is as follows:
Advertise to people out there who are not intimidated by RTS --> Hope they buy the game --> Play the campaign on Normal difficulty --> Challenges which introduce elements of multiplayer play --> Play against the A.I. --> Play unranked --> Play ranked --> Move up from Bronze league.
This is a fantastic strategy, very smooth transitions through the learning curve of RTS.
I propose a supplementary road to lead new players into multiplayer SC2. I call it the ‘Girlfriend Approach’ because this is, in my opinion, the ideal way to get your girlfriend into SC2.
Are you ready? Here is the super simple, super effective way to get new players into SC2.
You play a specially designed custom map 1v1 against another SC2 friend. The custom map is a normal melee map but is specially designed to allow ANY NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO CONTROL ONE PLAYER. So it will be you and your girlfriend against your SC2 friend. Note: three separate SC2 accounts are required for this - for you, your girlfriend, and your SC2 friend.
Then it goes something like this:
1) Teach your girlfriend the basics of controlling one unit. i.e. controlling one marine. Move, attack, etc.
2) Play a 1v1 against your friend. Once your first marine is out, let your girlfriend control it. She can do with it as she pleases and you can guide her on what to do with it. Later you can let her control a more powerful unit, like a hellion, or thor. Play the game out as usual. Encourage your girlfriend that you guys won as a team.
3) As she becomes proficient with controlling units, slowly increase her responsibility. Maybe let her control two units, then a small squad, then one spellcaster, then drops, then maybe your whole army.
4) Then switch it - start to teach her to macro while you control the army. By now she should have seen you build SCV’s, supply, and command centres heaps of times. Maybe first game, let her focus only on building supply depots. Then maybe only SCV production. Then both, and progress smoothly to more responsibility.
5) Slowly over time, let her have larger proportions of the actions required to play SC2 1v1 successfully.
6) By the end of this, I imagine she’d probably be about bronze/silver league. She can play by herself from there on.
Pros:
- Beginners love playing a new game with someone they know.
- Beginners love feeling like being a part of the team.
- By its very nature, links a beginner with a mentor.
- Can bring more closeness for all you gaming guys with your girlfriend 
- This also works for four people, i.e. two SC2 players and their respective girlfriends. Awesome double date idea!
Cons:
- Requires two accounts to work, one for you and one for your girlfriend. Maybe borrow a friend’s account or buy the game for your girlfriend.
ACTION REQUIRED:
As far as I know, this custom map does not currently exist. Can a map maker please make it. Hopefully you can make it support up to 4v4 (still ingame 1v1), so one SC2 player can play with the whole family!
Thoughts, ideas, and feedback heavily encouraged!
Rangi
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I wouldn't say the con is a con really. It's just a fact, not too big a deal. If my GF said she would do this with me I would buy an account for her in seconds.
Anyways brilliant idea, if I wasn't useless at the Map Editor I would try/be able to tell you if it's possible. Hopefully someone picks up on this though!
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Well, there's actually only three steps...
1.) Convince them that video games are not a waste of time
2.) Show them why *this* specific video game is one you enjoy as opposed to all the other options out there
3.) Profit
The hard part is that the gaming community has been working on step 1 since inception....
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This is relatively easy to implement on any map:
In the map editor, under the map initialization, instead of the normal Melee set starting resources and create starting units for *all players*, you'll have to do it just for the "primary" players you want to have units for.
So you'll use (probably should just make a function that takes the player number in and places it everywhere in these):
"Melee - Set (Race of player 2) melee starting resources for player 2"
"Melee - Create (Race of player 2) melee starting units for player 2 at (Start location of player 2)"
and then after you do that for each "primary player" playing, and ally their friends with them - set the alliances you want using the Set Alliance action, and be sure to pick "Ally With Shared Vision, Control, And Spending" (raw code: SetAlliance(1,2,4)).
Don't forget "Melee - Set default melee options for all players" and you should be good to go. You can do this to any existing melee map :D
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On March 29 2013 08:00 Toboe wrote:
This is relatively easy to implement on any map:
In the map editor, under the map initialization, instead of the normal Melee set starting resources and create starting units for *all players*, you'll have to do it just for the "primary" players you want to have units for.
