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Best Practices for Creating Tutorials for Minecraft Server Features
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Bombay posted this in #questions
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BombayOP
I’m currently working on creating tutorials to help players understand and engage with the unique features of a Minecraft server. These features might include activities like farming, mining, and fishing for in-game currency if it's a roleplay server. For PvP-focused servers, it could cover different types of PvP mechanics, such as crystal PvP or bow PvP.
I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts on the best ways to present this type of information. Specifically:
- What format do you think works best for tutorials (e.g., wiki pages, forum/Discord posts, YouTube videos, in-game pathways, questlines, etc.)?
- How can tutorials balance being informative while also keeping the player experience immersive and engaging?
- Are there any common pitfalls to avoid when creating tutorials for server-specific features?
Your insights and experiences would be incredibly valuable. Whether you’ve created tutorials yourself or have seen approaches that work well, I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Here are my personal thoughts on the different types of tutorial formats:
I think each format is best suited for different activities, and combining them could yield better (or worse) results depending on the approach.
For example:
- PvP and other activities that require practice could benefit from interactive challenges, like passing a shooting range as part of an optional tutorial (think of fighting game tutorials).
- Activities like building might benefit more from video tutorials, where players can see exactly how to build something and easily rewind a missed section.
I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts on the best ways to present this type of information. Specifically:
- What format do you think works best for tutorials (e.g., wiki pages, forum/Discord posts, YouTube videos, in-game pathways, questlines, etc.)?
- How can tutorials balance being informative while also keeping the player experience immersive and engaging?
- Are there any common pitfalls to avoid when creating tutorials for server-specific features?
Your insights and experiences would be incredibly valuable. Whether you’ve created tutorials yourself or have seen approaches that work well, I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Here are my personal thoughts on the different types of tutorial formats:
I think each format is best suited for different activities, and combining them could yield better (or worse) results depending on the approach.
For example:
- PvP and other activities that require practice could benefit from interactive challenges, like passing a shooting range as part of an optional tutorial (think of fighting game tutorials).
- Activities like building might benefit more from video tutorials, where players can see exactly how to build something and easily rewind a missed section.
BombayOP
Video Tutorials (YouTube or similar platforms)
Pros:
- Visual and detailed: Players can see exactly what to do, step-by-step.
- Rewindable: Easy to replay sections if players miss something.
- Accessible: Available outside the game for reference at any time.
- Professional feel: High-quality videos can give a polished and professional impression of the server.
Cons:
- Requires leaving the game: Players may need to visit a third-party site, disrupting immersion and flow.
- Internet dependency: Not ideal for players with limited or slow internet access.
- Time-consuming: Producing high-quality videos can take significant effort.
- Difficult to update: If the server features change, editing or re-recording videos is time-intensive.
In-Game Pathways (e.g., signs, holograms, NPCs)
Pros:
- Seamless experience: Keeps players immersed in the game world.
- Interactive: Players can learn by doing, which reinforces understanding.
- Flexible: Can be designed to adapt to different player speeds and styles.
- Easily updated: In-game content can often be tweaked without major effort.
Cons:
- Limited detail: Hard to convey complex mechanics without overwhelming players.
- Static presentation: Might lack the visual appeal or depth of a video tutorial.
- Can clutter the world: Too many signs or NPCs might disrupt the aesthetic of the server.
Pros:
- Visual and detailed: Players can see exactly what to do, step-by-step.
- Rewindable: Easy to replay sections if players miss something.
- Accessible: Available outside the game for reference at any time.
- Professional feel: High-quality videos can give a polished and professional impression of the server.
Cons:
- Requires leaving the game: Players may need to visit a third-party site, disrupting immersion and flow.
- Internet dependency: Not ideal for players with limited or slow internet access.
- Time-consuming: Producing high-quality videos can take significant effort.
- Difficult to update: If the server features change, editing or re-recording videos is time-intensive.
In-Game Pathways (e.g., signs, holograms, NPCs)
Pros:
- Seamless experience: Keeps players immersed in the game world.
- Interactive: Players can learn by doing, which reinforces understanding.
- Flexible: Can be designed to adapt to different player speeds and styles.
- Easily updated: In-game content can often be tweaked without major effort.
Cons:
- Limited detail: Hard to convey complex mechanics without overwhelming players.
