Inadequate Version Descriptions for WITPAE

[Trotsky21]

I downloaded the base version of WITPAE which installs the launcher. On the launcher, there is "Check For Update" button which I activated. This initiates an update process which ultimately requires a machine re-boot to complete. After completing this process, the version number in the game is [unable to type in because your BB system thinks it's a link]. In the Slitherine archive, there are FOUR other files which are available to download to update the game. No adequate description exists anywhere as to whether I need to apply any of these other files to have the latest official version of the game. Furthermore, the version number& date displayed in game after I've completed the Launcher Update process is different that any of the archived WITPAE files in my Slitherine account.

This has to be among the worst cases of versioning and poor documentation and description I've ever encountered in the gaming world, although I only have one Slitherine product so that might not be fair.

In the picture below there are four images: On the upper right is the WITP Launcher with the Update button highlighted. This update process delivers a version of the game displayed in the lower right version of the image. That version and date differs from all the other Slitherine archive files for this product. For an end user who wants the latest version, you've left them totally confused and frustrated.

[Trugrit]

You are right about all that. You really need to delete the launcher. No one tells you that.
I deleted mine in 2009. Use a shortcut to the execute.

As near as I can tell the version numbers were designed by a follower of the Marquis de Sade.
No one tells you that either.

Stay out of the members section as well if you are able to.

WITP-AE junkies like me like it that way.
Like evolution, a gauntlet course to weed out the weak.
You got to want this game real bad to begin with.
It is not casual in any way.

Just follow this:
fb.asp?m=4589728

[Trotsky21]

You're like the Colonel Kurtz of WITPAE, aren't you?

Given the version I have, what is the very next step? Not a general description, but what file to obtain, how to apply it, and what version should result. Not the end game, of getting to the unofficial whatever. Because it seems to me that having used the launcher update feature, and a resulting version number that doesn't match anything on slitherine, there are about 4 different options as to the *next* step.

UPDATE:

Okay I followed your instructions and have the version number for the unofficial patch which matches your image. But what I feared would happen, has happened: The combat animations are now gone. For air combat, I get a report box of clouds and no planes. There is no combat animation for air v naval strikes. These animations appear in the "offical" update 1124, but disappear when you get to 1126b.

[Trugrit]

Maybe, but I'm not having trouble with the install.

I believe the version you have is the latest official patch.

To make sure; since you have the game installed go to the product page and download the
latest official patch and try to install it again. The game should tell you if it is already installed.
If it overwrites it is still O.K. and you will have the last official update.

Then go get the Beta. There is an opinion that the last official update is the same as the Beta.
I have not seen an official word on that but get the Beta to make sure.

The version should look like what is below.

The Beta will create a new shortcut for you to use.

Then you can configure your command line. Fun and games.

[Trotsky21]

Yes, thanks. I updated my earlier post. Followed your instructions, etc. Everything seems to be in order, except the combat animations which no longer populate with images of aircraft or ships (just a blank combat animation box with clouds, no animations whatsoever for air v naval/ground strikes). Thanks for your help in any case.

[Trugrit]

Your animations maybe running slow due to your command line setup.

Do you know about the command line?

[Trotsky21]

The animations aren't running slow. They aren't there. Yes I have a good command line which took me a couple of hours to develop. [ -SingleCpuOrders -cpu1 -multiaudio -px2048-py1536 -altFont -deepColor -skipVideo -f ]

The "Air Combat" box pops up . . . no airplane images appear. Every time there is an air to naval or air to ground combat, no animation pops up at all. Ship to ship animations appear to be okay. This was the exact problem I had when I went through this process before.

I should note that the command line which works for the official does NOT work for the unofficial - the game is offset about 45 degrees to port/stern, and parts of the game are cut off.

[Trugrit]

I had this problem about 9 years ago. I can't remember how I solved it. I'm getting old.

Try cutting back you resolution. This is an old game.

Try my Command line:
"C:\Matrix Games\War in the Pacific Admiral's Edition\Beta2\War in the Pacific Admiral Edition.exe" -fd -altFont -cpu2 -multiaudio -px1920 -py1080 -deepColor -skipVideo

Don't use cpu1. Use another cpu.

Also you need a space between px2048 and py1536

[Trotsky21]

I notice in your instructions your first step is to install the 1124 version. If I was to start the whole process over again, which I am going to now (what's 10 or 40 hours to folks like us, am I right?), step 1 would be installing 1124 directly, or installing the base game, then installing 1124, then installing 1126a, then installing 1126b?

This whole process is a f*cking disaster if you ask me.

Edit: thanks for the catch on the space - don't know how that got in there, it's not in my base. However, fixing it doesn't alter the outcome, the beta is still offset by 45 degrees, cut off and unplayable. Seems rather strange that the beta would alter this result.

