Hey, the past months my Starcraft passion have been raised to new heights and I want as many people as possible to play it. I have plenty of friends that I play other games with but just don't even want to try Starcraft, to them it seems uninteresting, too much to get into, too expensive and too much thinking and they prefer free to play options like Dota 2. Now, I am aware that all of this is wrong, but I just want them to try it (maybe even just the campaign), maybe they will open up to the great game that is Starcraft.
How does one "sell" that Starcraft is a game worth picking up? How did you get your friends to play starcraft?
They pretty much all got bored learning the mechanics, they prefer to play a game where you can feel like you're doing something right without spending months learning stuff
On June 13 2014 02:54 TAMinator wrote: You sort of need the right person to like SC2. It's really not for the feint hearted/casual gamer.
Well, at least, not competitively... I have friends who are in Masters 1s and don't care for them much. Get ladder anxiety, care too much about their status, or w/e.
But I had a really easy time getting my friends into the game casually. I used to have mini LANs with a couple of good friends, and that was really easy because I had 4 available computers at the time. At first all we'd do was comp stomp, none of us really liked going against one another until we got a larger group to do LANs with. Also, getting better at the game helped, made our egos grow We knew about the competitive scene in Korea, but weren't interested in doing 1v1s with ppl online (they were too good T_T), but very interested in competing with each other (and competing with me in particular).
Anyways, lots of 4v4's on River Runs Through It, custom maps people in our group made, Station Unrest, etc. Course, that was BW.
About that, i'm really happy 2 of my close friends just bought sc2 this week. I talked to them about the game for years now, they see me watching streams all the time, I explain them how it works etc and tell them that I will help them to become better because it looks like it's what they fear the most : being terrible.
i don't. i don't see why i should unless someone specifically shows interest. which happened a grand total of once, but after like 3 days he decided to go back to owning everybody in FPS games.
I just told my cousin that its free and that was enough to get him to try it out. To convince him to actually buy it, I just played team games with him for a month until he was addicted.
No fancy advertising by showing how awesome it is; just getting him to try it since it's free and letting the game itself do the rest of the work.
Most my casual friends ditched SC2 after a month, too difficult and boring for them as it required too much time. I don't think they ever got into the arcade because it terrible back then. Although Blizzard seems to have it kinda right with hearth stone though, they love that shit.
On June 13 2014 04:11 goody153 wrote: Show them a exceptional tvz pro-game with sick micro and multitasking.
At least that's how i got into starcraft.
I don't think most people would get into Starcraft like that. You can't really appreciate the "sick micro and multitasking" that Starcraft has to offer without playing the game first... I like the free/guest pass ideas, let them dip their toes and play some super duper casual team games.
dont bother if they tan cod all day long is my experience. I teach and over 500 students i see per week, none of them (i say none but i really only mean 1 or two had even heard of it) know what it is. i told them it was free if you get the client and you can play the arcade / starbow / 1v1 / and its kinda like owning the game anyways if they couldnt afford the £40. Of all the people i tried to convince they all came back saying the game was shit.
Ok kids . . gg (didnt even know what that meant when i said it)
When im drinking with some buddies I ask them if they have ever played starcraft, and if not I tell them a little bit about it and recommend downloading the trial version
Get them to try out the Starter Edition and tell them to play the campaign. Most people probably have never played an RTS before and they will have to learn how to use the interface.
If they don't like the campaign then honestly there's almost no way they will like multiplayer. Maybe some of the random Arcade games though. Ranging from Cortex roleplaying to RPGs to ummmm Pictionary.
You need to know that if they're not interested, nothing you say will make them interested.
But the best way to introduce it to someone who's willing to listen is to get across how passionate you are, and show them something about starcraft, IE a video of some sort because introducing someone to something they don't know a lot about by reading is really boring.
You kinda have to feed it like piecemeal and not throw everything at them at once. It's really easy to get overwhelmed by the depth of starcraft. Just try to display it as a game that is as deep as you want it to be, and it has an enjoyable experience through learning and playing.
I show them some old P&T records where they scream their heart out for a GG or a good split. Then i show them the iron squid stage and other big tournaments moments.
I try to introduce them to esport first and then to sc2. Speaking of this i will be doing a lecture about the esport business for my business school (and this actually counts for my master grade ) and a lot of student already asked teachers to be able to attend it ahah.
May of my friends that the high amount of mechanics (or the way they like to put it "a fuckton of mashing the keboard as fast as you can") takes a lot away from the strategical expierience and so they play either MOBAs or turn-based strategies. I've played a couple of casual games with friends to whom I gave trial codes and managed to convert one of them (he overtook me in league placement when I had a almost year long break, he's not in plat ;P). All in all I feel like a blind chiken when it comes to introducing SC. You will hit the grain sometime, just hard to say when and who is it gonna be. I'd say you just show them the game and then the ball is in their court, almost impossible to convert someone who's not interested or straght up negative about it.
