Mars Explorer - Organizational enhancements emphasize need for introductory videos

29 Comments - 10111 Views

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Submitted By admin on 10/04/30

Mars Explorer, admin, Official

Greetings everyone;

In the process of organizing MarsXPLR.com - you will notice the Future and Play pages soon disappearing and the FAQ becoming much more useful, with information on mapmaking and more - an exciting idea occurred to me!

Mars Explorer used to have a "tutorial" level built into the game - but I removed it because of technical reasons, and also because it was never very elegant to begin with.
We currently have a bunch of boring text I wrote to provide a basic introduction to the game plastered on the "Play" page, which I doubt that new players ever read.
In just about every game I join these days, there is a player or two typing things into the messaging console such as "How do I fly?", "What's the point?", and "Stop NQSing, you AnNoYing n00b!!".

I believe that the most fun and effective countermeasure to these issues would be a video introduction to Mars Explorer created by a member of the Martian community - and that member is YOU.

Produce the most awesome video you can, post it to YouTube, embed it in a reply to this article, and if I like it, your video will be featured for the thousands of new players that Mars Explorer receives every month.

Here's what I am looking for:

Fun:
After watching your video, I should be thrilled to play Mars Explorer!
Making the video as short as possible (1 or two minutes) will really help to keep your audience focused.
Graphical Excellence:
You should capture all footage on high quality worlds, with high quality rendering settings. Share Mars Explorer's delicious graphics with your audience.
Action:
Epic stunts! Intense dogfights! High speed fighter jet flybys! Make Mars Explorer look as exciting as it is. You don't need to focus on the action, just show a couple cut scenes to rivet your viewer's attention.
Tasteful Audio:
Stick to nice, non jarring music - and unless you are a professional radio announcer, you might want to think twice about voiceovers :)
Educational quality:
You should let new players know what to expect, how to fly, who to shoot at, and any other information you believe to be pertinent. If you really want to be fancy, you could even produce a "Space Cadet" version and "Tips from the Masters" version covering skills like gyride dogfights and how to take out jets with the buggy.

There's no deadlines, and I wouldn't mind featuring quite a few different videos. I might even create a page on MarsXPLR that links to all the best submissions.

Have fun!

-Aubrey

» Comment on Document Threaded Hybrid Flat 29 Comments

MOD- The file converter (supercheese)

4 days - 11,050v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 6:33 GMT

Hi Aubery!

could release a photo of the logo with the planet and title separate? I just had an idea for an epic trailer and wanted to have a mysterious opening!

Thanks,

Super Cheese

P.s. What are you doing up so early?

braaiinnss (admin)

2 weeks - 19,065v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 6:34 GMT

Good idea!

I'll get the "media kit" out tomorrow.

MOD- The file converter (supercheese)

4 days - 11,050v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 6:57 GMT

Cheers!

Super Chese

Christian (Christian4Mac)

1 day - 3,236v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 12:02 GMT

So, your letting us make a tutorial for Mars Explorer while integrating some cool in-game footage?

kirby_freak (kirbyfreak)

1 day - 3,339v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 12:08 GMT

Awesome idea! 'Cept, my computer's too slow to use the highest settings and/or use a screen recorder. :( Good luck to everyone else though!

Christian (Christian4Mac)

1 day - 3,236v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 12:13 GMT

Same with me... I have a macbook, and it doesn't have the best graphics card. I'm REALLY good at putting together videos too, but... I JUST DON'T HAVE A GOOD GRAPHICS CARD!!!!!! :(

kirby_freak (kirbyfreak)

1 day - 3,339v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 21:48 GMT

Same! Making movies is awesome!

cheezburger

4 days - 15,986v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 12:54 GMT

oh yay!!!!! ima toataly gona enter dis one!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

i just need to figure out wat music would be good.

ACC (PR)

1 day - 2,992v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 17:44 GMT

"Fun:
After watching your video, I should be thrilled to play Mars Explorer!
Making the video as short as possible (1 or two minutes) will really help to keep your audience focused."

How 'bout Grae's SR montage? Or I heard he was making a new one, he could add some tutorial bit in.

(ACC) AlexNB (AlexNB)

2 days - 6,321v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 18:21 GMT

This is just IMHO but I believe 2 minutes is a tad short to give new users an introduction to marsxplr gameplay, the community, and more advanced treats like dogfighting. Is there a max time you would like for us to stick to?

Thnx,

Alex

El Tigré (Tigerstorm)

1 week - 23,300v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 18:25 GMT

YouTube videos are 10 minutes long, max.

(C.I.C.B.) There's good real estate on Mars (pocketMAD)

4 days - 12,819v

Posted 2010/11/24 - 18:02 GMT

I believe they are 15 minutes max, but if you want to go longer, you would need permission. I think.

GalaxyAwesome

17 hours - 1,202v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 21:18 GMT

Interesting idea, Aubrey! I'm definitely considering making an entry. Just one question, though. Is the winning video(s) going to be featured after Syn3h releases? If so, does the video need to be a "Syn3h Instructional Video," or a "Mars Explorer Instructional Video?"

braaiinnss (admin)

2 weeks - 19,065v

Posted 2010/04/30 - 22:24 GMT

The videos will be featured immediately, and should refer to Mars Explorer.

Your target audience has heard of Mars Explorer, but not yet enjoyed it firsthand.

I recommend that you create an overview (and even a storyboard if you are really enterprising!) for your video before beginning production, so that you have a chance to think about what it should cover and how it should be organized.

(EGGMAN355) (Cpt_Price)

45 minutes - 34v

Posted 2010/05/01 - 1:33 GMT

Hey guys if any of you need a some help with getting footage and stuff I'm willing to help in anyway i can.

IBCF (ZAM)

1 day - 3,859v

Posted 2010/05/02 - 14:43 GMT

Tis not....

I thought you have heard of The Longest Youtube Video While it says it's only 4 and a half hours it's actually 9 hours because the timer was messed up. And it's either under 10 minutes OR under 100 MG. Go ahead and watch the 9 hours. And it's low quailty so it could fit under 100 MG.

inactive (phenomenon)

6 hours - 953v

Posted 2010/05/02 - 15:31 GMT

im in kiryb's position so i cannot make a high quality video. if anyone besides me is a computer geek with Imovie, please find me in a game and id love to share my thoughts, i have incredible plans but i cant do them because i have low computer specs.

if anyone needs help with ideas, find me,, my family builds websites and flash logos and so much more that i can help greatly with your video ;)

xana

1 day - 4,217v

Posted 2010/05/07 - 22:16 GMT

Oooh this sounds great! :D

I'll try my best. :3

The Geek (Geek377)

3 days - 10,193v

Posted 2010/05/07 - 23:24 GMT

Although I have some amazing software at my expense, I just plain suck. But I will try never the less.

ACC (PR)

1 day - 2,992v