The interface

[Rainbow7]

As a playtester, I can't remember anyone saying they didn't understand the interface.  Many of us were confused over some elements of the game early on, but we were all "labouring" without even a simple manual in the first few months.  Speaking for myself, I never considered the interface an impediment to playing this game.  Quite the contrary, I find it fairly simple and straight forward.  But each to his own.  I'm only writing this message because, frankly, I was surprised to see so many comments on this topic (especially since most of the screens - though not all - recently appeared in screen shots).

[TheBlackhorse]

The interface isn't nearly as bad as some make it out to be.  This game has tremendous depth and is quite a bit of fun to play. It will take time to master the nuances of this gem.
 
 

[Rob Brennan UK]

OK I havnt bought this game yet but i will for several reasons

1) WW1 .. cant remember a strategic ww1 game ever on the PC
2) I tend to trust matrix. they dont back real dogs ( bar 1 one game )
3) interface [&:] why is that a problem , you want to find a good game then try and get over any superficial problems and we are all intelligent people (ish) no mario cart types here.witP has a nasty interface on the face of it , but it's provided me with years of fun and it's still updated and supported ( thank you matrix) so why not think that GOA will get the very same care and attention for post release. Frank Hunter seems to be a dedicated aficianado and as long as he is involved then we should be thankful it's not an EA or SEGA as they do not get any post release feedback or indeed patches.
4) i will be getting this title tomorrow ( tad late here ) and then i can discuss the ins and outs of the detail.
5) no one has said that " germany wins in 1914" yet . that i think is a good indicator

ok ill informed opinion over[:D]

[Szilard]

My early thoughts:

- There's likely a very good game in here.
- The manual is poor. The game probably has enough potential to make it worthwhile for Matrix to redo it. In the meantime, Matrix/Hunter should do a paper tutorial ASAP.
- The play mechanics are fairly unforgivingly phase-based. I guess probably not a lot to be done about this, but maybe possible to add a layer to lead (new?) players through the phases & prompt them (eg: "If you want to ship troops this turn, remember to assign transports now" etc etc).
- Personally, my main probs with the screen are: (a) clunky scrolling mechanics (b) lack of a playable zoom-out level - I want to be able to do the whole French front without scrolling.

Anyway, I like it enough so far to put some time into getting more comfortable with it.

[*Lava*]

ORIGINAL: Szilard

- The manual is poor.

The problem with the manual is not that it doesn't explain the functions of the game, it is that it doesn't walk you through how the game is played and in that order.

Gameplay wise that manual first hits on the tactical play and then explains all the components of the strategic phase (without actually calling it that). It's a bit back assward. A clearer way to explain the game in the manual would have been to explain the different phases as they are actually encountered in the game (strategic followed by tactic).

Ray (alias Lava)

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: FrankHunter

carnifex, understood and I agree completely. An interface should not prevent you from playing. The thing is, I make the interface quite simple so as to avoid extra work when playing. When you're spending hours and hours trying to find a problem in the AI it doesn't take long to become frustrated with an interface. I play my games over and over and so I like simple and functional when it comes to the interface.

At times I find areas that I dislike and I do spend time rewriting that code, trying to make it smoother and quicker. But what I find easy to use is not necessarily what others find easy to use and that's the rub. I tend to stick to the old way of doing things simply because that's what I'm used to. I do rely a lot on feedback but perhaps I need to spend more time looking at other people's interfaces and not remain so comfortable with my own.

Frank;

I haven't bought your game, but I want to say your being here answering questions means a lot to this long time Matrix customer. I was beginning to think the developer would not show up. Your attitude shows compassion and your explanations are very informative. I too am a programmer but without the talent you have for making games tick underneath. Kudos to you! [&o]

[SMK-at-work]

Frank has been on this forum for years before you newbies turned up!![8|]

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: SMK-at-work

Frank has been on this forum for years before you newbies turned up!![8|]

I'm glad to hear it. Thank you for enlightening this 52 year-old "newbie." My statement above still holds true.

[06 Maestro]

Well. I just had to buy this game to see what the ruckus was about. I’ve been playing for about two hours now and have found that the interface is not difficult to learn, nor does it seem redundant in any way. I’ve only made it to December of ’14; so far, this seems like a decent representation of the conflict on a strategic level.

One nice thing about the windowed screen is you are free to move the screen, or move your cursor out of the game-handy if you use two monitors.

I use a 21’’ LCD (900x1400 native). This screen resolution thingy should be addressed. I’m not a techy so have no idea how difficult it is to modify program screen size choices (*scalability?). All I can say is that if it is doable, it should be done-ASAP. I changed the screen resolution on my monitor to get max size on the map. It doesn’t look bad, but slightly stretched. I’ suppose I could change my monitor back and forth, but that should not be necessary in this day and age.

