Matrix Games Forums

Hey There! I'm an old time wargamer but completely brand new to WiP. I have to say that the complexity of the game is amazing. But I'm having trouble getting started. I noticed in the manual that a Tutorial is supposed to be available somewhere, but when I try to strat up a game I just get 4 options of play, and none of them are Tutorials....Am I just being horribly lame or just missing something simple?

Thanks!

Unfortunately the tutorial was deemed not ready for prime time after the manual went to print, so it was removed from the initial release.

Bill

Firstly, welcome to WITP-AE,

The Tutorial is still in the pipeline, guess there have been lots of changes and they want to get it right.


Jump right in and get your feet wet, the forumites here will answer any questions - whether you think lame or not [;)] (they are a good bunch)

Play one of the smaller scenario's like Guadalcanal, as the Allies, replay it, do it again, and then again, using different tactics / strategies ... learning the systems.

Have a good one and good luck.

The forum is very helpful with advice for new players.  We've all faced the learning cliff at one time.

Bill

Hi cykoth,

Welcome aboard!

The manual is useful too. It's not complete-there's lots of easter eggs and hidden factoids out there that are undocumented in the manual-but it's a good place to start, particularly when you're getting your feet under you.

Start smaller scenario before jumping to Grand Campaign. Example Guadalcanal campaign is quite good to learn the game. Play it on both sides too!

I'm a WITP veteran, but I first started Guadalcanal to learn what this AE edition was offering. Grand Campaign is quite overwhelming first time. Only after you feel you have learned the basics start the Grand Campaign. And always have pen & paper for making notes! [:)]

The Coral Sea scenario is a good start to learn the naval and air side of WITP and it's a very quick scenario to complete. Next in line would be the Guadalcanal scenario which provides experience with sustained air and land combat as well as limited logistics. It's also short enough that, if you want to restart to take advantage of lessons learned from the game and forums, you won't feel that you've lost a lot of time.

You'll need to dive into one of the Grand Campaigns to learn Japanese production, but you'll also need to use the 3rd party tools as well to make it manageable.

Welcome.  Now say goodbye to your friends, family, chores, eating real food, other hobbies and whatever else you thought you were going to do in life. [:D]

Much Thanks All!

Well it seems that Coral Sea is where I should start. I have to admit, the very first time I turned on the game, I started the increased Japanese production full campaign AS the Japanese. I was so overwhelmed I had absolutely no idea where to go with it. So I'll just read the book some, and start with some tactical campaigns and get my feet wet. I've seen some mention of using a 3rd party program to view some Excel like data, but I have no idea what this program is, or why you even need to use it....

Is Head to Head play just impossible? Have many folks been successful with PBEM?

Sorry for all the questions!

Check out WitP AE Tracker. tm.asp?m=2236936

It provides tons of information beneficial to operating the Japanese economy.

ORIGINAL: cykoth

Much Thanks All!

Well it seems that Coral Sea is where I should start. I have to admit, the very first time I turned on the game, I started the increased Japanese production full campaign AS the Japanese. I was so overwhelmed I had absolutely no idea where to go with it. So I'll just read the book some, and start with some tactical campaigns and get my feet wet. I've seen some mention of using a 3rd party program to view some Excel like data, but I have no idea what this program is, or why you even need to use it....

Is Head to Head play just impossible? Have many folks been successful with PBEM?

Sorry for all the questions!

In some peoples opinion the game goes to the next level in PBeM. Check out some of the great AARs...

ORIGINAL: cykoth

Hey There! I'm an old time wargamer but completely brand new to WiP. I have to say that the complexity of the game is amazing. But I'm having trouble getting started. I noticed in the manual that a Tutorial is supposed to be available somewhere, but when I try to strat up a game I just get 4 options of play, and none of them are Tutorials....Am I just being horribly lame or just missing something simple?

Thanks!

hey there, I feel your pain.

But, the good news (and i am a total newbie as well - only playing since saturday) - that within 2 days, maybe 3, 95% of the 'interface' and 'mechanics complexity' will be gone. The strategic complexity will remain, but thats good - who wants a game you can master in a week?

The 2 things that helped me most -

1> try and get hold of the tutorial for WITP or Uncommon Valour. They have almost identical interfaces, and the WITP tutorial walks you through many of the basic operations you will be doing in this game. I had bought WITP years ago and never played it, so I was lucky. But I've seen a post somewhere with a link to the uncommon valour tutorial, and you can probably get the witp tutorial as well. Some mechanics are different, but the games interface is 95% the same (or more).

Try the guadalcanal scenario, or one of the other small ones, play with subops ON, and play a turn or 2 as BOTH sides - so you can see what is going on from both angles.

good luck!

Just dont feel overwhelmed, not everything has to be accomplished on day one. The first couple turns are the most cumbersome. Once you get moving along you will find things can be missed and be accomplished the next day.

I been playing since about a week or 2 after realease and I am still learning. I never played the smaller scenarios, I like to throw myself into the mix. So I just start the grand campaign over and over and over and over again.

PBEM is definately the way to go though instead of against the AI. There are many bugs I have foun with them. Read my "Protecting Wake Finally" post and you will see what I mean.

Against a Human the game becomes even more fun! The AI doesnt think like a Human, it is programed to do X missions by X date ect ect. (at least it sure seems that way) Where as a Human player will mix things up and probably run rampant the first 6 months of the war and if you even try to stop him, you will be sorry. (read some of the AARs, there are a few instances where this was the case for the Allied player)

Anyway, let us know if you need anything. The only dumb question is one that isnt asked. We were all new once.

Welcome to the best damn Pacific World War 2 game! Enjoy!