@Joel/@Pavel: Campaign Variability?

[MarkShot]

Aside from the random nature of computer AI actions at the micro level, and variability of the player's actions, is there any macro level variability in campaigns by the AI. To clarify:

* The AI has a great deal of micro variability as much is decided by die roles. But of course the larger statistical impact should be to mimic large scale historic combat outcomes.

* The AI is reacting to the player. Only if the player doggedly repeats identical plans would it seem likely for the AI to yield more or less the same response.

But does the AI at the macro level, choose from a set of strategies and put them into play? Or does the AI always execute one macro level approach to the campaign or even all campaigns?

If the AI does make non-repeatable macro choices where does that happen? During scenario initialization or periodically during game play or triggered by some form of event tree?

Finally, if macro choices do exist for the AI are they part of the engine or scenario design? Scripts or programmed behaviors?

I am asking as the basics of the game are pretty straight forward, but expert play is a huge learning curve. I want to know just how much replay is built under the hood if you don't PBEM. (I don't PBEM.)

My question stands for WITW (if it does not mirror WITE-2 in general architecture) as well, as that forum is rather stagnant.

Thank you!

[Joel Billings]

The AI is 100% Gary's work. On the attack it has a few macro choice points for the Germans. I don't think it has the same for the Soviets, but am not 100% sure. On defense there are a few places it tries to defend every game, but in the most part it's reactive. There is some randomness built in re it's willingness to counter-attack, including deciding between launching major offensives versus one off counter-attacks.

[MarkShot]

Thank you, Joel.

So far, I have been playing the smaller scenarios learning the ropes to move on to campaign play. I don't expect much variation in small scenarios ... I just want to know that I will find replay in the campaigns.

Mainly, for the moment, WITW. As I am assuming the patch which will come with the Steel Inferno release will be huge with fixes and balancing. I don't imagine you folks will release a DLC before you have the core mechanics tuned to where you want it. I did play some WITE-2 when I first got it as I never played any of the series, and then I decided to wait for some polishing.