Multiplayer Server gameplay and features

[warhero88AB]

I noticed the latest update had several changes to Multiplayer Network play. Is there a description somewhere on how Multiplayer Server gameplay works (not PBEM) or could someone in the know describe it? The manual does not describe it at the gameplay/feature level, just as a capability without much detail. Specifically,
1) Can more than one player be on each side? The manual hints at this in Section 2.8.4("..up to four players.."). If so does the game enable unit "assignments" (eg., Army Commander A for Player 1, Army Commander B for Player 2, etc), and can they conduct their turn concurrently?
2) Similarly, can more than one player play *against* the AI?
3) Can the non-phasing player(s) see their version of the screen (ie., their own units plus those of the other player that are visible) while the phasing player(s) are doing their turn?
4) Can the non-phasing player(s) interact with/look at their units and other info for their side while the phasing player is doing their turn?
5) Are combat results and new unit visibility displayed simultaneously for phasing and non-phasing player(s)?
Anything related to multiplayer network play beyond this I'd be grateful to hear about as well.
Since we as a group get together for multi-hour "sessions" where we are all available and online at the same time to play, we are looking for an interactive gameplay experience (banter, etc) that we are used to in other games. This is a crew with a deep WiF, WW2, WiE, etc background getting back into the hobby. Most are on the buy-or-not fence pending whether we can play this game in this way.
Thanks.
PS: I bought it and like it, but I'm not inclined to solo play, though the AI doesn't seem too bad in its tactical gameplay unlike most games.

[Joel Billings]

I noticed the latest update had several changes to Multiplayer Network play. Is there a description somewhere on how Multiplayer Server gameplay works (not PBEM) or could someone in the know describe it? The manual does not describe it at the gameplay/feature level, just as a capability without much detail. Specifically,
1) Can more than one player be on each side? The manual hints at this in Section 2.8.4("..up to four players.."). If so does the game enable unit "assignments" (eg., Army Commander A for Player 1, Army Commander B for Player 2, etc), and can they conduct their turn concurrently?
2) Similarly, can more than one player play *against* the AI?
3) Can the non-phasing player(s) see their version of the screen (ie., their own units plus those of the other player that are visible) while the phasing player(s) are doing their turn?
4) Can the non-phasing player(s) interact with/look at their units and other info for their side while the phasing player is doing their turn?
5) Are combat results and new unit visibility displayed simultaneously for phasing and non-phasing player(s)?
Anything related to multiplayer network play beyond this I'd be grateful to hear about as well.
Since we as a group get together for multi-hour "sessions" where we are all available and online at the same time to play, we are looking for an interactive gameplay experience (banter, etc) that we are used to in other games. This is a crew with a deep WiF, WW2, WiE, etc background getting back into the hobby. Most are on the buy-or-not fence pending whether we can play this game in this way.
Thanks.
PS: I bought it and like it, but I'm not inclined to solo play, though the AI doesn't seem too bad in its tactical gameplay unlike most games.

1) Only 2 players
2) No
3) No
4) No
5) No - there's nothing interactive about WitE2. There's nothing for the other players to do while the one player is working on their turn.

The only way for more than 2 players to play would be to use the PBEM feature. WitE2 being a turn-based game with turns that can take up to several hours each, it is not a game for interactive gameplay. The PBEM game feature allows players to do a portion of the turn, save it, send it to the next player, and on down the line. You can also use the basic save game feature to have several players play against the computer. But these games would be played over weeks/months/years. Playing shorter smaller/shorter scenarios would speed things up, but even then, the game is not meant to be played in the kind of sessions you're talking about.