Moddable?

[bmodified]

It has been mentioned that the AI research might be changed by modders, although with some difficulty.

What about unit graphics, map graphics, sounds and interface?

Since this game seems to be bridging the gap between simpler area games (A&A) and more complex (at least to play) games, how important is the eye candy going to be? Are we talking cut scenes and graphic announcements of game events? If so, are we going to have a toggle for them?

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: bmodified

It has been mentioned that the AI research might be changed by modders, although with some difficulty.

What about unit graphics, map graphics, sounds and interface?

Since this game seems to be bridging the gap between simpler area games (A&A) and more complex (at least to play) games, how important is the eye candy going to be? Are we talking cut scenes and graphic announcements of game events? If so, are we going to have a toggle for them?

We expect the game to look good, and there are plans for a certain number of cut scenes for important events. Can't say yet what the eye candy level will be as it will develop during testing and tweaking time. As for changing the graphics and sound, I assume some people will figure out a way to replace certain files with modified files if they want, but that's not our focus.

[EdwinP]

Cut scenes for certain events - Like a picture of Pearl Harbor under attack or the French surrender to the Germans or the Japanese signing the surrender documents aboard a US battleship, or an atomic explosion - when and if these events occur? If so, most interesting. Now if you could just add the option to play a few of the historical radio broadcasts of the period.

[bmodified]

Great idea, as long as there is a toggle. Nothing is quite as annoying as a clever cut scene viewed for the twentyieth time.

It's a balancing act, to be sure... while too much graphic gee-whizzery is a distraction, it is also a let down to struggle through a long game and be rewarded with a little box that pops up and says "Allies Win". I'm not suggesting a level boss, but a little music, short video and a game summary are always nice.

Speaking of game summaries, will there be one, or any kind of report, in game or end of game, on production, units lost, etc? And, dare I ask, any way to replay the war as you sit back and watch?

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: bmodified

Great idea, as long as there is a toggle. Nothing is quite as annoying as a clever cut scene viewed for the twentyieth time.

It's a balancing act, to be sure... while too much graphic gee-whizzery is a distraction, it is also a let down to struggle through a long game and be rewarded with a little box that pops up and says "Allies Win". I'm not suggesting a level boss, but a little music, short video and a game summary are always nice.

Speaking of game summaries, will there be one, or any kind of report, in game or end of game, on production, units lost, etc? And, dare I ask, any way to replay the war as you sit back and watch?

There is a game history that plays on the strategic map, showing the stacks of units on the map (and colors for ownership of areas) and the factory totals for each player at the end of each player's turn. You can run this anytime and see how the game progressed (the fun is watching the areas change color over time as they are conquered). At this time we don't have a plan for reports on units lost.

[Marc von Martial]

In aspects of graphics and sounds the game will be very moddable. If you know your way around with certain graphic standards and digital art applications then you should have little problems modding the game.

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck

In aspects of graphics and sounds the game will be very moddable. If you know your way around with certain graphic standards and digital art applications then you should have little problems modding the game.

Great news.

Once the game is released it would be very helpful and welcome, if someone from Matrix could issue a simple fact sheet that would tell us what files can and cannot be modded.

Modding games only increases their sales potential.

Cheers!

[bmodified]

We'll have to see what can be done, but SC had some nice mods that changed the look of the game. Having "3-D" icons will be interesting, I am sure that if possible, someone will make it so the infantry figures have the correct kit, the vehicles and aircraft icons advance with tech research (PanzerII, PanzerIII, PanzerIV, Panther, Tiger) and such. Unless the designers have this built in, of course.

None of this will overcome poor gameplay, of course, but a little eye candy doesn't hurt.

[Marc von Martial]

ORIGINAL: Von Rom
Once the game is released it would be very helpful and welcome, if someone from Matrix could issue a simple fact sheet that would tell us what files can and cannot be modded.

Modding games only increases their sales potential.

Okay, here´s my thought on this as a former modder [;)]. The fun factor of modding is also to research and find out how and what things can be modded and if they can´t be modded "with a mouse click" to get some guys together to write tools that make modding easier. Of course one could provide a "fact sheet" on what can be modded, but IMO it takes the fun out of modding. However, for WAW you don´t need a fact sheet [;)]

[Marc von Martial]

ORIGINAL: bmodified

We'll have to see what can be done, but SC had some nice mods that changed the look of the game. Having "3-D" icons will be interesting, I am sure that if possible, someone will make it so the infantry figures have the correct kit, the vehicles and aircraft icons advance with tech research (PanzerII, PanzerIII, PanzerIV, Panther, Tiger) and such. Unless the designers have this built in, of course.

