Noobtime Fun

[M I Evil]

Ok so as previously stated I am a noob. I also have not yet poured through the thousands of posts on this forum so if these questions overlap I appologize. My main uqestion is: If i'm new and trying to learn the game what type of promotion and product would be easiest to learn with/from? I'm assuming taking a bigger company with a bankroll would have some advantages but booking good shows may prove difficult. Also on a related note, when you guys start a new game how much planning goes into it before you even book your first show? Do you take the time to inspect every roster member? Should I be taking notes and if so of what nature? I would like to point out that I'm not asking for a guide to play the game or secrets from the masters, more just some tips on how you guys set up and begin your new games. I have been really pleased with the support thus far and i anticipate more good stuff from this fine community, thank you all.

[M I Evil]

also when it comes to hirings and firings when do i know it's time to cut the fat and what are some indicators on whom should go?

[Blasphemywebleed]

The beauty of TEW 07 is that there are so many ways to suceed that everyone has their own strategys. As a start I would recommend starting with one of the smaller promotions to start with, either ROF or MAW is a good start. I played my first ever game with ROF and I fell in love with them straight away and have pretty much stuck with them since. With regards to hiring and firing its all about finding a mix that works for you. With a larger promotion you find yourself having to change your roster about quite reguarly to keep things fresh. With the smaller promotion I tend to freshen up the roster every 6 months or so. One tip that I learnt over the last year or so is to build for the future. Make sure you have some rising stars in your roster. I usually tend to have 4 or 5 young enhancement talents to build for the future.

[tom_wk]

I would suggest taking a big promotion from a real world mod, that way you are familiar with the workers so know who's good and who's a waste of space etc. Just take a couple of weeks game time experimenting, seeing what works what doesn't, trying out whacky things, without really worrying about doing well (ie without having to care if your shows make money or gain you popularity or piss off all your fans). And then maybe start again with your new found experience, or ya know keep at it if you're enjoying it :) With a big promotion you don't have to worry about people stealing your workers, or whether your workers are available or running out of money etc. Once you've got the basics down you can then start a game with a smaller company for a different challenge. Also once you've got some experience and begin to see what stats impact what etc you could start a cornelverse game and explore all the workers in there. I don't really play it but I believe the c'verse has the major advantage of being designed by the game designer and therefore is balanced in a way that other mods might not be. I'm sure other people have different suggestions, but that's my two cents :)

[M I Evil]

Thanks folks, I knew I could count on you guys. This really is a great community, Kudos!

[Irish Wolf]

I totally suggest not playing a real world mod. The data with as much time and effort as goes into it never feds perfectly withing the model of game play. Playing the C-Verse means that the data is specifically made for the game and you won't have any preconceived notions of who the characters are so it'll be a chance to let your imagination run. For C-Verse I recommend not using one of the giant companies but also not using the too small ones either. I also recommend not starting out with a Japanese fed as touring promotions is a lot of booking up front and figuring out touring in general. MAW and ROF are nice feds and can be played with well but until you get the hang of money management you'll bleed the company dry and go bankrupt which will definitely kill your enjoyment of the game. Bigger companies will be a lot of roster management all at once and you'll spend half your time trying to remember who you have on your roster and trying to keep them happy on TV. My suggestions are CZCW or 4C if you want to play feds that focus totally on in ring product or USPW, NYCW or DAVE if you want to use angles. Dave might have a slightly bloated roster but its definitely not as bad as the big boys. As for how much time i spend setting up i make an intricate excel spread sheet for western feds I'll plan out shows between one and three months in advance. For Japanese touring feds i'll plan out the whole tour. I keep records on the first page of my sheet of the base stats of each in ring worker (name/Push/Disposition/Gimmick/Size/Style/Rumble/Technical/Flying/Psychology/Stamina) The front page also shows me titles, tag teams, stables and a detailed account of how long a wrestler can go before tiring. My second page is a chart for chemistry both singles and tag team. the third page is a detailed list of all the stat gains for my workers. On the last page i lay out shows and have a chart for my tournament brackets. As for hirings and firings i don't have a lot of roster turn over usually i'll just add new comers to my roster when they debut if they look good and I'll look for replacements when people are injured, retire or are stolen by bigger promotions.

[CubsFan915]

My latest CZCW game is the first game - real world or Cornellverse - I've ever played on TEW that I've been able to stay interested in for more than about three months in game time. It was nice to actually finally see year-end awards. (Even nicer to get the "Most Improved Federation" award, too...)