So you'll use (probably should just make a function that takes the player number in and places it everywhere in these):
"Melee - Set (Race of player 2) melee starting resources for player 2"
"Melee - Create (Race of player 2) melee starting units for player 2 at (Start location of player 2)"
and then after you do that for each "primary player" playing, and ally their friends with them - set the alliances you want using the Set Alliance action, and be sure to pick "Ally With Shared Vision, Control, And Spending" (raw code: SetAlliance(1,2,4)).
Don't forget "Melee - Set default melee options for all players" and you should be good to go. You can do this to any existing melee map :D
Can you please make the map and publish it? You might be helping to start a revolution! :D
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These types of maps are called "team melee" and have been around for a while.
There is another version called "Micro Macro on <map name>" which should be available on the arcade right now if i remember. Bascially players can choose to do the micro part of the game (more fun for the newbie) and the more "experienced" can focus on macroing and making lots of stuff to give to the micro player to use. You enter the game (it works like an obs map) and you can pick which side you want to play on and which role.
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What you are describing is a feature that existed in Brood War (as a game mode put in by Blizzard, can be done on any map) called "Team Melee."
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On March 29 2013 08:08 xxpack09 wrote:
What you are describing is a feature that existed in Brood War (as a game mode put in by Blizzard, can be done on any map) called "Team Melee."
I miss team melee
Especially when you mixed races... yum
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On March 29 2013 08:08 xxpack09 wrote:
What you are describing is a feature that existed in Brood War (as a game mode put in by Blizzard, can be done on any map) called "Team Melee."
wow you're right, this is exactly Team Melee. I can't wait to intro my gf to it!
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On March 29 2013 07:34 rangi wrote:
1) Teach your girlfriend the basics of controlling one unit. i.e. controlling one marine. Move, attack, etc.
...
edit:
1) get a fucking girlfriend (hardest step)
2) if you play video games all the time step 1 will be very difficult
3) stop playing video games
4) wtf?? you are ruining e-sports!!!
...
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I think if people like the game they will just play it
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If she hates when a living thing gets killed, it's hard to get her into anything more than Portal, unfortunately. Otherwise, cool idea, in general.
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I actually think the map already exists, I stumbled upon it a few days ago while browsing arcade game, gimme a minute.
Otherwise, i like it, I will try to convince my GF to do that.
EDIT: All right i Got it, the map is "MacroMicro with Map Rotation", you can find it by filtering arcade game with "Strategy" it should come first, at least on NA.
Basically, you play as one team in which one player will macro while the other one will micro only. So kind of exactly what you need.
That "strategy" genre in arcade has some very interesting stuff oO!
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On March 29 2013 07:45 Thieving Magpie wrote:
Well, there's actually only three steps...
1.) Convince them that video games are not a waste of time
2.) Show them why *this* specific video game is one you enjoy as opposed to all the other options out there
3.) Profit
The hard part is that the gaming community has been working on step 1 since inception....
Gotta solve those root problems first.
As far as maps you could use the Mico/Macro map where 1 player only macros and 1 player only micros. itd be a little less gradual than what u describe but It could still work.
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Yeah the above. Macro micro pretty much does this.
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That is definitely not at all sexist in any way.
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If you want to make it even more gradual, you could open up the macro gradually.
"Okay, we're going to do this build. Once our expo finishes, I'll take over the macro and you start microing."
"Alright, now we'll have you macro up until X time."
"Okay, once you take your third, I'll take over macro."
"Alright, once we're ready to push out off 3 bases, I'll start macroing."
"Okay, once you take your fourth, I'll start macroing."
"It's all you, all game. You got this!"
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I picture a boyfriend reach over/around a girl to be like, this is how you control that unit. While pressing up against her, getting a little bit of arm boob <3
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this map already exists. In Brood War it was called "team melee". In SC2, the custom map is called "macro micro". One person macroes, and the other microes.
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Only one of my friends has seriously gotten his girlfriend to give it a try, and he did it by defending her base in FFA's without her noticing so she could macro on her own and still put up a fight when one of us single try hards began cleaning out the map. She didn't learn build orders or expansion timings or scouting, she just learned that she likes making Thors. And we always volunteer to play 4v4's or custom games with her as a teammate. So she doesn't have to worry about the elements of being a solid ladder player, just that she can be on a team with her friends and find ways to beat each other
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On March 29 2013 12:20 Genesis Brood wrote:
this map already exists. In Brood War it was called "team melee". In SC2, the custom map is called "macro micro". One person macroes, and the other microes.
