The Good Health of the Wargaming Niche

[Skyros]

I use the PDF version which is searchable even on google drive. Nothing is perfect we just make do.

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555
Cool. Any word on when the tutorial promised on the very first page of the manual (Section 1.1, as a matter of fact) will be released? When will a working index be made available? Honestly if it wasn't for fan support WitP:AE would be pretty much unplayable by anyone who hadn't been in the Beta test group.

As was explained at release, the reference to the tutorial was an editing error. The 300+ page manual, largest we've still printed to date (until World in Flames is released), is there for you though. That said, a new manual is actually in the works for AE, and hopefully will be ready before the next reprint.

AE was a community project from start to finish, so I think it's fair to say that without some very talented and skilled members of the commmunity, AE would not even exist. While we at Matrix and 2by3 love WITP at that point 2by3 did not have time to revisit WITP on their own. I think the number of folks who are playing it speaks to the fact that it can be learned just fine. Figuring out how to play it is not that hard - playing it well is much more challenging and experience and discussion with other players is the best aid there. A new tutorial or larger manual would be of limited use, there's only so much that can really be explained without practice.

Regards,

- Erik

Yes Erik, the manual is wonderfully comprehensive at 320 pages. But it fails with a puny and less than comprehensive 6 page index, to the point where I put it down and wondered why I shelled out an extra $15 for a hard copy. But hey, that's just my impression, YMMV.

[rodney727]

I will say this was the last thing I was expecting today. Picked up JT. Thank you.

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555

Ever so pleased to see the Deal of the Week. Well done, Matrix. A shame I already have the Tiller collection, but that's luck of the draw. I'll give a long, hard thought about Forge of Freedom. A $22 (CAD) price is closer to Matrix's idea of a price point than mine for a six and a half year old game, but I'd certainly like to encourage further deals in the future.

[rhondabrwn]

ORIGINAL: Ashcloud

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn

Ashley, the games I play regularly are mostly John Tiller's American Civil War campaign series and a bit of his Napoleonic series. My favorite game of all time is HPS Campaign Gettysburg and if I can claim to be an expert in any game, that is the one. I thought that when I retired from teaching I would have all the time in the world to finally play the many, many games I have collected, but actually I only played a few turns of Gettysburg battle I started back 2010! Turns out that ranching is hard work and the more animals I got and the more I worked at self-sufficiency (baking bread, making cheese, cutting firewood for winter) plus just the maintenance of running a solar/wind power system and doing mundane things like fence repair, chicken coop construction, horse training and grooming, goat herding and so much more just took the whole day (still mostly does). It's only been since last December that I've gotten pretty heavily into new game purchases. Got a little help from solar credits on my taxes that earned me a refund.

I have 3 terrabytes of hard drives on each of my two computers so I've got hundreds of games installed and more sitting on the shelves. There are also shelves of board games, though I don't buy those anymore and want to sell my collection if anyone's interested.

I also own about every flight simulator available. In addition, I have a recording studio set up on my sun porch and one computer dedicated to Cubase and video and music processing (haven't had much time for those either).

I may be poor now, but I did accumulate lots of toys in my working years!

If you are interested in some PBEM, what games are your favorite? I probably own them LOL

Wow, you are busy - I would love to get into the Civil War and Napoleonic stuff sometime (very interested in the 19th Century at the moment). My time is pretty well spread between John Tiller Campaign Series and all the mods for it at theblitz.org, Squad Battles, Steel Panthers and Battle Academy. I recently got WitPAE and BOA2 - (which I am looking into at the moment) as well as Kharkov Disaster on the Donets. I would be very happy to play any of them against you - are you a member at theblitz.org?

Yes, I am a member at the Blitz, but haven't done a thing over there. I've never really cared about "ladders" as I'm interested in playing a good historical battle without regard to winning or losing. I've never had any real focus on "winning" as such (though I am definitely a very competent player in HPS or Matrix ACW). I try to play in a historically realistic manner which doesn't always work out so well with a gamer only interested in the "win" and willing to use ahistorical tactics and rule loopholes to do it. For example, I respect unit organization and lines of command, I would never dream of assembling large regiments from different divisions and forming maximum strength killer stacks and then making a blitzkrieg attack through an historically deployed Union defensive line. It might be effective, but it isn't a Civil War battle any more...