We´re going to have "3d icons". Infantry is planned to be unique in regards to nationality too.

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck

ORIGINAL: Von Rom
Once the game is released it would be very helpful and welcome, if someone from Matrix could issue a simple fact sheet that would tell us what files can and cannot be modded.

Modding games only increases their sales potential.

Okay, here´s my thought on this as a former modder [;)]. The fun factor of modding is also to research and find out how and what things can be modded and if they can´t be modded "with a mouse click" to get some guys together to write tools that make modding easier. Of course one could provide a "fact sheet" on what can be modded, but IMO it takes the fun out of modding. However, for WAW you don´t need a fact sheet [;)]

I have done a lot of modding as well. So this tells me that many of the data files will already be identified (ie from the folders they are in).

Hmmm, trial and error isn't that much fun, as it uses up precious time that could be better spent doing actual game testing. But I understand that you may not be able to give out all this information for contract/legal reasons.

Cheers!

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck

ORIGINAL: bmodified

We'll have to see what can be done, but SC had some nice mods that changed the look of the game. Having "3-D" icons will be interesting, I am sure that if possible, someone will make it so the infantry figures have the correct kit, the vehicles and aircraft icons advance with tech research (PanzerII, PanzerIII, PanzerIV, Panther, Tiger) and such. Unless the designers have this built in, of course.

We´re going to have "3d icons". Infantry is planned to be unique in regards to nationality too.

I would also suggest adding country-specific armour and aircraft as well (or at least the option to allow players to either make or import different versions).

There should be the ability to allow modders to alter the unit values for weapon systems, either in the research files or unit files. This would allow the modder to give the Allied player a tougher challenge by boosting some of the Axis weapon systems such as the Tiger tank, etc.

These are little things, I know, but they will only add more to a player's enjoyment of the game.

Cheers!

[Marc von Martial]

The unit icons will be country specific, don´t worry [;)]

[Von Rom]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck

The unit icons will be country specific, don´t worry [;)]

Excellent.

Set the standards high, guys, and this game will blow all its competition out of the water.

If it takes a little longer to make, and if you are able to add a few extra things, please do so.

It should be a big seller - gamers are anxious for something such as this.

All the best!

Cheers!

[pzgndr]

Will we be able to create/edit scenarios? I'd really like to have a 1939 scenario and perhaps a 1938 pre-war scenario (which isn't actually pre-war since Japan and China are already at war). I'm wondering what limitations you guys are facing that precludes offering at least a historical 1939 scenario.

As it is, starting in 1940 should be fine for most games and I'm looking forward to it. But even so, we may want to alter the default scenarios to explore the what-ifs of history. How much flexibility are you planning to give us?

[Rummy]

I think I know the answer to this, but am wondering whether the number of units a country employs will be comparable to the number actually employed by that country in the war? I seem to remember Joel saying that the infantry units would generally represent corps. If so, the Germans shouldn't be able to invade France in '40 with much more than . . . (trying to do math in head . . . ) fifteen (?) infantry/tank units, since I think they only invaded with roughly five armies? I'm getting too convuluted with this, but I'm basically trying to figure out whether the unit sizes and numbers will be accurate.

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: Rummy

I think I know the answer to this, but am wondering whether the number of units a country employs will be comparable to the number actually employed by that country in the war? I seem to remember Joel saying that the infantry units would generally represent corps. If so, the Germans shouldn't be able to invade France in '40 with much more than . . . (trying to do math in head . . . ) fifteen (?) infantry/tank units, since I think they only invaded with roughly five armies? I'm getting too convuluted with this, but I'm basically trying to figure out whether the unit sizes and numbers will be accurate.

The Germans start the 1940 scenario with 7 armored/mechanized units and around 30 infantry, one airborne, and some artillery, and flak units.

[Joel Billings]

ORIGINAL: pzgndr

Will we be able to create/edit scenarios? I'd really like to have a 1939 scenario and perhaps a 1938 pre-war scenario (which isn't actually pre-war since Japan and China are already at war). I'm wondering what limitations you guys are facing that precludes offering at least a historical 1939 scenario.

As it is, starting in 1940 should be fine for most games and I'm looking forward to it. But even so, we may want to alter the default scenarios to explore the what-ifs of history. How much flexibility are you planning to give us?

Yes, but it will take some work as there is no editor. However, everything is in data files so I'm sure user scenarios will be created (we'll even help answer questions once the game is out).