- Static presentation: Might lack the visual appeal or depth of a video tutorial.
- Can clutter the world: Too many signs or NPCs might disrupt the aesthetic of the server.
Wiki Pages or Online Documentation
Pros:
- Comprehensive: Great for detailed breakdowns of features or mechanics.
- Easy to update: Text and images can be revised quickly as the server evolves.
- Accessible anytime: Players can refer back to it whenever needed.
- SEO benefits: Helps your server appear in search engine results, attracting new players.
Cons:
- Requires leaving the game: Players need to access an external site.
- Overwhelming for some: Large blocks of text may intimidate or bore players.
- Relies on player initiative: Players must choose to visit and read the wiki.
Forum/Discord Posts
Pros:
- Community-oriented: Allows players to ask questions and discuss tutorials directly.
- Informal: Can be quick to produce and share updates.
- Accessible: Useful for players already active in your community spaces.
- Encourages engagement: Players may contribute their tips and ideas.
Cons:
- Hard to navigate: Tutorials can get buried among other posts over time.
- Limited format: Text and images might not fully explain complicated features.
- Requires account/login: Not all players will want to join a forum or Discord.
Questlines or Interactive In-Game Challenges
Pros:
- Engaging: Makes learning fun and immersive by gamifying the tutorial process.
- Memorable: Players retain more by experiencing the mechanics hands-on.
- Encourages exploration: Can double as a way to showcase the server’s world.
Cons:
- Time-intensive: Requires careful planning, scripting, and testing.
- May frustrate players: Overly difficult challenges could deter new players.
- Requires server resources: Interactive content could impact server performance if not optimized.
Pros:
- Comprehensive: Great for detailed breakdowns of features or mechanics.
- Easy to update: Text and images can be revised quickly as the server evolves.
- Accessible anytime: Players can refer back to it whenever needed.
- SEO benefits: Helps your server appear in search engine results, attracting new players.
Cons:
- Requires leaving the game: Players need to access an external site.
- Overwhelming for some: Large blocks of text may intimidate or bore players.
- Relies on player initiative: Players must choose to visit and read the wiki.
Forum/Discord Posts
Pros:
- Community-oriented: Allows players to ask questions and discuss tutorials directly.
- Informal: Can be quick to produce and share updates.
- Accessible: Useful for players already active in your community spaces.
- Encourages engagement: Players may contribute their tips and ideas.
Cons:
- Hard to navigate: Tutorials can get buried among other posts over time.
- Limited format: Text and images might not fully explain complicated features.
- Requires account/login: Not all players will want to join a forum or Discord.
Questlines or Interactive In-Game Challenges
Pros:
- Engaging: Makes learning fun and immersive by gamifying the tutorial process.
- Memorable: Players retain more by experiencing the mechanics hands-on.
- Encourages exploration: Can double as a way to showcase the server’s world.
Cons:
- Time-intensive: Requires careful planning, scripting, and testing.
- May frustrate players: Overly difficult challenges could deter new players.
- Requires server resources: Interactive content could impact server performance if not optimized.
Live In-Game Sessions (e.g., guided tours or tutorials led by staff)
Pros:
- Personal touch: Players can ask questions directly and get instant feedback.
- Flexible: Tailored to players’ needs in real-time.
- Builds community: Encourages interaction between players and staff.
Cons:
- Staff availability: Not always feasible to have someone online to guide players.
- Limited reach: Only helps players who are online at the time.
- Resource-heavy: Can be a time drain for staff if the player base is large.
Pros:
- Personal touch: Players can ask questions directly and get instant feedback.
- Flexible: Tailored to players’ needs in real-time.
- Builds community: Encourages interaction between players and staff.
Cons:
- Staff availability: Not always feasible to have someone online to guide players.
- Limited reach: Only helps players who are online at the time.
- Resource-heavy: Can be a time drain for staff if the player base is large.
Kromfohrländer
Why are you using AI for this bruh
BombayOP
cause it's too long to type out without ai
BombayOP
okay so if you are wondering why tutorials are even needed in the first place, the reason I can think of would be... because some servers have custom recipes that are different compared to what is available on the tutorials on general minecraft that are available right now, differences in game mechanics like how some materials might not even be available in the server. Like.. for the building tutorials, if the server has some custom multiblock vehicle plugin, then society can benefit from having tutorials on building those specifically for that server.