Team melee is exactly the map we want. Micro/macro is not, asking my girlfriend to control all micro for her first game will be too much for her.
Please somebody make Team Melee maps for HOTS.
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Rangi -- repost or request the thread be moved to the Custom Maps section and one of us mappers will hopefully have time to pick it up for you.
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Bisutopia19276 Posts
On March 29 2013 13:23 rangi wrote:Show nested quote +On March 29 2013 12:20 Genesis Brood wrote:
this map already exists. In Brood War it was called "team melee". In SC2, the custom map is called "macro micro". One person macroes, and the other microes. Team melee is exactly the map we want. Micro/macro is not, asking my girlfriend to control all micro for her first game will be too much for her. Please somebody make Team Melee maps for HOTS.
In the mean time why not just select share unit control? That pretty much solves it.
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This kind of stuff isn't needed... Just show your girlfriend the game and see if she likes it. If they don't, they don't. If they are excited by things like the "walking egg thingies" (colossus) and like seeing laser beams everywhere or have fun seeing their roaches spew acid and devour marines, they'll learn more and enjoy playing. The game is actually a very fun game, you don't need to have little tactics to get someone involved. Same thing applies to non-girlfriend friends. Just introduce them to it and let them play it...
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I tried to get my girlfriend to play starcraft once.
"wtf? the ground sparkles. there's too much stuff going on. I don't like it."
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On March 29 2013 07:34 rangi wrote:... Encourage your girlfriend that you guys won as a team.
3) As she becomes proficient with controlling units, slowly increase her responsibility. Maybe let her control two units, ...
Is there a version of this for non-retarded girlfriends?
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1. Make multiplayer free.
2. Cartoonize the graphic
3. Make million dollar tournament
4. Profit.
That's the radical new way. Mind = blown.
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I have long thought that the approach you're describing isn't just the best way to bring new players into the game - it's the best way to actually have a balanced multiplayer. In current multiplayer, there's too much to scout and too little interaction between two people on the same team. Not to mention that if 1v1 is balanced, 4v4 would then be balanced if it were actually just a 1v1 with 4 people controlling each side.
I'm pretty sure there was a way to do this in BW - because I'm pretty sure I played this way as a kid. I wish you still could.
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my girlfriend would snap my nerd neck at most fighting games, pokemon, and anything related. I do not think starcraft is a great game for many girls, especially those who spend a lot of time on their nails..
You could get her involved as a spectator of the game and a fan of the esport, sure.
You'd better be willing to do the same sort of thing for the games she plays though!
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On March 30 2013 02:59 Treehead wrote:
I have long thought that the approach you're describing isn't just the best way to bring new players into the game - it's the best way to actually have a balanced multiplayer.
I would love to see what awesomeness the pros would come up with if they played like that!
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On March 29 2013 08:26 dr.fahrenheit wrote:Show nested quote +On March 29 2013 07:34 rangi wrote:
1) Teach your girlfriend the basics of controlling one unit. i.e. controlling one marine. Move, attack, etc. ... edit: 1) get a fucking girlfriend (hardest step) 2) if you play video games all the time step 1 will be very difficult 3) stop playing video games 4) wtf?? you are ruining e-sports!!! ...
omg i love you
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There's already a custom game that's like this. I think it's called Macro/Micro. One person is in charge of the macro (building, workers and tech), and the other is in charge of the micro (moving units, attacking, casting spells).
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On March 30 2013 02:51 Snoodles wrote:
I tried to get my girlfriend to play starcraft once.
"wtf? the ground sparkles. there's too much stuff going on. I don't like it."
tried to get my gf into esport (watching mlg etc) she had the same reaction as your gf haha
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I'm not sure who you guys date but I would never, ever try to convince my girlfriend to play SC2. The idea of her taking video games seriously doesn't even compute... and to play SC2 I think you have to take it seriously.
