War in the East Q&A

[knilli]

@BigAnorak: Thx

[PyleDriver]

wmcalpine@ Moscow is not a supply source, all supply must be traced to the east edge of the map for the Soviets, the west edge for the Germans...So yes its isolated in my AAR...

[randallw]

Can units be ordered on training missions, to get their efficiency/quality up?

[Joel Billings]

It happens automatically for those units that need it.

[randallw]

So there is a level of experience/quality that units will automatically try to reach?  Are these numbers set by historical ratings, or something more like unit types?  For example would there be a specific number for all regular Soviet rifle divisions, then perhaps a higher number for Guards Rifle?

[sillyflower]

ORIGINAL: jaw

I would add that the program, not the player, controls upgrades so just being in supply in refit mode does not guarantee a unit will be upgraded to the latest and greatest. This situation is especially true if the desired combat element is not in the current TOE of the parent unit.

Is there any way of knowing that an upgrade is availiable for a particular unit? It would be a bit frustrating to pull a unit out of the line and put it in refit mode for a non-existent upgrade, and not very historical either[&:].

[karonagames]

The potential upgrade happens when the TOE changes. I was just trying to illustrate ways to get the upgrade to happen quicker. Units in the front line will get the new gear, but at a slower rate than if they were out of the front line.

You get notified of a TOE change in the weekly logistics report, and you can check a units TOE at any time. There is more information available in this game than you can shake a very big stick at.

[ComradeP]

So there is a level of experience/quality that units will automatically try to reach? Are these numbers set by historical ratings, or something more like unit types? For example would there be a specific number for all regular Soviet rifle divisions, then perhaps a higher number for Guards Rifle?

Units will train up to their morale level, so units with higher morale will eventually gain more from training. Guards units and units like elite SS divisions get morale bonuses, allowing them to have a higher morale level than their "ordinary" counterparts which in turn allows them to gain more experience through training or combat.

To give a more specific example: in 1941 the average Rifle Division has a morale of between 40 and 50. Guards will have a morale of around 60.

The only historical ratings are those at the start of the scenarios and the national morale, which is fixed at certain levels for certain periods (German national morale decreases each year, for example). After the start of the game, more or less everything related to morale level will depend on player actions, with good attacks raising morale and poor attacks lowering it.

Is there any way of knowing that an upgrade is availiable for a particular unit?

You can check all future TOE's and when they're scheduled to appear on turn 1 for all existing units, basically. You can't check TOE progression for unit types that don't yet exist, such as Tank Corps in 1941, as you need to be able to select a unit to see its future TOE upgrades. Even though they're not available in 1941 (that is: not as a combat unit, as there are early war Soviet Corps HQ's), you can deduce Rifle Corps TOE's by multiplying that of a division at a specific time by 3, as a Rifle Corps is basically the sum of its parts whilst Tank and Mechanized Corps have unique TOE's (not the same as 3 Tank or 3 motorized brigades).

[wg335910]

Is it just me? or are all of you discussing a product that is not available. And does not seem to be available for the near future. I have not seen any new release dates. Come to think of it, I haven't seen anything official about this product all this year. If the product is going to be delayed, say so. After all, I may be only one customer. But I'm sure there are many others out there scratching their heads. I have been a loyal customer for several years. If I am mis-understanding the situation, I apologize. If not, can someone tell me when this product is likely to be available. I believe I deserve at least that much. And finally, when all is said and done, this whole situation is making Mr. Grisby look bad. This company needs to address this immediately. Thank You.[&:]

[SGHunt]

Joel says we are Beta.   See his answer to Judge Dread below. Guess I need to change my signature.

[Joel Billings]

The point of these "in development" forums is to discuss products that are in development. I didn't realize that this discussion makes us look bad. We do it because people are interested in knowing what we're doing and it gets people interested in the product.

Matrix does not give out release dates. I am not Matrix, I am part of 2by3 Games, although Matrix is our publisher and I support them completely. [:)]

We are still fixing bugs in the server system although at least we have all the interface in and it mostly works. So we are at beta, but still fixing bugs and making tweaks. Thanks to a Herculean effort by Allan Berke, the printed manual has gone off for formatting and layout, so things are progressing. Still much to do but the release data gets closer every day, whatever it might be. [:)]

[Vasquez]

Take your time Joel. Almost 10 Years ago you told me via E-Mail that WITE will some day be released.