@Bombay cause it's too long to type out without ai
I would suggest writing something without ai it allows for critical thinking and creative thinking which will allow you to come up with better videos guides or resources in this case tutorials it also allows for you to communicated your message without a bunch of ai nonsense mixed in with it
BombayOP
ok you are right, I did look at what was written by ai though and it seems correct enough, that's why I posted it
@Bombay I’m currently working on creating tutorials to help players understand and engage with the unique features of a Minecraft server. These features might include activities like farming, mining, and fishing for in-game currency if it's a roleplay server. For PvP-focused servers, it could cover different types of PvP mechanics, such as crystal PvP or bow PvP.
I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts on the best ways to present this type of information. Specifically:
- What format do you think works best for tutorials (e.g., wiki pages, forum/Discord posts, YouTube videos, in-game pathways, questlines, etc.)?
- How can tutorials balance being informative while also keeping the player experience immersive and engaging?
- Are there any common pitfalls to avoid when creating tutorials for server-specific features?
Your insights and experiences would be incredibly valuable. Whether you’ve created tutorials yourself or have seen approaches that work well, I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Here are my personal thoughts on the different types of tutorial formats:
I think each format is best suited for different activities, and combining them could yield better (or worse) results depending on the approach.
For example:
- PvP and other activities that require practice could benefit from interactive challenges, like passing a shooting range as part of an optional tutorial (think of fighting game tutorials).
- Activities like building might benefit more from video tutorials, where players can see exactly how to build something and easily rewind a missed section.
I’d love to hear the community’s thoughts on the best ways to present this type of information. Specifically:
- What format do you think works best for tutorials (e.g., wiki pages, forum/Discord posts, YouTube videos, in-game pathways, questlines, etc.)?
- How can tutorials balance being informative while also keeping the player experience immersive and engaging?
- Are there any common pitfalls to avoid when creating tutorials for server-specific features?
Your insights and experiences would be incredibly valuable. Whether you’ve created tutorials yourself or have seen approaches that work well, I’d love to hear your suggestions!
Here are my personal thoughts on the different types of tutorial formats:
I think each format is best suited for different activities, and combining them could yield better (or worse) results depending on the approach.
For example:
- PvP and other activities that require practice could benefit from interactive challenges, like passing a shooting range as part of an optional tutorial (think of fighting game tutorials).
- Activities like building might benefit more from video tutorials, where players can see exactly how to build something and easily rewind a missed section.
Philippine Crocodile
One of the main reasons why I enjoy playing forge/fabric based modpacks over custom bukkit servers is because client mods are able to provide information to users way better than even a wiki could. Create’s pondering system is honestly top tier.
If given the option, I’d rather read a wiki than watch a video. Much faster and easier to skim
If given the option, I’d rather read a wiki than watch a video. Much faster and easier to skim
Chum salmon
Unless it’s in game 90% of people won’t see it
If it has more than one line of text every 15-30 seconds 50% of people won’t read it
Stats are made up but I’m certain they are close to true
@Chum salmon Stats are made up but I’m certain they are close to true
Philippine Crocodile
80% of all stats posted on the internet are made up
Chum salmon
Yep
That’s what I was thinking when I wrote that lol
@Philippine Crocodile One of the main reasons why I enjoy playing forge/fabric based modpacks over custom bukkit servers is because client mods are able to provide information to users way better than even a wiki could. Create’s pondering system is honestly top tier.
If given the option, I’d rather read a wiki than watch a video. Much faster and easier to skim
If given the option, I’d rather read a wiki than watch a video. Much faster and easier to skim
BombayOP
I can try text holograms that activate and deactivate around replicas in a controlled environment like the initial tutorial, but only for the first tutorial, since going back to do a tutorial just to get a bit of information will be annoying. I'm glad that people actually like reading wikis haha. I guess having both would be the best idea. Now for.. being able to access a wiki ingame.. without the hijinks of a book and quill.. have you heard of that being done in any custom bukkit server?..
@Chum salmon If it has more than one line of text every 15-30 seconds 50% of people won’t read it
BombayOP
what do you think of making people do some form of quest to force them to practice something lol? I feel like.. people don't even interact with things that are already there in minecraft like potions is because it's too much effort to go look at the wiki and gather all the ingredients.. what do you think?
well.. if someone wants to quit that quest thing, they obviously get that choice
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