OK, I got it wrong!! Its a GOOD game.

[bdtj1815]

Humility is surposed to be a virtue so having persevered I am prepared to admit to seeing why you guys have time for this game. I still think there is room for improvement, particularly in the economic/development interface and detailed battles, but now I have played for longer I am beginning to appreciate the depths portrayed.

I have now read many of the posts on this forum and am beginning to pick up things I had missed, including routines(transferring troops from unit to unit for instance) that do not seem to be mentioned in the rules that make the gaming process more understandable. I still haven't got my head round foraging versus supply though!!

Please excuse my original negativity and the fact that I did not realise that this game is not the product of a major gaming company.

Off to thrash the Austrians, even if I am not sure I will have the linen to make some new underpants after the battle!!

[cambronne]

Actually, I went through the same thing that you did. When I started I was overwhelmed by the game and could not get a handle on it.
I love it now.
[&o]

[Mr. Z]

including routines(transferring troops from unit to unit for instance) that do not seem to be mentioned in the rules

Unit transfer is explained in the manual, though incompletely I would say. I believe it's under the Military Advisor section. There is a revised manual, that I believe will be made available whenever the next patch is released (whenever that will be...)

[Erik Rutins]

I'm glad to hear you came around. It's definitely not a simple game, but there are many larger publishers who specialize in those. While we do have games with an easier learning curve, we don't shy away from games like Crown of Glory and War in the Pacific that require more effort, but also give more reward.

Regards,

- Erik

[Reiryc]

ORIGINAL: bdtj1815

Humility is surposed to be a virtue so having persevered I am prepared to admit to seeing why you guys have time for this game. I still think there is room for improvement, particularly in the economic/development interface and detailed battles, but now I have played for longer I am beginning to appreciate the depths portrayed.

I have now read many of the posts on this forum and am beginning to pick up things I had missed, including routines(transferring troops from unit to unit for instance) that do not seem to be mentioned in the rules that make the gaming process more understandable. I still haven't got my head round foraging versus supply though!!

Please excuse my original negativity and the fact that I did not realise that this game is not the product of a major gaming company.

Off to thrash the Austrians, even if I am not sure I will have the linen to make some new underpants after the battle!!

I'm glad you are enjoying the game.

It has warts and isn't history being replicated, but it does a fine job of providing entertainment and a bit of what if. So long as you find enjoyment out of the thing, that's really, in the end what matters most... atleast imo!

Once tcp/ip is set straight, I think you'd quite enjoy playing a game with a couple other folks, it really shines in that regard as those humans can be quite 'trixy'... Nothing like setting up a good secret treaty with a couple AI nations to declare war on a human opponent when you know he is recovering from a previous war! Not that I would do something that devious, [;)] but if I had, then it would have been quite the hoot.

[Fänrik Stål]

You're not alone. I'm horribly ashamed to say that after a very short and unsuccessful try with the unpatched game I was maligning this game at another gaming forum. My only hope is that my comments did not drive anyone away from this truly great game. [&o]
Errare humanum est, ignoscere divinum.

[1LTRambo]

I too was weary of the game as I would read some of the complaints early on before many of the patches were released and found the game very overwhelming at first. However, the more I play, the more I understand, and the more I am addicted. I have played more than 11 games and not one to completion. Each one has allowed me to learn lessons that give me a better understanding of the functions of the game. Then I would go back and start a new game in order to incorporate those lessons learned. It does take a while and some trial and error, but keep up with the forum and also ask questions. This will help alot. I do hope the new manuel will be significantly more detailed than the current one. There is a ton of info that needs to be included in order to make the learning curve more reasonable (at least for those people who do read the manuel first )

[jimwinsor]

Yeah I agree with the above, the game is quite stellar when you absorb all its finer points and nuances. In addition, let me add the continuing support is just incredible; the designer Eric comes on here regularly, responds personally to nearly every serious comment and suggestion, and really takes them to heart. [:)]

[Agrippa]

Happy to hear you have been successfully converted. Now go forth and multiply!