Learning a Video Game: The Art of Tutorial

When it comes to learning support in video games, all games differ. What I mean by learning support is how well does the game support the player’s learning. Most games have a tutorial system in one form, or another. Some are part of the narrative of the game and some are not. Those that are not are accessed via an in-game menu, or are structured as a training segment tacked onto the beginning of the game. While these function within the context of the game, they are not woven into the narrative as some games pull off.

I recently tried Star Citizen—a science fiction MMO that is still in development. Once you log in, your character gets out of a bunk and stands up. That’s it. Most pc games have similar player controls, so I was able to move the character about. There was no indication what to do. I opened the menu options and found the key-bindings. The game provides you with a keypad diagram for the game’s various control schemes. This forces the player to refer to the diagram often. Opening the menu every few seconds when you want to figure out how to do something is irritating. Keymaps can be found online that can be printed out and used as reference, or you could take notes, create a cheat sheet. Another option is to be turned off by this lack and quit the game.

Star-Citizen-Keymap-Rocz3D-Studio
This is just one of the six keymaps
Star-Citizen-Hud-Rocz3D-Studio
Yeah…no

I understand that the game is still in alpha and the interface and user experience may change. This lack of guidance forces the player to take charge of their own learning. By using the bare-bones instruction for the control scheme, the player learns by trial and error and engaging with the game’s community.

As mentioned earlier, other games have tutorial systems that are integrated into the game in a variety of ways. On the other end of the spectrum from providing little instruction is to provide plentiful information that guides the player through the game. I remembered a game called Neverwinter—a free-to-play action fantasy MMO—that had an integrated tutorial system. I thought I would revisit it and record the opening segment of the game where I give my thoughts about how learning takes place.

4 thoughts on “Learning a Video Game: The Art of Tutorial”

  1. Thank you for the video accompanying via to your blog (you are brave 🙂 ) Your perspective of honing in on tutorials is a great idea. It made me think of how rough Minecraft was for me at first. I am not used to playing on a computer – probably not their fault. I think you would have liked the Tweetchat (#games4ed) I was part of yesterday. They explored the importance of the link between a narrative and game design. I was inclined to think a character you can relate to, was the most important factor. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • I don’t know about brave, but Thank you! Minecraft confused me too. The short tutorial was just enough to get going, but after that it was all just learning by discovery and falling down into a crevasse, dying and losing everything in my inventory. Watch where you walk was my first lesson 🙂 And I would have liked that Tweetchat. Being an English dork, I am drawn to narrative in games.

      Reply
  2. I find tutorials to be one of the most important aspects of a new game. For me it functions as a first impression. I am not an avid gamer with ample stores of knowledge from past games to help lead me through new platforms and games, so without a clear and comprehensive tutorial, I find myself rapidly losing interest and motivation to play. There is something to be said for self-led learning, but those basic skills need to first be in place, and unfortunately for me, I just don’t have those. I can say without a doubt, had I have chosen Star Citizen for my play journal, I would have pulled out all of my hair.

    Reply
  3. Hello Brian,

    I enjoyed your post and think you media was a good illustration of how a tutorial that is woven into the narrative provides a supported learning situation where new responsibilities can be learned and mastered one at a time. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply

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