Is There A Starter Guide

Here's Soren's rules page:

http://www.mohawkgames.com/2014/06/16/offworld-rules/

It may be a little out of date, but the basics haven't changed.

I encourage you to watch the video on Soren's twitch account:

http://www.twitch.tv/sorenjohnson/profile/past_broadcasts

He does a good job of explaining the game. 

If you want someone sillier, watch mine!

http://www.twitch.tv/deftmunky/b/617320927

Please let me know if that helps.

-Scott-

Thanks a lot, this will help me a lot familiarizing myself with the game.

Having seen Soren play the game, it looks like the game is too quick. He is basically constantly reacting to situations and given input and it seems like there is very little strategical planning. Maybe I am not catching-up on some of the strategical planning he does in his head, but I feel a slower pace could help the game in that players will have time to peruse the buildings of other players and actually predict market-prices, rather then reacting to them, and create longer-term strategies.

btw, we do have speed settings which can change the pace significantly. Plus, you can give orders while paused.

I still wish there was a way to extend the game for those that like the game but would like to stretch it out longer.  Right now it feels like it ends abruptly. 

A lot of which I noted on this forum post... https://forums.offworldgame.com/460619/page/1/#3517401

However, I do enjoy much about the game as it is good work so far.

Nothings been set up yet AFAIK. I'm sure someone will set up a wiki soon now that media is available and mechanics/costs are fixed now.

There is a lot going on when you first get into the game. However, many things will quickly become second nature once you've played a few games. Learning the resource conversions and building costs, and colony characteristics are the most important. Once you learn those, you can quickly discern what you will need to grow, as well as roughly how the other players and resource distribution on the map will affect the resource costs down the road.

Once your comfortable with those, the game becomes easier since you'll more time planning/thinking about whats going on instead of trying to figure out what you need to do something.

Momentos does make an interesting point and here's my kneejerk reaction.

Most simulation games with a heavy economic component are slow-paced affairs dependent heavily on information gathering and long-term plans with split-second decision being the exception than the rule.  It's more about creating a plan, setting up all of your resources to execute the plan, actually executing the plan then reaping the benefits all while working around short-term roadblocks.

The RTS genre seems generally the opposite where there needs to be some long-term strategy, but a great deal of the gameplay is split-second reactionary decision-making.  If you're not able to react within 1 or 2 seconds mentally or physically, your entire round is sunk and that happens repeatedly in a good match.

It seems like these are two very different audiences.  What is the audience for Off World?  RTS players looking for a new challenge?  I came here as an econ sim nerd and it seems like I'm not speaking the same language.  I haven't developed the same mental and physical muscles that RTS players have.  Investing the time to learn a new genre, especially for only one game, is a daunting prospect.

Ecokady: From the prototype phase, there's been a good mix of RTS players like me, and players with backgrounds more similar to yours wanting longer more strategy oriented games. Both groups have been generally positive about the game from what I've seen.

Thanks for the insight!  I'm still not sure enough to drop $36 on an Early Access version, but I'll keep an eye on it.

I watched a bit of Soren's Twitch and I'd suggest creating a couple tutorial videos as following the game was a bit confusing:

1. Starting a game, Map overview, scanning and placing your colony
2. Gameplay basics - Claims, buying/selling resources, upgrading colony, victory condition (stocks)
3. Extended gameplay & strategy - Improvements (ex. hacker array, offworld market), black market, auctions + strategy tips.

Agreed. With the initial learning curve, anything that can be done to help new players clear the first hurdle will be helpful.

I don't think its a project I can contribute to due to work though, but I'll help answering questions where I can.