Just ask them to give it a try and coach them through. Don't put a lot of pressure on them and overload them with 'how to be good', just let them have fun with the game. For people who are totally new to Starcraft, they usually enjoy just learning about what all the different units can do and stuff. Then introduce the interesting strategic mindset of it by starting gently with 'build orders', unit counters and the concept of expanding. Give them the tools to learn on their own and they'll enjoy it a lot more than thinking the game is all about mechanics and getting everything perfect. Ideally, you have two friends start learning together at the same time so they can 1v1 and 2v2 together and play someone of a similar skill level.
I've never tried to invite people who've never played sc2 to try this game. I just don't bother. There are just some people who you immediately know will dig this game, and one of my close friends is like that.
On June 13 2014 05:22 Fus wrote: Make them watch starcraft and talk about the players and the personalities, sc2 is much more fun to watch than play for many.
This. Show them VOD of a game where the casters are excited and enthusiastic; it's easy to get into the spirit of it even if you don't know exactly what's going on with the game. I've had a fair bit of luck introducing people to SC2 this way even if that person would never play an RTS (or any game much more complex than Angry Birds). Just present it at a type of sport. I often use IEM Katowice 2013 MaNa vs TLO game 4. It's not too long, has a huge enthusiastic live crowd, great casters (Apollo & Khaldor) and Khaldor in particular goes totally nuts near the end of the cast. You can even see the players' faces throughout the game, which helps connect when the viewer isn't really understanding the game. There's a lot of energy--it's just a fun watch.
Do NOT try to sit people down and "explain" nuances of the game to people--they'll just get bored. "It's a video game where two armies fight each other" is all the explanation people need. If they're interested in it enough they'll figure it out quickly enough. They can immediately see that stuff is killing other stuff--that's all that really matters to introduce people.
On June 13 2014 02:49 KelsierSC wrote: Clearly these people you speak of aren't your friends. Playing Starcraft is like getting repeatedly punched in the testicles.
Clearly you don't have to share all the same interests as your friends. I love the fact they dumbed it down yet people still cannot wrap their heads around the fact that it takes a refined taste to like any RTS game and that's where UMS and other features come in to keep them occupied. In either case there will always be keystrokes no matter what. It's just how you go about them.
I got introduced to SC2 by my friend (after I repetedly told him that it's not my cup of tea I don't understand it, to advanced.. you know the drill) But then he gave me a trial account and just casually played with me and I really enjoyed playing with him.
that's how I got addicted to SC2 back in S1 of WoL, not sure if it's worth to mention SC2 is the first RTS game I ever touched.
Also, all my friends I tried to introduct either just say smash button and win, it's to advanced, it's to stale and repetitive(I know but this is what my friend told me, HE said SC2 was STALE and reptetitive compared to WoW ^^).
So my tip is from experience, just let them play the game with you and just have fun with it.
My friends started out playing SC, and would rag on me when I played LoL. Then they picked up LoL and haven't touched SC. I'm still constantly watching streams/tourneys but it is quite lonely now. I try to get people to play, but all they say is that it's too hard. Then they watch, and there's too much stuff going on that they don't understand and they get bored. I'd love a solution as well D:
I think especially when you get deeper into the 1v1ladder, the game gets sometimes really frustrating. Because you get beaten by alot of people and because you have to accept that you're actually really really bad. Not alot of people like to get that feeling. So I think it should not be your goal to get your friends into sc, just enjoy the game and have fun with them in real life.
Since its virtually free I told my friends its like a even better Age of empires games(which they all played) then I just played team games with them and taught them how to 5 rax etc and we cleaned up. They had fun and eventually they get addicted or not
Start them out watching old Korean BW pro gaming videos on youtube, once they see how EPIC it is, they will get hooked, then introduce them to SC2. Or maybe BW if they enjoy it more.
On June 13 2014 08:25 GGzerG wrote: Start them out watching old Korean BW pro gaming videos on youtube, once they see how EPIC it is, they will get hooked, then introduce them to SC2. Or maybe BW if they enjoy it more.
probably not, they cant comprehend whats going on. also the 1990 graphics is a big downer :D
BW is the worst possible way to introduce people who aren't some kind of retro game buff to sc. No one who is not already a Bw fan wants to see 1990s graphics in 2014.
People preferring LoL or dota over an RTS should not be surprising or grounds for qq. Mobas are much much simpler games than rts and are easy to follow and understand for purely casual fans. Try introducing sc2 to people who are more into intellectual games or into sci fi.
My friend got me into when he showed me the first GOM TV tourneys with Tasteless and company, it was great. I've never played the game myself, I'm too much of a perfectionist and since I watch the pro scene I couldn't stand to play so poorly.
