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I'm an experienced wargamer but have never played WIF. Couple questions before I purchase:

1) a) How many turns are there in a global campaign and b) how long does a turn take on average(for each side)?

2) When playing multiplayer, are both players on the server at the same time and watching the moves, or is it more of a PBEM style, where you watch the reply of your opponent's turn and then you make your move and send it to your opponent?

Thanks.

ORIGINAL: Pax25

I'm an experienced wargamer but have never played WIF. Couple questions before I purchase:

1) a) How many turns are there in a global campaign and b) how long does a turn take on average(for each side)?

2) When playing multiplayer, are both players on the server at the same time and watching the moves, or is it more of a PBEM style, where you watch the reply of your opponent's turn and then you make your move and send it to your opponent?

Thanks.

warspite1

There are 36 turns - each turn is two months. However, a turn length consists of a number of impulses (of variable length) so units can potentially move and attack a number of times each turn, but whether they can depends on a number of factors. How long for a turn? That really is a piece of string question. Longer turns (typically summer turns) can be a dozen impulses, shorter turns could be as little as three - there are many factors that influence this - part luck, part strategy. Within an impulse, again it depends when you are in the war, but for example in 1942, with the USA in and Barbarossa going down, you can easily spend an hour or more on an impulse.

At the moment only netplay is available i.e. you are both on at the same time. MWIF is very interactive in places and PBEM is not really suited to the game (although Steve has some ideas for this in the pipeline). Note: please read the warning re net play in the store blurb first.

ORIGINAL: Pax25

I'm an experienced wargamer but have never played WIF. Couple questions before I purchase:

1) a) How many turns are there in a global campaign and b) how long does a turn take on average(for each side)?

2) When playing multiplayer, are both players on the server at the same time and watching the moves, or is it more of a PBEM style, where you watch the reply of your opponent's turn and then you make your move and send it to your opponent?

Thanks.

1. 36 game turns but each turn has multiple impulses so about 126 IgoUgo turns. Speed of play is quite variable depending on player experience but a complete Global War campaign can take 150 to 250 hours to play out. There are a couple small scenarios available - Guadalcanal and Barbarosa plus there are about 5 more scenarios that start progressively later in the war and so take less time to play.

2. Both on at the same time. PBEM is planned but not yet available and likely won't be for some time. Besides, there are considerable amounts of interaction that would make PBEM-only quite arduous.

I have found solitaire play very enjoyable. Its a game suited to solitaire play because the Program takes care of all the minor tasks. As there is no fog of war you know where everything is anyway. I am still learning the game but it brings back a lot of memories from the old style Hex games. The interaction is good and you choose whether to commit or not commit to air battles and naval battles. Have not tried net play as yet but will very soon. Net play would be the best way to play this game against another person.

Thanks for the responses.

I prefer to play games head to head rather then via PBEM. So that is a good thing.

Sounds like these impulses can take an hour or more to complete. Is that just for one side's impulse, or is that taking into consideration both sides?

I'm a little confused by people playing this game against themselves. Other than to learn the game, I can't see myself ever doing this. The lack of AI is not big deal to me because I prefer to play against humans in all war games. Besides, since most wargames are so complex, finding a good AI is nearly impossible.

Part of the appeal of solitaire is to try out new strategies, especially for the Axis, as there are many possibilities.

Ideally eliminate the poorer ones before playing someone else...

ORIGINAL: Pax25

Thanks for the responses.

I prefer to play games head to head rather then via PBEM. So that is a good thing.

Sounds like these impulses can take an hour or more to complete. Is that just for one side's impulse, or is that taking into consideration both sides?

I'm a little confused by people playing this game against themselves. Other than to learn the game, I can't see myself ever doing this. The lack of AI is not big deal to me because I prefer to play against humans in all war games. Besides, since most wargames are so complex, finding a good AI is nearly impossible.

There are several reasons players like solitaire. As you mentioned, it lets you learn the game. As Paul mentioned, it lets you test different strategies and learn their strengths and weaknesses.

With MWIF, there are a lot of optional rules (55 presently), so many players like to explore those and see which they will want to use when playing against live opponents. The same can be said for scenarios (9) and playing different sides (Axis or Allies).

When go out to seek an opponent, those are questions you will need to be able to answer. Solitaire play is the best way to form an opinion as to what you prefer.

ORIGINAL: Majorball68

I have found solitaire play very enjoyable. Its a game suited to solitaire play because the Program takes care of all the minor tasks. As there is no fog of war you know where everything is anyway. I am still learning the game but it brings back a lot of memories from the old style Hex games. The interaction is good and you choose whether to commit or not commit to air battles and naval battles. Have not tried net play as yet but will very soon. Net play would be the best way to play this game against another person.

In the board game, with 5 to 7 players, it could take 1 hour some impulses, because of a series of attacks that need to be done consecutively and/or naval searchs + battles and maybe dogfighting, ..., but it's more common that the immpulses (specially those with bad weather and so less land and air operations) are much shorter, there can even be a pass on one side's impulse.

In the computer all the stuff goes much faster, you don'tneed to control the phases, the supply and others, this saves time. On the other hand, at least by now only 2 people canplay, which can make it longer if ypu need to carry 3/4 Major Countries each side.

I would contest that claim. Our time spend in the MWiF interface is currently way above average boardgame impulse time. Esp. because you have to check everything for bugs

ORIGINAL: Dabrion

I would contest that claim. Our time spend in the MWiF interface is currently way above average boardgame impulse time. Esp. because you have to check everything for bugs

You are a very distrusting man, indeed [;)]
To bad you weren't in the beta team. I think we could have used you for this...