Hey guys !
First of all, I'd like to thank the admins for letting me post this. I hope this is of most of you out there's interest
As I had mentioned in a previous topic, for the last few months I've been writing a book about strategies, builds and tips about Age of Empires 2. I thought that the current way that is preached about improving at this game (to mass games and watch recorded games) is somewhat missing a few pointers and the fact is that there are still people coming to forums and other places asking for builds, or even simply how to improve. I knew that the key to improving was knowledge and being able to apply it. How else could we, for example, explain that players that are being told what to do by a top player, play at almost their level? There are many top players out there that aren't particularly fast, but they consistently do many right things, which allows them to become the best. Those right things are bits of information that can be passed through to other people without them having to discover for themselves through playing hundreds of games.
So I thought here is this fantastic game, with so many years already, and there still appear people on the forums asking on "how to improve" or for "sites with build orders". There are some resources out there, but I wanted a more to the point compact source of information. So I started writing a book to cover even the most basics of age of empires 2 all the way to some advanced stuff. Indeed, from what some top players have told me after reading it, there is a lot of stuff inside for the professional players to learn as well.
I used to play back on MS Zone at the 1700 level, but of course things changed since then — not only is everything much more refined, especially in traditional 1v1 arabias, but players are also better. So I read a lot of information that is spread out there, I did a huge amount of testing and thinking on my own and watched a ton of recorded games. I practiced the bare minimum so as to see what problems would arise when I would play, with just acquiring knowledge.
Now the book is done. Not as complete as it could be, of course. But at 140 A4 pages, it's already a long enough book. Then I thought that if there would be enough interest out there in me continuing this, I would then make another book with the things that are missing (water, map-specific builds and the new expansions).
I'm posting this because:
1) If I was a player I'd like to know there is a great book like this out there that can help me get better. The book provides a great framework for you to then improve by yourself and apply the knowledge so that you can adapt to new situations. I tried to explain everything in the most thorough way possible;
2) Among the communities I've met sporadically from other games I've always enjoyed this one the most, maybe because as far as multiplayer goes, we've always been outshadowed by other more popular games, so everyone that is here really enjoys this game, and isn't here just because they get money from tournaments or because they want to be the best at a popular game. So in that regard I would like to come offer a discount of 40% for a week for everyone here. I think that the discount is only valid through Smashwords (one of the retailers) though.
If you're unsure about whether this book is for you, I believe you can download a sample from a few stores (this one has the full 20% free of the book that I allowed). Before this I also sent the book to a few top players, for them to review. For now I have the reviews of Feage and dogao who both loved it, and you can read their comments in the book's description in any store (Both of them took their time and did that out of their goodwill, so for that thank you a lot once again). I'm still waiting for slam's review and a few others, but it's a long book so it takes a while :P.
You can get it here and use the coupon TF56B for 40% discount, but if you prefer to get it from another place you can get it at Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Inketer, among others... (though it's at the full price, because I currently can't make discounts there — Smashwords rules... :|)
After you read it, whether you like it or not I'd ask that you post a review either on the place that you bought it or at goodreads to promote our beloved game, the book, and of course to help other players decide whether the book is worth it for them or not. Recommend it to your friends if you liked it as well as that helps spread the word.
I sincerely hope the book helps many newbies, medium and top players out there alike, may many questions be answered, knowledge gained, and that it helps this community to keep growing into the future!
André (author)
TL;DR: Launched a book of strategy about AoE2, came here to say that because I think you'd like to know, and besides you can get a 40% discount for the next week by buying it here and using the coupon TF56B.
EDIT: some people have mentioned the fact that the sample doesn't do full justice to the contents of the book, and in fact I agree, so I thought I should add some more info.
EDIT2: added a few more images.
Other images of the contents:
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Too big to fit here, so here's the link: http://i.imgur.com/OZCQXXF.jpg