I recently introduced my friend to StarCraft - it was actually Nation Wars that got him really into it. He enjoyed watching Nation Wars with me so I showed him VODs from some of my favourite games (INnoVation vs TaeJa, Sjow vs Life, INnoVation vs SuperNova, Classic vs sOs, Bomber vs Scarlett to name a few).
I encouraged him to then watch the GSL with me and he liked that. In the end I made a rough guide to give him on how to get involved with StarCraft. Unfortunately he is a semi-pro World of Tanks player so cannot watch as much as he would like but when he can he watches quite a bit.
On June 13 2014 06:37 Szgk wrote: So far I've only tried one approach - Take them to a major tournament.
Tried this and failed miserably. Dragged my friend to IEM Sao Paulo this year when we went to Brazil on vacations... I have a nice picture of us, I look so happy enjoying blink stalker micro while she looks so "WTF am I doing here??". I had to buy her like 5 caipirinhas later to compensate
On a serious note, Starcraft is not for everyone. If your friends don't show interest in RTS or don't enjoy hard games in general, I don't think there is much you can do or say to get them interested :/
If you have friends that enjoy watching streams, let's plays and/or youtube videos of video games, the best way to introduce someone to SC2 is to simply show them an awesome game or preferably an awesome series. But keep in mind that an awesome game for a beginner might not be the same thing as for someone experienced in the game.
For example, the series that got me into watching SC:BW was JulyZerg vs. Best OSL Finals. It was a 3-0 sweep with the first two consisting of cheese. To me, I had just witnessed magic, but after watching more BW, I could see how most people who were already watching BW might not rate that series quite so highly.
High tense, fast pace, cheesy games make for good introductions to the game since there is less to keep track of in terms of builds, units, upgrades, etc. A couple macro games are ok, but not too many at first. Personally, I think a series like SoS vs. Jaedong in the 2013 Blizzcon Finals is a decent series to introduce people to the game. Though if there is a similar series in the TvZ matchup that would be even better. I can't think of one off the top of my head.
On June 13 2014 08:34 Yakikorosu wrote: BW is the worst possible way to introduce people who aren't some kind of retro game buff to sc. No one who is not already a Bw fan wants to see 1990s graphics in 2014.
People preferring LoL or dota over an RTS should not be surprising or grounds for qq. Mobas are much much simpler games than rts and are easy to follow and understand for purely casual fans. Try introducing sc2 to people who are more into intellectual games or into sci fi.
Speak for yourself and no they aren't lol. The team dynamic and positioning is very important as well. Some things people don't really grasp. It's not as simple as people think when you're talking competitive. You can dumb down RTS games in a similar vein when it comes to spectating but when it comes to playing LoL casually people tend to go ham at the start. When they start playing an RTS on the other hand they can get overwhelmed easy because even though you dumbed the game down for them. There's just a lot of things they have to pay attention to at the forefront right away; whereas, in LoL and other mobas that comes later when they start to play for realsies. Get the idea?
It's not as simple and straight forward as you guys tend to make it out to be. Also LoL at the graphics. There is a reason why there's a split between people who enjoy dota more than LoL and vice versa. Just like BW and SC2. If you ask me sometimes the simple things in life are easier to spectate than something that's flashy. Why you think a lot of players op for the low settings while playing other than ultra high or something else? It's not just because of latency or their pcs cannot run it while they stream, etc. Some people actually prefer it. You cannot fight over personal preference.
honestly dude, you'd be better off not introducing your friends to this game. It's a waste of time. Takes too long to become a decent player, Blizzard isn't exactly the most competent company, and your friend is just going to get frustrated from all the BS that can happen in game and losing to dumb stuff.
Get him into LoL, why make him go through the stress that is this game?
A lot of people will be much more OK with trying out a game his friend wants him to if it's free. SC2 is basically free now, so tell him to try it out :D (And explain that the only real limitations is that you only have a bit of the campaign and if you want to play multiplayer you have to play with a friend if he's the doubting kind)
On June 13 2014 09:55 Beastgief wrote: honestly dude, you'd be better off not introducing your friends to this game. It's a waste of time. Takes too long to become a decent player, Blizzard isn't exactly the most competent company, and your friend is just going to get frustrated from all the BS that can happen in game and losing to dumb stuff.
Get him into LoL, why make him go through the stress that is this game?
I mean the same thing can be said about fighting games and I love fighting games too. Different strokes for different folks, but don't knock someone for trying. I have a friend who's a brony, but he couldn't get me into MLP. I really enjoy Touhou, but I couldn't get him into that. It doesn't hurt to try.
Find someone who likes losing a lot. Seriously. The bottom of bronze is rough because there aren't enough truly new players, so you get matched against 'middling bronze' for like 100 games, losing a fair amount more than you win.
