Confused Noob: Variants and updates

[tonyp118]

I have been watching various PBEM and Let's Play games on YouTube during which references were made to Andy Mac variants and updates to enhance the performance of the AI. Some gamers claim the variants are already contained in the game, but others state they are not and need to be downloaded. After scouring the Forum I found a post by Kull - AI Files - Updating your build with the latest versions (2017) - in which he explains the various releases and provides links to the scenario updates.

My question is are the variants referred to in the games I've been watching already contained in the game I recently purchased, or do I need to install them as per Kull's post?

[GetAssista]

AFAIK current purchasable version of WITPAE coincides with what Kull's post tells you. You can't go wrong with doing what it tells you, and you will have an up to date game with all of the necessary stuff in place - public beta 1126b

AI updates and the currently developed unofficial patch is not mainstream yet.

[Sardaukar]

There is actually unofficial patch michealm just released few days ago.

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 3&t=386537

[btd64]

As a new player, I would highly recommend playing the vanilla game first before trying variations of the game....GP

[Panjack]

Following up on what GetAssista, Sardaukar, and btd64 wrote:

I, too, recommend that you use the most recent patch: https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 3&t=386537. You should first use the LLA version to see if it works, otherwise use the nonLLA version. On my Windows 10 computer, the LLA version does certain actions faster.

While the "old" AI scripts currently embedded in the downloaded game files are adequate for a first-time player, no reason exists not to download, and use, the AI scripts linked to in Kull's postings. My understanding is that the new AI scripts are no "smarter" than the old scripts, but they do provide a greater diversity of targets and actions for the AI to pursue. However, there's no need to play anything other than the more basic scenarios to get a good game experience.

Regardless of which set of AI scripts you use, you should keep in mind the following advice:

...It is not the specific script, not the particular scenario which matters. Any scenario/script (yes even Nast Nasty Tier 3) will cease to be competitive if the Allied human player focuses on stopping at all cost computer Japan from capturing in 1942 these bases:

1. Singapore
2. Manila
3. Clark Field
4. Bataan
5. Palembang
6. Batavia
7. Soerbaja
8. Rangoon
9. Mandalay
10.Rabaul

These bases are absolutely essential for any computer script.

Not quite essential but still of great assistance in maintaining a competitive AI player is for these bases to also be captured by the computer.

11. Port Blair
12. Port Moresby
13. Tarawa
14. Shortlands
16. Lunga
17. Akyab

All these bases (with the exception of Port Moresby) were historically captured by Japan, and it wasn't enough to make Japan really competitive in the war. ...

The above is found at https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 8#p4635688

[Yaab]

Stock scenarios were updated by AndyMac in 2021 here

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 8&t=340021

My AI.dat file for scen001 is from 21 August, 2021.

[tonyp118]

Many thanks to all for the feedback. It has cleared up a lot of questions I had. I will update with the most recent patch and consider the downloads in Kulls post and Any Mac's upgrade once I get my hands around this monstrous but amazing game.

[haegint]

It has been reported that the newest "unofficial" patch 11.27 possibly has a bug with air CAP missions. There is a thread about it:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 3&t=386537

This air mission type is rather important, in my opinion. I actually think it is more relevant than the new fixes that the patch provides. Until this issue is clarified, I would not (and I don't) update to 11.27 as of this time but continue playing with the game patched to version 11.26b.

[Sardaukar]

Yep, CAP won't fly in 11.27, use previous .26.

[haegint]

Alright, things move quickly...

Same day, only a few hours after my and Sardaukar's above post, michaelm75au released a new version of the 11.27 patch which apparently fixes the CAP bug. I have not tested it myself though, just wanted to put the alert here.

[Sardaukar]

Alright, things move quickly...

Same day, only a few hours after my and Sardaukar's above post, they released a new version of the 11.27 patch which apparently fixes the CAP bug. I have not tested it myself though, just wanted to put the alert here.

It is not "they", it is michaelm75au who does these things.

On weekend, no less...

So, credit to where it does belong.