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I've been trying to figure out a way to remind new players (or forgetful vets) of each faction's "quirks" before a game starts -- quirks like the fact that IC can't be galved, or Phoenix can't be nanned, or Rix flies funny. Nothing too detailed, just Alleg-Academy information that you have to know to fly for (or against) a specific team.

One idea that came to mind is to use the countdown screen, where it says "impure enemy forces have been detected in sector X, cleanse them" or something to that effect. It could be useful to include notes about the player's faction and the enemy faction(s) directly below that.

Here's a better idea, and the reason why this is in the Artwork section: Quirk-type information could be put on the faction background screens that appear in the lobby (sort of like Phoenix's huge data dump, but far less detailed). We average 10-15 minutes between each game, so new players are likely to see it during that time. (I don't think this would require any actual code, because those images are stored in the Artwork folder. IIRC, SlipStream GUI changes these bitmaps, for example.)

So what do you think?

While adding all the information that really should be available in the lobby (map preview for example) is going to be one of the first things I get around to doing whenever I get some free time unless someone else does it first, the need for what you describe is pretty minimal because I already have it in the help menu (thanks to Shizoku). It can easily be accessed in game by pressing F1 /tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />

The information is, in fact, in F1. But how many new players know that?

I like the idea. A quick 1-3 point summary of what makes that faction different strategy-wise, for every faction, would be very helpful.

I still use the F1 help for this very reason. /tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" /> I've known this since it was mentioned in training missions. Normally if I need a quick faction refresher, I'll check F1 prior to the game starting or prior to joining.

Having a few key points that can be read before the countdown finishes couldn't hurt. Maybe include a footnote: "Hit F1 for more details".

Great idea!

Possibly a daft suggestion, but what about having occasional 'announcements' via soundfiles, a bit like how the pheonix sound files work (ie they are informative) except these sound files are tagged to the opposing teams faction.

or have the faction perks/nerfs or "peculiarities" on the team splash screen (the background image). Kinda like what Noir did with Phoenix and the tables... except not so detailed. That way, as the teams are filling up, or we're waiting for a comm to step up, the reminders are there.