About what to address in the video, I would start with basic specialist description/uses/combo videos to make sure noobs understand how specs work. Specialists are the most fun part of the game, but learning how to use them seems overwhelming for a lot of beginningers. Also I wouldn't have an open script as I could get to complicated either let you or the person making the video write the script

aclonicy wrote:About what to address in the video, I would start with basic specialist description/uses/combo videos to make sure noobs understand how specs work. Specialists are the most fun part of the game, but learning how to use them seems overwhelming for a lot of beginningers. Also I wouldn't have an open script as I could get to complicated either let you or the person making the video write the script

By script, I suppose I mean summary- just a skeleton of a rhythm so the video's have consistency.

Wanna try a basic script out?

Yeah. That's what I mean. And if you wanna try, go for it

I think this is a great concept, but is missing a big element. Subterfuge needs a way to bring in new players. The game won't excite everyone, but it needs a way to continuously bring in new people if it wants to build a following. Why worry about keeping players if you can't bring new ones in?

As of writing this post only 573 people like the official Facebook page. Currently there are 4749 players active in the game. The game has no social media presence. In today's world social media can make or break you.

While tutorial videos can help make the game experience smoother, it won't matter if people don't download the game.

Forums are a great place for a game community, but forums aren't the place to go if you are looking to learn about a new game. At least it isn't for me.

I tend to go to YouTube to watch gameplay/reviews. I might go to the official website (not the forums) to see what the game is about. I might even make my way to the Facebook page if I am really interested. However if YouTube gameplay/reviews and the official website doesn't impress me, then I am not downloading the game.

My point is that Subterfuge barely exists in the social media world. As a result it gets buried in the App Store and no new players are able to find it easily. I don't know how this problem would be solved, but I feel that is where the attention should be placed. Maybe a huge social media campaign could be created. Contacting YouTube game reviewers may be a way to get the game in front of an audience or contacting gaming websites to do reviews for their mobile games sections (if they haven't already).

This is a great idea. I don't have time to write a long response, but I will come back and edit later.

generalchewy wrote:
As of writing this post only 573 people like the official Facebook page. Currently there are 4749 players active in the game.

I have a question regarding this. When counting the player number, do people playing more than one game count only as one or more? I think it is the latter, which is more sad.

Martyr

The Martyr is a Defensive hire who's description reads
Description: Destroys all subs and outposts within the Martyr's blast radius when participating in combat. Blast radius is 20% of standard sonar range.

Combat Priority: 1- This specialist's effect will happen above all other specialist effects

Role
The Martyr is a dangerous specialist to use for both the enemy and the owner.
The Martyr can be used as a Deterrent, a Queen Seeker, or a Death sub destroyer.
Because the Martyr blows up in any instance of combat either at an outpost or otherwise, it is vital to prevent early detonation, as this can result in a wasted hire or at its worst, damage your own subs and outposts.

-Using the Martyr as a Defensive Deterrent-
This requires posting the Martyr at a choke point with a ton of drillers or defensive specialist forcing your opponent to make a decision-
Risk sending enough forces to overtake the outpost- to which you respond by sending your martyr to intercept
- or try to blow the martyr up with smaller subs- to which you respond by moving your martyr.

Combo's
-Bait and Switch- A defensive maneuver
Specialists- Martyr, Smuggler
Hide Smuggler and Martyr from opponents sonar range and wait for them to use a large sub of specialists. Send the martyr to the attacked outpost. Leave the Martyr and evacuate the other drillers/ specialists using the Smuggler.
Be sure to leave enough time as to not be caught up in the explosion.

-Queen Hunter- Eliminator
Specialists- Pirate Navigator Martyr
The Navigator is a fantastic specialist to pair up with Martyr, as it makes it untargetable by conventional means, adding a pirate to this allows you to target other subs.
If you can see the opponents Queen, send this combination directly at her outpost. If she tries to escape target her sub using the pirate.
With the martyr, you don't necessarily have to directly hit the queen- the blast radius can also catch her to eliminate her. This combo also cannot be countered by a reverend elder.

Overall Martyr Synergies
Navigator
Pirate
Smuggler
Inspector/Warhero
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
God Help me I don't know how to shorten it.

General Chewy

I see what you mean and you raise a very good point. I do intend to post said video's on Youtube as a series. At the moment I'm not trying to tackle subterfuges popularity and accessibility (though I'm sure some video's could help with that a bit) but rather its ability to keep new players.

Subterfuge did receive a large boost of popularity (in installs anyway) for a short time due to the positive reviews it received by critics. But it didn't keep a lot of them- And that's the problem i'm trying to address.

Ok. Serious reply now -

I'd recommend you break this up into 3 different series of short videos. All shorter than 10 minutes each. Preferably, around 5 minutes each.

Series 1 would be a 'introduction' series. For the most beginners of beginners. It would go through and break things down like:

Fog of war
How to hire specialists
Combat protocol
The different game modes
How to create a game
Etc

Series 2 would be a specialist series. Each specialist gets its own short video:

Briefly describe the specialist
Give some quick offensive uses
Give some quick defensive uses
Briefly explain some good combos of hires that the specialist works with.

Series 3 would be an 'advanced' series focusing on special tactics, advanced maneuvers, diplomacy, and whatever else.


The key is to give quality info, without taking an unnecessary amount of time. And to keep it short so people don't lose focus. Also, don't categorize things that don't need to be categorized. For example "that martyr is a defensive hire."

janitorialduties wrote:Martyr
God Help me I don't know how to shorten it.

People around me seem to think I have a sexy reading voice, would you like me to record an excerpt and put it on vocaroo or something?