Complaints

[Jimmer]

Guys, something I think we need to remember: Marshall put a LOT of effort into writing this game. Yes, it needs work. But, it's also a very interesting piece of software, trying to port one of the most complicated games ever to PC. I think he has done a great service.

Perhaps we should think of how we would feel if we were in Marshall's shoes: 4 years effort, and nothing but complaints. I wouldn't be doing well if that happened to me. Probably most of you wouldn't either.

I think he has done an excellent job. Remember, this is version 1. Not 1.x, 1, period. There WILL be bugs.

I've decided I'm going to change my attitude:

I asked myself the question: Would you pay $100 for the privilege of

1) Being a beta tester, and
2) Making it more likely that one of your favorite games gets finished?

My answer is yes.

For those of you who haven't played the board version, I can understand your reluctance, because you haven't grown to love the game. And, it IS hard to play, even on the board.

Let's consider this what it is: The start of something great. We have an opportunity to be in on the ground floor of something big.

Would you pay for the privilege of playing the new version of Dungeons & Dragons? Or, if Advanced Squad Leader were ported? Or, any of a hundred other games? In many cases, yes, I would. What game EVER was perfect the first time it came out?

Let's think of this as a work in progress, and give some credit for a job well done, even though it's not finished yet.

[New York Jets]

Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great job Marshall, et. al.

I owned the board game, drooled over it, read the rules a dozen times and never got to play it.

I as happy as a pig i s**t right now about this game.

I know there will be bugs. They will be fixed, however.

I think more people should post a thanks to Marshall and the rest of the crew for making this game possible.

Thank you Guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Suvorov928]

It is a shame you never got to actually play the board game.  It is an amazing game, and with 7 players, easilly one of the best war games ever.

I am already loving this version and cannot wait for the bugs to be fixed and the A.I. updated.  I will PBEM as much as possible, but would also love the oppurtunity to play solo against a compitent A.I.

[pakron]

Hear, hear!

Thanks, Marshall!

[Irish Guards]

If you are willing to spend a wee bit a time ...
You will actually be playing one of the best Wargames Ever .. By far ..
If you have not played an ADG game before .. They are rare .. Also if you get to play a ADG game system ...
You will actually agree with why the games are shall wee say ... Complex ..

Once you learn the comp abilties and play a few .. Turns .. Pbem ... 7 players ...
Ney easy ....
IrishDragoonGuards

[pzgndr]

FWIW, Eric Rutins made a comment over at Wargamer.com today:

One more comment in general for those that prefer AI play (though EIA is really designed as the ultimate multi-player Napoleonic game) - after we resolve critical issues and any bugs in the first update or two, the next priority will be ongoing AI improvements.

It's fair to say Matrix clearly recognizes some more work is needed, including release of the other scenarios and an editor. But for right now, the game is playable and I've been having fun with it. [:)]

[Adam Parker]

Normally I'm one to buy a PC wargame that seriously tries to bring back the glory of the board game days.

However, on this occasion I haven't bought EiA because since 1995 when I got my first PC, I've been burned by too many bad game designs. Unbelievably very recently too.

On this basis I can only make a very broad observation as a potential customer, one not a particular fan of the EiA boardgame and one who would absolutely love to support a local Australian designer - I own the full WiF collection. I'm the type of guy whose money this game should be attracting.

But in the history of our hobby, the games that have always sold well are the ones that keep the User Interaction simple.

I had my doubts as to how EiA would solve the AI diplomacy problems that even the venerable PC Diplomacy couldn't touch. But we're not even at the stage of discussing that.

However, just below AI and slighly above graphics, UI is everything in a PC game for me. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like sufficient attention has be given to this critical area and an unplayable game might as well stay unreleased.

Jimmer, as for your statement about paying for the priviledge of being a beta tester - are you refering to the retail version of EiA as we have it now - are you saying it feels like a beta? Or are you refering to the chance to have tested it prior to release?

I've tested games officially in the past and one role a good beta tester has, is to tell the designer when something doesn't work. Accordingly I've stopped an entire design dead in its tracks. Based on feedback from the everyday punter, it seems that's what should have hapened here.

