Mission Design Tips
Timing is everything
Before I begin testing a mission, I set the 1, 5 & 10 minute messages, so I can get an idea as to how everything is timing out
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #2
Research, research, research....
Whether building an historical mission or not, do a bit of research on people, places, weather, language, slang.....
A little research can go a long way as to building a mission
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #3
Keep a notepad for your ideas!
You'd be suprised as to how many ideas come and go with out being used. Even if an idea doesn't get put into play, you may go back to it or build upon it at a later date
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #4
Refer to your manuals!
Keep the Eddie/Hose/Crusader manual, and the Kizhevatov walkthrough handy. They really do help a lot, whether you're building your first or your 50th mission
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #5
Be Realistic
Whether it's the mission or the in game messages. ie You don't want to have a mission on the Berlin map consisting of Cromwells vs one of the Jap tanks
As for the messages, don't be afraid to use swear words or, if the situation calls for it, slurs ie 'jap, gook, kraut, russky, commie etc'. We're all men here, and the men who actually fought in the tanks in real life probably did a lot of swearing . Also, don't BE AFRAID TO ADD YELLING OR EXCLAIMATIONS to your messages.
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #6
Test test test
Test your mission every step of the way until you're sick of it. And then test it again! There are specific tools for testing, the best one being the invisible option. Turn your tank to invisible, then drive around and watch from different perspectives.
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #7
Perfection
You may not be able to get your mission to be 'perfect'. You only have so much control over the AI vehicles, and they may not always do everything to your satisfaction, no matter what you do. Are you just being nitpicky? Nobody should expect a perfect super duper best-mission-ever every time they build one.
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #8
It's finished but....
Your mission is finished, but you don't think it's that great. Well, maybe it is a good mission! After testing and testing and slaving away at a mission, you tend to be overly critical of it. But others might think it's a great mission. If you feel it's finished, it's finished!
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #9
Take a break
Mission building can be mentally exausting. Don't hesitate to take a few breaks during a building session, and take a few days off between missions. It's suprising what a little time away will do for you creativly
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #10
Multi task
Don't be afraid of building two missions at the same time. It's a good way to keep things fresh. If you get bored with one mission, you can easily switch to the other!
Sabre's Mission Building Tip #11
Collaborate
Don't be afraid to bounce ideas off of other members. Remember, two minds are better than one. If you don't want to post your idea, there's PM and my chat room. Nobody is going to steal your mission. Even if somebody did steal an idea, the missions will most likely be nothing alike ie 'Ambush' & 'Debut at Caumont'/ 'Goodwood' and 'Mouen'
Crusader's Mission Building Tip #1
The more time you put into building a mission the more fun you will get out of it.
Crusader's Mission Building Tip #2
Position the enemy vehicles/AT guns as you would your own vehicle. Look for good ambush and hulldown positions. A real tank crew would use all ofd the cover available instead of speeding down the road into your gun sights.
Bucket's Mission Building Tip #1
Keep it simple! You can always tweak with skill levels, numbers and changed victory conditions afterwards. The best missions use original, but simple, ideas.
Bucket's Mission Building Tip #2
Take your time reading the victory conditions options. Making victory dependant on another unit staying alive or reaching a certain point (like in 'Strike Army') will produce a completely different game to a search and destroy mission.
Bucket's Mission Building Tip #3
Cheat!! Mixing a few ideas used by other designers won't cause resentment. In fact, I'll bet the originator of the idea will be flattered, and your mission will be all the better for it.