Seeking Betaplayers

[ernieschwitz]

Guys (and should there be a gal or two then you too),

Bombur and I are seeking a few betatesters. Not many, but a few to play perhaps the final test run of the GD1938v3 mod. The build is quite stable. However there are some requirements for players seeking to test the game.

* You must have the Matrix version of the game, NOT the steam version.

* You must patch it to the newest beta patch available for ATG (227e currently).

* You must be willing to play at a reasonable speed. The faster you play the sooner everyone else can.

* Finally be aware this is a playtest, so things may be broken, or function differently than intended. If that is the case, you report it.

PM Bombur with your application. Make sure he has it by the 21st of January, 2018.

[LJBurstyn]

I'd be willing to join in beta-testing (spell checking at work). I think I got version 227d...so I'll have to get version e.

[RufusTFirefly]

Like to participate as well. Will send a PM to Bombur.

[ernieschwitz]

Thank you for those who sent a PM to Bombur.

I am not aware who of you did. We will, I hope, discuss which of you get to play in the Beta. Once again thank you.

PS: version 227f is now recommended. It will prevent some crashes other people were experiencing.

[Bombur]

We have three players to start. I will post the details soon. This game is closed but we can open others depending on Claus.

[LJBurstyn]

Need to be invited to the Dropbox site when ready. Three players...Axis, Allies, Russia I presume...ops...need to get new version of ATG. And the version of GD1938V3.

Since this is testing I assume we will have lots of restarts as problems are found and dealt with...hmmm ending with a preposition...ah...all rules in English can be ignored--Creative Writing 101.

[ernieschwitz]

Actually, restarts are not to be expected. Our team of testers have done quite a bit to find these, and they should be gone (here's hoping that is the case.) I'll make an ATZIP of all you need, as soon as Bombur (Alexandre) says I can.

[LJBurstyn]

One of the things I learned in my career is to NEVER underestimate the ability of people to do stupid and unexpected things--especially on the computer. I was a tester on many programs for the AZ Dept of Transportation where I earned a reputation for testing to the limit--they said IF I couldn't break a program it could not be broken. My intention on testing a program was to break it...and I planned my attempts with that in mind. This generally led to many restarts as the program was updated to reflect the problems I found. (Don't worry I will not use that approach here.)

I was an Accountant for the Dept. so whenever an "accounting" program was written I was involved in the testing.

[Bombur]

LBurstyn amd Rufus, we need to choose side. I need to play USSR do give some feedback to ernie. Who could play Axis and Allies powers?

[LJBurstyn]

I will play whoever is left...maybe the Allies. If Rufus wants Axis. I'll let him pick first.

I replaced my WiFi Router and some of my upload problems have been lessened. My ISP had me test my connection with and without the router connected and told me that when the router was connected my speed fell by more that 90%...I got Linksys support and they confirmed the problem...I got a new router (ouch--even with the discount--my old router was way out of warranty) Linksys was not sure getting new firmware would resolve the problem.

[RufusTFirefly]

ORIGINAL: LJBurstyn

I will play whoever is left...maybe the Allies. If Rufus wants Axis. I'll let him pick first.

Thanks, Larry.
You are right, I like to take Axis. Will start the game this weekend. As it is a test I will start without PW. Alexandre and Claus might have a look at our turns in case we got some serious issues to look at (dont think it will be necessary).

[Bombur]

Ok, I will create the dropbox folder, or, if you want, we can play by email. Do I have your emails?

[ernieschwitz]

If you don't have them, Bombur, then I have.

[Bombur]

Larry already invited

[LJBurstyn]

Accepted invite...waiting for USSR turn to be turned in...gee I get to play ALL the allies except USSR. This ought to take some time--especially since I'll have to change my "personality" when I play a different nation. I don't know that much about the French leader at this time...may have to look it up. Think I can play Churchill (I've read all of his books and a lot of books about him) and FDR.

I know a lot about the Japanese as I studied that part of the history...which is why I like playing them. I also studied Hitler...but not so much the Italian leader whose name I cannot spell.

EDIT: Important question: Would it be okay to post AAR?

[ernieschwitz]

EDIT: Important question: Would it be okay to post AAR?

I'll discuss it with Bombur.

[RufusTFirefly]

Hello Bombur,

need an invitation to dropbox. Have played the turn already but cannt upload.
Thanks.

[Bombur]

Look to the suggested house rules, they are actually somewhat different from that ones suggested by Claus, I´m willing to give more flkexibility to USSR.

The following restrictions would be applied to each country

1-Germany
-Must start a war before June 1940 or the Allies win the game
-Can make alliances only with Japan or Italy

2-Italy
-Can make alliances with Germany or Japan

3-Japan
-Cannot make peace with China
-Can make alliances with Germany or Italy

4-GB and France
-Can make alliances with China, USA or USSR (see USSR restrictions)
-Can make alliance with China only if at war with Japan
-Can make alliances with USSR only if USSR was attacked by Germany country AND they are already at war with the Germans (thus allowing Germany to go for a USSR first strategy)
-Cannot start a war against Japan, Italy or Germany
-Can make peace one time with USSR

5-USSR
-Can make alliances with China, France, GB, USA
-Can make alliances only if at war against one of the Axis powers
-Can DOW any country any time, except China, however, once they DOW an Axis power, then cannot make peace
-Can make peace one time with USA
-Can make peace one time with France
-Can make peace one time with GB

6-USA
-Once it wakes up from isolation, can make alliances with any allied country that is at war with one or more Axis countries
-Can DOW any Axis country that is at war with an allied country
-Can play the break neutrality card only after another war, that is not the Sino-Jpanese one, starts.
-Can make peace one time with USSR

7-China
-Cannot DOW any country
-Can make alliance with any allied country at war with Japan


Other restrictions

If a war is started, peace cannot be made until the game ends, except the three western powers that can peace with USSR only one time in the game.
This changes are intended to make the USSR a more unpredictable country.

[Bombur]

Rufus, you´ve just been invited.

[ernieschwitz]

Found my house rule(s) a bit easier to remember. (Only Soviet rules)

1). The Soviet Union may not attack any axis country, or country protected by an axis powers to start with.

2). Once war has been declared, by the axis powers (excluding the one war in china), then a timer begins. The timer starts at 13 (1 year) and counts down until reaching 0. At this time the Soviets may declare war on the axis minors or axis countries.

3). Each time the soviets declare war on an allied power or minor protected by an allied power, then a second timer is used. The timer starts at 13 as well, and resets the other one to 13, and that one does not count down until this one has. This too happens if land is gained via threat.

4). Once the 13 turns have passed then the USSR may go to peace with the allies.

5). Once peace with the allies is achieved then the original timer goes into effect, and 13 turns later, then the Soviet Union may attack only Axis majors or minors they protect.

In essence. Two timers. First one counts down the time before you can go to peace with the allies. 2nd timer counts down to when you can go to war with the axis.

It should be noted that the game works best when you actually try to be semi historical.