AH's Third Reich PC, came with 2 printed manuals - one for the rules and another for the UI. That's one other thing it seems, this game, ADG and Matrix could have learned from.

Another Public Beta game? Not right now thanks.

It's a shame as AGEOD's Nap game is missing the mark right now,
Adam.

[DodgyDave]

heh, great game, it got flaws, but its common issue now adays, i dont care, i love it still and will now try to play with other players, man the diplomacy is great fun in EIA

[WJPalmer1]

Well said, Jimmer. This is a terrific game and will only get better. I know I'm already hooked -- playing every spare minute and obsessing about it at all othe rtimes. Job EXCEPTIONALLY WELL DONE!!

[Erik Rutins]

Thanks guys, Marshall and the testers spent a tremendous of time on this and it has definitely been a long road. We realize there are some problems and we are working as fast as we can to find and fix those, but it's great to also hear that a lot of you are having fun and enjoying EIA on the computer.

[New York Jets]

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

Normally I'm one to buy a PC wargame that seriously tries to bring back the glory of the board game days.

However, on this occasion I haven't bought EiA because since 1995 when I got my first PC, I've been burned by too many bad game designs. Unbelievably very recently too.

On this basis I can only make a very broad observation as a potential customer, one not a particular fan of the EiA boardgame and one who would absolutely love to support a local Australian designer - I own the full WiF collection. I'm the type of guy whose money this game should be attracting.

But in the history of our hobby, the games that have always sold well are the ones that keep the User Interaction simple.

I had my doubts as to how EiA would solve the AI diplomacy problems that even the venerable PC Diplomacy couldn't touch. But we're not even at the stage of discussing that.

However, just below AI and slighly above graphics, UI is everything in a PC game for me. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like sufficient attention has be given to this critical area and an unplayable game might as well stay unreleased.

Jimmer, as for your statement about paying for the priviledge of being a beta tester - are you refering to the retail version of EiA as we have it now - are you saying it feels like a beta? Or are you refering to the chance to have tested it prior to release?

I've tested games officially in the past and one role a good beta tester has, is to tell the designer when something doesn't work. Accordingly I've stopped an entire design dead in its tracks. Based on feedback from the everyday punter, it seems that's what should have hapened here.

AH's Third Reich PC, came with 2 printed manuals - one for the rules and another for the UI. That's one other thing it seems, this game, ADG and Matrix could have learned from.

Another Public Beta game? Not right now thanks.

It's a shame as AGEOD's Nap game is missing the mark right now,
Adam.

I agree with you on the AGEOD point. I'm going round and round over at their message board about the horrible rules book for their Civil War game and lack of information as to why thing happen in the game, if you will.

[New York Jets]

ORIGINAL: Suvorov928

It is a shame you never got to actually play the board game.  It is an amazing game, and with 7 players, easilly one of the best war games ever.

I am already loving this version and cannot wait for the bugs to be fixed and the A.I. updated.  I will PBEM as much as possible, but would also love the oppurtunity to play solo against a compitent A.I.

Once I figure things out (it's been about 20 years since I read the rules) I'm looking forward to playing a PBEM 'learning game'. It will be great.

[chuckj118]

I would also like to put my Hoorah in here!!![:)]  The game is already great!  Once the bugs are worked out it will be FANTASTIC!
 
Being a programmer I know this has to have been a monumental task.  I look forward to spending many more hours acting as your unofficial play-tester.
 
As to the price of the game, I have already gotten about 40 hours of play time out of it so thats down to $2 an hour already.  I'll have the per hour cost down under a buck in no time!
 
Thanks again [&o][&o][&o]

[Twotribes]

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

Normally I'm one to buy a PC wargame that seriously tries to bring back the glory of the board game days.

However, on this occasion I haven't bought EiA because since 1995 when I got my first PC, I've been burned by too many bad game designs. Unbelievably very recently too.

On this basis I can only make a very broad observation as a potential customer, one not a particular fan of the EiA boardgame and one who would absolutely love to support a local Australian designer - I own the full WiF collection. I'm the type of guy whose money this game should be attracting.

But in the history of our hobby, the games that have always sold well are the ones that keep the User Interaction simple.