[BillBrown]

Install the 1079, then either the 1124 or the 1126a and then the 1126b.
One of the 1124 or 1126a has to be installed for all the patches before them,
they are both comprehensive updates, the 1126b is not.

[Trugrit]

I hope not 40 hours for you!

No. Just three steps.

You just need to first install the base game. Then the official patch. Then the Beta.

[Trotsky21]

Back to square 1. Game uninstalled.

Downloaded and installed 1124. No shortcut appeared on desktop. Manually created one. Added switches. Game launch failure "unable to find PW data." No line for uninstall of WITP appears in control panel. Manually deleted all game files. Note: Here the install process is totally broken. The installer for 1124 should check to see if the base game is already installed and there is a registry entry. It does not. Instead, it installs an incomplete game, makes no registry entry, does not add a shortcut. Moreover, there isn't anything in product descriptions or instructions to prevent a user from making this mistake.

Attempt #2: Downloaded and installed the base game (file name v10079DR). Shortcut created. WITP listed in "uninstall programs" panel of control panel. Launch game (defaults to old full screen resolution). Dec 8 scenario. Immediate end of orders phase. Air-to-air combat animations again have no aircraft images. Used task manager to end WITP game process and launcher. Rebooted.

[geofflambert]

After all of that grief, once you get the combat animations to work, before long you will be hitting ESC as soon as an animation starts, so you won't have to sit through it.

[Trotsky21]

I usually do, but sometimes it's important to watch them or at least get a handle on the size and quality of forces involved. The issue isn't wanting the combat animations - the issue is if those animations have disappeared, the game install is compromised. I didn't pay for a compromised game.

[Trotsky21]

ORIGINAL: BillBrown

Install the 1079, then either the 1124 or the 1126a and then the 1126b.
One of the 1124 or 1126a has to be installed for all the patches before them,
they are both comprehensive updates, the 1126b is not.

A very clear description. Slitherine should hire you. However there are at least two different update methods, and more than two places to get these files. One involves the native "Check For Updates" feature of the base game launcher, the other involves going to one's product archive and downloading the 1124 or 1126a patch and then, presumeably, launching those which engages an update application. Which is preferable? Why do the version numbers and dates which result from either process differ with one another? Why do all of the version references not match the version numbers slitherine has in its product archive?

[BillBrown]

I have never used the update feature available in the launcher, so I can not comment on that. I always just download them from the members page.

[Trugrit]

The update feature in the launcher?

Bill Brown has never used it. That is a sure indication that he has a very high I.Q.

Why do the version numbers and dates which result from either process differ with one another?
This game is great because it is modeled on the real world US military.

It is best that players get a feel for FUBAR right up front during the install and configuration process.

That feeling of frustration will serve you well as you play the game.
That feeling is universal to all of us who have served in the real world military.

Why do all of the version references not match the version numbers slitherine has in its product archive?

Once again real world military. Think of Slitherine as a separate branch of the real world military.

Lets say Slitherine is the US Army and Matrix is the US Navy.
Each has its own procedures and they don’t feel a bond of brotherhood. Enough said.

I have never installed the base game from the members section as I have a CD.
It takes me just minutes to install the base game.

I’m sure if I had to install it from the members section I could do it.
You need to develop that sense of confidence in your own ability to master this game.

Look in a mirror and tell yourself:
This game can not beat me. They can not make a game hard enough that I can’t improvise, adapt and overcome.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: Trotsky21

the issue is if those animations have disappeared, the game install is compromised.

No.

The nature of this glitch is such that it could be graphics drivers misbehaving, and only doing so with this software. Besides that, this has no bearing on the stability of the game as it runs.

How do I know? Because I can replicate the "glitch" on my machine, and it works just fine.

[Trotsky21]

ORIGINAL: Trugrit

Once again real world military.

I've been in the real world military bub. With 14 different version numbers, conflicting dates, and documentation - if it exists at all - for the install process having actually nothing to do with real world user experience, Slitherine is ready to contract for the military.

[Trotsky21]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

ORIGINAL: Trotsky21

the issue is if those animations have disappeared, the game install is compromised.

No.

The nature of this glitch is such that it could be graphics drivers misbehaving, and only doing so with this software. Besides that, this has no bearing on the stability of the game as it runs.

How do I know? Because I can replicate the "glitch" on my machine, and it works just fine.

I know it doesn't affect the game function. As I mentioned, that's not the point. It affects the player experience to a point that managing processes become more time-consuming and information deprived. Also, there's an immersion or fun element missing where there is no combat animation whatsoever for a decisive carrier battle/strike.