Tuesday 7 March 2017

Oh... FAQ!

I was putting together the obligatory FAQ and Errata document for my game Broken Legions the other day (located here, if you’re interested), and I had that inner voice groaning at me as I worked, the same one that always groans at me when I work on these things. Because I hate FAQs and Errata.

What are FAQs and errata? Basically, FAQs are frequently asked questions regarding rules, usually cropping up because of unforeseen combos or circumstances that didn’t arise during playtesting, while errata is simply Latin for errors. These are genuine mistakes, ranging from simple typos in the book, to omissions that got left out of the layout, or cut-and-paste errors where rules from an earlier version got left in the final manuscript, etc.


I called these documents obligatory before, and it’s true – if you produce a set of wargames rules, FAQs are usually necessary, but always expected. It’s virtually impossible to make an error-free book, and God knows I’ve tried. The biggest and most professional rulebook production team I ever worked in was at Games Workshop – a whole team of writers and game designers, who’d often ‘peer review’ each other’s work, two playtesting teams (one internal, one external), two sub-editors, a rules editor, a layout team to check each other’s graphic design, and me overseeing it all. And still we managed to make mistakes. Basically, when a set of rules gets released into the wild, suddenly you have thousands of people looking at it, whereas before there was only a couple of dozen. You also get people playing games with armies/warbands/crews that you may not have had the chance to test yourself, so the combination of Army X vs Army Y throws up all kinds of conflicts you just couldn’t have predicted. You get ‘min-maxers’ – competitive gamers who choose the most lethal combos they can see in order to mince their opponents… all these things tend to throw up questions.

Most FAQs can be solved by carefully re-reading the rules as written. Some can’t really be resolved with a simple ruling, and you might just need to accept that these things are never perfect, roll a dice to see who’s interpretation holds sway on this occasion, and move on. Others really do need clarification – it’s likely that the rules aren’t as clearly expressed as the author believed, or even if they are enough people have queried it as to require a more thorough explanation. If a question arises as a result of a mistake somewhere in the rules, that’s covered by the errata, rather than the FAQ.

With me? If so, strap in…

Errata are dangerous. They are foul beasts, designed to tempt the unwary games designer into the worst imaginable sin: tinkering.

It’s all well and good to correct errors, but should you use errata to change rules for the sake of improving balance, or because you had a better idea later? Where does it end? I was reminded of this great sin just today, after reading yet another swathe of errata for the X-Wing Miniatures Game. These ‘corrections’ make sweeping changes in the form of nerfs and buffs to various ships and pilot cards in the game, usually in response to abuses of the game’s ‘meta’ amongst tournament players. And it’s mad as a box of frogs.

Why? Because who really seeks out errata? X-Wing is a game that relies on masses and masses of cards, all with rules printed on them. When a new player buys the game, his/her cards are already invalid. If you do have the errata, in order to have a game you have to select your cards, find the errata, realise your selection has been nerfed a dozen times since they were printed, change your selection, repeat. But who really keeps on top of the errata? I keep asking that because it’s important – competitive players are interested in errata, and actively seek them out. Casual players often don’t know they even exist. Are the casual players doing it wrong? Or are we, as designers, saying it doesn’t matter – as long as you have fun, who cares which version of the rules you play? But in that case why put so much time and effort into a document that only (and I hesitate to say this, as it’s not universally true) the minority of gamers will ever use?

I was picking on X-wing earlier, and that’s perhaps unfair, as all of my own games gave their fair share of FAQs and Errata. But I do try to be disciplined about what I cover. I do the bare minimum to make sure that the original intent of the design is upheld, and to atone for human error. I flat-out refuse to make wholesale changes to a game – even if those changes would ‘improve’ the game. My view is that wholesale changes should be noted down and reserved for a ‘second edition’ in the years to follow, rather than tinker with a published set, invalidate people’s purchases, and perhaps cause further problems.

Looking to the future (the future is now…), digital rulebooks have already revolutionised this entire process. Some companies make errata without you ever realising, ‘pushing’ through the changes as part of an update to the ebook. In some respects, that’s really cool, right? But what if you’re the guy who’s spent thousands of dollars on an army, only to have it nerfed via an update to a five-dollar app? What if you have a print copy of the book, but your opponent has the digital copy? Is the digital copy ‘right’, even though you purchased your print copy just yesterday? These are the questions that games companies (and humble freelancers like me) are wrestling with daily.

For now, I accept them as a necessary evil. Sometimes, if used responsibly and publicised well, they can even do good! But on the whole… I really hate ’em.

10 comments:

  1. Hi mark

    Are you going to do a faq for chosen men?

    There are a number of questions I have:-

    1. Why do British rifles cost more than the Prussian schurzen? The schurzen are better, they have higher command factor and their officer is better yet the rifles cost 80 points and schurzen 60? Yes the rifles get 4 tax but it's not like they can shoot better you cannot use 4 tax a turn unless you double and dig in which only benefits you if in cover? So can you explain why?

