Open Letter to Matrix Games Re: WitP

[jwilkerson]

Nah since he's the developer, they made him buy it before they let him start work on it !!!
[:D][:D][:D]

[Terminus]

That has to suck! Now I feel all privileged being a humble beta tester...[;)]

[Tankerace]

Hehehhehehehe

[Tankerace]

Talk about investing in your future [:D]

[jvgfanatic]

ORIGINAL: von Beanie
Personally, I think Matrix needs to find a way to introduce the advanced game to beginners.

Sorry to snip that but this is the only line that is relevant in my reply which is simply this: a better UI with good data management would go a LONG way towards this. Since this was neglected from the start however it's kind of a moot point. Simply using WITPUtility demonstrates a lot of what should have been put into the game from the start.

I really think Matrix needs someone with a cognitive psychology background and UI design career history to review their games. Not that they need a unified interface but each game could use everything from some simple layout fixes to more advanced UI centric features. These features are usually pretty quick but the developers for good reason tend to concentrate on the gameplay issues instead.

For example: why when setting a task forces' task do we have to click the little round button next to the name of the task, why doesn't clicking the name of the task also do the same thing? Of course one can't make that change without it affecting some other things but still, why REDUCE the hit area for a common task. The TF dialog also has very poor "flow" which could be improved simply by adjusting the locations of some of the buttons.

This is one of the problems of there not being a demo available. You can't tell from screenshots how the game "feels" and thus for some it's $70.00 flushed down the drain. Yes, it has all the great features of a fantastic game (and yeah, I like it) but if the UI gets in the way then that will prevent many folks from getting past the tutorial.

[Captain Cruft]

Good points jvg.

Some more (bit ranty, sorry):

1) Matrix don't actually create most of their games. The developers are separate entities.
2) Most computer wargames are in effect monopolies, so there is little incentive to improve things. This applies to gameplay deficencies too of course.
3) The unnecessary insistence on using DirectX pretty much forces the developers to write their own UIs, rather than using the N proper toolkits available for the generic Windows API.

[jvgfanatic]

ORIGINAL: Captain Cruft

Good points jvg.

Some more (bit ranty, sorry):

1) Matrix don't actually create most of their games. The developers are separate entities.
2) Most computer wargames are in effect monopolies, so there is little incentive to improve things. This applies to gameplay deficencies too of course.
3) The unnecessary insistence on using DirectX pretty much forces the developers to write their own UIs, rather than using the N proper toolkits available for the generic Windows API.

The developer's writing their own UIs is the crux of the issue, it's also what would allow them to modify it to be "better." It's also why I think Matrix would benefit by having someone on board that could act as a UI advisor to the developers.

I'd apply for the job if I knew such a position was available. [8D]

[Captain Cruft]

Hey I'd vote for you

I think my point 2) renders the whole issue moot though.

[Halsey]

Would when ell freezes over be soon enough for ya?[:D]

[Maverick_AU]

ORIGINAL: jvgfanatic

ORIGINAL: von Beanie
Personally, I think Matrix needs to find a way to introduce the advanced game to beginners.

For example: why when setting a task forces' task do we have to click the little round button next to the name of the task, why doesn't clicking the name of the task also do the same thing? Of course one can't make that change without it affecting some other things but still, why REDUCE the hit area for a common task. The TF dialog also has very poor "flow" which could be improved simply by adjusting the locations of some of the buttons.

This is one of the problems of there not being a demo available. You can't tell from screenshots how the game "feels" and thus for some it's $70.00 flushed down the drain. Yes, it has all the great features of a fantastic game (and yeah, I like it) but if the UI gets in the way then that will prevent many folks from getting past the tutorial.

Hi all,

Maybe a bit OT but just chiming in as I am in my second week with WitP. I have played other types games for many years but I am testing the water with this one as I am intertested in the Pacific threatre and enjoy the strategy aspect. This is my first wargame.

After changing my Times Roman font to an Arial type and running the game in a -window mode, I was able to play the game (small grumble!). I understand that WitP is an extension of UV but there are some minimum expeactions for windows programs released in 2004. With the buttons/name issue, it would have been nice to be able to click on either. The UI is not all that bad and at this stage is not a hinderance to me playing the game.

Overall, I can see WitP is a lot of work done by a relatively small number of people and hence can appreciate what the game is and I am not that critical of it. The release of patches of not only bugs but also player requested enhancements is good and does make me wish to stay the game and maybe try others by the same authors.

With respect to the tutorial, it is good but, for me, I needed to go through several times and basically read the manual in full at the same time. Then it is a matter of trying to put it all together. My only wish would have been is for a series of small battles explained better i.e. starting off with a simple battle and building from there (or many small tutorials). After three turns, its "You are on own now!" and that is a bit daunting for one who has never wargamed before!

Maverick

P.S. I almost quit the game at the start when I saw the way the transport infrastucture was laid in Australia - I live in Perth. I thought this game was based on WWII and not some fictional landscape!

[jwilkerson]

ORIGINAL: Maverick_AU

<snip>

P.S. I almost quit the game at the start when I saw the way the tranport infrastucture was laid in Australia - I live in Perth. I thought this game was based on WWII and not some fictional landscape!

Mav,

Fortunately, one of your own, we call him Andrew Brown - has long since fixed the fantasy map ( including the Oz terrain - and many other terrain pieces ) - we call it "Andy's Map" ( I guess ) ... but it is available at the Spooky download site ( WITP Fan Club site ) or I think Andrew has it on is own web site as well. So when you're comfortable with installing a mod - try his map. Many stock scenarios are available for that map as well as some custom ones.