[Remianen]

Answer to the first question: NOTBPW. You literally cannot fail with that promotion unless you're giving Mammoth or Alysian Scottsfield or Craig Green all the title shots. I agree with Apu, taking any real world promotion as a first attempt is bound to frustrate you to no end. There's too much in the way of decisions, choices, and possible outcomes to balance when you really don't know what decisions, choices, or outcomes are desired for you at any given point in time (that knowledge comes with game experience). Second question is kinda tough. I would imagine I'm not like most people in this respect, but I plot out the general gist of my first year before I ever click on 'New Game'. I know who I'm signing, who I'm pushing, who's going to be developed/groomed and how, who is going to hold all of my titles (and I usually go 5 deep here, meaning I know who my first 5 champions for every title in the promotion are going to be from the very beginning). From there, I wing it and adjust to each game's uniqueness. Third question, I know every worker I'd be the least bit interested in signing, before the game starts (whether Cornellverse or real world). My shortlist is populated on day one of every game. Fourth question, abso-freakin-lutely. If you don't have notes on every game, I wonder why. If you get a shooting star on your roster, where do you store ideas for how to best use that worker? If you find out two workers have good/great chemistry, where do you store that information for future reference? Personally, I have several spreadsheets: chemistry, overness tracking, skill tracking, appearance tracking (my rosters are usually big so I have to keep track of who is due an appearance before they start whining). I have a physical notebook for each game where I jot down ideas, possible matchups, and stuff like that. Again, anyone here will tell you I'm not typical (I'm actually kinda odd/anal/obsessive tbh) so I don't expect everyone to go to the same lengths.

[mistaken]

[QUOTE=Remianen;407524]Answer to the first question: NOTBPW. You literally cannot fail with that promotion unless you're giving Mammoth or Alysian Scottsfield or Craig Green all the title shots. I agree with Apu, taking any real world promotion as a first attempt is bound to frustrate you to no end. There's too much in the way of decisions, choices, and possible outcomes to balance when you really don't know what decisions, choices, or outcomes are desired for you at any given point in time (that knowledge comes with game experience). Second question is kinda tough. I would imagine I'm not like most people in this respect, but I plot out the general gist of my first year before I ever click on 'New Game'. I know who I'm signing, who I'm pushing, who's going to be developed/groomed and how, who is going to hold all of my titles (and I usually go 5 deep here, meaning I know who my first 5 champions for every title in the promotion are going to be from the very beginning). From there, I wing it and adjust to each game's uniqueness. Third question, I know every worker I'd be the least bit interested in signing, before the game starts (whether Cornellverse or real world). My shortlist is populated on day one of every game. Fourth question, abso-freakin-lutely. If you don't have notes on every game, I wonder why. If you get a shooting star on your roster, where do you store ideas for how to best use that worker? If you find out two workers have good/great chemistry, where do you store that information for future reference? Personally, I have several spreadsheets: chemistry, overness tracking, skill tracking, appearance tracking (my rosters are usually big so I have to keep track of who is due an appearance before they start whining). I have a physical notebook for each game where I jot down ideas, possible match ups, and stuff like that. Again, anyone here will tell you I'm not typical (I'm actually kinda odd/anal/obsessive tbh) so I don't expect everyone to go to the same lengths.[/QUOTE] and then their is the seat of your pant method. [QUOTE=Blasphemywebleed]The beauty of TEW 07 is that there are so many ways to succeed that everyone has their own strategy's.[/QUOTE] is just the truth. I'm biased and twisted. I learned this game starting way back in EWR -> TEW2004 and into 05 and now TEW 07 and my guess the same will hold true of 08. by opening up the editor and starting my own data base. messing around with a blank data base until i understand the mechanics. I can tell already that [URL="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30325"]BSC[/URL] is not going so well for you, but it really is what i cut my teeth on, and where i learned what the game was asking for. if Remianen knows exactly what he's doing, i'm the exact opposite. for my [URL="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29565"]NBC wrestling Dynasty[/URL] i keep so loose notes so i can remember where i am going. but in general i sit down and play the game, and if you look carefully at my BSC diary you can almost see which days of the game were played over a few days and which were played after a week or two away from the game. why? because it looses all continuity and goes in a new direction. some people truly enjoy the technical approach and others just have more fun playing by ear and seeing where it will take them. and the truth any way you play is cool as long as your having fun while you play!