    2. You have deadly accurate and bayonet drilled in the special rules on p.36 I have searched the rules and there are no troops allowed this?

    3. Do sappers get a musket in all the documents I've read they do?

    4. Should standard bearers get a sword?

    5. British light infantry should have standards as they carried them.

    6. British light infantry should be able to shoot in line just like the line regiments?

    7. Why are there no Spanish militia or light infantry or guns?

    8. Surely light troops should be the only troops starting in skirmish order?

    9. Disorder where does this affect troops and how?

    10. When stg are spent are they then gone forever?

    11. If a chosen man shoots at an indepent officer and there are two chosen men in the unit can they both shoot at him? If CM shoot at specialists do the rest of the unit shoot?

    12. Do British units benefit from 3 rounds a minute and elite (drilled) if payed for?

    There maybe more but please can you help.

    Cheers

    Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Steve,

      There will indeed be an errata and FAQ for Chosen Men. It hasn't appeared yet, simply because I haven't received enough questions! I'll add yours to my list.

      Best,

      Mark

      Delete
    2. Great thank you. Do you know where and when it would be available?

      Thank you

      Delete
    3. The latest news about my games always gets published on my Facebook page first: www.facebook.com/thelostvictorian/

      Then later it'll be archived on the Osprey Games website.

      Many thanks,

      Mark

      Delete
  2. Would it be ok to post this FAQ and the extra Auxilla rules over on BGG so they are easier for people to find?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fine by me John. I'd prefer a link back to the blog, but it doesn't matter too much.

      Delete
    2. There is a link on your author page, but I could stick one at the end of the game description box too.

      I helped someone out on Lead Adventure forums and it took me forever to find the right blog and link.

      So many wargame blogs bookmarked anymore.

      Figured I could help some people save time.

      Delete
  3. Mark, I uploaded the files and linked to you blog in the description of each one.

    Thanks for your help and the excellent game!! There is so much in such a slim volume!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good stuff, cheers John! And you'll be pleased to know some more, chunkier, content is on its way :)

      Delete
  4. Hi Mark,
    I have read above. Can you please please please find some time to answer these last questions about Chosen Men for this year.. Any questions after will be gathered over the next 6-12months for a later 2019 FAQ session.

    ARTILLERY
    Q-10:- The options for the Resistance Gunners have not been printed on page 51. Are they any?
    A:- No, it’s a layout error.
    Does this mean that there is:-
    Q-10#A:- ..No options for the Resistance Gunners
    OR
    Q-10#B:- …..The same options for the Resistance Gunners as other cannons (0-2x Extra Crew [+3pts each], Captain with Pistol and Sword, Muskets and Bayonets for Crew [+2pts each])?

    Q-11:- Does adding the extra crew to Artillery Units increase the Artillery Unit's Wounds?

    SPECIAL RULES
    Q-1:- Which Nations and their troops can use the 'Deadly Accurate' and 'Bayonet Drill' special rules on p.36? Examples below....

    Q-2:- Can players combine all the Special Rules for Nations, Commander Traits, Unit Leader Orders, Units, Specialists, Stratagems, etc,? E.g.1 - Do British units benefit gain two D3 shots for each 5 models eligible to fire from their Nation's Special Rule “3 Rounds-A-Minute” and the “Drilled” Special Rule?
    E.g.2- Can one Cavalry Unit's Charge movement be 10”+D3”+2”+D6”/+D3” = 14”-21” by combining the following Special Rule and Abilities:-
    - Cavalry Base Movement (10”)
    - Unit Leaders Order – On To Victory (+D3” to Cavalry Movement),
    - Independent Officer's Cavalry Officer (+2” movement),
    - Devastating Charge (+D6” Vs Infantry or +D3”Vs Enemy Cavalry)

    FORCE UNITS
    Q-1:- When a model is upgraded to a Sapper. Does the Sapper keep the upgraded models equipment as well as gaining an Axe? E.g.- A Line Infantryman with a Musket and Bayonet is upgraded to a Sapper. The Sapper is now armed with an Axe, a Musket and a Bayonet?

    Q-2:- When a model is upgraded to a Standard Bearer, does the Standard model gain a sword and can they use it in Melee?

    NATION FORCE LISTS
    Q-1:- Is changing the army restrictions of 50% Cavalry and 25% Artillery, also covered by the page 39 Text boxes “Wait… Where are my Guards?”, “Theatres of War” and changes for missions and scenarios?

    THANK YOU Mark Latham for writing Chosen Men and answering the Community's questions. Happy writing! ( I formally request to be your Chosen Men/Aide-De-Camp on those matters, ;) )

    THANK YOU to the Chosen Men Community for their support and questions.

    Happy Napoleonic Wars Skirmishing!

    ReplyDelete

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