However, some people love that feeling of taking on a massive goal
That and figure out if they like macroing or microing, and encourage them to play to their preference (i.e. let them cheese a ton if they want, as long as they are enjoying and learning, or let them try to go 5 base every game)
my friend knows i'm pretty good at the game and is an avid gamer like me so I was able to convince him to play but he will only do it if I guide him so I'm going to coach him I'll be streaming this session http://twitch.tv/flatlinesc2 this friday around 10pm cst if you are interested in watching
On June 13 2014 06:37 Szgk wrote: So far I've only tried one approach - Take them to a major tournament.
Tried this and failed miserably. Dragged my friend to IEM Sao Paulo this year when we went to Brazil on vacations... I have a nice picture of us, I look so happy enjoying blink stalker micro while she looks so "WTF am I doing here??". I had to buy her like 5 caipirinhas later to compensate
On a serious note, Starcraft is not for everyone. If your friends don't show interest in RTS or don't enjoy hard games in general, I don't think there is much you can do or say to get them interested :/
We attended the last 2 days of IEM WC in Katowice (bracket results). Got to the stands just as Taeja vs Life was starting. Prior to this, I gave her a little introduction during our drive there, but decided no to bore her too much. I added some commentary during the games and explained the main points about what was happening. Then, during the final match between hero and sos after game 2, she leans in and says something along the lines "Even I could tell that those games were bullshit".
She didn't really get hooked to play the game, but then, I don't really play it either. She said watching those 4 series over 2 days was just the right amount for her. We've also seen the CS:GO finals with Virtus.pro in the finals so it was nice to cheer for the home team.
Well to be frank your implying that it is a game worth picking up with the way your wording things. I mean honestly i wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Blizzard didn't quite roll everything out properly. They could have gotten their ducks in a line wayyyyyy earlier and planned their approach ahead of time for the esports side of things. The fact that its a 3 part game that you have to buy the earlier parts in order to play the latter is just quite expensive. Especially for a game that requires you to put heavy time into it in order to learn it. Do i like sc2, sure.....but only because I played bw. But i don't think i would try selling someone on a product that i'm not completely sold on myself.
On June 14 2014 06:23 ReachTheSky wrote: Well to be frank your implying that it is a game worth picking up with the way your wording things. I mean honestly i wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Blizzard didn't quite roll everything out properly. They could have gotten their ducks in a line wayyyyyy earlier and planned their approach ahead of time for the esports side of things. The fact that its a 3 part game that you have to buy the earlier parts in order to play the latter is just quite expensive. Especially for a game that requires you to put heavy time into it in order to learn it. Do i like sc2, sure.....but only because I played bw. But i don't think i would try selling someone on a product that i'm not completely sold on myself.
Any games of the same genre you'd recommend? Thought so.
On June 14 2014 06:23 ReachTheSky wrote: Well to be frank your implying that it is a game worth picking up with the way your wording things. I mean honestly i wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Blizzard didn't quite roll everything out properly. They could have gotten their ducks in a line wayyyyyy earlier and planned their approach ahead of time for the esports side of things. The fact that its a 3 part game that you have to buy the earlier parts in order to play the latter is just quite expensive. Especially for a game that requires you to put heavy time into it in order to learn it. Do i like sc2, sure.....but only because I played bw. But i don't think i would try selling someone on a product that i'm not completely sold on myself.
Any games of the same genre you'd recommend? Thought so.
My friend was nationally ranked in Age of Empires 2, but said BW wasn't his cup of tea.
On June 14 2014 06:23 ReachTheSky wrote: Well to be frank your implying that it is a game worth picking up with the way your wording things. I mean honestly i wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Blizzard didn't quite roll everything out properly. They could have gotten their ducks in a line wayyyyyy earlier and planned their approach ahead of time for the esports side of things. The fact that its a 3 part game that you have to buy the earlier parts in order to play the latter is just quite expensive. Especially for a game that requires you to put heavy time into it in order to learn it. Do i like sc2, sure.....but only because I played bw. But i don't think i would try selling someone on a product that i'm not completely sold on myself.
Any games of the same genre you'd recommend? Thought so.
My friend was nationally ranked in Age of Empires 2, but said BW wasn't his cup of tea.
did he say anything about why he didn't like broodwar compared to AoE??
I wish I knew. Sadly, all my real life friends have stopped playing. But when I visit them, I get them into the spirit of playing again because they see my passion for the game. It's way more fun for them when I cast the tournament streams for them. Give them my opinions of the game. I'd say playing 2v2 is your best bet.
Don't give up. They ARE people out there that will love RTS. They just don't know it yet.
EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/rAujT6b.jpg)
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/GRMfLzp.jpg)