[Rob4590]

[QUOTE=Remianen;407524]Answer to the first question: NOTBPW. You literally cannot fail with that promotion unless you're giving Mammoth or Alysian Scottsfield or Craig Green all the title shots. I agree with Apu, taking any real world promotion as a first attempt is bound to frustrate you to no end. There's too much in the way of decisions, choices, and possible outcomes to balance when you really don't know what decisions, choices, or outcomes are desired for you at any given point in time (that knowledge comes with game experience). Second question is kinda tough. I would imagine I'm not like most people in this respect, but I plot out the general gist of my first year before I ever click on 'New Game'. I know who I'm signing, who I'm pushing, who's going to be developed/groomed and how, who is going to hold all of my titles (and I usually go 5 deep here, meaning I know who my first 5 champions for every title in the promotion are going to be from the very beginning). From there, I wing it and adjust to each game's uniqueness. Third question, I know every worker I'd be the least bit interested in signing, before the game starts (whether Cornellverse or real world). My shortlist is populated on day one of every game. Fourth question, abso-freakin-lutely. If you don't have notes on every game, I wonder why. If you get a shooting star on your roster, where do you store ideas for how to best use that worker? If you find out two workers have good/great chemistry, where do you store that information for future reference? Personally, I have several spreadsheets: chemistry, overness tracking, skill tracking, appearance tracking (my rosters are usually big so I have to keep track of who is due an appearance before they start whining). I have a physical notebook for each game where I jot down ideas, possible matchups, and stuff like that. Again, anyone here will tell you I'm not typical (I'm actually kinda odd/anal/obsessive tbh) so I don't expect everyone to go to the same lengths.[/QUOTE] I'm pretty much the same as Remi - loads of spreadsheets - all the ones he's said, plus one for momentum. Only difference is that I tend to only have my booking planned for the next month (maybe two) rather than a year - and even that changes if I suddenly get chemistry notes. I also know that Remi used to do the following (which I do as well) and that is to use your dark time to test for chemistry/match ratings - have 3 or 4 very short matches between people that you want to face off in future events - after all - there's no point having a great big build up to your biggest PPV main event, and then suddenly find that the two wrestlers have awful chemistry and get you a C+ grade instead of the A that you were hoping for!

[Beeker]

I love Remi but that's so not how I do things. I keep tabs on chemistry but that's about it. I don't worry about all the other things. Of course, I've got a pretty select group that I work with. Since I had to create all the minis I'm using in HaLF. I just throw them out there and see what happens and often reverse-write it so that if something goes well or poorly then I try to work that into the write-up. But Remi's works too. Likely better than my fumblings. lol

[wilts]

Whats with all the spreadsheets? This sounds more like work than a game for fun... Seat of the pants all the way!

[Blasphemywebleed]

[QUOTE=wilts;408721]Whats with all the spreadsheets? This sounds more like work than a game for fun... Seat of the pants all the way![/QUOTE] I'd be lost without my notes :( I don't really keep spreadsheets but i'm always writing down anything of interest.

[Grudge]

What's cool is the fact that so many different people have so many different ways to play this game. Just gotta invest some time and figure out what you enjoy doing best. But I personally do recommend at least a chemisty spreadsheet. The rest, skills and overness, I only worry about if I'm booking a "wrestling fed". For SE feds, I don't really care how crappy my guys are as long as they pull in the ratings :P. I like to run smaller feds because the rosters of large feds tend to be huge. Until you get a handle on 15-20 workers you really shouldn't try and handle 50. Remember that overness spreads like the plague, if someone has it, put him with someone who doesn't. If you play with a legit promotion then this isn't really necessary as ability counts more than popularity. And it's always ok to start over if you feel too overwhelmed or if you don't feel like you went about it the right way. It's trial and error really. Just get creative and I'm sure you'll find your own inventive and enduring way to play.

[Remianen]

[QUOTE=Rob4590;407681]I also know that Remi used to do the following (which I do as well) and that is to use your dark time to test for chemistry/match ratings - have 3 or 4 very short matches between people that you want to face off in future events - after all - there's no point having a great big build up to your biggest PPV main event, and then suddenly find that the two wrestlers have awful chemistry and get you a C+ grade instead of the A that you were hoping for![/QUOTE] Yup, still do that before National. :) [QUOTE=wilts;408721]Whats with all the spreadsheets? This sounds more like work than a game for fun... Seat of the pants all the way![/QUOTE] Knowledge is power. The more I know, the farther I can go. Given the fact that putting together a spreadsheet takes me all of about 10 minutes but keeps all the information I want at my fingertips for months (or years) in the future, the "work" part for me comes from NOT having that info and trying to remember it all. I can typically have half a dozen games going at the same time, switching between them based on my mood. Trying to keep track of all of that is an exercise in futility for me. [QUOTE=Grudge;413598]But I personally do recommend at least a chemisty spreadsheet. The rest, skills and overness, I only worry about if I'm booking a "wrestling fed". For SE feds, I don't really care how crappy my guys are as long as they pull in the ratings :P.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I ONLY run wrestling feds since I really dislike SE. I much prefer promotions where overness is earned in the ring, based on performance there, then beating more over workers or what-have-you. So having as much info as I can keeps me from fumbling through a dozen screens to get it (saves time that way). [QUOTE=Grudge;413598]I like to run smaller feds because the rosters of large feds tend to be huge. Until you get a handle on 15-20 workers you really shouldn't try and handle 50.[/QUOTE] I'd odd (duh?). No matter what size promotion I'm running, I always have A LOT more workers than the 'ideal'. I find it harder to run a promotion with only 10-15 workers than managing a promotion at Small with 50 workers on the roster. Plus, I much prefer LONG shows (3 hrs+) because, as a wrestling fan, I'm not even bothering going to an hour long show. My typical PPV is 4 hours long and I usually "empty the bench" when booking it (even the enhancement talent get to work). But I only run women's promotions and, up til 07, women on average worked for far less than their male counterparts. But play around with the various promotions and get an idea of what style you prefer. Me, I like booking angles but not being required to do so. Same with storylines.