I had my doubts as to how EiA would solve the AI diplomacy problems that even the venerable PC Diplomacy couldn't touch. But we're not even at the stage of discussing that.

However, just below AI and slighly above graphics, UI is everything in a PC game for me. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like sufficient attention has be given to this critical area and an unplayable game might as well stay unreleased.

Jimmer, as for your statement about paying for the priviledge of being a beta tester - are you refering to the retail version of EiA as we have it now - are you saying it feels like a beta? Or are you refering to the chance to have tested it prior to release?

I've tested games officially in the past and one role a good beta tester has, is to tell the designer when something doesn't work. Accordingly I've stopped an entire design dead in its tracks. Based on feedback from the everyday punter, it seems that's what should have hapened here.

AH's Third Reich PC, came with 2 printed manuals - one for the rules and another for the UI. That's one other thing it seems, this game, ADG and Matrix could have learned from.

Another Public Beta game? Not right now thanks.

It's a shame as AGEOD's Nap game is missing the mark right now,
Adam.

There is very little actually WRONG with the UI. It is , considering the complex nature of the rules, in fact just fine.

I love to complain and I am sure I will find more things to do just that. But the game is playable on release. It may take a few tries to figure out all the UI tricks and gadgets, but as far as I can tell, everything is there. But that is true of most if not ALL games, complicated rules require more UI clicks and such.

This game was hard to play as a BOARD game.

Nothing Beta about this game.

[Norden_slith]

Yes, once again thx for the game!
Im looking forward to having the time of my life playing pbem.
As a veteran EiA player, the soloplaying is firstly to get the mechanics straight and secondly to get a feel of each country. I didnt expect the AI to be very capable. How could it? As the game is pretty close to EiA, I started out as a veteran and most PC-game AI's cant keep up with experienced players.

I had no bugs, could always get back via the very good save-options and was allowed to march through Europe at breakneck speed. Im happy and looking forward to many miles with this one! Thanks again!

[tgb]

Chalk me up as one who loves it. I was very vocal about the price prior to release, but I ended up drinking the Kool-Aid, and am glad I did.

Having never palyed the board game, and only a couple of years into my present game, I am not yet able to identify "brain-dead" A.I.. Playing as Spain, Turkey declared war in the first turn and marched across Northern Africa to launch an invasion from Morocco. I haven't been keeping tabs on wheat the A.I. powers are doing to each other, but will start looking closer.

[Jimmer]

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

Jimmer, as for your statement about paying for the priviledge of being a beta tester - are you refering to the retail version of EiA as we have it now - are you saying it feels like a beta? Or are you refering to the chance to have tested it prior to release?

I'm referring to what we have now. But, I am not saying it "feels like a beta". I'm saying that I will THINK that way, because it's true. If someone had said to me, "Hey, we're developing this game, but we need cash to keep the team working. Would you be willing to pay to help insure it will actually make it out the door?" My answer would have been "Absolutely! How else can I help?"

I think it's full production (although, like most games, it will require a couple of revisions before it's "really" ready). But, thinking "beta" helps me have a better attitude.

[kc_chiefs]

I paid 80 bucks for this game. I therefore have a right to complain. Now I have tried to keep my complaints to a correct "tone" in my posts but please get off of the soapbox and turn to reality. This is a money-making business. We pay money and therefore have the right to give you the business.

I work for a game company too - folks gripe about our work too but you will never hear me trying to back pedal on any issues they have with our products.

We all understand that Marshall did a good job. Listen to what we have to say, add in a tutorial, beef up the manual, in other words just listen to what we have to say, make some changes and move on.

[Murat]

I would hope what little $$$ we have thrown his way is soothing some of the comments. He has done a great job at the mechanics and from what I have seen of the people here there is no lack of help for improving the AI so soon this will be as perfect as it can be [:D]

[1LTRambo]

I'm disappointed that I can not purchase this game now as I don't have a credit card with me in this real war.[:@] However, waiting until this spring will allow Matrix to fix any bugs that you guys that have the privledge to play right now will find and report.[:-] What is good now will be fantastic by then. So hats off to Marshall, Erik and the rest at Matrix for seeing this difficult project through to completion.[:)]