I've had WitP and AE for years, but have barely scratched the surface. I'd love to PBEM another relative novice. I have BOA and BOA2, but haven't gained any real mastery of the system. Again, willing to give it a try with a PBEM opponent. I've really about come to the point where solitaire play just isn't doing much for me. PM if you are interested and we can discuss possibilities (and I have lots of possibilities in my collection).

[dutchman55555]

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

Guys this is an amazing article that a new game which just came out posted on their blog. It's not strictly a wargame, it's not really, it's a game about building your own gaming company. Anyway they posted first day sales figures for a game which I purchased and think is deep enough to pay 3x what they charge (They only charged $7.99 on release day for their first day on Windows 7 and Mac)and they have some interesting little figures when it comes to piracy. I'm astounded by how high the numbers are, but it definitely kills the notion (if the figures are valid) that lowering prices will somehow kill piracy and that's the reason I included this here.

GameDevTycoon

P.S. My guess is the price is where it's at because they are trying to compete with GameDevStory which is a far more arcady title but is on iOS and Android and fills the same type of game.

Saw the story here and had to laugh. Absolutely wonderful.

[rhondabrwn]

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555

ORIGINAL: flanyboy

Guys this is an amazing article that a new game which just came out posted on their blog. It's not strictly a wargame, it's not really, it's a game about building your own gaming company. Anyway they posted first day sales figures for a game which I purchased and think is deep enough to pay 3x what they charge (They only charged $7.99 on release day for their first day on Windows 7 and Mac)and they have some interesting little figures when it comes to piracy. I'm astounded by how high the numbers are, but it definitely kills the notion (if the figures are valid) that lowering prices will somehow kill piracy and that's the reason I included this here.

GameDevTycoon

P.S. My guess is the price is where it's at because they are trying to compete with GameDevStory which is a far more arcady title but is on iOS and Android and fills the same type of game.

Saw the story here and had to laugh. Absolutely wonderful.

Now they should offer a patch to correct the problem and only charge them $7.99 for it [:D] I wonder how many of the pirates would actually pay for it?

[histgamer]

Not many I'm sure. Not that it would have made a huge difference but one mistake in what they did. They should have included an in game purchase option.

That said to those who say piracy gets you word of mouth and can increase sales, I would argue this companies response got them way more than piracy ever could. They were featured on, IGN, Joystiq, Polygon, etc all today, their site crashed numerous times and a life stream of a 2 hour game of theirs was the most popular on all of Twitch with sustained viewing of over 20,000 people for virtually the entire time, and a peak of 26,000. Lord knows they must have increased on their day 1 sales from 200 units sold to something more.

[Ashcloud]

Dang, they got me again - could not resist picking up the JT Civil War and then had to get the JT Napoleon one too (because it is bundled together would you not know), could not afford this right now. Next week they will probably put SPWAWGE and TAOWIII and then I might as well sign the up for the bankruptcy courts (can we not stagger these specials throughout the year - like first week of every month?).

[rhondabrwn]

ORIGINAL: Ashcloud

Dang, they got me again - could not resist picking up the JT Civil War and then had to get the JT Napoleon one too (because it is bundled together would you not know), could not afford this right now. Next week they will probably put SPWAWGE and TAOWIII and then I might as well sign the up for the bankruptcy courts (can we not stagger these specials throughout the year - like first week of every month?).

Then you will want to check this out for JT Napoleonic scenarios and lots of tactical advice

http://nap.phxsim.com/articles/index.html

[Ashcloud]

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn

ORIGINAL: Ashcloud

Dang, they got me again - could not resist picking up the JT Civil War and then had to get the JT Napoleon one too (because it is bundled together would you not know), could not afford this right now. Next week they will probably put SPWAWGE and TAOWIII and then I might as well sign the up for the bankruptcy courts (can we not stagger these specials throughout the year - like first week of every month?).

Then you will want to check this out for JT Napoleonic scenarios and lots of tactical advice

http://nap.phxsim.com/articles/index.html

Just had a quick look, fantastic - thank you.

[histgamer]

Ahh but in Bankrupcy the first thing the banks will liquidate is your wargame collection, be careful!

ORIGINAL: Ashcloud

Dang, they got me again - could not resist picking up the JT Civil War and then had to get the JT Napoleon one too (because it is bundled together would you not know), could not afford this right now. Next week they will probably put SPWAWGE and TAOWIII and then I might as well sign the up for the bankruptcy courts (can we not stagger these specials throughout the year - like first week of every month?).

[n01487477]

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555
Cool. Any word on when the tutorial promised on the very first page of the manual (Section 1.1, as a matter of fact) will be released? When will a working index be made available? Honestly if it wasn't for fan support WitP:AE would be pretty much unplayable by anyone who hadn't been in the Beta test group.