[mvargus]

[QUOTE=M I Evil;407351] Ok so as previously stated I am a noob. I also have not yet poured through the thousands of posts on this forum so if these questions overlap I appologize. My main uqestion is: If i'm new and trying to learn the game what type of promotion and product would be easiest to learn with/from? I'm assuming taking a bigger company with a bankroll would have some advantages but booking good shows may prove difficult. Also on a related note, when you guys start a new game how much planning goes into it before you even book your first show? Do you take the time to inspect every roster member? Should I be taking notes and if so of what nature? [/QUOTE] So you've already seen that everyone is a bit different in what they recommend. I'll add a few points. 1) the larger promotions tend to require a lot more time to book and you are dealing with larger rosters. They are fun because you usually start with enough $$$ to survive a few months of mistakes, but I don't recommend them. 2) each promotion is different in what kind of product and show works best with their fans. Take care to choose a style you are comfortable with. Others have suggested most of the smaller North American promotions by style. 3) on planning. I usually take my time. I often need 1-2 weeks to change up my roster and get the wrestlers I want and can hire on board, and I won't plan out all my storylines and title reigns until I know who I actually have. I also tend to start planning possible future pickups and short listing wrestlers who I might want to approach in the future (often ones under contract to larger promotions that I wouldn't mind trying to swipe once I'm large enough.) 4) yes, I do take the time to look over every wrestler. I'm looking for their skill levels, style, overness and age as all of these will affect how I push them, and who they will look good wrestling with. Having a wrestler with a brawling style go up against a luchador sounds interesting, but usually results in poor match ratings. 5) as for notes. I track my storylines closely, and almost always have the next 4 shows plotted out, partly to make sure I don't skip storyline steps or doublebook a wrestler. I also take notes of any chemistry messages I get as knowing who looks good in the ring is vital. I tend to pay attention to skills and popularity, but don't track improvement religiously. [QUOTE=M I Evil;407351] I would like to point out that I'm not asking for a guide to play the game or secrets from the masters, more just some tips on how you guys set up and begin your new games. I have been really pleased with the support thus far and i anticipate more good stuff from this fine community, thank you all.[/QUOTE] Like people have said each game varies. If I try to run 21CW or another UK promotion I tend to be a bit more brutal on culling dead weight and hiring replacements who can bring in a crowd. If I'm running DAVE or USPW I'm going to try to grab a few of the young indy wrestlers with decent skills, while looking to use up the popularity of their roster bringing along my new recruits. If I decide to create and run an independent fed with money, but no overness I try to grab 14-16 wrestlers with the skill to put on D- matches whent he promotion has F- overness and build on that foundation. It usually means that I'll be hiring and firing workers throughout the first 5-6 months as I eliminate wrestlers who don't mesh with the rest of my roster. (having 1 brawler when everyone else is strong in technical or aerial wrestling doesn't work, the brawler usually ends up getting boo'ed out of the arena.) Hiring and Firing also means watching personality types. Driven workers want a strong push, while Free-Spirits can end up late to shows or even missing a show outright, and Jokers can cause unrest in the locker room. This needs to be considered if you don't have some wrestlers who are highly respected and can lead the rest of the locker room. Most important though. Dont be afraid to fail Have fun Try everything.

[takertitan]

I shall shed my light: Most people say start with real world mods, but i don't agree. I played real world mods and i found it too much. Much like how a big company can be too much, when you have 100,000 workers, you can get lost. C-Verse is smaller and more defined. Try using someone like NOTPW who can generally turn out B- shows by just having all the Stones on the card.