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Introduce your friend/partner to SC2. Explain a little about it. Convince him/her to try a multiplayer match against one of the easier AIs at a slower speed (help, play 2v2, etc.). See if he/she enjoys it. Depending on the answer, encourage continued play or just give it up.
The way OP describes is maybe how I would introduce it to a kid aged below 10. Doing that to a grown up person is degrading imo.
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if they haven't gotten into sc2 by now they probably will never
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I once heard of this mythical creature called "girlfriend."
Finding one is the most difficult step, let alone having her play starcraft
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It's good to have hobbies that give you time away from your significant other. Anyway, most women only like trivial games made for smartphones or something like Farmville. Besides, do you really want your GF to see you in the midst of ladder induced Nerd Rage?
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On March 29 2013 08:26 dr.fahrenheit wrote:Show nested quote +On March 29 2013 07:34 rangi wrote:
1) Teach your girlfriend the basics of controlling one unit. i.e. controlling one marine. Move, attack, etc. ... edit: 1) get a fucking girlfriend (hardest step) 2) if you play video games all the time step 1 will be very difficult 3) stop playing video games 4) wtf?? you are ruining e-sports!!! ...
I LOL'ED XD
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On March 29 2013 07:34 rangi wrote:
1) Teach your girlfriend the basics of controlling one unit. i.e. controlling one marine. Move, attack, etc.
...
edit:
1) get a fucking girlfriend (hardest step)
2) if you play video games all the time step 1 will be very difficult
3) stop playing video games
4) wtf?? you are ruining e-sports!!!
...
^ Haha
Also, controlling one marine might be overwhelming. You should really start her off controlling a mining SCV just to be safe. Make sure it does a good job mining and returning those minerals.
</sarcasm>
Seriously though, it seems like a good idea in principle; playing with someone you know is definitely more fun for beginners.
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If you are trying to get anyone involved especially a perspective GF who maybe isn't in to gaming. The absolute best way to show them it's not about being locked in a basement....is....ready for it?
Expose them to an actual event, rather then just trying to convince them. Take them to an MLG, IEM, DH, NASL, or Local lan event....or a barcraft could suffice. Show them that gaming can be a social experience with real people (most non gamers don't count ventrillo friends as real friends.).
Past that you can't let gaming get in the way of your relationships,work, schooling etc. Biggest fear most GF's and such would have with gaming is if it seems to consume your life.
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Why would you really want your girlfriend to play sc2 though.
This would take from her appointed time in the kitchen - thus making her sandwiches less tasty over time.
On a serious note - why would you really want your GF to play SC2. Im totally content with her accepting me playing without her actually beeing into it. I've found if she really cares she will show some interest in what you're doing.
and... lets be serious - if your not making your living off Sc2 you're probably spending too much time playing it
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I think people have latched onto the girlfriend thing too much.
All I'm saying is that RTS is a game with a steep learning curve, thus a gradual progression into the game is required so as not to overwhelm the beginners.
I'm introducing another gradual pathway in addition to the existing one. Which has added benefits like social play and mentorship.
Rangi
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Blizzard should really bring back the original Team Melee game mode to SC2. Share EVERYTHING--units, buildings, resources, everything. That'd be really fun to play. I remember a post about how BW pros practiced 1v2 to push themselves to their limits. I wanna see that in SC2!
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On March 30 2013 12:07 Nerski wrote:
If you are trying to get anyone involved especially a perspective GF who maybe isn't in to gaming. The absolute best way to show them it's not about being locked in a basement....is....ready for it?
Expose them to an actual event, rather then just trying to convince them. Take them to an MLG, IEM, DH, NASL, or Local lan event....or a barcraft could suffice. Show them that gaming can be a social experience with real people (most non gamers don't count ventrillo friends as real friends.).
Past that you can't let gaming get in the way of your relationships,work, schooling etc. Biggest fear most GF's and such would have with gaming is if it seems to consume your life.
my gf reaction after i tried to convince her to visit a barcraft with me "no no no nonono are there even girls there? no nonono"
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That was my reaction, too...
On March 29 2013 12:20 Genesis Brood wrote:
this map already exists. In Brood War it was called "team melee".
My girlfriend (now wife) and I loved playing BW together. A team melee for SC2 would definitely be awesome.
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EPT