A few months more or less doesnt matter now =)

[sillyflower]

ORIGINAL: BigAnorak

The potential upgrade happens when the TOE changes. I was just trying to illustrate ways to get the upgrade to happen quicker. Units in the front line will get the new gear, but at a slower rate than if they were out of the front line.

You get notified of a TOE change in the weekly logistics report, and you can check a units TOE at any time. There is more information available in this game than you can shake a very big stick at.

Thanks - helpful.
In my book one can never have too much information as long as it is presented clearly: as is the case about everything I have seen in this game (sorry, way of life) to date. Mind you, I do have a mild form of Asperger's which is quite common in successful practitioners in my area of work......

[sillyflower]

[quote]ORIGINAL: Joel Billings

The point of these "in development" forums is to discuss products that are in development. I didn't realize that this discussion makes us look bad.

You don't look bad to me. In this context there is nothing more irritating than putting a game out before it is ready. Once it's out it is judged on quality and everyone forgets about any 'delay'. There have been a number of major releases in the past year or so even from really good companies that have been either wholly unplayable or not worth playing because they were not even at beta before release.

Please keep resisting the temptation to fall into that trap.

[SGHunt]

I'm glad of all the detail obsessed people who are working on this game - I wouldn't want to say where they may be on the spectrum!  [;)]  I'm not (at least not comparatively) that bothered by the mass of detail that's here, but it's great to know it's all in there ticking away happily.   When I need it, I can drill for it and there it is!!!

[randallw]

Games for grognards should be made by grognards. [:)]

[sillyflower]

WitE is a tantric wargame. Discuss.

On second thoughts, please don't

[janh]

ORIGINAL: Joel Billings
The point of these "in development" forums is to discuss products that are in development. I didn't realize that this discussion makes us look bad. We do it because people are interested in knowing what we're doing and it gets people interested in the product.

At least I can agree with that. I am curious about WitEast and curious to see how it develops until the release data. Yes, it is not yet available, it is somewhere near or at beta stage, but much can still change until it can reach us customers. Until then, there surely is no point for anybody to make a final judgement on whether he likes what he could get -- it is not final yet. If one likes the land warfare in Russia, and enjoyed historic WiR, then this one would surely looks appealing as well.

The developers and testers are supplying here first impressions as well as detailed information on how the games works, and how it plays (now) -- at the expense of their valuable time. This is basically a "(not-so) sneak preview", and we get really first-hand infos. Honest ones, and direct ones. And we can voice our concerns and wishes at an early stage, hoping that they will be considered (or proven unnecessary) for the release or future patches/addons. As a customer, I value that treat highly. I may not like all of the new features of the game (yet?), and I miss some of its historic ancestor, but there is already a LONG list of GREAT innovations in this product that may "force" me to buy it not long after release (I'll keep watching this forum for a bit first...[;)]).

I don't see how that information policy and honesty can make them look bad. Seriously -- just think of the alternative.

[SGHunt]

ORIGINAL: janh
I'll keep watching this forum for a bit first...[;)]).

Jan - my bet is you'll be 'watching' the forum for about 10 seconds after you see the game has been released, just checking that you read it right, and then you'll be downloading it!!![;)]

[knilli]

ORIGINAL: Joel Billings

The point of these "in development" forums is to discuss products that are in development. I didn't realize that this discussion makes us look bad. We do it because people are interested in knowing what we're doing and it gets people interested in the product.

Matrix does not give out release dates. I am not Matrix, I am part of 2by3 Games, although Matrix is our publisher and I support them completely. [:)]

We are still fixing bugs in the server system although at least we have all the interface in and it mostly works. So we are at beta, but still fixing bugs and making tweaks. Thanks to a Herculean effort by Allan Berke, the printed manual has gone off for formatting and layout, so things are progressing. Still much to do but the release data gets closer every day, whatever it might be. [:)]

It does not make you guys look bad - the opposite is true! I do not know any other place where games are discussed in such an open and honest way! This here is one of the few places I know, where I have the feeling that someone cares about me, the customer. And as one of the previous posters remarked: the final product will be judged and no one will care about a few month up or down. It is the product which counts. Just keep up your work...and just in case you guys have some energy left, after the release..... WitW would be a nice one too