There are video tutorials made by myself and another guy, there are AAR's devoted to the subject, there is a wiki, there are thousands of threads devoted to it, there are small scale scenario's and a willing bunch of AE addicts who will take you under their wing... and yet I see not one post in that forum area from you ...

Honestly - really?

A paper tutorial from the designers would do nothing but scratch the surface of the game and the mechanics & has already been done by the forum in a more comprehensive way.

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555
Yes Erik, the manual is wonderfully comprehensive at 320 pages. But it fails with a puny and less than comprehensive 6 page index, to the point where I put it down and wondered why I shelled out an extra $15 for a hard copy. But hey, that's just my impression, YMMV.

I guessing you're a glass half empty kind of guy ... [8|] Use the electronic version for searching and the hard copy for reading (cover to cover).

Cheers - I hope to see your posts in the aforementioned forum ...

[Aurelian]

ORIGINAL: n01487477

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555
Cool. Any word on when the tutorial promised on the very first page of the manual (Section 1.1, as a matter of fact) will be released? When will a working index be made available? Honestly if it wasn't for fan support WitP:AE would be pretty much unplayable by anyone who hadn't been in the Beta test group.

There are video tutorials made by myself and another guy, there are AAR's devoted to the subject, there is a wiki, there are thousands of threads devoted to it, there are small scale scenario's and a willing bunch of AE addicts who will take you under their wing... and yet I see not one post in that forum area from you ...

Honestly - really?

A paper tutorial from the designers would do nothing but scratch the surface of the game and the mechanics & has already been done by the forum in a more comprehensive way.

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555
Yes Erik, the manual is wonderfully comprehensive at 320 pages. But it fails with a puny and less than comprehensive 6 page index, to the point where I put it down and wondered why I shelled out an extra $15 for a hard copy. But hey, that's just my impression, YMMV.

I guessing you're a glass half empty kind of guy ... [8|] Use the electronic version for searching and the hard copy for reading (cover to cover).

Cheers - I hope to see your posts in the aforementioned forum ...

Unless it's to complain ad nauseum, don't count on it.

[berto]

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn

Yes, I am a member at the Blitz, but haven't done a thing over there. I've never really cared about "ladders" as I'm interested in playing a good historical battle without regard to winning or losing. I've never had any real focus on "winning" as such (though I am definitely a very competent player in HPS or Matrix ACW). I try to play in a historically realistic manner which doesn't always work out so well with a gamer only interested in the "win" and willing to use ahistorical tactics and rule loopholes to do it. For example, I respect unit organization and lines of command, I would never dream of assembling large regiments from different divisions and forming maximum strength killer stacks and then making a blitzkrieg attack through an historically deployed Union defensive line. It might be effective, but it isn't a Civil War battle any more...

+1

My sentiments exactly. One of many reasons why I don't do PBEM.

[Ashcloud]

ORIGINAL: berto

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn

Yes, I am a member at the Blitz, but haven't done a thing over there. I've never really cared about "ladders" as I'm interested in playing a good historical battle without regard to winning or losing. I've never had any real focus on "winning" as such (though I am definitely a very competent player in HPS or Matrix ACW). I try to play in a historically realistic manner which doesn't always work out so well with a gamer only interested in the "win" and willing to use ahistorical tactics and rule loopholes to do it. For example, I respect unit organization and lines of command, I would never dream of assembling large regiments from different divisions and forming maximum strength killer stacks and then making a blitzkrieg attack through an historically deployed Union defensive line. It might be effective, but it isn't a Civil War battle any more...

+1

My sentiments exactly. One of many reasons why I don't do PBEM.

There are all types of players at theblitz.org and many do not care about the results as much as the enjoyment of the game and the historical context and interest - however if you truly want to experience a challenge then you need to step away from AI and pit yourself against other people. AI is a very long way from giving the same challenge as a good human player in any game. If you should ever want to challenge yourself a bit more then join theblitz.org and specify what type of game you are looking for and what type of game experience you would like to get - I am sure you will find good players who would be willing to forego the result in favor of a historically accurate representation of the conflict if that is your desire, or you could just get beaten really badly in a game you thought you were good at if that is what you would prefer.

[berto]

ORIGINAL: Ashcloud

ORIGINAL: berto

One of many reasons why I don't do PBEM.

