A Testing Update

[MButtazoni]

Well we haven't posted much here recently as we have entered a new Phase of testing and it leave's little time to report AARs.

Here's what we are up to:

- Joel (2by3 Games) and Matrix Games have appointed me as the new GGWAW Playtest Coordinator (as you may have seen in my sig already)

- Our Test Plan for this Phase of testing is focusing on the AI to determine where it's weaknesses and strengths are.

- Multiplayer Games are still a part of this Phase but i have asked the Testers to play fast to complete as many games (AI and PBEM) as we can in the next 2 weeks.

- Testers are free to post AARs but this aggresive phase makes it difficult to post turn by turn AARs.

- We have added 3 new Testers to the mix (and yes we might add some more in the next few weeks).

If you have any questions please let me know, i will answer them IF i can.

NOTE: if you are new to the forum, i highly recommend you read through "AAR- PBEM Game 2" as it introduces the game and answers many questions ppl had during the replay (it even has a surprise ending!)

[MButtazoni]

ORIGINAL: Largus_Means

Well I have read all the AARs so far with great intrest and excitement. This is the game that I have been waiting for for a long long time. (other then WiF or AWaW) One thing that I have noticed so far in each AAR is that the big 3 variables in the game havent changed and probably never will. That is Spain, Sweden and Turkey. Now I know that its been stated many times over already that politics will not be part of this game, but its the one thing that has bothered me from the first AAR. The addition of these countries to a game will add a different spice to the replayablity. Has the possiblity of varients been mulled over to add as an option to game play. 100-150 varients could be thrown in with one being revealed at the start of each new turn, affecting only one major power. Things like Sweden sending resources to Germany, USA lend lease options, techs being discovered suddenly, Spain or Turkey joining the war, Uprisings in provinces which place partisans (Iraq, Ireland, Egypt) etc etc. This would greatly enhance an already wonderful looking game. Obviously you could have many varients that didnt do anything so that each turn wouldnt have odd things happening, but 1 or 2 here and there could throw in a surprise and cause major headaches for one side or the other.

Please keep up the good work, and thanks for the AARs, they are very fun to read.

Largus [:D]

we can take this under consideration, but 100-150 variants might make Gary, Keith, and Joel go "GAACCK!" in unison.

[MButtazoni]

ORIGINAL: Yohan

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for the most informative AARs I have ever seen in a pre-release product. It has been very entertaining and I eagerly await this game!

Rob

Thanks and i promise, there will be more AARs, with even more excitement and tension than the previous few AARs.

[MButtazoni]

ORIGINAL: Grotius

Well, thanks to you guys for keeping us all entertained. I look forward to whatever you're allowed to post in the future.

Are you allowed to give us any hints about what's coming in the "new testing phase"?

no big secrets, just more effort to completing more AI games.

[mavraam]

Is it possible to play with ALL sides AI?

Just wondering, it might shed some light on play balance.

[MButtazoni]

ORIGINAL: mavraam

Is it possible to play with ALL sides AI?

Just wondering, it might shed some light on play balance.

yes it can.

I am not a big fan of AI vs. AI testing, all it would show is what would happen if Gary Grigsby played Gary Grigsby.

(I wrote AI's for Control Automation so i've had some experience with them)

[Tacoma]

- We have added 3 new Testers to the mix (and yes we might add some more in the next few weeks).

Can you please tell me what the steps are to put your name in the hat for testing?[&o]

Thank you!

[Grotius]

Yes, I'd be curious about how to apply to test as well. Then again, WITP is about to arrive... [:)]

[Sonny]

ORIGINAL: MButtazoni

ORIGINAL: mavraam

Is it possible to play with ALL sides AI?

Just wondering, it might shed some light on play balance.

yes it can.

I am not a big fan of AI vs. AI testing, all it would show is what would happen if Gary Grigsby played Gary Grigsby.

(I wrote AI's for Control Automation so i've had some experience with them)

AI vs AI testing is very good to actually test the AI without it having to react to player cheats/exploits/whatever. Once you get the AI where it does not do stupid things vs another AI opponent then you can insert players to try and break it.

[mavraam]

ORIGINAL: Sonny

ORIGINAL: MButtazoni

ORIGINAL: mavraam

Is it possible to play with ALL sides AI?

Just wondering, it might shed some light on play balance.

yes it can.

I am not a big fan of AI vs. AI testing, all it would show is what would happen if Gary Grigsby played Gary Grigsby.

(I wrote AI's for Control Automation so i've had some experience with them)

AI vs AI testing is very good to actually test the AI without it having to react to player cheats/exploits/whatever. Once you get the AI where it does not do stupid things vs another AI opponent then you can insert players to try and break it.

I agree, pluss if you set it up right, you can have it blow through like 1,000 games and compile results. If the Allies win 970-30 you probably have a problem! [X(]

[Largus_Means]

I am also intrested in the steps needed to be taken to do some playtesting. Can do at least 1-2 hrs per day, if not more if needed. Have some depth of knowledge in the naval aspects of WW2, as well as having tried to create my own board game loosely based on the same style as WaW.

Thanks for any responses.

Largus

ps- Have also been known to slip the odd $50 and case of beer around as well. [:'(]