Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Lobster

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: Lobster

Do you really think all new players are going to bother to test anything?

How about a member of the Development Team testing a few things?

[:D]

All I did was drag the inadequacies of the manual out. I know how it works. You know how it works. But someone reading that portion of the manual would get the idea that somehow being [D] gives a layer of extra supply that just isn't there. And the only thing you can come up with is for people to test it even though they might not have any idea how the game actually functions. The manual is there for a reason and it isn't to sow confusion though sometimes it seems that way. Instead of people testing things why not fix the manual so it's clear. Some of that confusing stuff has been in there since 1998. This is one of them.

§§ Defending – The unit is deployed to defend
the location. There are defensive and supply
advantages for this deployment.

How do we know the extra layer of supply isn't there until someone does some tests? How can we get the manual right if we don't know that it's wrong? That's why we have a suite of testers on the Development Team.

why not fix the manual so it's clear.

We talked about his last month and it generated little response, so I'll re-post what I said here. I'll also clarify that this is something that we the community should do, not something we should expect the developers to do [they maintain a What's New file].

We need to make a new PDF, copy and paste relevant passages from the original manual, add in new rules, add in clarifications, keep the manual graphics where appropriate, eliminate fluff and repetitions where possible. It wouldn't be officially distributed by Matrix [but would need their consent due to use of original parts of the manual and consent from Bob for use of his What's New], that way it wouldn't be necessary for Bob to proof read every passage [he can if he wants and it would be nice, but we don't want to go into anything expecting it]. Someone would need to maintain it, most likely on a thread here. Everyone could suggest clarifications/additions and obviously we would have no problem reaching a consensus on all matters

So, somebody with PDF talents start a thread and let's get to it !

Manual Issues:

The manual states:

Force Supply Stockpile (16.13.1) for more information.

But there is no 16.13.1 section.

Thanks Don. I don't really see an applicable section, either. Maybe it should point to '9.1.7. Supply'.

ORIGINAL: Zovs

Manual Issues:

The manual states:

Force Supply Stockpile (16.13.1) for more information.

But there is no 16.13.1 section.

Likely it's referencing page 56 bottom left column.

Forget PDF, a multi-authored (peer reviewed) public wiki site, should be a priority.
The PDF is ultimately layout eye candy.

I like the idea of a Wiki Site just for TOAW stuff. Should we start a new thread and call it the "TOAW Wiki" or something like that. How do we get it set up like the other public Wiki sites?

ORIGINAL: Zovs

Manual Issues:

The manual states:

Force Supply Stockpile (16.13.1) for more information.

But there is no 16.13.1 section.

16.24.1

A lot of sections got added to 16.

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: Zovs

Manual Issues:

The manual states:

Force Supply Stockpile (16.13.1) for more information.

But there is no 16.13.1 section.

16.24.1

A lot of sections got added to 16.

Right, but out of the box the default manual is severely lacking the info. Hence my post.

It doesn't need to be as complex as a wiki site. Even a google doc, with a link placed on the forum here would be enough.

Manual is lacking in many areas.

Do a search for Variability, only one reference, nothing about it in the event editor. Is it (I have forgotten, and the manual does not say, I'll have to find my COW manual and double check, I swore Talonsoft wrote it in their manuals) %, turn range, or what?

The manual is like Swiss cheese.

Manual sucks and it's only from me spending dozens of hours looking through every single forum post that I even have somewhat of an idea how to play this game. If they make a TOAW 5 they should put half the budget to fixing the manual and I guarantee they'll get a ton more players. There's so many things in the TOAW4 manual that make no sense even after I re-read 10 times.

I own almost the entire suite of Matrix products and I can safely say the TOAW manual is among one of the worst. Besides ambiguous text and bad references, the manual doesn't ever teach you how to actually play and considering with the time mechanics that the best way to play is counter-intuitive for most people used to regular turn based games.

Thank you Zovs, Larry, spz, lobster, Bob, Oberst and whomever else I'm not remembering for your posts and help over the years. I've literally scrounged TOAW4 and TOAW3 forum boards just to find out how to play this game and you all have helped.

TOAW Volume 1 manual has a tutorial at the end. It's for the Korea 50-51 scenario. That's where I learned to play the game. They copy and paste the whole thing, mistakes included, but leave out one of the most used portions. [:D]

ORIGINAL: Lobster

TOAW Volume 1 manual has a tutorial at the end. It's for the Korea 50-51 scenario. That's where I learned to play the game. They copy and paste the whole thing, mistakes included, but leave out one of the most used portions. [:D]

That tutorial is one of the tutorials provided in the tutorial folder.

ORIGINAL: Lobster

TOAW Volume 1 manual has a tutorial at the end. It's for the Korea 50-51 scenario. That's where I learned to play the game. They copy and paste the whole thing, mistakes included, but leave out one of the most used portions. [:D]

Yea, I find it pretty meh TBH, but it is something.

ORIGINAL: Bamilus

ORIGINAL: Lobster

TOAW Volume 1 manual has a tutorial at the end. It's for the Korea 50-51 scenario. That's where I learned to play the game. They copy and paste the whole thing, mistakes included, but leave out one of the most used portions. [:D]

Yea, I find it pretty meh TBH, but it is something.

I have a fairly detailed tutorial on my France 1944 D-Day scenario here:

tm.asp?m=1546619

It's a little dusty, but still has good points that have helped other players.

ORIGINAL: Curtis Lemay

ORIGINAL: Bamilus

ORIGINAL: Lobster

TOAW Volume 1 manual has a tutorial at the end. It's for the Korea 50-51 scenario. That's where I learned to play the game. They copy and paste the whole thing, mistakes included, but leave out one of the most used portions. [:D]

Yea, I find it pretty meh TBH, but it is something.

I have a fairly detailed tutorial on my France 1944 D-Day scenario here:

tm.asp?m=1546619

It's a little dusty, but still has good points that have helped other players.

Hey Bob,

I have read that one - very helpful!