The phase/turn system is a new experience for me. A full one turn tutorial would have saved me a few restarts.

Overall, I like this game and have little doubt I will get my moneys’ worth.
So, Thanks F. Hunter, just don’t slow down yet.

[AU Tiger_MatrixForum]

The next time a game is released without seeing massive griping by a select few in the first few days will be the first. Have I bought the game yet? No. Will I? Yes, absolutely, when I have time to learn a new game, and possibly after a patch or two, if necessary.

"PITA" interface? So what if it is? WitP has the worst interface for a game I have seen since "Stellar Empires" on my old TRS-80, but is the best game I have played to date. If you want Bells and Whistles, go play Myst, SIMS: Frat Party, or whatever other RPG the rest of the world is playing now. If you want a solid wargame, stick with Matrix IMHO.

Relinquishing my soapbox now.....

[Berkut]

ORIGINAL: AU Tiger

The next time a game is released without seeing massive griping by a select few in the first few days will be the first. Have I bought the game yet? No. Will I? Yes, absolutely, when I have time to learn a new game, and possibly after a patch or two, if necessary.

"PITA" interface? So what if it is? WitP has the worst interface for a game I have seen since "Stellar Empires" on my old TRS-80, but is the best game I have played to date. If you want Bells and Whistles, go play Myst, SIMS: Frat Party, or whatever other RPG the rest of the world is playing now. If you want a solid wargame, stick with Matrix IMHO.

Relinquishing my soapbox now.....

Point taken about WitP. But realise that no amtter how great the game behind WitP was, it never had any chance of really getting the number of people playing it it deserved because of that interface.

Believe it or not, you can have a great wargame with a good interface. It isn't impossible, or mutually exclusive. This attitude that we should all be content with interface design that does not meet the basic standards of the platform is nnot going to get anything changed, and this hobby will continue to be the niche it has been - even while there is something of a renaissance in wargaming going on in the non-PC world.

[*Lava*]

@Berkut

Why are you bringing your crusade here?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with GoA.

Ray (alias Lava)

[coreymas]

If he wants to crusade let him.  His arguements are well thought out and not disrespectful. 
 
And Berkut there is a gaming company out there that does get both gameplay and interface decently right -- but i wont mention them here on this forum.
 
Corey

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: AU Tiger

"PITA" interface? So what if it is? WitP has the worst interface for a game I have seen since "Stellar Empires" on my old TRS-80, but is the best game I have played to date. If you want Bells and Whistles, go play Myst, SIMS: Frat Party, or whatever other RPG the rest of the world is playing now. If you want a solid wargame, stick with Matrix IMHO.

Relinquishing my soapbox now.....

I have Company Of Heroes and that has all the bells and whistles. However, like you said and I agree totally, WitP is much more fun than COH. I go back to WitP, WPO, and UV when I want to feel like I used my brain and not just my eyes. [;)]

I don't own this GoA game yet, but after a while I might. I'm reading the posts.

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: LarryP

ORIGINAL: SMK-at-work

Frank has been on this forum for years before you newbies turned up!![8|]

I'm glad to hear it. Thank you for enlightening this 52 year-old "newbie." My statement above still holds true.

[:@]HEY!!! Who you callin' a newbie CHUMP? You can call me names but leave LarryP alone[:-][:D][;)]

[FrankHunter]

Thanks for the criticism guys, I am going to give it a good go about doing something about the screen resolution issue at least.

[flintlock]

ORIGINAL: FrankHunter

I am going to give it a good go about doing something about the screen resolution issue at least.

Wonderful to read, Frank. I hope you're successful in your endeavors to augment the resolution options. That truly is quality support, many thanks.

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: FrankHunter

Thanks for the criticism guys, I am going to give it a good go about doing something about the screen resolution issue at least.

Frankly i only use 1024x768...it's modern "enough" to where i can still be "hip" and yet see the screen. 800x600 is way retro LOL. I am glad to read though, aside from the bitching about the interface, that there is alot of deep gameplay in your creation. No bugs, crashes and the like...that is a good sign in this skeptical world[;)].

[FrankHunter]

Thanks guys, we've been testing a very long time to try to catch every single bug.  Having said that its inevitible with so many now playing that one will pop up soon I'm sure.

[Berkut]

ORIGINAL: Lava

@Berkut

Why are you bringing your crusade here?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with GoA.

Ray (alias Lava)

This is the second time you have chosen to make what is not personal, personal.

There is no "crusade", just my opinion about a game I have purchased, just like you. I have as much right to post my opinion as you do, regardless of whether it is praise or constructive criticism. And frankly, IMO, well thought out criticism does much more to advance the hobby and the quality of the games than "there is absolutely nothing wrong with <insert favortie game here>".

If that is an issue for you, feel free to not read my posts.