To wait or not to wait...

[Trigati]

I've always had an interest in the Pacific WWII engagements, especially the naval battles, so this game has me intrigued.

However, I've seen that AE is due around Summer. With all the changes and such coming, would it be in my better interests to just start with AE or attempt to learn WitP first? (I'm guessing the former, especially with some of changes in AE.)

[Terminus]

Well, the learning curve is quite steep, so an early start might be preferable. Remember that the AE is an expansion, not a brand new game, so quite a lot of what you learn in WitP will still hold true.

[bradfordkay]

Besides, you will have to own WITP for AE to work, so unless you are hoping for a special package deal you may as well buy WITP and start getting used to the game...

[Buck Beach]

ORIGINAL: bradfordkay

Besides, you will have to own WITP for AE to work, so unless you are hoping for a special package deal you may as well buy WITP and start getting used to the game...

You guys can sing that. Would seem like a terrible waste of time to just sit around twiddling your thumbs when you could be learning the flow and general mechanics of the game.

[Trigati]

Well, it's not like I'd be twiddling my thumbs in anticpation... I do have GGWoWAWD and Carriers at War to keep me occupied. (plus GalCiv2 Twilight of Arnor..)

And, it's not like I'm cheap and want a 'deal' package. It's just between the map changes (which I'm excited for), some automation of things (again, based on what I read), and other misc changes/additions, would it really be that beneficial to start with WitP and 'get used' to the game then have to relearn things with AE.

I guess what I'm hoping for is some of the Beta testers to post with their experiences on the relearning curve. That'd be most helpful in my decision.

[madgamer2]

ORIGINAL: Trigati

Well, it's not like I'd be twiddling my thumbs in anticpation... I do have GGWoWAWD and Carriers at War to keep me occupied. (plus GalCiv2 Twilight of Arnor..)

And, it's not like I'm cheap and want a 'deal' package. It's just between the map changes (which I'm excited for), some automation of things (again, based on what I read), and other misc changes/additions, would it really be that beneficial to start with WitP and 'get used' to the game then have to relearn things with AE.

I guess what I'm hoping for is some of the Beta testers to post with their experiences on the relearning curve. That'd be most helpful in my decision.

It sounds to me like you had your mind made up before you "Buy or Wait" post. It really is not our choice because it depends on the type of person you are. For me I am glad to have the original game to play because it will be hard for me to tackle AE without playing WitP first. For you it might be just the opsite in that you would be better off of by waiting and tackling the game qwith no old notions as to how to play it. So in the end is is up to you to decide.

Madgamer

[Charbroiled]

ORIGINAL: Trigati

I've always had an interest in the Pacific WWII engagements, especially the naval battles, so this game has me intrigued.

However, I've seen that AE is due around Summer. With all the changes and such coming, would it be in my better interests to just start with AE or attempt to learn WitP first? (I'm guessing the former, especially with some of changes in AE.)

For the most part, AE will still be WITP, only enhanced. The game engine and the tactics will probably be very similar. If I was in your position (especially since WITP is required to play AE), I would buy WITP, play it and get use to the micromanagement of the game. Then when AE arrives, you have already climbed part way up the "learning cliff" to some extend and AE will not be quite as difficult to learn. For me, WITP was not that hard to understand since I had played PacWar a lot when it came out.

[Terminus]

Same here.

[jwilkerson]

ORIGINAL: Charbroiled

ORIGINAL: Trigati

I've always had an interest in the Pacific WWII engagements, especially the naval battles, so this game has me intrigued.

However, I've seen that AE is due around Summer. With all the changes and such coming, would it be in my better interests to just start with AE or attempt to learn WitP first? (I'm guessing the former, especially with some of changes in AE.)

For the most part, AE will still be WITP, only enhanced. The game engine and the tactics will probably be very similar. If I was in your position (especially since WITP is required to play AE), I would buy WITP, play it and get use to the micromanagement of the game. Then when AE arrives, you have already climbed part way up the "learning cliff" to some extend and AE will not be quite as difficult to learn. For me, WITP was not that hard to understand since I had played PacWar a lot when it came out.

I agree that the tactics will probably be very similar - but I am not so sure that the tactics that win will be the same. I would point to NikMod 9.2 as an example. Nik is trying to solve some of the same issues with air combat that AE is trying to solve. He can only solve by changing data - whereas we can try to solve by changing code and/or data. But point is the tactics that work in NikMod 9.2 are different from the tactics (air to air tactics) that work in stock. I would expect AE to be similar but different (I love that statement - thanks Justin !!!!).

Re-stated - I would expect the basic mechanics to be the same. I would expect what works and what does not work to be different - in some cases very different.