There are all types of players at theblitz.org and many do not care about the results as much as the enjoyment of the game and the historical context and interest - however if you truly want to experience a challenge then you need to step away from AI and pit yourself against other people. AI is a very long way from giving the same challenge as a good human player in any game. If you should ever want to challenge yourself a bit more then join theblitz.org and specify what type of game you are looking for and what type of game experience you would like to get - I am sure you will find good players who would be willing to forego the result in favor of a historically accurate representation of the conflict if that is your desire, or you could just get beaten really badly in a game you thought you were good at if that is what you would prefer.

"many" -- I do have other reasons. [;)]

I don't claim to be a "good" player. When playing these games, "winning" or "losing" mean little to me. I estimate that for half of the games I play, the AI gives me sufficient challenge to make the game interesting. For the other half -- including notably the John Tiller American Civil War games (in both their Matrix and HPS/JTS incarnations, where the AI is very subpar) -- I have no qualms about playing hot-seat solitaire. I've been playing war games since the early 1960s. Way back then, and until PC games and the Internet, I played virtually all of my board war games solitaire. What can I say? Old habits die hard.

I am a member of the Blitz, but not for the competition, instead for the posting privileges. For that too, I have my special reasons. [;)]

[Ashcloud]

ORIGINAL: berto

ORIGINAL: Ashcloud

ORIGINAL: berto

One of many reasons why I don't do PBEM.

There are all types of players at theblitz.org and many do not care about the results as much as the enjoyment of the game and the historical context and interest - however if you truly want to experience a challenge then you need to step away from AI and pit yourself against other people. AI is a very long way from giving the same challenge as a good human player in any game. If you should ever want to challenge yourself a bit more then join theblitz.org and specify what type of game you are looking for and what type of game experience you would like to get - I am sure you will find good players who would be willing to forego the result in favor of a historically accurate representation of the conflict if that is your desire, or you could just get beaten really badly in a game you thought you were good at if that is what you would prefer.

"many" -- I do have other reasons. [;)]

I don't claim to be a "good" player. When playing these games, "winning" or "losing" mean little to me. I estimate that for half of the games I play, the AI gives me sufficient challenge to make the game interesting. For the other half -- including notably the John Tiller American Civil War games (in both their Matrix and HPS/JTS incarnations, where the AI is very subpar) -- I have no qualms about playing hot-seat solitaire. I've been playing war games since the early 1960s. Way back then, and until PC games and the Internet, I played virtually all of my board war games solitaire. What can I say? Old habits die hard.

I am a member of the Blitz, but not for the competition, instead for the posting privileges. For that too, I have my special reasons. [;)]

Oh well, that is alright then - I thought you were having a go at PBEM players but you are a blitz member so never mind my little pbem rant...

See you at the club.

[dutchman55555]

ORIGINAL: Ashcloud

Dang, they got me again - could not resist picking up the JT Civil War and then had to get the JT Napoleon one too (because it is bundled together would you not know), could not afford this right now. Next week they will probably put SPWAWGE and TAOWIII and then I might as well sign the up for the bankruptcy courts (can we not stagger these specials throughout the year - like first week of every month?).

Ironic that you voice (albeit mock) concerns over insolvency purchasing from Matrix at their sale prices.

[dutchman55555]

ORIGINAL: n01487477

ORIGINAL: dutchman55555
Cool. Any word on when the tutorial promised on the very first page of the manual (Section 1.1, as a matter of fact) will be released? When will a working index be made available? Honestly if it wasn't for fan support WitP:AE would be pretty much unplayable by anyone who hadn't been in the Beta test group.

There are video tutorials made by myself and another guy, there are AAR's devoted to the subject, there is a wiki, there are thousands of threads devoted to it, there are small scale scenario's and a willing bunch of AE addicts who will take you under their wing... and yet I see not one post in that forum area from you ...

At the time of acquiring AE I did skim the forums. (Like any forum) the low ratio of wheat to chaff was discouraging. I did find videos on Youtube. The forum videos (that I found) were short, and half would not play (hosted on a rather old website IIRC). I did walk away at the time, as I intended to bone up on the manual at work. The poor index kind of scuppered that. But I did boot up the game last night and do several turns. Enjoyable, but I was mostly clueless about how to affect the tide of things.

[dutchman55555]

ORIGINAL: Aurelian


Unless it's to complain ad nauseum, don't count on it.

This is at least the third time where the only contribution you've made in a reply is a personal attack.

[PipFromSlitherine]

Guys, let's leave the ad-homs out of things please.

Cheers

Pip